A Typical Day on Safari
Monday, 13th February 2017
Ever wondered what it’s like to go on a safari? Destination researcher, Dan Bjork, has travelled extensively in both Namibia and Botswana and has been lucky enough to have been on many game drives. Here, he tells us all about one very special safari experience in Namibia…
The day starts early with a wake up before dawn. It is rather chilly outside so I pick my long-sleeved shirt and trousers for today’s safari. Our guide Simon arrives to escort us from our tent to the restaurant area. As we are located in an area with plenty of animals, we are not allowed to walk around the camp unaccompanied before sunrise and after sunset. We enjoy a cup of tea next to an open fire whilst Simon goes through the safety rules and what animals we can hopefully expect to encounter this morning. Then it’s time to leave… we are lucky to get the front seat in the Jeep and as the sun breaks we start our safari drive into the bush.
Simon soon spots a group of lions resting in the high grass after last night’s hunting. He manoeuvres the Jeep closer to the animals; our hearts are pounding sitting in an open Jeep less than 5 metres away!I can tell they know we’re there but they take no notice of us.
“I recall Simon’s words of conduct; don’t make any sudden moves and keep arms and cameras inside the perimeter of the vehicle!”
It is a truly fascinating feeling to just sit and admire these great animals.
We leave the lions behind us and continue our safari through the bush and it is not long before we encounter a large group of elephants. Simon’s tactics are now very different and keeping a distance and a safe way out is essential.
“We sit still for a long time and enjoy the daily life of these great creatures.”
The females are very protective of their young and suddenly we are charged by one of the younger females making a loud trumpeting sound and flapping her ears. Simon stays cool and slowly waves his hand in the direction of the elephant. She stops at a safe distance from us but the message is clear; don’t come any closer!
The safari then comes to and end and we head back to camp where we are welcomed with a hot breakfast. Over our meal, we reminisce with the other guests about our morning wildlife encounters and look forward to going out on another game drive in the afternoon!
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