Safari Etiquette
Mar 16th, 2008, 07:20 PM
#41
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I'm pretty disappointed in reading about the lack of professionalism by the Sactuary/A&K drivers/guides. A company that is highly reputed ought to be more responsible. Cheetahs are already endangered and it is a pity that they are subject to this!
Mar 16th, 2008, 08:35 PM
#42
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Highly reputed with A&K is a thing of the past. They haven't had a decent operation in over 5 years. They let all of their best guides go after 9/11, and their manager drove the operation into the ground. It will be a tough hole for them to climb out of. A&K corporate sold them off and they haven't been the same since.
Mar 17th, 2008, 03:57 AM
#44
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Hi
Well Hari & Atravelynn you are correct. It does happen quite a bit though unfortunately.
Tom you hit the nail on the head about guides coming up from the Sabi Sands to teach the East African drivers a thing or two...thousand. I have posted a couple of times about how terrible I find most of the guides in East Africa. Although every single guest will always tell me that their guide is the best blah blah. I cringe at what I see and hear. I am not suprised by all these vehicles interfering with the animals etc. I have personally been at sightings in the Serengeti and had 4-5 different drivers from different companies having a big fat conversation and laughing etc. I became quite unpopular once because I actually had enough at one stage and shouted at all the drivers at once (which was maybe not the correct thing to do but it felt nice). No my driver did not get a tip! I did get some strange looks from guests in other vehicles (but I do think if these other guests had all read Fodors they would not have allowed what was going on either)...and one of these vehicles was an A & K vehicle.
Well Hari & Atravelynn you are correct. It does happen quite a bit though unfortunately.
Tom you hit the nail on the head about guides coming up from the Sabi Sands to teach the East African drivers a thing or two...thousand. I have posted a couple of times about how terrible I find most of the guides in East Africa. Although every single guest will always tell me that their guide is the best blah blah. I cringe at what I see and hear. I am not suprised by all these vehicles interfering with the animals etc. I have personally been at sightings in the Serengeti and had 4-5 different drivers from different companies having a big fat conversation and laughing etc. I became quite unpopular once because I actually had enough at one stage and shouted at all the drivers at once (which was maybe not the correct thing to do but it felt nice). No my driver did not get a tip! I did get some strange looks from guests in other vehicles (but I do think if these other guests had all read Fodors they would not have allowed what was going on either)...and one of these vehicles was an A & K vehicle.
Mar 17th, 2008, 04:40 AM
#45
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Safari etiquette must also be observed by the tracker and ranger as well. While at Mala Mala last October the tracker was using his stick to banging on the side of the land rover to "get the attention" of some lions. My wife and I just looked at each other horrified. The ranger did not scold the tracker. Also we were following a leopard through the river bed and the tracker put the land rover in such a position that one of the ladies in the middle seats was almost ejected out of the vehicle. There was no need for us to follow the leopard in to such dense growth.
Scott
Scott
Mar 17th, 2008, 05:14 AM
#46
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Mdlopez05, thanks for asking this question. May I add the following:
Don't take anyone's picture without asking - it's just rude (and could be costly to you)
If you promise to send someone a copy of a picture or a gift, make sure you do so. (The most common compliant I get while traveling is promises made by tourist, but never delivered)
Be careful in your dealings with officialdom (Customs and Immigration Officers) be polite, respectful and patient
Cash (preferably in local currency) is what will be most genuinely appreciated if you wish to leave a gift
When in camps and lodges, conserve water and other precious resources
Learn some simple phrases in the local language
If you wish to shake hands with people you meet along the way, learn the "local handshake"
and when it is and is not appropriate for you to initiate
Don't take anyone's picture without asking - it's just rude (and could be costly to you)
If you promise to send someone a copy of a picture or a gift, make sure you do so. (The most common compliant I get while traveling is promises made by tourist, but never delivered)
Be careful in your dealings with officialdom (Customs and Immigration Officers) be polite, respectful and patient
Cash (preferably in local currency) is what will be most genuinely appreciated if you wish to leave a gift
When in camps and lodges, conserve water and other precious resources
Learn some simple phrases in the local language
If you wish to shake hands with people you meet along the way, learn the "local handshake"
and when it is and is not appropriate for you to initiate
Mar 17th, 2008, 05:27 AM
#47
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There are def rules and regulations that one should be aware of while on safari. everyone knows one of the highlights of most safaris is going on game drives and bush walks, as you get to see amazing wildlife in their natural habitat. but it is important to remember to respect the natural surroundings and wildlife.
Some things I though of...
Bush vegetation is extremely sensitive. Off-road driving causes erosion and encourages the encroachment of unwanted plant species so hopefully the ranger will also know this and keep it to a minimum unless there is a pride of ellies you are chasing....
Observe the animals silently and with a minimum of disturbance to their natural activities. Loud talking on game drives can frighten the animals away.
Night drives with excessive use of spotlights disrupt the activities of nocturnal animals causing temporary blindness and disorientation, so do not scold the ranger when he does it quick!
Do not remove any natural material from the reserves. This disrupts the ecology of the area.
Never attempt to attract an animal's attention. Don't imitate animal sounds, clap your hands, pound the vehicle or throw objects, it can only get you in trouble.
Please respect your driver / guide's judgment about your proximity to certain wild animals. Don't insist that he take the vehicle closer so you can get a better photograph. A vehicle driven too close can hinder a hunt, or cause animals to abandon a hard-earned meal.
Remember that your guide is an expert, so always follow his advice and ask him questions if you are unsure of anything.
Litter tossed on the ground can choke or poison animals and birds and is unsightly. Refrain from smoking on game drives. The dry African bush ignites very easily, and a flash fire can kill many animals.
Never attempt to feed or approach any wild animal on foot. This is especially important near lodges or in campsites where animals may have become accustomed to human visitors.
THEY ARE STILL WILD!
Some things I though of...
Bush vegetation is extremely sensitive. Off-road driving causes erosion and encourages the encroachment of unwanted plant species so hopefully the ranger will also know this and keep it to a minimum unless there is a pride of ellies you are chasing....
Observe the animals silently and with a minimum of disturbance to their natural activities. Loud talking on game drives can frighten the animals away.
Night drives with excessive use of spotlights disrupt the activities of nocturnal animals causing temporary blindness and disorientation, so do not scold the ranger when he does it quick!
Do not remove any natural material from the reserves. This disrupts the ecology of the area.
Never attempt to attract an animal's attention. Don't imitate animal sounds, clap your hands, pound the vehicle or throw objects, it can only get you in trouble.
Please respect your driver / guide's judgment about your proximity to certain wild animals. Don't insist that he take the vehicle closer so you can get a better photograph. A vehicle driven too close can hinder a hunt, or cause animals to abandon a hard-earned meal.
Remember that your guide is an expert, so always follow his advice and ask him questions if you are unsure of anything.
Litter tossed on the ground can choke or poison animals and birds and is unsightly. Refrain from smoking on game drives. The dry African bush ignites very easily, and a flash fire can kill many animals.
Never attempt to feed or approach any wild animal on foot. This is especially important near lodges or in campsites where animals may have become accustomed to human visitors.
THEY ARE STILL WILD!
Mar 17th, 2008, 08:57 AM
#48
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Sorry folks, but are there that many idiots out there safari-ing that these
common sense rules need to be spelled out?
My last/first safari was private and my guide was a peach, so no rules except the ones about safety, etc.
My next trip will not be private due to $$$$ of visiting southern Africa - Now I'm a bit concerned that all the above offenders will end up in my jeep.
common sense rules need to be spelled out?
My last/first safari was private and my guide was a peach, so no rules except the ones about safety, etc.
My next trip will not be private due to $$$$ of visiting southern Africa - Now I'm a bit concerned that all the above offenders will end up in my jeep.
Mar 17th, 2008, 03:54 PM
#49
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There are some great stories in here
From past experience, I'm sure I will be like you, Khakif, and the first hundred Rhinos will only be rocks. oooo...but they'll be the most exciting rocks I've ever seen, I'm sure hehe
From past experience, I'm sure I will be like you, Khakif, and the first hundred Rhinos will only be rocks. oooo...but they'll be the most exciting rocks I've ever seen, I'm sure hehe
Mar 17th, 2008, 11:12 PM
#50
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Cybor -
yes.
You can get lucky.
But odds are you will encounter some of what we have all mentioned in this thread your next time, when it's not private.
But you can also make some wonderful friends, so it is a trade off.
yes.
You can get lucky.
But odds are you will encounter some of what we have all mentioned in this thread your next time, when it's not private.
But you can also make some wonderful friends, so it is a trade off.
Mar 18th, 2008, 06:04 PM
#53
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Regarding the etiquette of tipping....(as you can tell, this will be my first trip), I assume you tip both the driver and tracker the same amount, but please correct me if I am wrong. Is this done after each drive, or do you keep the same drivers and trackers while you are there, and tip them at the end?
Is there a guideline for what is appropriate as a tip? And one more thing - in South Africa, would the guides prefer SA rand or dollars?
I hope these questions are not indelicate, but I would rather ask than do the wrong thing.
Is there a guideline for what is appropriate as a tip? And one more thing - in South Africa, would the guides prefer SA rand or dollars?
I hope these questions are not indelicate, but I would rather ask than do the wrong thing.
Mar 18th, 2008, 06:15 PM
#54
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Hi Elaine22
I think to tip in rand is preferable as no great advantage to US dollars these days with the exchange rate.
Depending on which camp you go to but at MalaMala where the ranger spends the majority of his time with you I tip the ranger twice the tracker. In camps where the ranger spends the same amount of time with you as the tracker, I would be more inclined to tip the same.
I only tip at the end of each trip, not on a daily basis.
Kind regards
Kaye
I think to tip in rand is preferable as no great advantage to US dollars these days with the exchange rate.
Depending on which camp you go to but at MalaMala where the ranger spends the majority of his time with you I tip the ranger twice the tracker. In camps where the ranger spends the same amount of time with you as the tracker, I would be more inclined to tip the same.
I only tip at the end of each trip, not on a daily basis.
Kind regards
Kaye
Mar 19th, 2008, 01:54 AM
#56
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Hi scootr29
No I don't - I usually would have 4 or 5 different rangers - it doesn't matter to me as I have always been very happy with my rangers, though I think I recall that not being the case for your visit!
Kind regards
Kaye
No I don't - I usually would have 4 or 5 different rangers - it doesn't matter to me as I have always been very happy with my rangers, though I think I recall that not being the case for your visit!
Kind regards
Kaye
Mar 19th, 2008, 11:07 AM
#58
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scootr29, when I have stayed at MM, three times, for 4 to 6 nights each time, I have had the same ranger my entire stay. (In fact I can name them !!!). It may be that KayeN has different rangers is because her stays are much much longer (probably the world record!!!) and she may be changing camps. But I don't want to answer for her.
regards - tom
regards - tom
Mar 19th, 2008, 01:13 PM
#59
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Iit would be advantageous (from the point of view of the guides) to tip in US dollars rather than rands right now. I've watched my dollar increase by nearly 2 rands in value (from $1=R6 to $1=R8) in the last few months. It may be the only world currency that the dollar is gaining ground on.
Mar 19th, 2008, 02:13 PM
#60
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I guess I'll check the exchange rates and post the question of whether to tip in rand or dollars when it is closer to the time we go. I am Canadian....would they like Canadian dollars?
One question wasn't addressed, and I hope it's O.K. to ask. What is an appropriate amount (let's use dollars here) to tip a ranger assuming we have been on 4 game drives - one the first day, then two the second day, and 1 the next morning before leaving?
One question wasn't addressed, and I hope it's O.K. to ask. What is an appropriate amount (let's use dollars here) to tip a ranger assuming we have been on 4 game drives - one the first day, then two the second day, and 1 the next morning before leaving?
