The Magic Of Hluhluwe Game Reserve
Envision the scene…
The morning begins as the sun gradually rises, the brilliant light throwing itself over the savannah. As the day stirs, the earth starts to warm up and you can see a weak fog ascending from the skyline.
Out there, you hear flying creatures welcoming the morning, the hints of their first light filling the air. The day has started, and you arrive to experience it firsthand.
It's truly astounding, Amazing, Powerfully!!
Life changing experience for most of us, You Will Never Forget The Vibrating Roar Of A Lion..
When you think about an African safari, you most likely consider it to be about watching and seeing the natural wildlife, one of its principal attractions. All things considered, there isn't much one thinks about when watching a group of wildebeest thunder over the fields, leaving dust storms afterward, or listening to the thunder of a lion amidst the night, this is what safaris are all about wild Africa.
With a specific goal in mind to take advantage of your Safari and build your odds of recognizing some stunning untamed wildlife, it's imperative to be prepared.
So Whilst on safari, there are a few things you should be careful to avoid. Here are there wildlife watching mistakes that you’ll want to watch out for…
Three Game Viewing Mistakes To Avoid While On Safari In Africa
1. Going Unprepared
Before you book a safari, it’s important to be clear on your expectations to avoid disappointment. The ideal location and time of year for your journey will depend largely upon what you hope to see and experience on your safari. During the wet season there’s an increase in vegetation and water, which means that wildlife will be scattered all over in search of food and it will be more difficult to spot them.
During the dry season though, there’s less water, and animals will be congregating at water holes, making them easier to spot. From July to September are the great river crossings, where herds of wildebeest and zebra gather at the Mara River to brave their way past ferocious crocodiles waiting in the shallows.
If there’s a particular animal that you want to see, you’ll want to plan your trip around the times and locations where they are most likely to be found.
2. Making Too Much Noise
Animals have a very keen sense of hearing, and are able to hear things approaching from afar. This helps keep them safe from predators. For this reason, it’s important to be as quiet as possible when you’re on walking safaris.
Talking loudly or making unusually loud noises can give your position away and cause the animals to move away before you get a chance to see them. If you are on a walking tour, do everyone in your group a favour and try to stay as quiet as possible.
3. Getting Too Close to the Wildlife
As gentle as some of the animals might appear to be, remember: these creatures are wild and getting too close can cause the animals to switch into defense mode. They are much stronger and quicker than you, and getting too close, even just for a moment for a better picture is irresponsible and should be avoided.
Instead of trying to get closer to the animals or encouraging them to come closer to you, consider investing in binoculars or a telephoto lens for your camera before you go so you can photograph wildlife from a distance. Keep in mind that the goal of a safari is to observe the animals interacting in their own natural environments, not to interact with them yourself.
Ollie Blackwell
Remember the small creatures can be as interesting as the big ones and that watching a dung beetle at work can be as fascinating as watching the rhino that supplied the raw material.
Observe all the animals and plants, large and small.
There are many insects, reptiles, flowers and other interesting things in these reserves.
Listen to and absorb the sounds and atmosphere of the bush.
Game reserves are havens of peace and quiet, and where it is possible to listen to the birds and animals.
Remember to look into the bush and not at it.
Animals are very often seen behind a screen of bush or in the shelter of a patch of scrub.
Read about the mammals, birds, trees and insects before and during your visit.
A little knowledge will improve the quality of your visit immensely.
Although the speed limit in the reserve is 40 km/h, the best game viewing speed is below 20 km/h.
This not only reduces dust, but allows you to approach animals without startling them.
Please do not to discard litter within the reserve (only in designated areas), nor to throw litter from the vehicle. Litter is unsightly and can result in injury and death to the animals.
Sitting in the window of a moving vehicle is extremely irresponsible and dangerous.
The roads are narrow and there is a real danger of severe injury from overhanging thorn bushes and passing vehicles.
