{"id":1291,"date":"2015-07-07T12:46:36","date_gmt":"2015-07-07T12:46:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.isibindi.co.za\/\/blog\/?p=1291"},"modified":"2023-01-20T10:22:21","modified_gmt":"2023-01-20T08:22:21","slug":"local-knowledge-how-to-safari-like-a-south-african","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/isibindifoundation.org\/2015\/07\/07\/local-knowledge-how-to-safari-like-a-south-african\/","title":{"rendered":"Local Knowledge:\u00a0 How to \u2018Safari\u2019 like a South African"},"content":{"rendered":"

Savvy travellers are always looking for local knowledge, to improve their experience and see or do more than the regular \u2018touristy\u2019 activities.\u00a0 On safari it\u2019s no different – so here\u2019s the lowdown on how to \u2018Safari like a South African\u2019 by Rhino Post Safari Lodge Manager Nikki Meyer. The feature photograph above is by Roger de la Harpe<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Elephant<\/a>

Being up close to such large game requires respect and care<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

First you\u2019ve got to talk the talk:<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 South Africans never refer to \u2018going on safari\u2019 \u2013 that\u2019s an international term popularised by the travel market; they just \u2018visit the park\u2019.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Small exclusive accommodation sites in conservation areas are referred to as \u2018lodges\u2019 and big ones as \u2018rest camps\u2019 or just \u2018camps\u2019.\u00a0 They are not considered \u2018resorts\u2019; a resort is deemed to be a place outside of a conservation area, with lots of additional entertainment and sports facilities.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Going out in an open vehicle to look for animals is referred to as going on a \u2018game drive\u2019 rather than going on \u2018safari\u2019.\u00a0 For those confused by the term \u2018game\u2019, in this instance it\u2019s a plural word referring to wild animals.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When talking about buffalo, they simply refer to \u2018buffalo\u2019, and do not differentiate between \u2018Cape Buffalo\u2019 and \u2018Water Buffalo\u2019 \u2013 Water Buffalo are only found in Asia and not on the African continent, so there\u2019s no need to distinguish between them.<\/p>\n

\"Good

Good hair day for this auntie buffalo. Female buffalo may be identified by these tufts over their horns.<\/p><\/div>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Any and all antelope species are referred to as \u2018buck\u2019 \u2013 regardless of the gender.\u00a0 The term \u2018deer\u2019 is rarely used.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Cougars and Jaguars are \u2018foreign\u2019, the South African version: the sleek, big, spotted wild cat is a leopard.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Never, never tell anyone you saw a tiger, and don\u2019t ask about bears \u2013 you will not see these in the wild in South Africa, only at a zoo or at a breeding project.<\/p>\n

\"Leopard

Leopard cubs and mother in the Kruger National Park<\/p><\/div>\n

Then it\u2019s time to walk the walk (literally):<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Safari gear for a South African consists of comfortable, flat, shoes and neutral colours.\u00a0 While a touch of animal print is not unheard of, full animal print shirts are rarely worn, and animal print trousers never<\/em>.\u00a0 Pith helmets and photographer\u2019s jackets are a sure sign of an overseas visitor, as is the combination of socks and sandals (socks are worn with closed shoes, and sandals go directly onto a bare foot).\u00a0 Wearing white in the bush is a no-no, worse than bright colours, as most animals see in black and white.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Locals appreciate the diversity of the parks, and do not focus on the \u2018Big 5\u2019 although they\u2019re just as thrilled to see them as everyone else is.\u00a0 For residents, by far the most exciting creatures to find (way scarcer than the big 5) are:\u00a0 Cheetah, Wild Dog, Honey Badger, Pangolin and Aardvark.<\/p>\n

