Africa boasts some of the most spectacular wildlife in the world, including elephants, lions, tigers, crocodiles, hippos, rhinos, monkeys, and much more besides. If you’re not exactly the adventurous type, you can see a surprising amount without even leaving South Africa. If you want to see the most interesting animals, though, you should head for the rainforest.

When you go on safari, remember that it will be hot and the terrain will be rough. You need to wear the proper clothing, which means nothing too warm, and you should also be careful to be well-rested, fed and hydrated before you go. Take plenty of water with you, and don’t go too far in any one day.

There is also the issue that many of the animals that you’re going to be seeing can be very dangerous – even the ones you wouldn’t necessarily expect. Always stay alert. It is generally a good idea to stay in your car as much as possible, especially if you are a beginner. If you find yourself in danger, remember the golden rule: don’t panic, and stay still. Tempting as it might be to scream in terror and run away, that will only startle the animal, and make it far more likely for it to attack you in self-defence.

At the end of the day, a safari can be a very memorable experience, and you’ll be fine as long as you use your common sense. Don’t try to run before you can walk, and don’t put yourself in any danger. Just pick an animal you’ve always wanted to see, and go for it.