Heading off on your dream African safari? A safari in Africa is at the top of many people’s travel bucket lists, and for many it’s taken a lifetime of saving to make this dream come true. A safari is unlike any other holiday, and being properly prepared will make all the difference. Here are 10 common safari mistakes and what to do about them:

1. Lack of Research and Preparation
Not all National Parks, game reserves and safari lodges are created equal. If checking off the ‘Big Five’ is your priority then you’ll be looking for a different destination than someone keen on birds. Do your homework first about thing like the quality of game viewing, the qualifications of the guiding team, the standard of accommodation. Compare itineraries from different operators and choose the one that suits you.

As a general rule, you get what you pay for – from the number of other guests in the game drive vehicle, to the quality of the whole experience. You also want to be able to sleep well, eat well and enjoy a nice hot shower, so don’t cut back on costs or you’ll make yourself miserable.

2. Packing the Wrong Stuff / Not Packing Smartly
Of all the mistakes people make when going on safari, packing is the most common one. Judging by the size and number of some of the bags I’ve seen, you’d be forgiven for thinking the owner was moving to Africa for life! Don’t pack more, pack smart!

Avoid bright colours like red and pink, khaki coloured clothing or neutral tones of dark green, brown and beige work best. White stands out more than any other colour in the bush, so isn't suitable for safari activities, and remember blue and black are also best avoided in areas where tetze (biting) flies are common, as they are attracted to those colours.

Don't forget good walking shoes, sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, your camera and, of course, a good pair of binoculars. Make sure you pack for the season - it's the southern hemisphere after all, so the middle months of the year are winter - it can be cold in the early morning and at night, so remember layers are key. Also remember that most safaris take place in remote areas, where there are no shops, so stock up on any items you may need, like batteries and medications.

3. Expecting to See Animals at Every Turn
Contrary to popular belief, animals are not everywhere on safari. Keep in mind this is the animal’s home turf and not a zoo - in fact, you’ll probably only see animals roughly a third of the time. That being said, don’t let that deter you, because the other two-thirds of the time will be filled with beautiful landscapes and opportunities to learn more about the wildlife from your guide.

4. Missing out on Activities
Most of your game drives will take place in the (very) early morning and late afternoons, to catch the animals when they are at their most active. If you want to make the most of your game viewing you need to participate - that will mean waking up at, or even before, sunrise. If you don't make the effort to get up and join with scheduled activities, you’ll miss out. (You’ll get time to take a siesta after lunch, during the heat of the day, to make up for your early start).

5. Not Listening to your Guide
One of the most important rules on safari is to listen to your guide. They are professionals, who’ve not only worked with many tourists, but also understand animal behaviour - their expertise and knowledge make a critical difference to both your safari experience and your safety. Safari guides have extensive training, and their job is to keep clients safe and give them an amazing experience. All the clients need to do is sit back, relax, and follow the directions of their guides. Also listen to you guide when observing the animals, otherwise you’ll miss out on interesting info and facts!

6. Ignoring Game Drive Etiquette
This point is an important one. It just takes one ‘fool’ in a game drive vehicle to spoil the experience for everyone else, and there are certain do’s and don’ts that you should adhere to.

Keep quiet. A game drive is not time for conversations. Too much talk is a major ‘no no’. If you can’t ‘zip it’ chances are the other occupants in your vehicle are going to get very annoyed. You are here to see the animals after all, and if your guide can’t get a word in edgewise you are going to miss out on a lot of sightings and interesting facts.

Don’t wear perfume and don’t smoke (including electronic cigarettes). Strong and unusual smells can make animals nervous, reducing your chances of spotting them. As for smoking, it also likely won’t be appreciated by your guide, tracker or the rest of the passengers in the vehicle- (remember also that cigarette butts are a fire hazard).

Don’t bring any food and don’t feed the animals! Make sure you’ve had enough to eat before going out on a drive, because eating in the car is another big no-no. On most safaris you’ll stop for a drink and snacks, but those places are chosen beforehand, so that neither you or the animals are at risk. The idea is to avoid having animals associate visitors and vehicles with food - while a lion won’t jump into a vehicle for a candy bar, a baboon or a monkey just might! To stop wildlife from associating you and the car with an easy meal, don’t feed the animals!

