The Unwritten Rules of Safari: 20 Things Every Game Drive Guest Should Know

A game drive is an unforgettable adventure - whether you're chasing sunrise, easing into a golden afternoon or heading out under a velvet night sky. The thrill of spotting wildlife never gets old - and there's something truly special about being out in the bush, no matter the hour. But like any shared experience, a few rules help keep things running smoothly - for you, your guide and the animals you're there to admire.

Most of them are simple common sense, yet some might surprise you. The best safari guests know how to enjoy the moment without disrupting the delicate balance of nature. So, if you want to avoid being "that person" on a game drive, here's a guide to ten do's and don'ts of game drive etiquette - served with a side of humour, because, let's be honest, some of these rules exist because someone, somewhere, did something spectacularly daft.

Photo by 伟达 严: https://www.pexels.com/photo/28157155/

The Do's: How to Safari Like a Pro

1. Listen to Your Guide: They Know Their Stuff

Your safari guide isn't just there to drive the vehicle. They've trained for years, studied animal behaviour and know the land like the back of their hand. They're the difference between an average game drive and an extraordinary one. If they tell you to keep quiet, stay seated or avoid sudden movements, it's not because they enjoy bossing people around - it's for your safety and to avoid disturbing the animals.
Trust them. They've seen what happens when people don't.

2. Stay Seated: This Is Not an Amusement Park

It sounds obvious, yet every guide has a story about the time someone decided to stand up for a better view, completely oblivious to the fact that they were now blocking everyone else's sight - and possibly alarming a nearby lion.

Staying seated keeps the balance of the vehicle stable and makes sure the animals see you as part of the car, not as individual moving creatures. The moment you stand, you break that illusion and suddenly, you're a separate, interesting object. On a game drive, YOU don't want to be an interesting object- ever! Trust us.

3. Keep the Volume Low: This Isn't a Pub

Nature has its own soundtrack and it's much more impressive than anything your voice can add. Loud talking, excited squeals or shouting to your mate in the back row will only serve to scare animals away.
Want to have a conversation? Whisper. Or better yet, enjoy the silence and let the wildlife do the talking.

4. Dress for the Occasion: Safari Chic, Not City Slick

Bold colours and flashy outfits are great for fashion week but not ideal for blending into the bush. Animals are sensitive to movement and colour, so bright outfits might make you stand out in ways you don't want. (Re-read point #2 - Again, on a game drive,YOU don't want to stand out - ever!) Earthy tones - beige, green, brown - are your best bet.

And leave strong perfumes at home. You don't want a curious insect investigating your eau de cologne mid-drive. (Remember what we said in point #3 about no squeals and shouting...!)

5. Bring Binoculars: Your Eyes Will Thank You
  

Image source: https://tinyurl.com/us2df5kb 

That leopard in the tree isn't going to stroll up to your vehicle for a closer look. Sometimes, the best sightings are at a distance and binoculars make all the difference. They also mean you're not constantly leaning over your neighbour trying to see what's going on.

6. Patience is Everything

Photo credit: https://tinyurl.com/2nvv3zjx 

Game drives aren't a Disney ride with guaranteed action at every turn. Sometimes you'll sit and wait. Maybe for a glimpse of a shy animal, maybe because a herd of elephants has decided the road belongs to them. And no, elephants have not read the rules of the road - frankly they really don't care.

Rushing won't get you anywhere faster. Relax, enjoy the scenery and remember - some of the best safari moments happen when you least expect them.

7. Respect Other Guests: You're Not Alone

This one's simple. Don't hog the best seat, don't talk over the guide, don't block someone else's photo. Game drives are a shared experience and a little courtesy goes a long way.

8. Ask Questions (At the Right Time)

Guides love curious guests, but maybe don't ask, "Do giraffes eat lions?" while a pride of them is hunting nearby. Timing is everything.

9. Use Your Camera Respectfully

Flash photography is a big no. It startles animals and ruins the experience for everyone else. Be mindful of your positioning - if you're blocking someone's view with an iPad the size of a car door, maybe rethink your approach.

