7 mistakes to avoid while booking a safari

Going on a safari tour can be exciting, as experiencing the wildlife in its natural habitat is an experience of a lifetime. While all safaris are extremely well organized, thanks to the nature of the tour, it is important that you are also completely prepared for such tours to avoid some rookie mistakes. This can include trivial lapses like wearing the wrong outfit. Let’s look at some common mistakes to avoid when booking a safari:

Inadequate research
Not all lodges and reserves are the same; each lodge offers a different experience. You should book the most suitable package, depending on the kind of experience you want and the wildlife you want to experience, at a distance, of course. On some safaris, you can walk to reach different regions, but on other tours, you may not be allowed to step out of your jeep. So the package you book should offer the experience you are looking for while meeting your requirements and budget. Most of these tours get booked months or even years in advance, so thorough research and planning is definitely a key step. The packages can be expensive, so make sure you set aside a reasonable budget for the safari tour.

Packing the wrong colors
Yes, selecting the right colored clothes is important when booking a safari. It has nothing to do with fashion, as when in the wild, you should be able to blend into your surroundings rather than stand out in bright clothes. This can easily startle the animals. You will be asked not to wear blue or black on game drives, as the colors can attract tsetse flies and other insects. Neutral colors like beige or green and their different shades are considered the safest. White may seem like a neutral color in other settings, but not on a safari. So make sure to look up acceptable colors before you leave for the trip.

Not looking up the local culture
A lot of the reserves and lodges are built on land home to different tribes and other locals, and often you will get the chance to visit villages or interact with them. It is extremely important to be respectful toward not just the local community but even the staff serving you at the lodge. Being in a new place with new people can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with customs unique to you, but the key to an enjoyable trip is to stay open-minded, unbiased, and non-judgemental.

Choosing inappropriate clothing
When you think of safari, do you think of the hot, dry climate, driving around the reserve in an open jeep? Well, yes, that is true. But the warm day quickly turns into a cold, crisp evening on a safari. So, not packing the right clothes for safari tours can be a rookie mistake. Pack the right clothes for the game drives and social evenings that you may be spending with your tent neighbors or other guests. Take into account the weather and comfort while packing. Adapting to the weather at the destination becomes much easier with the right clothes and gear.

Having unrealistic expectations
This may be counterintuitive to how you plan your safari trip, but here’s the truth, you are entering a region that is unpredictable. So keeping low expectations when it comes to animal spotting can keep you grounded and avoid disappointment. This is the wild turf, and while expecting wild animals at every turn is natural, it is not guaranteed. Sure, there are some tours that align with the migration schedule of certain animals. You might be able to book lodges where elephants or giraffes can be spotted, but this is largely animal behavior, which can be unpredictable at the end of the day. There are some tricks to spotting the Big Five, so if you follow the tour guide’s instructions, you may be able to witness something magical.

Not listening to the guide
Guides know the lay of the land at the back of their hand and can easily spot if something is wrong. They have also been trained to conduct tours in the wild—a job carrying a certain amount of risk. Considering the training and experience the guides have, it is only right to listen carefully and follow their instructions on the safari. They have been trained to tackle unpredictable situations, so all you have to do is follow the instructions to a T. Paying attention to the guide can help you ensure you have fun without getting into trouble. Those who do not follow protocols in the wild are not only a threat to themselves but also to the rest of the group.

Forgetting sunscreen
Seems like a trivial issue, but considering you will be out in an open vehicle, under the scorching sun for a few hours of the day, you should protect your skin. So, apply a lot of sunscreen and also carry the tube with you for reapplication. A bug repellent can also come in handy on a safari tour.

You can always speak to the safari staff while booking the package to learn about other important information. Some research can also help you prepare well, remember the essentials, and avoid making mistakes.