Don’t call the animals. This might sound pretty obvious, but you’d be surprised how, for many people, logic seems to go out the window when seeing an exotic animal for the first time or when trying to get a good photo. Observe wildlife quietly - calling them or trying to get their attention will only be a disturbance, and they’ll most likely move off somewhere else. In the same vein, never scream, don’t stand up and don’t make fast movements. Safaris can sometimes get intense, but no matter how bad a situation gets, always keep your cool. If an agitated animal charges the vehicle, trust your guide to keep you safe, that’s what they’re trained for.

Don’t touch the animals. No matter how close the animals maybe, never stretch your hand out and touch them. Recently there’s been outrage in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, when a tourist opened the door and leaned out to touch a young lion, endangering himself, his fellow passengers and almost costing the guide his job.

Don’t leave the vehicle. Leading on from the point above, no matter what happens, never, ever leave the car without your guide telling you to do so, even if you think that there is no risk. There may be animals around the vehicle that you haven’t noticed.

7. Fussing With Your Camera
One of the biggest mistakes on safari is staying behind the camera. While it's thrilling to snap photos of incredible wildlife, it's equally important to experience the trip in real time. Sometimes it's better to watch and experience the moment rather than constantly trying to capture that 'ultimate' safari shot. Don't see your trip only through the camera's viewfinder or your phone's screen. Look up and enjoy!

On the topic of cameras, let me stress NO flash photography! Safaris are about observing animals in their natural environment, and that needs to be done quietly and without attracting their attention or startling them. Many of the animals you will encounter, especially the herbivores, have eyes that are sensitive to bright lights, and a sudden flash may temporarily blind them, making them easy prey.

Remember that as exciting as the idea of being a wildlife photographer is, a safari probably isn't the best place to try out brand-new equipment, make sure you're familiar and comfortable with your device before the trip. Bring extra film or memory cards along for your camera, and find out what facilities are available in camp - you may not be able to charge up batteries.

Let’s Ask An Expert - It’s not always necessary to have the latest and greatest camera for your safari. Mogomotisi Maboga, naturalist, writer and photographer with Evolve Back, says “I hear people say that they want a great camera with a long tele-focus lens for going on safari. While it’s great to have such a camera, nowadays most people have good smartphones and like to travel light. It is totally possible to take good images and videos with your smartphone. “

Smartphones on safari are good for taking wide-angle pictures, excellent for macro-shots, and great for difficult lighting conditions like sunsets, sunrises and interesting cloud formations. If you’re worried about getting good close-ups, then clip-on tele-focus lenses are available at very little cost. Another tip for close-ups is to use binoculars – make sure there’s only a small distance between the camera lens and the binocular’s eyepiece, and then focus first on the subject with the binoculars, before using your smartphone’s camera.

8. Expecting the Comforts of Home
Safari lodges and camps can be luxurious and stunning in terms of design and quality, but it's important to remember that you're likely in a remote area, without the best infrastructure. Be open to the unique charms of the lodge, but remember you may need to wait for solar power to heat the water for your shower, and you may need to leave some of your normal ‘essentials’, like a hair dryer, at home, as lodges often run entirely on solar power. Also bear in mind Wi-Fi and connectivity can often be patchy, limited or even non-existent - so use this as an opportunity to really disconnect.

9. Choose a Realistic Itinerary.
I know you want to explore as many destinations as possible, but would you rather spend your precious time on the road travelling from park to park, or using that time to watch wildlife? Trying to fit in too much is a common mistake. Avoid trying to see it all in a week, you’ll exhaust yourself, and end up feeling rushed rather than relaxed. You can't see all of Africa, or even all of one country, in one visit. Speak to an expert to get the best advice on what works and what doesn't.

10. Lastly, and most of all, remember Safari Njema, which is Swahili for Have a Good Journey!

Sarah Kingdom

Travel writer, mountain guide, yoga teacher, trail runner and mother, Sarah Kingdom was born and brought up in Sydney, Australia. Coming to Africa at 21 she fell in love with the continent and stayed. Sarah guides on Kilimanjaro several times a year, and has lost count of how many times she has stood on the roof of Africa. She has climbed and guided around the world and now spends most of her time visiting remote places in Africa. When she is not traveling she runs a cattle ranch in Zambia with her husband.

Ten Mistakes to Avoid on Safari

Sarah Kingdom