I don't recall, Hari. On my walking safaris, the briefings have tended to concentrate on what to do and what not to do in the event a dangerous animal is encountered...and, of course, the importance of staying together with the guide. Most of the time, you don't even think about talking because you have to save your breath for the walking, except when you stop for a break or to look at something interesting.

John

Ok, John. I guess guiding also involves a huge amount of patience and tolerance to deal with different people!!! not easy.

Hari

I am inclined to disagree with the last advice. If ever we are to grow then surely we must engage others with differing opinions to ours. Having guided many folk on safari, the most heated debates are often the most rewarding, so if it were me I'd say: "bring it on".

That allows me to add that you should know something of the flora and fauna that you might see, a guide appreciates a client who is there because they actually want to be there and are interested.

Don't ask silly questions, such as: "have you ever used your rifle?". or "Do gnus hunt in packs?", or "Can a giraffe lie down?" etc...

Yes agree that local lingo is appreciated, but there is no better way than standing out like a ponce than repeating common phrases without being able to take it further, what is appreciated is a notepad and pen to learn the sentence beyond "thank you and have a nice day!" Actually skip the "Have a nioce day bit", Africans generally give that empty term a wide berth.

Mkh,
I got to disagree in theory and gut feeling with you on this one. I feel that if someone makes at least some effort to assimilate it will do a couple things;

1. encourage them to take it further to learn more - that is how people learn new languages.

2. sometimes when in line getting goods etc. a simple thank you is all that's needed or wanted to keep the line moving - not everyone has the need for a full conversation. I do believe the locals do appreciate some effort.

If someone calls you a ponce for that, then I personally would wonder who after all is the ponce.

As far as a heated debate, there's nothing like it, so long as it's agreed upon by both parties and done over a cool one. When out on a bush walk, however, I say keep your opinions out of it unless fitting - in other words, shut the hell up.
Thus, one more reason for a private safari!
Just my humble opinion;
Sherry

On a bush walk, there's no point talking about issues like culling and the pro's and cons....that's something that can be done at the lodge. Yes, i like travelling with knowledgable co-travellers on my safari too....but, not those who are excessively talkative on the drive....there's a fine line!!!

Hari

I also disagree with mkh. if you don't know if giraffes lie down, if gnus hunt in packs, or any other "silly" question, how will you find out unless you ask?

Giraffes do indeed lay down but for extremely long periods which can seem like an eternity :S-

particularly if lions are close.......

Not sure if this is already covered...If you have a camera that beeps to confirm focus, please disable that beeping sound. I had it "On" the first day of my safari and it annoyed me.

In the interests of strong debate :), I'll repeat and emphasise the description I deliberately gave the argument I experienced: <i><b>disruptive and distracting</b></i>. I cannot imagine any guide, whether in a potentially dangerous situation or even in the safety of a vehicle, wanting to be distracted from the job in hand. As a client, I certainly don't want him or her to be distracted. I don't even want to just wonder if he/she maybe is. On walking trails, it's particularly important. I was distracted myself, and I'm experienced enough to know the guide eventually realised what was happening. The problem did not arise on subsequent days. As Hari says, keep such discussions to camp where others can escape them if they want to.

John

I was going to let this go, but decided it's also worth saying that asking a guide if he/she has ever used their rifle is not necessarily a silly question (and as others have already said, nor are the other questions).

As it happens, the guide in my story had been forced to use his rifle only the year before, to kill a cow elephant which charged his group and seriously injured one of his clients. I don't recall if the guide was asked, or volunteered the story while briefing us (I know it was true, because I later read an account of the incident written by the injured client). What's relevant is that the story underlined the importance of following the guide's instructions. If asking a guide about his rifle helps reinforce those instructions, that's fine by me. Ironically, the argumentative client, our guide's distraction, and my own, could easily have led to another tragedy.

John

As for &quot;dumb&quot; questions for the guide, if the person asking is sincere and interested, I don't look on it as dumb. I hope my &quot;dumb&quot; questions have been viewed in a similar manner.

On safari I just got back from, I told a guide regarding a woman guest that just had to talk, said I, &quot;On a game drive I want to hear only you (guide) talk and nature talk. The other talk can wait for the bar or dinner.&quot;
regards - tom
ps - working on trip report

Have a wonderful time. Our first time was last December and we are going again this January. It is addicting in the best way! Take the time to take it all in. The big five are amazing, but so are the little things and I was so glad that my guide pointed them out. The birds, the beatles, and lizards -- all facinating to observe. If you come across local children, take a photo with your digital camera. You will not see bigger smiles and looks of amazement as when you show them the photos. They love it! Travel safe and have the time of your life!

Wow you guys are great! Such great tips and lots of good info. We leave tomorrow and I hope to return with wonderful tales of our experience. I have become the 'expert' of our small group thanks to many months of reading on this very board. I have daily emails from our group asking last minute questions and thanks to you all I can answer with confidence. Whatever I forget to bring I will do without, it will just give me the excuse to 'bring it next time'.

Thanks again,

momofmany

I'm so excited for you. Have a wonderful trip.

momofmany,

I know you'll have a great trip. Bon voyage!

tom,

Welcome back. Looking forward to your report.

John

Tom,

Welcome back. Look forward to your trip report. Also, hope you found your Big Cat diary dvd's at the camp store.

Hari

Hi Hari,
Thanks. I'm working on a trip report, gonna take a while (but will probably beat Jasher to the finish line :-) ).
I looked for the Big Cat Diary at Lil Governors camp but they did not have any DVDs, period. They did have a few books, one on Queen the cheetah, which the BBC called Kike (can you guess why?). In fact the BBC Big Cat Diary/Week was there filming at Governors. They were there all of September. We saw Jonathan Scott in a BBC Land Rover at a sighting of Honey and her (were five) three cubs, the latest cheetahs. Got photos, of all :-)
But back to DVDs, I got Big Cat Week before I left from Amazon UK. Plays fine here in USA after you remove the (stupid) region code from the DVD player.
regards - tom

Tom,

Thanks....some amazing sightings!!! excellent!!!

Hari