\"It

It is a privilege to spot one of these cheetah, as there are only estimated to be about 400 in the Kruger National Park<\/p><\/div>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Seasoned safari-goers and nature lovers frown on those who whistle, call \u201chere kitty, kitty\u201d, make \u2018kissy noises\u2019, click their fingers or even throw things at animals to get a better photo opportunity.\u00a0 If you want a harmonious drive, watch in silence and take the photographic opportunities that naturally present themselves.\u00a0 Some guides mimic animal sounds to great effect, but unless you\u2019re on your own, don\u2019t try, it might just frighten the sighting off and make you very unpopular with your fellow travellers!<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Getting out of the vehicle and walking in the wild, to experience the enormity of bigger animals from ground level, track game and smell, touch and taste plants etc. is extremely popular.\u00a0 South Africans refer to a \u2018walking trail\u2019 as a walk of 3 hours or more, usually early in the morning or late in the afternoon, where one uses all of the senses to appreciate nature, rather than a midday stroll.\u00a0 In a park containing the Big 5 (Elephant, Rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo) hikers must always be accompanied by two armed guards.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A highlight of the typical South African\u2019s \u2018safari\u2019 is to camp out in the wild and cook dinner over an open fire \u2013 always referred to as a \u2018braai\u2019 and only as a \u2018barbecue\u2019 when speaking to overseas visitors.\u00a0 At Rhino Walking Safaris we do this in on raised decks, sleeping under the stars and refer to it as a sleepout.<\/p>\n

\"Sleepout

Sleepout dining from Rhino Walking Safaris in Kruger National Park<\/p><\/div>\n

The most important thing for a South African on \u2018safari\u2019 is to take great care that in enjoying the wild, you leave the smallest footprint possible.\u00a0 Pick up litter, leave plants, animals or fossils where you find them and never damage or deface anything (including carving words on trees).\u00a0 If you\u2019re driving yourself, stick to the roads, if you\u2019re being driven by a professional guide, pick one who sticks to the roads if you can, and definitely don\u2019t let anyone drive off road after rains, the long-term erosion damage is not worth it.\u00a0 Most of all, enjoy<\/em> your visit our precious parks!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Picnic<\/a>

Picnic snacks on a morning Rhino Walking Safari in Kruger National Park<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

To read more about what to prepare for a Rhino Walking Safari, read our blog CSI Kruger<\/a>.<\/p>\n

To hear more about a typical game drive from Rhino Post Safari Lodge, read our blogs The Night Before<\/a> and The Morning After<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Savvy travellers are always looking for local knowledge, to improve their experience and see or do more than the regular \u2018touristy\u2019 activities.\u00a0 On safari it\u2019s no different – so here\u2019s the lowdown on how to \u2018Safari like a South African\u2019 by Rhino Post Safari Lodge Manager Nikki Meyer. The feature photograph above is by Roger…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1315,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,25,281,227],"tags":[29,92,60,46,37,99,216,52,53,144,259,56,376,401,402],"class_list":["post-1291","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-experiences","category-news","category-rhino-ridge-safari-lodge","category-wildlife","tag-accommodation","tag-game-drive","tag-hluhluwe","tag-knp","tag-kwazulu-natal","tag-mpumalanga","tag-post","tag-rhino","tag-safari","tag-south-africa","tag-walk","tag-walking","tag-kruger-national-park","tag-limpopo-luxury","tag-south-african"],"yoast_head":"\nLocal Knowledge:\u00a0 How to \u2018Safari\u2019 like a South African - Isibindi Foundation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/isibindifoundation.org\/2015\/07\/07\/local-knowledge-how-to-safari-like-a-south-african\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Local Knowledge:\u00a0 How to \u2018Safari\u2019 like a South African - Isibindi Foundation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Savvy travellers are always looking for local knowledge, to improve their experience and see or do more than the regular \u2018touristy\u2019 activities.\u00a0 On safari it\u2019s no different – so here\u2019s the lowdown on how to \u2018Safari like a South African\u2019 by Rhino Post Safari Lodge Manager Nikki Meyer. 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