    RECENT ARTICLE

  • Popular Brands Extra Wide Shoes For Women Available Online
  • Exercises for bulging disc pain relief
  • The best MBA colleges to complete your business program
  • Best body firming creams to opt for

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

  • Things you should know about microwave carts and wall ovens
    If your microwave is taking up a lot of counter space in the kitchen, you can consider using a microwave cart. A microwave cart or stand is a multi-utility piece of furniture that has a cabin to hold the microwave in place. It also has a few extra features such as drawers and shelves for further storage. A microwave cart may come with wheels for convenient movement or can be an independent standalone piece. Since compact microwave carts fit in any section of the kitchen, they are perfect for confined spaces. Similarly, another option to free up space in the kitchen is to get a wall oven installed. Before deciding on a gas or electric wall oven, it is essential to know that electric ovens are cheaper initially, but tend to be expensive in the long run because of the price of electricity. Most brands offer the following range of wall ovens: Single wall oven – This is the most basic and inexpensive category of wall ovens that is characterized by only one cooking zone. It can be placed either over the counter if you do not want to bend or under it if you are facing space crunch. If your cooking requirements are not too high, a single wall oven will be suitable. Double wall oven - As the name suggests, this wall oven contains two cooking zones that help you multitask simultaneously. One of the zones may work as a microwave oven so that you don’t have to purchase a separate appliance. A double wall oven is the most convenient and preferred category. Triple wall oven – This oven is enabled with a wide variety of features and works well for those who are involved in professional cooking. However, it comes with a premium price tag especially if it is equipped with the convection feature. The importance of wall ovens and microwave carts in the kitchen cannot be denied. You can find many options for microwaves cart to assist both professional and everyday cooking. Therefore, identify your cooking requirements, study the spatial distribution of the kitchen, and plan your budget before taking a decision.
  • 4 popular colleges that offer master’s degree in data management
    Irrespective of the industry, every organization today has come to realize the importance of data. Whether to analyze business performance or employee productivity or to manage inventory or customer relations, data plays a big role in the making of critical decisions, business strategies, marketing campaigns, and also in the understanding of business growth. All these factors make it essential for an organization to have quality data and highly skilled experts who can collate and analyze this data. An organization also needs experts who can handle the technical side of data management. With increasing reliance on data, there has been an increase in the demand for people who can provide the necessary expertise in data management. Data management courses at the master’s level provide a person with necessary technical and analytical skills to thrive in the data management domain. If you want to pursue a career in data management, a master’s degree will open doors to this lucrative field. Here are 5 popular colleges that offer data management courses at the master’s level. Colorado Technical University: The Master of Science in Computer Science - Database Systems program is an online data management course offered by Colorado Technical University. The course focuses on database systems along with covering operating systems software engineering principles, and networking. Duke University: Duke University offers a Master in Interdisciplinary Data Science, which is a two-year campus program. The course structure is designed towards meeting the industry needs for data scientists who can provide insights backed with data. The program covers database management, machine learning, data communication, statistics as well as data communication, analytical thinking, ethics, and so on. Merrimack College: Master of Science in Data Science is an online course that covers concepts such as usage of unstructured and structure data, data process elements in the context of organizational data workflow, data management, data engineering and so on. At the end of the course, a student is expected to complete a Capstone project. Boston University: Master of Science in Computer Information Systems - Database Management & Business Intelligence is also an online course specifically designed for professionals in the information technology field. The course focuses on database and knowledge management that provides the necessary skills that enables the effective application of information technology to business problems.
  • Scentsy warmers and what you need to know about them

    When a person walks into your home, one of the first things they notice is the smell of your house. Just as certain people are associated with fragrances, homes and occasions are also associated with fragrances. For example, doesn't the thought of Christmas bring to mind the smell of fresh pine or summers remind you of a lemon's citrus notes? Houses can't always smell good on their own. Sometimes, they need a little help and this is where Scentsy warmers come in.

    A warmer or an oil diffuser is a great way to make your home smell good. Like perfumes override your natural body odor, these oils take away the smells of everyday cooking and cleaning products and make your home smell inviting.

