Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Walking Safaris
To ensure the safety of both guests and staff during walking safaris, while providing an enriching and educational experience. This SOP outlines the procedures to be followed before, during, and after the safari.
Staff roles
▪ Walking safari guide: Responsible for leading the safari, ensuring safety, and providing educational commentary.
▪ Askaris (rangers): Accompany the guide and guests, primarily responsible for security and support but not for guiding.
Checklist before leaving
1. Equipment check
First aid kit
Radios
Binoculars
Bear banger or bear spray
Water and snacks
Emergency whistle
2. Briefing the guests
Explain the purpose and rules of the walking safari. Go over the importance of maintaining silence and walking in single file. Inform them about not using flash photography and seeking permission before taking any photos.
Discuss the emergency drills and hand signals. Identify guests' interests (e.g., birding, specific animals).
3. Safety precautions
Ensure all guests are wearing appropriate dark clothing. Check the wind direction and weather conditions.
Confirm that guests have no technology that makes noise or could distract them.
During the walking safari
1. Pace and formation
Walk at the pace of the slowest guest. The lead askari should always be in front, followed by the guide, with guests in a single file.
Maintain close formation and stay together.
2. Guest conduct
Remind guests to follow the guide’s commands immediately without questioning.
Ensure guests remain quiet and avoid sudden movements.
3. Approaching animals
Assess guests' personalities and their ability to follow instructions. Consider wind direction, terrain, sun position, and potential escape routes. Observe the animal's mood, condition, and activity.
Approach with caution.
Avoid approaching animals under the following conditions:
▪ Restricted visibility areas
▪ Swampy or densely vegetated areas
▪ Riverbeds and valleys with steep sides
4. Areas and situations to avoid
Highly nervous or anxious guests
Animals with young Breeding elephant herds
Bull elephants in musth
Animals mating or predators feeding
Startled, scared, or stressed animals
Animals that are hunting
Emergency procedures
1. Emergency drills
Pre-arranged hand signals and drills should be acknowledged by all guests. In case of emergency:
▪ Stay together as a group behind the askari and guide.
▪ Back off slowly as a group if required.
▪ For aggressive animal responses, use clapping, shouting, and waving hands as deterrents, as a group always.
After the safari
1. Debriefing
Gather guests and ask for feedback about their experience. Discuss what was seen and any significant events.
2. Equipment check
Ensure all equipment is accounted for and in good condition. Report any incidents or equipment issues to the management.
Pre-arranged hand signals
Effective communication is crucial during walking safaris, especially in potentially dangerous situations.
1. Stop
• Signal: Hold up one hand with an open palm facing forward.
• Meaning: Everyone in the group must stop immediately and remain silent.
2. Go / Move forward
• Signal: Wave your hand in a forward motion or point ahead with your index finger.
• Meaning: It’s safe to move forward; continue walking.
3. Slow down
• Signal: Extend your arm to the side and move your hand up and down in a patting motion.
• Meaning: Slow down your pace and move cautiously.
4. Quiet / silence
• Signal: Place your index finger vertically across your lips.
• Meaning: Be completely silent; no talking or noise.
5. Single file formation
• Signal: Hold up one finger and make a circling motion, then point to the ground.
• Meaning: Form a single file line behind the guide.
6. Group together / Close ranks
• Signal: Extend both arms and move them inward in a sweeping motion.
• Meaning: Gather closely together as a group.
7. Look / observe
• Signal: Point to your eyes with two fingers, then point to the area of interest.
• Meaning: Look at the specified point or area of interest.
8. Danger / back away
• Signal: Hold both hands up with palms facing backward, then push them away from your body.
• Meaning: There is potential danger; slowly back away from the area.
9. Emergency / immediate action
• Signal: Cross your arms above your head to form an 'X'.
• Meaning: Immediate action is required; follow the guide’s lead promptly.
10. Sit down / crouch
• Signal: Place one hand palm down and lower it towards the ground.
• Meaning: Sit down or crouch low to the ground.
11. Turn around / retreat
• Signal: Rotate your hand in a circular motion, then point backwards.
• Meaning: Turn around and retreat from the current position.
12. Hold position / stay put
• Signal: Hold up a clenched fist.
• Meaning: Hold your current position and do not move.
13. Help / assistance needed
• Signal: Wave both arms above your head or use a specific agreed-upon signal for distress.
• Meaning: Assistance is needed immediately.