10. Follow the Park Rules

Speed limits, no off-roading, no feeding the animals - there are rules for a reason. Breaking them doesn't just put you at risk; it can endanger wildlife and future visitors. Respect the park and you'll help protect it for years to come.

The Don'ts: What Not to Do on a Game Drive
1. Don't Feed the Animals: They're Not Your Pets

Giving a snack to a cute monkey or a friendly-looking antelope might seem harmless, but it's one of the worst things you can do. It teaches them to associate humans with food, which leads to aggressive behaviour. And trust us, no one wants a pushy baboon demanding snacks.

2. Don't Litter: The Bush Isn't a Bin

Photo by S. Laiba Ali on Unsplash

Even biodegradable waste can be harmful to wildlife. That apple core you think will "just decompose" might be eaten by an animal that isn't built for it. Take all your rubbish with you. As the saying goes, take only pictures and memories, leave only tyretracks.

3. Don't Shout: The Animals Don't Need Your Commentary

No one came on safari to hear you narrate every sighting. Keep voices low, avoid unnecessary chatter and let the moment speak for itself.

4. Don't Be a Road Hog: The Bush Belongs to Everyone

Game drives often share space with other vehicles, but every now and then, someone forgets they're not the only ones out there. Blocking the road, lingering too long in a prime viewing spot, or jostling for the "best" angle can ruin the experience for others.

If another vehicle pulls up, be mindful. Share the view, take your photos, and move along so everyone gets a chance to enjoy the sighting. The animals aren't going anywhere (well, unless they decide to).

5. Don't Tap on the Vehicle or Click to Get an Animal's Attention

Guides have actually witnessed guests trying to summon a lion by clicking their fingers or whistling. This isn't a zoo. The animals are doing their thing and they don't take requests. Remember, you are the guest in their home.

6. Don't Get Too Close to the Edge

If you're in an open-sided vehicle, keep your arms and legs inside at all times. Hanging out over the edge might seem harmless - until something with sharp teeth takes an interest. Think of it like dangling a snack over a balcony at a dinner party... eventually, someone's going to take a bite. And it's not just the wildlife you need to worry about. The bush is full of thorn trees with no sense of personal space. One unexpected branch and you'll quickly learn that nature doesn't hand out plasters. 

7. Don't Complain About the Lack of Sightings

Wild animals aren't on a schedule. You might not see a leopard on every drive, but you will see something remarkable - if you're open to it.

8. Don't Bring a Speaker (Or Treat Your Phone Like a Film Studio)

Yes, this has happened. No, nobody wanted to hear it. The only soundtrack on a safari should be nature itself - no one came all the way to the bush to hear your carefully curated road trip playlist. Again, no, even if it includes "Circle of Life"!

And while we're on the subject of phones... they have one acceptable use on a game drive: taking photos. Not editing them. Not crafting the perfect caption. Not filming a TikTok dance challenge while a lion watches in silent judgement. Snap your shot, put the phone down, and soak in the moment. The WiFi-less wilderness will still be there when you're done.

9. Don't Let Your Selfie Sell Out the Wildlife

Your guide might pass on this vital request: turn off your location settings when taking and posting pictures - especially if you're in a reserve that protects rhino! Geotagged photos can unintentionally reveal the animals' whereabouts and put them at risk from poachers. A great pic - even if it makes your friends green with envy - isn't worth endangering a species.

10. Don't Forget to Tip the Guide

It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of the drive - the sightings, the stories, the laughs - and forget that your guide isn't just doing this for the love of it (though they definitely do love it). Many safari guides rely heavily on tips, as their basic salary from the lodge is often fairly minimal. If your guide helped spot that elusive leopard, answered your 37 questions about giraffe mating rituals with a smile - and navigated the bush like a pro - show your appreciation. A thoughtful tip goes a long way in supporting the people who make these incredible experiences possible.

Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Five_game 

10 Things You Can't Unhear on a Game Drive
No list of Do's and Don'ts whilst on a game drive would be complete without making mention of at least some of the truly outrageous questions that guests have asked, that have stopped guides in their tracks!

