Top 5 Safari Do’s & Don’ts
As WhirlAway Travel’s intrepid leader, Jamie Jones is innovative, inspiring, and full of wit and humor. “As we all know, I like to laugh,” she says. Jamie is also, of course, extremely well traveled: She’s visited upwards of 45 countries, and been on 15 safaris, most recently with TransAfrica Safaris in South Africa. Here, she shares her top five safari do’s and don’ts. Get ready for some amazing suggestions, inspiration, and plenty of laughs.
2. Do pack smart.
Earth tones, layers, and clothes you can rewear are your best friends. That silky neon blouse? The only thing it will attract is tsetse flies. Pack things that are light, breathable, and blend with each other. And don’t forget your meds, bug spray, adapters, charging cords, and camera batteries!
>>Don’t try to bring it all.
Lay it all out. Then halve it. Then take out a little more. You don’t need five pairs of shoes. You’ll live in your hiking boots and camp slides. And while we’re at it, leave your 12-step skincare routine at home. You’ll be glowing naturally, plus dirt is an underrated exfoliant.
3. Do be quiet.
Animals don’t care for loud voices, so this isn’t the place to reenact your favorite nature doc narration. Shouting “OMG it’s a giraffe!!” is unnecessary. The giraffe knows. Everyone knows. Speak in whispers and embrace the silence.
>>Don’t play music.
This should go without saying, but leave your Bluetooth speakers in your room—or back at home, ideally. Allow your personal soundtrack to be birdsong, distant lion roars, and your own mind being blown.
4. Do stay in your vehicle (unless told otherwise).
There’s a reason you signed a waiver. This isn’t a petting zoo—it’s the wild. Lions may look like sleepy cats, but they’re still apex predators. And hippos? They’re basically angry marshmallows that can run 20 mph.
>>Don’t assume anything is safe to approach.
Just because it’s not chasing you now doesn’t mean it won’t chase you soon. And yes, that includes the baboons at the lodge who have been known to literally unzip your backpack and steal your snacks. And maybe even your passport. In the words of the famed Mel Robbins: “Let them.”
5. Do be present.
Put down your phone once in a while. Breathe in the sunrise over the savannah, take in how the air smells after rain and the sound of hyenas whooping in the night. These are the moments you can’t filter.
>>Don’t experience it all through a lens.
It’s tempting to film everything you see for Instagram, but trust me—the moment a cheetah makes eye contact with you? That’s for your soul, not your Stories.
While on safari in Botswana last year, Jamie asked her fellow travelers for their own tips. “What are some things you wish you had known beforehand?” she asked them. Here, a few favorite responses.
• Bring cash for planned gratuities.
• Say yes to a night safari if it’s offered.
• Be prepared to wake up very early and go to bed early.
• Many countries ban plastic. Know this beforehand so you don’t pack any single-use plastic in your luggage.
• Be ok with peeing in the bush. On a similar note, be mindful of your bowel movement schedule—game drives are long!
• Bring hydration tablets or packets.
• Pack a hat with a strap so it doesn't fly away in the wind.
• Bring along some local treats to share with the lodge staff.
• A gin and tonic tastes best with an African sunset.
