Game Spotting in Africa: 6 Tips for the First-Timer
Orlando-based travel blogger Ben Reed is President and Chief Adventurer of adventureswithben.com a website to help travellers plan, explore and enjoy the top destination in world travel.
Without a doubt, game spotting ranks as a must-do when visiting Africa. Whether your travels take you to a private game reserve or one of the expansive national parks, here are six tips to help you prepare for your drive:
1. Be comfortable with early starts
Animals are most active during sunrise and sunset. You’ll be waking up before the sun has risen in order to maximise your chances of spotting the Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo). Get plenty of rest the night before, and be the first to arrive at your vehicle to have your choice of seats. I recommend the back row.
2. Answer nature’s call before you depart
Game drives can last 2-3 hours (or more) depending on your group. There may or may not be a scheduled break to answer the call of nature in the midst of your drive. Enough said.
3. Pack appropriately
Dress in layers. It can be quite chilly at night. A warm jacket and blanket are strongly recommended, as is a flashlight/torch, bug spray, hat and snacks if you have them. A telephoto lens is a great investment if you want to capture those magazine-quality photos. Regardless of your camera equipment, bring lots of memory cards and extra batteries to last the entire trip.
4. Be patient and watchful
Animals don’t make guest appearances when the jeep drives by. And believe it or not, animals are tough to spot – including the mighty elephant. The thick bush makes for great camouflage, even from just a few feet away. Part of the fun on game drives is tracking the animals, whether it is through their droppings, tracks or movement patterns to search for water or food. Your guide will tell you what to look for – so keep your eyes peeled!
5. Appreciate the small creatures too
The chances of seeing all of the Big Five on your first (or even tenth) drive are quite rare. But don’t let that disappoint you. Africa is full of all sorts of animal species, all with their own, unique behaviours, natural defences and habitats. Spiders, snakes, lizards, birds and many more animals are just as fascinating, but not as high-profile.
6. Enjoy the moment
Chances are, you’ll see some of the big game on your trip. The first time you see an elephant or rhino up close, you’ll shout in excitement and grab your camera to capture the moment. But don’t get too distracted by your photography.
Put your camera down and just watch the animals. Watch them eat, sleep, play and take care of their young. This is a moment many dream of witnessing, but few ever have the chance to experience. Seeing animals in their natural environment, without any cages, keepers or show times is one of the great pleasures in life. Where else on the planet can you witness endless horizons, fresh air and a pride of lions – celebrate the moment, you’re in Africa!
What are your top game-viewing tips for first timers? Leave a comment or ask Ben a question below, then head to Twitter and Facebook to see what the rest of the Gecko's community is saying.
See all our trips in Africa and put these good tips to use!
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Comments
Hi Michaela, Wow, what an
Hi Michaela,
Wow, what an awesome trip! You'll have a ball. We have a great new app on Facebook where you can connect with people who are going on your trip. The link is here: http://www.facebook.com/geckosadventures?sk=app_125608680858382
If your trip is not on the list yet, scroll down to the bottom of the page and add it manually. It's a great way to meet others before you go.
Also if you have any questions for other travellers, you can post them on our Facebook wall.
Cheers,
Kellie (Gecko's)
Hello, I am going on Absolute
Hello,
I am going on Absolute Africa on December 10, 2011. How should get in contact with other travelers? I would like to share ideas and information. Tx Michaela
Hi Susan, Lizzie, our African
Hi Susan,
Lizzie, our African expert has come back with the following info. I hope this helps!
"The tents are 2 man tents and are approximately 2.4 x 2.4. They are quite spacious even with 2 people in them and most people if they stand up inside have to crouch only slightly. They are heavy duty and have "windows" on the outside that can be zipped up or down with a fly screen. The sleeping mats are 50mm thick with covers.
The shower facilities are similar to a shower block at a caravan park at each of the camp stes.
The trucks are not air conditioned, but the windows can open to let in fresh air.
