Precautions
No wildlife adventure is complete without sighting a pride of lions luxuriating down lazily in the hot sun. It is always important to take precautions of never landing down out of your vehicle to snap close-up pictures of the wilds. It is an absolute way of risking your life.
Treat the wild mammals with the respect that they deserve. Try not making quick and fast movements and also any noises that really irritate these creatures. Try to be extra cautious if you see elephant turning towards you, flapping their ears and erecting their trunks, it might be dangerous. Rhinos are wild beast and known for their bad moods, disturbing their line of vision can provoke them to charge you down. You have to take special precautions while dealing with hippopotamus as it is the most dangerous wild animal among all- it is estimated that they kill more people than any other animal.
Take extra caution while making your moves- your motion should be slow and quiet. Wear natural colors and unscented lotions, so that can nicely merge with the forest woods.
Some sighting locations have on-site staff and wild life experts. Don't be afraid to ask for advice.
Don't try to share your food with the animals, let them enjoy their natural foods, otherwise they might lose their fear of cars, campers, or even poachers.
Learn to identify symbol of alarm, these are sometimes discriminating, leave the place immediately if any animal shows them.
Essential Skills
Knowing the feeding habits of these wild habitats will help you to find them in their natural habitat. Be respectful of nesting areas and vegetated grounds. Look for animal sign- marks in the mud or snow, odd smell and flora that has been freshly riffle are all evidenced that wildlife has been in the area.
The most essential skills in the wildlife photography safari tours is "be patient" don't expect the wildlife to cooperate all the time. Permit yourself enough time in the wild, where wild life is copious, it can take years, if not a lifetime, to see all the species listed in this guide and to store few in your cam.
Learn the skill of photographing the wildlife species from a correct distance. Try to photograph small animals from a low camera position to emphasize their size, when you go for close-up photography of wildlife, try with a long lens adjusting the camera at f8 and focus on the animal's eyes. A lens of 300mm in focal length is quite appropriate for mammal photography and for birds 500mm is a good beginning point.
Gear Up
Binoculars are one of the important gears up in a wildlife safari tour, in fact, every person in the safari tour should carry their binoculars along with them as the probability of sighting wildlife increases more with it. Also it is far better to take along a compact, digital, transportable camera than relying on a camera with film. Having a topographic map, compass, GPS unit, or just paying attention to the jungle rules, will be of great help to you.
A strong, lightweight flashlight with a red lens is a must for nighttime viewing, as it will not scare wildlife where as the bright light of a white beam will demolish your night visibility.
Common Terms
Lodge Safari: Staying in a permanent lodge and taking daily game viewing drives into the wilds by minivan or Land Rover.
Mobile Tented-Camp Safari: Sleeping in a tent and move from place to place each night.
Walking Safari: Peeping out of a van roof hatch, you are a simple spectator to the big-game action. But on a walking safari, you step onto the stage with the wild creatures.
Hoofed Mammals: animal foot
Carnivorous: flesh-eating animals
Primates: mammals
Poachers: predator- those who hunt animals for their skins etc.
Eco-tourism: travelers responsible to natural environment areas that preserve the environment and amend the well being of local people. |
