Are safaris safe?
There have been several documented cases of people getting killed on safaris in Africa, although it is worth noting that these incidents are relatively rare. Some examples of true stories include:
- In 2015, a South African safari guide named Stacey Sole was killed by an elephant while leading a tour in Kruger National Park. The elephant charged the group and trampled Sole, who died from his injuries.
- In 2019, a British tourist named Roger Pratt was killed by a crocodile while on a safari in Tanzania. Pratt was taking photographs on the banks of the Mara River when he was attacked by a crocodile.
- In 2020, a French tourist named Marc Sutton was killed by a stray bullet while on safari in South Africa. Sutton was at a restaurant near a hunting reserve when he was struck by a bullet that had been fired by a hunter on the reserve.
- In 2020, a tourist named Scott Van Zyl was killed by crocodiles while on safari in Zimbabwe. Van Zyl had gone missing during a hunting trip, and his remains were later discovered in the stomach of a crocodile.
- In 2011, a U.S. citizen named Katherine Chappell was killed by a lion while on safari in South Africa. Chappell was a wildlife filmmaker and was taking photographs through the open window of her vehicle when the lion suddenly attacked her.
These incidents highlight the importance of taking safety precautions and following the guidelines provided by safari operators and park authorities. It’s also worth noting that these incidents are very rare and many people go on safari without any incidents.