SANParks.org Forums

Hi all, Newbie here. we're visiting S.A. in March and have organised 14 nights in Kruger......cant wait !!

Part of our trip includes 3 nights at Tamboti and I wanted to get peoples thoughts regarding flashlights,

Hopefully, there is the possibility of wildlife patrolling the perimeter at night and it would be inconsiderate to your neighbours to turn night into day, but on the other hand it would be a shame to miss a sighting........what type of flashlight is suitable.

Thanks

Howdy

Firstly, we call' Flashlights' , 'Torches' in these parts. Just in case there was any confusion.....

The new generation LED ones are definately the way to go. They are very powerful, the battery lasts forever and they are small. For years I religiously took my 5 Million Candle Power Torch to the bush....i recall hopping onto a night drive once with this beast of a torch....very proud I was and people stared in envy.....the laugh was on me though as it only lasted about 20 Min if that !!!

LED Lenser are the best i can assure you. Best of luck and enjoy.

Hi the Lynchies and warm welcome to the forum!

I think if you use a normal type spotlight, the one you buy in most wildlife or camping shops and don't overuse it, you will not get any complaints.
Try not to shine it directly into any of the nocturnal animal's eyes but rather next to it and for shorts spells only.
Enjoy your trip.

Hi Lynchies and welcome

In adition to what Elsa has suggested, try and find one with a red filter attached to it, this also minimises the impact on animals eyes.

Enjoy

Great suggestion GlenD re the red filter . When I did not have a proper filter I used some red cellophane and that actually worked quite well!

Did the cellophane last? The lens on my light gets so hot im afraid it'll start melting

My lasted well, but then again only ever used it on LED torches so the heat was not high at all. on the normal bulbs it might be a different story.

I have used cellophane for a while. But more recently bought a Zartek spotlight which comes with a red filter to clip on. Great light, rechargeable from mains or car, and very light-weight to carry. Lasts about 4 hours on a charge too.

I use the candle power stuff myself and
somehow irritate myself!! On the other
hand visits to these parks are so scarce,
one will not just let that moment just slip!

How many neighbours did I irritate????

Catch 22. Would hate my neighbours
lighter illuminating my catch of the day!!

I can tell you our neighbours irritated us at Lower Sabie last year, sitting outside after dinner we thought we saw or heard something so switched our spotlight on and there was the resident Hyena doing his nightly patrols along the fence, our neighbours immediately dashed down to the fence and started throwing their braai bones over the fence to the Hyena, right next to the sign asking not to feed the animals!
And were seriously not impressed with us when we asked them to please not do that!

Welcome to the forum the Lychies!

Spotlights/torches that others use to light up a sightingfor me will make a friend!

Just be considerate to animal & vistor alike.

Thanks EJ, I will try the cellophane next time, if I dont manage to get my hands on one of those Zartek spotlights.
I currently only really use the peripheral light from the beam when looking at something.

Bought mine at Outdoor Warehouse, but also seen them at Cape Union Mart - good price too!

H.erectus - I agree fully , I prefer not to see spotlights sweeping across my view .
It irritates animal and man alike .

In the hours of darkness when humans and cars are locked in their enclosures I am of the opinion it is nothing other than ethical to allow the animals some peace and tranquility .