SANParks.org Forums

Hi All

I just came back from a weekend in Kruger, wonderful as always.

We were wondering if anyone on the forum has had a bad experience with tour operators from outside Kruger.
It’s now about the 3rd time in all the years going and have had literally enough.

We were at a wonderful lion sighting, when one of these operators arrived and radioed his partners in crime who drove past us a while back.

They off course came speeding to the scene, while trying to enjoy the moment with the lions that started roaring, he tried getting my attention by calling me the whole time, so that i must move out the way so that they can get a better view. I simply ignored him, and then he started very loudly pointing towards us, and making comments. Thus spoiling it for everyone. We decided to go and he pulled off at the same time, then being very deliberate he blocked the road about 3 times.

Have any of you had a similar experience?

How rude! I wouldve reported him at one of the camps cos that is not just being rude he is clearly aggressive with such behaviour

You have the details Robmeister.

Contact the company and give them the precise info.

If they have integrity, they will not enjoy the adverse publicity and will do something about it.

If you get excuses, then take it further to the social media, but give precise info.

Yup,

Seen this before.
In fact, saw the funniest thing with 2 of these idiots this past December.

Jostling for a better view of a Kudu (and it was far from the road, behind a bush - not a great view anyway), and one reversed into the other.
Laughed all the way back to camp

Sad to say that I have had too many experiences of a similar nature . Used to be a time where the 'tall' vehicles would leave space for the lower small cars in front of them .... no more. I also remember when people would wait their turn at the 'front' of a sighting spend some time enjoying and then move one so others can view ( I still do!) - this seems to be a thing of the past too! Having said this I have had good experiences too with these 'game vehicles' but they are far and few inbetween. The prevalence of this is far far greater in the Southern areas of the Park. This has resulted in many people I know never frequenting the area. My worst irritation is that when these vehicles are stopped they never tell you what they have seen, and in fact go out of their way to ignore you. Such a pity one of the enjoyments of the park is exchanging chit chat with other fellow enthusiasts ... On the happy side the park rangers and vehicles are never like this and are most pleasant helpful and friendly.

I often stop these guys and send them to " fantastic " sightings in opposite direction

So sorry about your (and others') bad experiences, Robmeister.
I have been extremely fortunate in my experiences with tour guides.

LOL Okie I too am guilty of sending them on wild goose chases

I`m guilty as well

My goodness ! How the forum flavours and climate have changed - it seems those zoo visitors have left the forum who only a few years ago soundly admonished me for daring to disclose that I prominently display my bird book or map when alone at a special sighting in order to have peace & quiet ....

People are very rude and impatient with birders!
But, I have learned that when you are birding and you look peacefully for a while trying to find the species in the bird book other animals often appear on the scene...then those impatient people are very friendly once again

SO and I do this as well at times, it just depends on how the other car arrives as well
as the first few spoken words. We have shared leopard eating with people just after telling others that
we were 'birding'. I think it all boils down to being friendly and courteous(where the first car was not).

I must say, I felt bad about the following incident.
But in my defense, it wasn't entirely my fault.

Driving down the H4-1 there was a car stopped in front of me.
Pulled up behind them.
They had camera lenses out, and I looked both sides and saw nothing.
Thinking they were just getting their camera settings right or something similar.
So passed, only to have a Purple Crested Lourie fly out of a bush.
Got evil looks from the car next to me
But to be fair, I really didn't see it.
Wasn't me be selfish. Honest

They remind me of tow-truck drivers in the cities...

My 7 year old calls them the vultures of the park, they have no idea what she is talking when she says ''Dad, there's another vulture''...

Must say I am a little sad about the attitude displayed on this last page. When you give other visitors, which are what the OSV's are (guide might not be a visitor but his guests on the car are), wrong information to waste their time it is nothing less than lying to each and everyone of those people.

Count me as one of those that want to share my sightings with anyone, seeing the joy on another visitors face when they see the animal you are viewing makes my day.

It is strange that the main sentiment is that Kruger has lost its charm, the way we used to talk to other visitors at night about our sightings during the day. But it seems it is us, and not the influx of new and foreign visitors that are making this change happen in Kruger.