Safari Tips For You

Most of you who are familiar with safari know what your safari kits should necessarily contain.They are privy to the knowledge of what they are likely to encounter and with a spirit of adventure that is usually associated with their outlook makes them mentally fortified and well prepared for the safari. But for the ones who are not well tutored and experienced in the sport and even for those who are experienced and knowledgeable,but negligent in abiding by what they already know as negligence is a common human frailty,it is always important that they equip themselves with whatever safety information that would be useful on the brink of a safari.
Mosquitoes:
Since favorite safari locations are in the tropics and more particularly in the savanna grasslands,wet rainy forests of Central Africa and in the Amazons which are natural breeding grounds for mosquitoes and are rife with potential health hazards of vector borne diseases like Malaria and Dengue.More daunting is the fact that health institutions are located at some great distances away from these natural game parks and can prove a nerve wrecking experience should some calamity occur.So,take sufficient stocks of antidote against possible common diseases that prevail in these areas.Malarone, Doxcycline, Mefloquine and Chloroquine are the commonest medications prescribed against Malaria.To be extra-safe and if adults accompany their kids ,take along mozzie-repellent shampoos ,soaps,lotions and sprays.
Crawlies:
These game parks are the habitat of some of the deadliest snakes on earth.Precautions are all important.If you dare step on the grass,have your feet well protected with the safari boots.If you encounter a snake,back away quickly.If bitten by a snake ,administer necessary firstaid and rush the victim immediately to the nearest hospital.It is normally presumed that hospitals in these areas have ample supplies of anti-venom treatment.
Creepies:
Most game lodges supply nets and window coverings against creepies.But check your shoes ,you’d have most likely squished a scorpion or some deadly spider unawares.Check under your bed ,under the pillows and especially in the toilet for its moisture as they can easily creep their way through the water outlet.When going out for a bush walk,wear long trousers,boots and socks to avoid picking such hitchhikers.
Ticks:
They are common and live in the bush.Tick bites are treatable,but be quick in removing the tick no sooner you locate them.Removal of the ticks must be done in a way that you’ll not bury its head in the skin.Use a tweezers to grasp the head and gently remove it.
Safety on a game drive:
A land rover with a guide and his gun will be placed at your disposal.You’ll have to follow the rules .Listen to the guide.They are experienced with the ways of the wild and know animal behavior and their movements during the day. When you’re in sight of animals observe silence and rolling of cameras should appear unobtrusive with no flash lights.
Keep your hands to yourself.Do not stretch your hands outside the vehicle when traveling through as you may brush against objects and injure yourself.Also do not lean out and try to touch animals as they can retort with anger and injure you.Remain seated because your movement can scare the animals.
Safety on a self-drive safari:
Same rules apply as when you’re on a public road.Don’t yank your head out of the window to avoid being hit by some protruding object.A flat Tyre can pose a frightening prospect in these jungle stretches.See if you can flag down another vehicle coming down your way for help.Besides the spare,check that all tires of the vehicle are of good condition before you drive away.
Always observe the speed limits within the park as they mean a message for your own safety.
Help maintain the game environment by not polluting it.Don’t throw away leftovers such as food,containers or any other form of rubbish.Animals can get used to human eats and might start scavenging for them.
Don’t rev your engine ,hoot or flash your lights as they can scare and tempt the animals into a stampede and causing damage to your vehicle and its passengers. At the first sight of agitation,hurriedly make your exit.
Safety in a game walk or at a look out point:
This should be done only with the explicit knowledge of a guide.Also don’t dare swim in the calm and lucid pools of water that you’ll come across along the way ,being naturally oppressed by the sultry conditions around as they can be heavily infested with parasites and even life threatening crocodiles.