    The first step to making your home smell good is to keep it clean and well ventilated. Ensure that your sink and trashcans are emptied and cleaned regularly. Cleaning out the refrigerator once in a while can also help avoid the build-up of mould and funny smells associated with it. Next, open all your windows and let some fresh air in. when the windows are kept closed for a long time, the air within the room turns stale. Even in winters, it is essential to open your doors and windows for a little while each day.
    From here, there are many routes you could take to making your home smell great.

    Deodorizing sprays
    You could either make your own or buy a deodorizing spray for your home. These can be spritzed liberally around the room and even onto furniture before your guests arrive to give you the smell you desire. However, deodorizing sprays do not have very long lasting effects.

    Stovetop air fresheners
    When you cook something, the kitchen along with the rest of the house starts smelling of it. Use this to your advantage by putting a sweet smelling 'soup' to simmer on the stove. An easy recipe to start with involves simmering 2 cinnamon sticks, a few cloves, one fresh bay leaf and a sliced lemon and orange in a pot of water. While this DIY technique may seem very budget friendly, keep in mind the amount of gas you will have to burn to keep your house smelling this way.

    Oil burners
    Oil burners likeScentsyy warmers are one of the most popular ways of making your home smell good. All you need to do is dilute a little scented oil with water in the burner bowl and connect it to a source of electricity. No burning gas and minimal electricity usage. Scentsy warmers not only add fragrance to our home, they also look cute and add aesthetic value.

