Responsible Safari: Dos and Don'ts

Being a responsible safari-goer isn't complicated, but it does matter — to the wildlife, to the people who live alongside it, and to the travellers who'll follow you. A few clear dos and don'ts, followed by everyone, keep animals wild, sightings calm, communities respected and wild places intact. Most of it is common sense and courtesy, applied thoughtfully to an unusual setting. This guide sets out the practical rules in three areas: how to behave around wildlife, how to respect the people and cultures you encounter, and how to tread lightly on the environment. Follow them and you'll be the kind of guest that guides, communities and the bush itself are glad to host.

Key things to know

• ➜Do follow your guide's instructions and keep a respectful distance
• ➜Don't feed, chase, crowd or make loud noise at wildlife
• ➜Do respect local people, customs and privacy
• ➜Don't take photos of people without permission
• ➜Do stick to tracks, take your litter and tread lightly
• ➜Don't buy products made from wildlife or pressure guides to break rules

Around wildlife

The golden rule is to follow your guide and let animals be animals. DO keep a respectful distance, stay quiet, remain seated in the vehicle, and be patient — the calmer you are, the more natural behaviour you'll witness. DO read an animal's body language and back off if it shows any sign of stress or disturbance.

DON'T feed wildlife (it damages their health and creates dangerous, aggressive raiders), don't chase, crowd or surround animals, and don't make loud noises or sudden movements to get a reaction. DON'T pressure your guide to drive off-road illegally, block an animal's path, or push closer for a better photo. And never litter or leave anything behind at a sighting — the welfare of the animals always comes before your shot.

• ➜DO keep your distance, stay quiet and be patient
• ➜DON'T feed, chase, crowd or startle animals
• ➜DON'T pressure guides to break rules for a photo
• ➜DO back off at any sign of stress

With people and cultures

Safari often brings you into contact with local communities, and they deserve the same respect as the wildlife. DO learn a few words of greeting in the local language — it's warmly received — dress modestly in villages and towns, and engage with genuine curiosity and courtesy. DO support local businesses, crafts and guides, keeping your money in the community.

DON'T photograph people without asking permission first; a smile and a gesture towards your camera go a long way, and some may decline, which you should respect gracefully. DON'T hand out sweets, money or gifts to children, which encourages begging and dependency — support community projects instead. Treat cultural visits as genuine exchanges rather than photo opportunities, and remember you are a guest in someone's home.

• ➜DO greet people, dress modestly and support local businesses
• ➜DON'T photograph people without asking permission
• ➜DON'T give sweets or money to children — support projects instead
• ➜DO treat cultural visits as genuine, respectful exchanges

With the environment

The wild places you've come to enjoy are fragile, so tread lightly. DO stick to designated tracks and paths — off-road driving scars the land and destroys habitat — observe speed limits, and take all your litter away with you, including cigarette butts and organic waste, which can harm animals. DO conserve water and power in camp, where both are often precious and hard-won.

DON'T pick plants, collect 'souvenirs' like feathers, bones, shells or coral, or remove anything from the bush. DON'T buy products made from wildlife — ivory, skins, shells, tortoiseshell — which fuels poaching and is often illegal to bring home. Small habits, multiplied across millions of visitors, make an enormous difference; leave the bush exactly as you found it, so it remains just as wild for those who come after you.

• ➜DO stay on tracks, obey speed limits and take all litter away
• ➜DO conserve water and power in camp
• ➜DON'T pick plants or remove anything from the bush
• ➜DON'T buy wildlife products — ivory, skins, shells, coral

References & further reading

1. Sinclair, A. R. E., et al. (Eds.) (2015). Serengeti IV. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
2. Estes, R. D. (2012). The Behavior Guide to African Mammals. Berkeley: University of California Press.
3. Kingdon, J. (2015). The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals (2nd ed.). London: Bloomsbury.
4. IUCN (2024). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Version 2024-1. www.iucnredlist.org.