Safari Etiquette
Etiquette on a safari is all about respecting the environment you're visiting and your fellow passengers.
NOTE: If there's an individual on your safari who is spoiling things, or something a lodge or guide is doing that's upsetting you, please let us and the lodge or guide know as soon as possible so it can be sorted out quickly. Don't wait until you've returned home to tell us — by then it's too late, and your safari has already been affected.
Safari Etiquette — Respecting Wildlife, People and the Environment
How to Get the Very Best Out of Your African Safari
Respect your environment
- Only take photographs and memories with you — never litter.
- Off-road driving causes erosion and encourages the encroachment of unwanted plant species.
- Do not remove any natural material from wildlife reserves.
- Do not start fires by throwing cigarettes out of the vehicle.
- Refrain from collecting or purchasing natural souvenirs, such as rocks, flowers and shells.
Respect the wildlife
- Never tease or corner wild animals.
- Never attempt to attract an animal's attention.
- Don't imitate animal sounds, clap your hands, bang the vehicle or throw objects.
- Never sleep outside in unfenced areas.
- Never attempt to feed wild animals.
- Never attempt to approach any wild animal on foot without a qualified guide.
Respect your fellow passengers
- Refrain from smoking on game drives.
- Respect your guide's judgement about your proximity to wild animals — they are the expert.
- Always follow your guide's advice and ask questions if you're unsure of anything.
- Show consideration for others by keeping noise levels to a minimum.
- Drive slowly and maintain appropriate distances from wildlife if you're self-driving.
- Avoid flash photography.
- Turn off your phone, or switch it to silent, while on safari.
- Rotating seats in the vehicle on a day-by-day basis is a good courtesy to fellow passengers.
- Ask before using someone else's equipment, whether binoculars or a field guide.
Respect local customs and people
- Ask permission before taking photographs of people.
- Consider giving books, school supplies or a contribution to a local project rather than sweets or money directly to children.
- Dress and act appropriately for the local culture.
- Ask cultural questions discreetly and respectfully.
- Never photograph police or army personnel, border posts, army barracks or police stations.
- Respect all customs and religions.
- Take care not to make a promise that will be difficult or impossible to fulfil once you've returned home.
Travel Responsibly, Travel Well
A little courtesy goes a long way on safari — for the wildlife, for the environment, and for the communities who call these extraordinary places home. If anything about your trip isn't quite right, tell us straight away and we'll do everything we can to put it right. That's what being genuinely owner-run, since 1999, is all about.
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