  • Is it worth buying a Costco Ninja blender?
    A blender is a very useful tool for any kitchen. Regardless of whether you cook a lot or very little, a blender can come in handy to make juices, smoothies, and purees, chop vegetables and nuts, make a dough and perform many other food tasks. But if you are planning to buy a high-performance blender and at a great discount too, then a Costco Ninja blender may be the ideal choice. Here are some top reasons to buy a Costco Ninja blender: Discounts Ninja makes a range of powerful blenders to suit all household needs. You can buy a single-serve blender for simple tasks like pureeing, blending and crushing ice all delivered with high performance, or you can opt for the brand's higher-end blenders with preset features for easy functionality and superb capabilities. When you buy a kitchen appliance of a top quality brand available at Costco, you get the advantage of discounts. A blender with excellent efficiency and features can cost a lot of money. But if you have a Costco membership, you can get a high-quality blender at a reduced price. You can find discount deals for Ninja and other blenders on many other brick-and-mortar and e-commerce stores. But when you buy a Costco Ninja blender, it is possible that you might be getting your appliance at the lowest price possible. Costco also, at times, offers extended warranties on appliances, which is another good reason to shop for kitchen gadgets from this store. Service When buying a kitchen appliance, you not only need to consider its cost and quality, but also the service of the store. Even if you get good discounts on some e-commerce stores, you might not get a good salesperson or after-sales services. When buying a blender, you need knowledgeable and skilled sales personnel to help you make the best selection. He or she should be able to explain all the features of an appliance, show you models as per your requirements and make your shopping experience enjoyable. Quick and easy checkout and a shopping trip worth their time and money are what every customer wish for when going to a store for a definite purchase. At Costco, you can get excellent support during your shopping trip and after-sales services for your purchased appliances. Selection At Costco, where there is a large selection of kitchen appliances, it is easy to compare different ones to find your great buy. When you are looking for a new blender, you can check out all models from Ninja and compare them with other brands available at Costco. You can also compare each blender product from Ninja to see which model might be best for your kitchen needs. Making your purchasing decision by physically checking out the appliance is way better than doing so based on pictures and descriptions alone. Big warehouse stores like Costco also have demonstration counters for kitchen appliances. This is a good way to see the appliance in action to make your final selection.
  • 11 healthy recipes to detox your body
    Detoxification of the body is recommended when you feel like re-energizing your body by flushing away unwanted toxins from the system. There are certain food items that once consumed will ease out the process of detoxification. Here is a list of some easy healthy recipes that you can make.
    • Green smoothie This is a smoothie made with a blend of leaves and grapefruit, which promote the functioning of the liver. It has limonoids to inhibit the growth of a tumor thereby invigorating the natural detox system of the body.
    • Dandelion smoothie Dandelions are chock-a-bloc with calcium, magnesium, and other phytonutrients. Add some berries for an extra boost. It is a diuretic drink that will flush out toxins from your liver and kidneys.
    • Roasted beetroot patties The rich color of beetroot comes from betacyanin, a powerful cleanser that reduces toxin levels significantly. Beetroot is a great detoxifying agent and tastes good as well.
    • Vegetable miso soup Bustling with probiotic bacteria, miso helps to maintain the natural balance of the digestive tract. Nourish and replenish your body with this easy healthy recipe.
    • Turmeric Smoothie Turmeric has both anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is known to promote an individual’s digestive health and reduce inflammatory pain. This is one of the easiest healthy recipes that deliver a host of other benefits.
    • Ginger peach cookies Ginger helps lower blood pressure, increases blood circulation, lowers blood fat, reduces protein levels in urine, and protects your nerves as well. These cookies are easy to make and are a great snack item.
    • Vegan potato salad Dill supplies iron and calcium along with its antibacterial properties. Its vitamin content helps to reduce the formation of carcinogens. A dash of dill and a sprinkle of cilantro on boiled potato with some creamy mayo and you are sure to want more.
    • Cranberry apple detox juice Cranberries could be your sentinels as they guard the stomach against ulcers and bacteria and also prevent toxification of the liver. Apple pectin stimulates intestinal working.
    • Grilled artichoke and quinoa lettuce wraps Artichokes have large amounts of antioxidants per serving than any other fruit or vegetable. An easy healthy recipe, it protects the body from free radicals and keeps the heart up and running.
    • Spirulina smoothie Spirulina is a super food, which is a complete source of proteins and vitamins. It improves the functioning of the thyroid and cleanses the digestive tract.
    • Mizuna, fennel and mulberry salad This is a detox food that is yummy to eat and easy to make. Fennel removes carcinogens and aids digestion. This salad has a cooling effect and reduces inflammation in the body.
    Our body comes with several built-in detox systems. These healthy and easy to make recipes are destined to aid those systems in doing their best work every day.
  • Why avoid gluten in your diet
    Believe it or not, about twenty percent of the world’s calories come from wheat. Wheat is easy to produce and is very comfortable and easy to store and ship. Wheat consumption kept on increasing at a fast pace from nineteenth century onwards. The consumption of wheat in the form of bread, noodles, and pasta might have dipped, but wheat still is a hidden ingredient in many of the products sold in a supermarket. Whether you like it or not, it is a part of everything starting from soups, gravies, sauces, spreads, dressing and even frozen vegetables. It is necessary to include gluten-free foods in your diet to have a healthy diet plan. So what makes wheat this bad? Wheat is a grain and carbohydrates form a major part of the calorie source. Apart from carbohydrates, wheat also contains proteins in the form of gluten, wheat germ agglutinin, and amylase trypsin inhibitors. It’s proven that high consumption of the carbohydrates itself can cause metabolic problems like blood sugar, but none of these problems can be linked to the proteins present in the grain. Inflammation is the natural symptom if anything goes wrong with the gut. These proteins are gut irritants and are like splinters drilling into the gut. Inflammation in gut eventually leads to increased intestinal permeability. The gut plays a very vital role in letting whatever the digested food is, into the blood stream and providing nutrients. All the toxic substances filtered are pushed the other way. Gluten stimulates the release of a protein called zonulin which increases the gut permeability, and more toxic substances are released into the blood stream. Gluten has another component called gliadin which when released into the blood stream can take down the immune system severely by molecular mimicry. Whenever a foreign body gets into the bloodstream, the immune system forms antibodies and attack. Gliadin has a structure similar to the body tissue. As a result, the antibodies start attacking human tissues too. Taking all these harms into consideration, it is best to have gluten free foods.