Spotting an animal in the wild is a task of patience, combined with part art. With these tips below, you will not only see more wildlife, but you will also start to appreciate the small details of the bush. The thrill of spotting a creature that others miss is unlike any other feeling on safari.
Stay down, stay alert, and enjoy the thrill.
Be patient and stay stillSometimes you need to wait and watch. Desperation does not come in handy most of the time. Staying still increases your chances of seeing animals that might otherwise remain hidden. Many animals are shy or cautious, especially in high-traffic areas, and tend to emerge only when they sense no threat.
So turn off your engine, sit still for a few minutes, and wait for the magic to happen when the noise stops.
Look where the guide is looking
Your guide has a trained eye for hidden wildlife. If they stop the vehicle and scan a certain area, it means they are usually trying to spot something or might be expecting to. They have spent years in the bush and might point out an animal you would have missed entirely. Even the subtlest clues—a snapped twig, a faint print—can alert them to something nearby.
Read more: Jeep, canoe, elephant — or foot? India’s wildest safari options
Pay attention to alarm callsOccasionally, the animals themselves betray the presence of predators. Birds, monkeys, and even antelopes will raise alarms or act strangely when predators are close. Sudden chattering that you hear, animals freezing or running, or birds mobbing a tree can all be indicators of a predator in the area. Learning to recognize different calls enhances your ability to understand the bush’s hidden language.
Scan slowly
It's easy to rush your eyes swiftly over the terrain, but slow is more effective. Split your gaze into segments and cover each of those slowly with your eyes, starting from the bottom upwards and left to right (or vice versa). Most animals depend on immobility to remain unseen, so only thorough scanning will detect those faint indications. Look closely at tree branches, shadows, and grass edges.
Read more: Pench vs Kanha: which jungle is the real jungle book
Train your eyes to detect patterns
Wild animals won't always appear in bold relief against their background, but their shape or characteristic markings may. Check for recognizable shapes, like the bend of a horn, the movement of an ear, or the characteristic stripes or spots of a predator. Movement is important too—even the tiniest rustle of leaves or jerk of a tail can betray an animal's presence. Over time, your instincts will sharpen.
Stay down, stay alert, and enjoy the thrill.
Be patient and stay stillSometimes you need to wait and watch. Desperation does not come in handy most of the time. Staying still increases your chances of seeing animals that might otherwise remain hidden. Many animals are shy or cautious, especially in high-traffic areas, and tend to emerge only when they sense no threat.
So turn off your engine, sit still for a few minutes, and wait for the magic to happen when the noise stops.
Look where the guide is looking
Your guide has a trained eye for hidden wildlife. If they stop the vehicle and scan a certain area, it means they are usually trying to spot something or might be expecting to. They have spent years in the bush and might point out an animal you would have missed entirely. Even the subtlest clues—a snapped twig, a faint print—can alert them to something nearby.
Read more: Jeep, canoe, elephant — or foot? India’s wildest safari options
Pay attention to alarm callsOccasionally, the animals themselves betray the presence of predators. Birds, monkeys, and even antelopes will raise alarms or act strangely when predators are close. Sudden chattering that you hear, animals freezing or running, or birds mobbing a tree can all be indicators of a predator in the area. Learning to recognize different calls enhances your ability to understand the bush’s hidden language.
Scan slowly
It's easy to rush your eyes swiftly over the terrain, but slow is more effective. Split your gaze into segments and cover each of those slowly with your eyes, starting from the bottom upwards and left to right (or vice versa). Most animals depend on immobility to remain unseen, so only thorough scanning will detect those faint indications. Look closely at tree branches, shadows, and grass edges.
Read more: Pench vs Kanha: which jungle is the real jungle book
Train your eyes to detect patterns
Wild animals won't always appear in bold relief against their background, but their shape or characteristic markings may. Check for recognizable shapes, like the bend of a horn, the movement of an ear, or the characteristic stripes or spots of a predator. Movement is important too—even the tiniest rustle of leaves or jerk of a tail can betray an animal's presence. Over time, your instincts will sharpen.
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