Debunking Safari Myths
on Aug 05, 2025Safaris are magical – but they are also wildly misunderstood. As a field guide at Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, I’ve heard all kinds of expectations from guests even before we have left the lodge for our first safari. Some are shaped by documentaries people watch from all over the world. Others by Hollywood. And a few… well, they’re just plain myths.
Let’s clear up a few of the most common misconceptions – based on real experience right here in the African bush.
We are guaranteed to see the Big 5 on one game drive, right?
While Sabi Sabi is home to the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo – nature doesn’t run on a schedule. Some days you’ll tick them all off by brunch, others, you’ll patiently wait and only find tracks. That’s the beauty of a true wilderness experience; it is unscripted and unpredictable.
Lions are fierce predators, so they must hunt all the time.
Actually, lions are experts at doing one thing particular… very little. They sleep up to 18 hours a day, especially during hot daylight hours. They conserve energy for the few intense moments when it matters. So yes, they can be fierce – but most of the time, they’re stretched out under a bush, looking like sleepy housecats.
A safari is dangerous – we will be dodging animals left and right.
In reality, it’s very safe when done properly. At Sabi Sabi, we as field guides and trackers are highly trained in animal behaviour and bush safety. We respect the animal’s space and they, in turn, ignore the vehicles. You’re more likely to get a heart rate spike from excitement than danger.
Safaris are always hot and sunny.
The bush can get very cold. In our winter months (May-August), mornings on game drives and dip below 5 degrees Celsius (41 degrees Fahrenheit). We head out on morning safari before sunrise, bundled in blankets, scarves, and beanies. By lunchtime, it might be 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit). It’s a dramatic – and beautiful – shift.
There is Wi-Fi everywhere, right?
Well… sort of. All our lodges offer Wi-Fi in their rooms and main areas, but game drives are 100% unplugged – and that’s a gift. Instead of refreshing social feeds, you’ll be watching a herd of elephant’s bathe in golden light. Trust me, it’s worth the trade.
Animals avoid people and vehicles.
Not always. Many animals on the reserve are habituated, meaning they see vehicles often and don’t view them as threats. You may see elephants crossing in front of us, or a leopard lie in the road and barely glance our way. We keep our distance and let them lead the encounter.
A safari is just about big animals.
That’s only part of the story. The bush is about moments: the call of a nightjar at dusk, the smell of wild sage after rain, the rhythm of hooves on dry ground. It’s the tiny tracks in the sand, the stories around a fire, and the feeling of reconnecting – with nature and yourself.
So much of what makes a safari special is what you don’t expect: a chameleon crossing the road, a dung beetle doing its work, or a silent standoff between predator and prey in golden light.
Let go of what you think you know. Come with curiosity, patience, and respect – and you’ll leave with stories you’ll tell for a lifetime.
At Sabi Sabi, we pride ourselves in sending our guests back home not only satisfied but completely stunned by the beauty of the place we call home and all our wildlife partners.
Come and see for yourself.
Blog by Ruan Mey (Earth Lodge Ranger)