Here are just 10 classic guest howlers (or to be more gracious), a celebration of 10 cases of genuine curiosity and harmless confusion. This list is designed to laugh with, not at, the wonderfully wide-eyed travellers who bring colour to every safari.

1. "Do you let the animals out at a certain time, or are they just always roaming?"
This is not a zoo, folks. There are no gates, no keepers, and certainly no schedule. The idea of rangers unlocking the animals every morning with a big jangling keychain still has guides chuckling years later.

2. "What time is the cheetah show?"
Would you like that before or after the elephant ballet? The wildlife works on their own clock, and it's not synced with your itinerary. There is no "programme" - unless you count nature itself.

3. "Can zebras and impalas mate to make a zempala?"
This one's got legs... and stripes. While the question is innocent, the giggles it inspired were anything but. Genetics says no. Imagination says yes; and a children's book might even make it work.

4. "Do you have the same moon down here as we do in the States?"
No, ours comes in a slightly different shade. A lunar accent, if you will. This moment still gets quoted around many a campfire.

5. "Is buffalo riding a thing here, or is that just during festivals?"
Apparently, someone was keen to swap out their safari vehicle for something with horns and hooves. The mental image of a tourist saddling up a buffalo has lived rent-free in many a guide's memory.

6. "Do the lions get a vegetarian option, or do they have to eat the impalas?"
We tried tofu. It didn't go well. The lions voted - and it was a firm no!

7. "How many bags of cement were used to make that big rock?"
Kruger's iconic rock formations apparently looked so perfectly placed, someone assumed a landscape architect was responsible. Must've been a serious weekend project.

8. "When will the ostriches bury their heads? We've been waiting."
Ah, the old ostrich-in-sand myth. Thanks, cartoons. Guides have been known to reply: "Any minute now. Just keep watching... quietly."

9. "Where do hippos lay their eggs?"
This one took a second to sink in. The guest was genuinely excited to see a hippo nest. The guide, equally stunned, gently explained: "They don't... because, well, they're mammals."

10. "Why didn't the impala just climb higher up the tree to get away from the leopard?"
A thoughtful suggestion... if impalas were part squirrel. Sadly, they're not. The guide politely explained the whole 'not built for climbing' thing, all while picturing an impala in hiking boots and a harness.

Would a South African guest ever ask these? Highly unlikely. But to every tourist who's ever let curiosity get the better of common sense, we say thank you. You keep game drives lively, rangers on their toes and all of us thoroughly entertained.

These moments remind us that safaris are about more than just sightings - they're about shared stories, unexpected laughs and the absolute joy of seeing the world through fresh eyes. Keep the questions coming. You never know - yours might just make the next list.

As a closing thought: Rest assured, great game drive done right won't just give you incredible photos - you'll have stories worth telling for years to come; and memories that will last a lifetime.

This article is intended to provide general guidance on safari and game drive etiquette in a light-hearted and informative manner. While the advice is based on widely accepted practices and insights from experienced guides and travel experts, always follow the specific rules, safety instructions and recommendations given by your lodge, guide, or reserve. Wildlife encounters can be unpredictable; and respecting both the animals and your surroundings is essential for your safety and the sustainability of the environment. The humour included in this piece is for entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as a substitute for official guidance.

Hamilton's Property Portfolio: Serving South Africa's Upmarket Property Market
For over 20 years, Hamilton's Property Portfolio has been dedicated to meeting the needs of South Africa's upper property market. Specialising in luxury homes in prime regions such as Gauteng, the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Garden Route and Winelands, Hamilton's is committed to providing personalised service and expert advice. Our team of professional agents understand the importance of finding the perfect home near South Africa's top schools and we're here to help you every step of the way.

Read our previous articles here

Contact one of our offices; we look forward to hearing from you:
Gauteng: 011 463 0155
Cape Town: 021 418 0328 
Garden Route: 044 050 3295
Eastern Cape: 076 927 7787
Winelands: 021 863 0551
Email: reception@Hamilton's.co.za

Hamilton's Property Portfolio holds a Fidelity Fund Certificate issued by the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority.