Keep your eyes open during a safari

I took my first safari as a travel adviser in Tanzania journeying through the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.

To say it was a great experience is an understatement. I am still in awe of all the visuals that I got to experience up close. As a child watching wildlife shows on TV, I never imagined that I would see these beautiful animals in their natural habitat.

I had planned to take full advantage of this vacation. Despite doing my best, I missed out on some opportunities that I wish I could get back. Whether your safari is in Africa or a natural preserve elsewhere, don’t waste the chance to watch the wildlife.

With that being said, here are some of my do’s and don’ts for your first safari.

Do

• Pack lightly. You are not going to do a lot of wardrobe changes.
• Bring binoculars. The zoom on your smartphone will not give you the same experience.
• Wear glasses to protect you from the dust produced by the caravan of jeeps on those dirt roads.
• Take the hot-air balloon. It’s a bonus option on most itineraries, but it is well worth it.
• Be prepared for the “African Massage.” That’s what they called the bumpy roads on our long-range ride.

Don’t

• Eat too much. There are no convenience stores for bathroom breaks in the Serengeti.
• Leave your lodge at night without hotel assistance. After seeing wildlife run freely outside my tent, there is no way I am breaking this rule.
• Stare at your cellphone and miss the sights. Stay in the present, and enjoy one of the wonders of the world.
• Get out of the vehicle unless your guide gives you the OK. Common sense is not common enough, it seems.
• Start your safari the next day after your arrival. Give your body time to adjust to the time difference before the 5 a.m. start.