Going on a safari l about wildlife spotting, a little
preparation and research to help you see more is a worthwhile investment
whether you are searching
for the big five, or even more elusive little five.
These tips are a guide to wildlife viewing whilst on any safari and will help
you gain much from your safari
1.
Consider the time of the day
Time of day is probably the most
crucial factor in determining animal movements and behaviours. Dawn and dusk
tend to be the most active time for most mammals and birds, when there’s some
light. Although the middle of the day is usually too hot, reptiles are most
visible at this time, and many mammals can be seen in the shades of larger
trees.
2.
Water sources
Most animals will drink daily when
water is available, so make sure that you go near water sources for greater
views particularly in the dry season. Hanging out quietly at watering holes, or
on stretches of rivers or lakes which offer animals easy access will give you a
good chance of spotting game Predators and large herbivores tend to drink at
dawn or dusk, whilst antelopes drink in small doses throughout the day. Rhinos favor
mid evening drinking sessions from dark until around 10pm. During a hot day,
animals like elephants, buffalos, hippos do enjoy water sources and are greatly
visible at water points.
3.
Sheltering
habits of particular specie
Knowing animal’s habitant helps in
spotting the wildlife, especially knowing specifically where to look will
improve your chances of spotting immensely. Animals like particular places to
shelter within a habitat, whether it is under or in trees like the tree
climbing lions do, in or on termite mounds, holes in the ground, reeds or
grassland etc. Learning the specific sheltering habits of a species makes your
viewing simpler.
4.
A Guided Tour
Taking a guided safari with a good
professional guide gives you the opportunity to chat with your guide while
asking him some questions about animals in the field. You will learn a few
tricks and after a few hours of spotting you will be able to understand at
least some of the animal signs and be able to put it in to good use yourself.
This is very important because you can fall in danger and yet you can not
interpret animal signs and in the end an animal attacks you.
5.
Look for Tracks and animal signs
Even if you don’t see the animals
themselves, you may see telltale signs ,tracks, droppings, nests, scrapes etc.
Elephants and the larger predators will leave obvious tracks on sand or dirt
roads, so check often. As cats and dogs often use roads to hunt, if you see
their tracks leaving the road this may mark the spot they left the road to
hunt, so keep a watchful eye before they attack you.
6.
Have the Right Tools
Having the right equipments greatly
enhance your wildlife viewing so remember to pack them before leaving for a
trip .A good pair of binoculars will help you to spot animals further away, and
give you a better look when you are close up.
A guide book with pictures and descriptions of
the animals of can expect to see will allow you to identify what you are seeing
more precisely.
Please do not forget a camera also.
7. Your Clothing
While you are organizing for any game or
wildlife viewing safari, please endevour to pack clothes that will blend with
the environment and in most cases non bright colours are encouraged and a
silent green colour does best for this matter. Very shouting colours do scare
away wildlife species and this gives them chance to attack you because you may
look an enemy to them. Environmentally blending colours may not easily be
spotted by animals and this gives you a chance of spotting their behavior like
eating habits, without them noticing you
