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During your African safari in Kenya and Tanzania, we recommend that guests observe a few guidelines in order to make their wildlife viewing experience enjoyable as well as memorable. Some among the many reasons these guidelines are provided is to ensure that the ecosystem and the wildlife habitats it supports remain intact as much as possible now and in the foreseeable future:
• Personal Approach To Wildlife Viewing: During wildlife viewing guests should avoid disturbing the animals in any way, shape or form. This includes talking loudly, feeding, whistling, yelling or throwing things at the animals. To have a memorable experience talk in soft tones. There will be a great chance that the animal will continue to enjoy their territory if they are not bothered or harassed giving guests the opportunity to learn more about their behavior.
• Approaching Wildlife: When an animal is spotted, keep your distance, and if possible, turn-off your vehicle. If the animal retracts into the bush, do not attempt: to follow, encircle, or chase it. Also, do not under any circumstance leave the vehicle and pursue the wildlife on foot.
• Respecting Your Professional Guide: Your professional guide is available to make your African safari experience a wonderful one. The actions he takes will be in your best interest while ensuring he follows the professional safari guide regulations laid down for him. Do not insist or force your guide to take actions, which would make the animals venerable as well as create an uncomfortable experience for him.
• Smoking: Smoking is not permitted in the parks and reserves. Do not light fires or throw anything that can catch fire in the bush.
• Photography: Photography is permitted in Kenya and Tanzania National Parks except flash photography at Gombe and Mahale National Parks in Tanzania during Chimpanzee Safaris.
• Driving: Please obey park regulations posted at border posts regarding the appropriate driving speed while in the park. Off-roading is not permitted in general except in designated areas. Animals have always the right of way in the parks and reserves.
• Purchases During Safari: Artifact and items offered for sale at Maasai Villages, lodge/camp shops and road vendors include crafts, jewelry and paintings. There are legal items for sale. Do not purchase items that are considered to be from park resources in Kenya or Tanzania, which include claws, eggs, fur, shells, or items as such. Most times these items offered for sale are not what they claim to be and most guests do not know how to tell them apart.
• Cultural Interaction: Visit to Maasai villages or other cultural communities often lead to guests learning about their ways of life. Guests are encouraged to ask questions and learn more about their heritage and culture. Guests are requested to phrase questions that encourage good dialogue and avoid those that could seem hurtful, arrogant or ethnocentric.
• Commonsense Approach: It is never possible to provide all the rules and regulations guests visiting parks and reserves in Kenya and Tanzania needs to adhere to and be considerate of. If guests are in doubt and have a question whether an action or activity is permissible or not, always ask your guide, lodge/camp manager, warden or some official representative. If no one is available, do not take action. It is always easier getting in to trouble than getting out of it.
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