Africa Wild

As our discussion from the WildDog thread, what is everyone's views on going of road?

Personal view is its perfectly fine in a controlled environment like Sabi Sabi but I wouldn't be for it in KNP or such. Guides in the private parks like Sabi Sabi are well trained and the bundu bashing they do is regulated by scientific research. In kruger you would have people with no idea what plants/trees its ok to go over with and no or very little regulation/control.

Thanks for this, Stefan!

I'm quite neutral regarding this...we really need some expert advice here!

Here is the wild dog safari extravaganza!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAQqwhQ2kEo

Can you imagine the chaos in Kruger if tourists were allowed off-road??

Not sure I agree with it even with an experienced guide/ ranger although minimal it would still impact on environment and there could be things just under surface that are not visible. The other problem I would have is if the animal is moving away, it is doing so for a reason and you would be preventing that.

It is also a question of quantity in a certain space IMO. Can it be done without disturbing the animals? I doubt it very much

How much disturbance of animals is ok thought? Most of the animals Sabi Sabi are so used to the vehicles they hardly react to them on most days.

also wouldn't people on foot be a bigger disturbance to animals?

I think its all about managing impact. For instance with current drought they are only going of road for the big predators and leaving the rest alone.

Flutterby wrote:Can you imagine the chaos in Kruger if tourists were allowed off-road??

Such as tourists getting stuck , lost , vehicle breakdowns , etc .

In the private reserves only OVS of the lodges are allowed.

One different way I look at it is that most of the private reserves used to be farms anyway...while national Parks are sacroscant!

(Although much of Kruger used to be farms too! )