A Holiday on Safari - Things you must never forget

Safari holidays are an excellent way to see parts of the world in a different light and are the idea vacation for wildlife enthusiasts seeing flora and fauna co-existing in a natural habitat is incomparably better than witnessing it in a zoo or on television. These trips offer travellers a rare opportunity to immerse themselves fully into an exciting and exotic world. However, it is important to remember that this is a very different type of holiday to simply lounging on the beach or wandering around a town or city being on safari requires you to do things a little differently.

Personal Safety – Although the majority of safari trips are run by responsible and experienced companies, operators and individuals, you are naturally more at risk than you would be on a conventional summer break. For instance, there are wild animals here which, though they may be used to a certain degree of human contact, are still potentially dangerous and it is important that you always follow the advice of the guides when in proximity of these creatures. In addition, foreign visitors to these areas may be more susceptible to local illnesses so make sure you have the full range of vaccinations before travelling and do what you can to avoid increasing the risk of contracting something.

Environmental Responsibility – One of the greatest perks of safari holidays is being part of the new wave of popularity of so-called ecotourism. This type of travel focuses on making sure that tourism is not only harmless to the area in which it takes place, but is also a positive influence. This is particularly relevant to safari trips as they involve direct interaction with the natural world and it is therefore possible to view the impact that large numbers of visitors have on the local environment. In many cases, safaris are operated by companies who endeavour to protect regional habitats and the species that reside there, as well as contributing to local conservation charities. Some trips even feature an educational component or allow tourists to engage in a project to help protect endangered species, for instance. Either way it is important to remember to be aware of your surroundings and do your utmost to leave nothing behind when you depart.

Cultural Interaction – In many cases, safari expeditions are, at least on ground level, operated by local people. There are many benefits to this, including their superior knowledge of the landscape and the wildlife there, as well as getting the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in a foreign culture. However, it is important to show respect and understanding for their way of life, even when it differs considerably with your own; after all, you are visitors to their country and home. This is not to say that you should abandon all traces of your own identity, but rather find a way to respectfully share aspects from each other’s cultures.