The observation of animals in their wild state is undoubtedly a wonderful tourist activity, but one that implies responsibilities regarding the differentiation of respectful practices from those that endanger wild animals and their habitats.

This type of activity is on the rise over the years, the data available on the sale of tickets for safaris amounts to 168 million dollars a year in Africa.

With emerging wildlife refuges and expeditions no longer focused on hunting or photographic adventures, we can say that the future of African safaris has arrived, as before, going on safari meant going hunting, today they focus on conservation, something that benefits local communities and the planet. Therefore, we will talk about the many benefits of these tours and some rules to follow.

Benefits of a responsible sighting

  • People who are attracted to this type of experience seek to feel within nature, thus allowing the development and dissemination of a new concept of responsible tourism in which knowledge and respect for ecosystems promote a greater interest in nature. protection of habitats.
  • The existence of safaris and responsible sighting activities are an economic incentive for conservation and education about wildlife, its threats and the need to protect it, thus this type of tourism demonstrates how it can help protect animals and their habitat by organizing by for example, sightings of endangered species to protect them from poachers, this in turn allows for population growth.
  • Encouraging these kinds of respectful experiences helps with financing, conservation projects and creating jobs for local populations.

 

Rules for participants

  • Contact guides with the necessary knowledge.
  • Do not touch or handle the animals, you could transmit diseases, infections or parasites (and vice versa). If you are sick or not feeling well, do notparticipate in these excursions as you could even endanger the life of the wildlife.
  • Do not feed the animals or lure them with food. Habituating animals to humans can make them dependent, vulnerable, or dangerous.
  • When you leave the activity, take all the trash with you.
  • Be careful not to damage plants, when walking or driving vehicles, in areas or on slopes covered by moss or lichens.
  • Respect the maximum time allowed for the sighting.
  • Encourage the use of binoculars to view marine animals and birds.
  • If someone in the group, or even the guide, does not respect these rules, correct them and report it to the organizers.