What should I do if an elephant approaches my vehicle?

Stay calm, remain seated, and don't make eye contact. Your guide will slowly reverse or turn off the engine. Elephants usually approach out of curiosity and will move on if you don't threaten them.

Can I get out to photograph animals if they seem calm?

Never exit your vehicle for photos. Animals can go from calm to aggressive in seconds, and you cannot outrun any African wildlife. Use a telephoto lens or zoom instead.

What if I accidentally drop something near an animal?

Leave it. No possession is worth your safety. Items dropped near animals should be considered lost. Your guide may be able to retrieve it later when animals have moved on.

How close can vehicles get to lions during a kill?

Minimum 50 meters from feeding predators. They're highly protective of food and more likely to be aggressive. Many parks enforce even greater distances during feeding times.

What should I do if I see poachers or illegal activity?

Report to your guide immediately and take photos if safe to do so. Do not confront anyone yourself. Kenya Wildlife Service takes these reports seriously and coordinates with guides regularly.

How to Behave Properly Around Wildlife on Kenya Safaris

Stay in your vehicle unless explicitly told otherwise by your guide, maintain at least 25 meters distance from most animals, never feed wildlife, and always follow your guide's instructions. Most dangerous situations happen when tourists ignore these basic rules.

Stay in your designated vehicle at all times. Never exit your safari vehicle unless your guide specifically tells you it's safe to do so. Even then, stay close to the vehicle and follow all instructions. Animals see vehicles as single large objects, not containers of humans.
Maintain proper distances from all wildlife. Keep at least 25 meters (80 feet) from elephants, buffalo, rhinos, hippos, and big cats. For smaller animals like zebras and giraffes, 15 meters minimum. If an animal changes behavior because of your presence, you're too close.
Never feed any wild animals. Feeding wildlife is illegal in Kenya and extremely dangerous. It changes animal behavior, makes them associate humans with food, and can lead to aggressive encounters. This includes throwing food scraps from your vehicle.
Keep noise to absolute minimum. Speak in whispers when near animals. Turn off phone ringers and camera flash. Sudden loud noises can startle animals into defensive or aggressive behavior, especially during mating season or when they have young.
Follow your guide's emergency signals immediately. Learn your guide's hand signals before starting. If they signal to stop talking, freeze, or get down, do it instantly without question. Guides know animal behavior and can read danger signs you'll miss.
Never attempt to touch or approach any animal. Even seemingly docile animals like zebras can kick with lethal force. Baby animals are especially dangerous because mothers are highly protective. Predators can attack faster than you can react.

What should I do if an elephant approaches my vehicle?: Stay calm, remain seated, and don't make eye contact. Your guide will slowly reverse or turn off the engine. Elephants usually approach out of curiosity and will move on if you don't threaten them.
Can I get out to photograph animals if they seem calm?: Never exit your vehicle for photos. Animals can go from calm to aggressive in seconds, and you cannot outrun any African wildlife. Use a telephoto lens or zoom instead.
What if I accidentally drop something near an animal?: Leave it. No possession is worth your safety. Items dropped near animals should be considered lost. Your guide may be able to retrieve it later when animals have moved on.
How close can vehicles get to lions during a kill?: Minimum 50 meters from feeding predators. They're highly protective of food and more likely to be aggressive. Many parks enforce even greater distances during feeding times.
What should I do if I see poachers or illegal activity?: Report to your guide immediately and take photos if safe to do so. Do not confront anyone yourself. Kenya Wildlife Service takes these reports seriously and coordinates with guides regularly.