I’m looking at pics, it seems like they’re always taken from the vehicle, do people get out? Obviously you’re not going to pet the animals, but to get better shots can you get out of the bus/jeep?
It depends mostly on the game park or reservation your at – most of the larger game parks are based on the self drive tourists and as such certain rules are set in place that you should remain in your vehicle at all times, for your safety as well as the safety of the animals. However just about all the large Game Parks in South Africa has designated areas where you are permitted to leave your vehicle at own risk (check the map that can be bought when you arrive at the game park), this does not mean that there can not still be dangerous animals in that particular area (I had a nasty run in with an elephant bull at a picnic site in the Hluhluwe Umfolozi game park, I was out of the car and the elephant came charging cutting me off from the vehicles, I ended up hiding behind trees and backing up tree to tree until I was out of the picnic area and into the bushes – I ended up walking through the bushes back to the car – I’ve never been that scared in my life).
You have to realize just how dangerous a wild animal can be before you even consider leaving your car unguided. I’ve been going to game parks once a month since I can remember, I thought I was pretty good at reading an elephants behavior and it still took me by surprise when that elephant started charging, it’s proof that any wild animal can go from docile grazing to an aggressive threat in a split second.
If your still up for taking photos from outside the vehicle, I’m happy to inform you that you can sign up for guided walks with game rangers at most game parks
I would say that depends on the game park and your guide.
In Ngoro Ngoro crater we stayed in the car and took the pictures of the lions that rested in the shadow of our jeep from the sky roof. Our guide would not let us out of the car – nor would we have wanted to.
At Lake Manyara my private guide let me out of the car to take pictures of the hippos in the lake (but told me not to venture out too far from the car in case they charge).
In Swaziland during a self-guided drive-through park adventure, we had to get out of the car to move a tree of the trail (in the middle of lion country) and there was nobody to tell us not to.
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Me
It depends mostly on the game park or reservation your at – most of the larger game parks are based on the self drive tourists and as such certain rules are set in place that you should remain in your vehicle at all times, for your safety as well as the safety of the animals. However just about all the large Game Parks in South Africa has designated areas where you are permitted to leave your vehicle at own risk (check the map that can be bought when you arrive at the game park), this does not mean that there can not still be dangerous animals in that particular area (I had a nasty run in with an elephant bull at a picnic site in the Hluhluwe Umfolozi game park, I was out of the car and the elephant came charging cutting me off from the vehicles, I ended up hiding behind trees and backing up tree to tree until I was out of the picnic area and into the bushes – I ended up walking through the bushes back to the car – I’ve never been that scared in my life).
You have to realize just how dangerous a wild animal can be before you even consider leaving your car unguided. I’ve been going to game parks once a month since I can remember, I thought I was pretty good at reading an elephants behavior and it still took me by surprise when that elephant started charging, it’s proof that any wild animal can go from docile grazing to an aggressive threat in a split second.
If your still up for taking photos from outside the vehicle, I’m happy to inform you that you can sign up for guided walks with game rangers at most game parks
References :
Hi there
just as an alternative to the other answers to your question.
Have you thought about the different alternatives to a driving safari ? For instance you can do a safari on quad bike or horse back.
I was recently in the Eastern Cape and did both of these. Great fun and a real alternative to drive safaris. If its photos you are thinking of then its worth considering a horse back safari. You can get pretty close to some animals although perhaps not if its rhino or lions
Some friends of mine recently went to Shamwari Game Reserve (voted top game reserve) and came back with great shots of cheetahs and lions – they are amateurs and their photos were great.
Here is a url to find out more about Shamwari
http://www.where2stay-southafrica.com/info.php?lid=107
Alternatively take a look at this url for Plumbago in Kruger.
http://www.where2stay-southafrica.com/info.php?lid=54
Hope this helps.
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http://www.where2stay-southafrica.com
The safari i went on we stayed in the vehicle the whole time!
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In South Africa, it depends on the park, but mostly yes. There are foot trails, horse, quads etc. in most/ some parks though.
In Botswana, only one or two reserves insist that you remain in your vehicle, but Chobe, Kgalagadi, Okavango etc. NO, You pitch your tent before dark next to the road….at own risk of course.
Just remember that it is for your own safety though. People who don’t know African game have the bad tendency to underestimate the animals…especially elephant, hippo’s and rhino, that seems to be slow…but believe me…they’re fast…much faster than any human. Added to that, they’re extremely powerful.
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I live in SA and have family in Botswana.
Everyone has answered your question already. Just an interestingpoint – SAFARI is the Swahili word for a long trip. So if I go from london to New York, then I am going on SAFARI.
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Like the first answer said it depends. It depends what animal is around at the time. If elephant or Rhino you’re likely to stay in the vehicle.
It also depends what safari you paid for, you can go on safaris where you are with a guide on foot for a period of time tracking animals. I would think it’s more expensive and they only take a minimum number of people usually 1 or 2 people plus the guide. You can always ring up the game reserve and ask what they offer and prices etc.
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