See also : The Soysambu experience, Lake Elementeita,
The Soysambu safari code and Wildlife watching wisdom
In addition to the above, a few other rules set the safari aficionado apart from the rest:
An informed safari is an enhanced safari; carry guidebooks (about the park, wildlife, birds and flora) and binoculars.
Always travel with plenty of water, wear sensible shoes incase you have to walk, carry a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses.
It makes sense to wear khaki or green clothing; but multiple pockets and hunters’ hats can look contrived. Strong scents scare animals; so strong-smelling toiletries are not a good idea. It gets chilly in the evenings so take a light fleece.
Watch where you are putting your feet, though most of East Africa’s snakes are not venomous – some are.
When in tented camps, bear in mind that the walls are made of canvas; and that all sound carries.
When tipping the guide (which is optional) bear in mind that many people in East Africa live on less than a dollar a day.
Do not remove anything from a conservancy.
Never get between a hippo and the water; stay well away from lakeshores at night: hippos are VERY dangerous; more people are killed by hippos in, for instance, Kenya than by any other animal.
Be wary of baboons; they can and do attack tourists (usually for food); they can also open tents and climb in through car windows.
The best time to view wildlife is very early (dawn) and from 4pm to dusk.
