Safari Peeves - or What makes me mad!
Aug 3rd, 2005, 02:32 AM
#41
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Guests complaining (almost always Ameicans) that there travel agent had not explained:
1.that it can be cold at night:
2.that when batteries can only be charged in the main area that this also means that hairdryers will not work in the tent!!
3. That there might be smokers in camp (not that I like it myself).
4. That pasta is not served every day
5. That yellow or red (or camouflage) is not a good colour on safari.
1.that it can be cold at night:
2.that when batteries can only be charged in the main area that this also means that hairdryers will not work in the tent!!
3. That there might be smokers in camp (not that I like it myself).
4. That pasta is not served every day
5. That yellow or red (or camouflage) is not a good colour on safari.
Aug 3rd, 2005, 06:15 AM
#42
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Perhaps the places that are really popular can begin to impose mandatory training and testing on wildlife basics, safari etiquette aand appropriate preparation and gear BEFORE travellers get to stay at their camps. So in addition to certified safari guides, we can travel with certified safari guests at accredited camps.
Aug 3rd, 2005, 07:51 AM
#46
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A Fodorite safari? Probably a disaster...given how much we ramble on here half of us would probably be dreadful "talkers" and certainly we'd all be opinionated.
Kavey, I understand the draw that you're talking about...in part it's the wonderful space and silence of the bush. But you have a far more self concious and nuanced understanding than ANY of the people I'm describing...plus you have seen a great deal more outside of the camps.
I suppose what I'm tapping into is the discussion of "Africa" in terms of animals and environment only - with no sense to the cultures, languages and history of the countries and people. It's great to be into the wildlife just a bit tedious when you're the one stuck at some camp listening to someone expounding enlessly on how Africa is in their blood. It's even crazier when you're on a game drive and the guides have to listen to it too!
On the birder question I agree totally.. last August we were in a wonderful Amazon lodge in Brazil and we went on many boat trips with a mad twitcher from New York. He added to our trip so much because he could really convey his enthusiasm for birds, and he could explain why and how certain features were interesting or important.
I have to admit that his extremely expensive Swarskovi (sorry I'm spelling it incorrectly- the crystal people) binoculars were the best I've ever seen.
Kavey, I understand the draw that you're talking about...in part it's the wonderful space and silence of the bush. But you have a far more self concious and nuanced understanding than ANY of the people I'm describing...plus you have seen a great deal more outside of the camps.
I suppose what I'm tapping into is the discussion of "Africa" in terms of animals and environment only - with no sense to the cultures, languages and history of the countries and people. It's great to be into the wildlife just a bit tedious when you're the one stuck at some camp listening to someone expounding enlessly on how Africa is in their blood. It's even crazier when you're on a game drive and the guides have to listen to it too!
On the birder question I agree totally.. last August we were in a wonderful Amazon lodge in Brazil and we went on many boat trips with a mad twitcher from New York. He added to our trip so much because he could really convey his enthusiasm for birds, and he could explain why and how certain features were interesting or important.
I have to admit that his extremely expensive Swarskovi (sorry I'm spelling it incorrectly- the crystal people) binoculars were the best I've ever seen.
Aug 3rd, 2005, 09:05 AM
#49
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As keen birders I hope my wife and I a little to the experience for our fellow passengers. We do make it a point not to be obnoxious about our interest, but have found that the guides really respond well to it and will try and help the other passengers get a new appreciation for it. We are definitely not of the there are no birds here lets go kind, preferring to add to our time with Leopards or Lions by noticing everything else that is around.
Maybe we should get some kind of discount for passing Tasha's certification.
Maybe we should get some kind of discount for passing Tasha's certification.
Aug 3rd, 2005, 09:19 AM
#50
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I have been reading this thread for the last day or so with a smile on my face. We have all, unfortunately, had the experience of being with fellow-travellers who are huge pains in the butt. I am about to embark on my first safari next month and eagerly await all that it will offer us. And we will make every effort that we do not become someone else's "pet peeve". I still remember someone who was on a group tour with us in Israel who refused to reset his watch to local time. As a result he was habitually late, overly obnoxious and refused to make the necessary change. One time, the tour director had to practically knock on his hotel room door to get him out. The rest of us wanted to either string him up by his watchband, or at the least, throw him off the bus or leave without him.
As for our upcoming trip, we will make every effort to be timely, quiet and sociable when appropriate.
As for our upcoming trip, we will make every effort to be timely, quiet and sociable when appropriate.
Aug 3rd, 2005, 12:24 PM
#51
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Aug 3rd, 2005, 12:33 PM
#52
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Serengeti
You have just showed me why I spend so much on the private experience and I promise never to be upset by the stupid stuff. Well until next time ;-).
On this point the dead impala reminded me of a shot from Africa-geographic where a lion cub was run over by speeding park staff!
You have just showed me why I spend so much on the private experience and I promise never to be upset by the stupid stuff. Well until next time ;-).
On this point the dead impala reminded me of a shot from Africa-geographic where a lion cub was run over by speeding park staff!
Aug 4th, 2005, 01:08 PM
#53
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I also think that the majority of the really ignorant people on safari are from the US. In general, Americans tend to be extremely ignorant and not very "worldly." The favorite was from a woman from Utah-"are the hippos used in like agriculture for like, you know eating the grass?" Unbelievable.
Aug 4th, 2005, 01:56 PM
#55
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He he, one of our guides told us how mortified he was when one of his guests had asked him how one could tell female and male zebras apart - as a joke he said that males had white on black stripes and females had black on white ones. The next day they were looking at some zebras and she exclaimed how she could see the difference and oh look that one must be female!!!!! Poor guy said he didn't know whether to put her straight or say nothing - I don't recall now what he DID do!
Aug 4th, 2005, 01:57 PM
#56
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I'm a Brit transplanted so I have to be careful what I say, but there is definitely a national stereotype that probably has just enough truth in it to make it real. Part of the non - worldly comes from the size of the country, and its geographic distance from the intellectually and culturally superior European continent.
Aug 4th, 2005, 05:01 PM
#59
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Napamatt, "intellectually and culturally superior European continent"? Wow. I'm sure glad you decided to be careful in what you said - I'd hate to hear what you really think. Or am I being overly sensitive?