Food is usually toast or cereal for brekfast with some fruit. Lunch can sometimes be leftover pasta or rice from dinner, and open sandwiches with salad options and lunch meats (passengers will make their own sandwiches). For dinner, you will have things like pasta salads, rice salads and generally BBQ meat or a stew/casserole on occasions."
If you have any further questions, please email an expert here: http://www.geckosadventures.com/email-an-expert
Cheers,
Kellie (Gecko's)
Hi Susan, Thanks for your
Hi Susan,
Thanks for your question. I've passed it onto our Africa expert, and will post her response here hopefully within the next few days. In the meantime, feel free to head to Facebook and ask the rest of the Gecko's community if they have any advice, as we have a lot of past passengers on there quite regularly. http://www.facebook.com/geckosadventures
Cheers,
Kellie (Gecko's)
hi i would like to know more
hi i would like to know more about the tents (sleeping facilities)and the type of food served. is there showering facilities, and are the drives done in comfortable airconditioned vehicles.. im am looking at the 12 day tour water and wildlife tour...thanks for any info
Hi Joesph, Sounds like you
Hi Joesph,
Sounds like you have a pretty exciting adventure planned!
Take a look at these trips to get some inspiration:
http://www.geckosadventures.com/africa/rwanda/complete-east-africa-reverse-2008
http://www.geckosadventures.com/africa/uganda/gorillas-serengeti-2011
Or head over to our site to check out the Africa page:
http://www.geckosadventures.com/africa
Cheers,
Kellie (Gecko's)
I am looking for a safria to
I am looking for a safria to AFRICA TO SEE THE WILDLIFE LIKE KENYA,BOTEWANA,ZIMBABWE,TANZANIA,SERENGETI,MAASAI MARA PARKS FOR 2012 AUG TO IN A SMALL LOT PEOPLE AND 1 WEEK IN BOTEANAN AND 2 WEEKS IN ZIMBABWE AND SERENGETI AND MAASAI MARA 3 WEEKS TO SEE THE WILD LIFE HOPE TO HEAR FORM YOU SOON FROM jOE
Expect to spend long days
Expect to spend long days travelling to your destinations and get to like dust, warm beers and tents!
Travelling in the truck and helping out with the chores is a great way to get to know your travelling group and make new friends from all over the world.
When out on safari take your shoes off and stand on the seats so you can get a clear view of the country side and animals around you from the high top roof on the jeeps. Most drivers wont mind you standing on the seats as long as you take your shoes off. Don't sit down when the vehicle is moving, keep looking. The cats are especially are hard to see in the long grass or the distance and the country side is majestic. Be patient and listen to what your driver is saying and where to look and let the driver keep their distance so not to scare the animals away.
Question your driver if they are travelling in a convoy ... my first leopard experience (totally amazing to watch her drag a Giselle up a tree and then wait for at least 40 minutes for her to start her meal) was with no less than 27 other jeeps and it took some time to get other jeeps to move out of the way so we could move on. Your camera captures wonderful pics to share with your friends back home, but seeing these beautiful animals and birds, big or small, cute or ugly with both your eyes and not through a lens are memories you'll have for life.
Talk to the people your travelling with and come up with a selection of animals you would like to see and tell your drive. We saw 34 different animals .. and we only had lions, leopards, cheaters, rino & hippos on our list! Go with an open mind ... Don't have preconceived ideas you will see a pride of lions chasing a zebra or a mass migration. Their not on show for us!
Oh and the night time lions raw is really something to scare the shit out of you even thou they are miles away!
I loved it so I'm going back again. Masai Mara & Gorillas.
Great tips here! I'd love to
Great tips here! I'd love to see an elephant in the wild - although to be honest, I'd be too scared that the lion would try and eat me for breakfast haha!
Good common-sense tip about answering the call of nature - nothing more uncomfortable than being stuck in a car & not being able to go!