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5 safety ques to ask when going on guided (photo) safari
      #241468 - 30/01/14 08:00 AM

5 safety questions to ask when going on a guided (photo) safari - per Africa Geographic

http://blog.africageographic.com/africa-...-guided-safari/

Taking a safari is one of the most exciting and memorable activities you can ever do. The thrill of seeing one of the big five is an emotion you will never forget! A mixture of fear, admiration and awe all built into one exhilarating feeling.

You have two main options when going on a safari in Southern Africa. Firstly you can do a self-drive in your own vehicle around a game reserve on the public roads. These can be dirt roads or tar roads depending on the game reserve. Secondly you can take a guided safari with a trained safari guide. These guided safaris can either be a drive through a game reserve or even guided hikes or horse rides.

While a guided safari may sound the safest option for the newbie safari goer there are some questions you should ask be asking before you book your trip:

1. Does the guide have a qualification or certification?

There are many different institutions that provide training and certifications for guides. One example would be the “Field guides Association of Southern Africa” (FGASA), whereby other companies train field guides to be able to pass the FGASA exams. Simply asking if the guides taking you are FGASA certified helps you understand if they have the necessary knowledge to safely take you on a game drive.

2. How many years has the guide been working?

Often experience counts more than qualifications but having both would not hurt. The longer the safari guide has been at a company the more experience the guide should have. When it comes to safari guides, experience is the key to a memorable trip!

3. Will there be more then one guide?

A guided tour will often have more than one guide, if it is a guided walk there could be two guides. On some guided drives there is a safari guide and a tracker on the vehicle to increase sightings of animals. Having two specialist guides can reduce your safety risks greatly. Ask the company how many guides they use and if they say one, ask why? They may be cutting costs and putting your life in danger.

4. What means of communication do the guides have?

If something were to happen on your guided safari how would the guides (or you) contact someone for assistance. Do the guides just have intermittent cell phone signal or do they have a proper radio communication system between safari vehicles as well a central office where help can be reached? The quicker help can be called the safer you will be in a “bad” situation.

5. Is the guide linked to a major company?

Going with a big name, well-known safari company is often more expensive but the bigger companies should have proper communication infrastructure, guides that have passed exams and often will ensure there is a second guide with the safari group; they have a reputation to uphold! If you go for a cheaper option with a smaller company, you might be putting yourself at risk. Then again if you do your research, read reviews and ask the right questions, you may be in better hands in a smaller, more intimate setting. It is all about doing the right research.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions when making a booking. If the company gets offended that you want to know, well then obviously they have something to hide. You must remember you sign an indemnity form so when something goes wrong you cannot hold the company liable. It is up to you to be responsible before jumping into the car and driving off with untrained, inexperienced guides that have no way to request assistance when something goes wrong.

***

How about - Will the guide be adequately armed and know how to use the rifle?

(Seeing they mention Big Game areas and guided hiking and horse riding ... )

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"


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