car safari gone wrong

WATCH: Safari drive goes wrong as elephant smashes car windscreen

What was supposed to be a fun day out in the South African bush quickly turned hairy for a motorist.

A video of an elephant smashing into a car has made its way on TikTok .

In the video, “an elephant pressed on a car, shattering the windshield, but the occupants were unharmed, highlighting the elephant’s strength and the car’s durability”.

The video was post by a sahihoffical and has since received over 654K views and over 15K likes since being uploaded on the app.

In the video, the unidentified man in the driver’s seat can be heard saying “wait yesses! f$#@...He is going to f$#@ me up“ as the elephant approaches the vehicle.

The elephant proceeds to stand next to the car on the driver’s side and the driver whispers: “What the f$#@ must I do?”

The elephant then sat on the windscreen of the car.

TikTok users, of course, weighed in on the incident.

One user, Thato M, questioned: “What do you say to insurance? 😭”

Another user, Rochelle Arendse210, commented: “I only watch wildlife from the safety of my sofa 🤣.”

Commenting on this incident, Kruger National Park spokesperson Isaac Phaahla, said they had not had a report of the incident, however, he did provide the dos and don’ts on watching elephants at the park or any other park.

He advised visitors to keep a safe distance, respect the animal’s right of way and to be vigilant around a breeding herd.

10 Safaris Gone Horribly Wrong [VIDEOS]

Safaris can be a lot of fun when everything goes according to plan. But if there's one thing that we know about wild animals, it's that at times, they can be hilariously unpredictable. That is why we've compiled this video list of our favorite safaris gone wrong. (Note: Some videos feature NSFW language and racy animal antics.)

Llama Spits Up All Over Tourists [NSFW]

While attempting to feed a llama at a drive-through safari in Virginia, the ungrateful animal shows its appreciation by doing a spit take all over the inside of the car. Maybe next time these tourists will spring for some name-brand Llama chow.

Hungry Zebra Thinks Girl Is A Snack

This video is a clear example of why there are signs at parks that warn about feeding the animals. While sharing some chips with this hungry zebra, Meagan makes the mistake of turning her back for a second and ends up becoming the animals main course. She's just lucky that she learned her lesson before getting to the lion exhibit.

Monkeys Swarm Car

Okay, so the people in this video actually staged this one to see how the monkeys would react to their parked car. Turns out, monkeys love going through luggage. Who knew?

Ostrich Vs. iPhone

We don't know if this ostrich doesn't like being videotaped or simply hates Apple products. Either way, he's mad about something. Just when this family thinks that they are about to get a little face time with an ostrich, the real-life angry bird snaps at the camera with its menacing beak.

Monkeys Getting Busy On Hood Of A Car [NSFW]

Monkeys aren't always poo-slinging, food-stealing little hell-raisers. Sometimes they just want to make sweet monkey love on the hood of your car. During this drive-through safari excursion the tourists got WAY more than they bargained for and managed to film the funniest safari video ever!

Baboon Commandeers a Tourist's Vehicle

Sometimes when you're at a drive-through safari, rolling up your windows just isn't enough to protect yourself and your belongings. Baboons definitely seem to cause the most trouble at these safari parks and this unruly primate helps perpetuate that stereotype. The baboon in this video opens a car door, kicks all of the passengers out and then ravages all of their belongings. Not cool!

Elephant Headbutts A Car

While filming a couple of elephants in India, the situation escalates when the massive beasts charge the car. The bigger elephant headbutts the car, and does some serious damage to the drivers side. Imagine having to explain this to your insurance provider!

Rhino Chases Jeep

While shooting a nature documentary this reporter gets a little too close to a mother rhino's calf, causing her to chase after their jeep. Luckily, the crew managed to escape before the rhino was able to attack the vehicle, but if they were driving any slower things could have gone a lot worse.

Hungry African Dogs Try To Eat A Jeep

Many drive-through safaris will offer to let you rent a vehicle rather than making you use your own for a wild adventure. The driver of this vehicle is probably wishing they'd taken them up on that offer. When a pack of wild dogs approached this jeep, no one expected them to start tearing it apart, but that is exactly what happened. Luckily someone was around to videotape the event. (NSFW due to language).

Zebra Shows His Teeth

The prequel to our previous zebra video. You mess with the zebra, you get the teeth.

More From TheFW

Photo: Shannon Correia

Safari scars: Traveller’s tale of a game drive experience gone wrong

Safari trips go hand in hand with being South African, right? Here’s a tale from one that left travel writer Shannon Correia feeling scarred.

Working in the media industry certainly has its perks, one of which, as a lifestyle journalist is the opportunity to travel. After almost a year at my company, I was being given the opportunity to travel further than they’d ever sent me: back to my home province: Mpumalanga . Here’s my take on why safari’s can suck it.

The safari trip

“Where are you from?” is the question I get asked most. “Here,” I respond, making reference to South Africa. To which people normally say “Really?” or “Oh, you don’t look like you are.” It’s always confused me: is there a South African look, one applicable to the people of this rainbow nation? Nobody has the answer.

My parents are second- and third-generation Saffers respectively. As for how my lineage arrived  here … that’s a discussion for a different day. The point is, I’m fully South African. I love our country and her people; this is home and I’m proud to say it is. I’ll tell you what’s not so South African about me, though: I don’t enjoy Rooibos tea. I’ll wait for the shock and disappointment to simmer down before I continue. Ready? Okay. I once went horse riding through a game reserve and soon discovered I don’t quite like these kinds of animals safari adventures — you know, the ones tourists visit Africa for.

I’d be travelling to a luxury lodge in the greater Kruger region, one which is generally speaking only affordable for foreigners. It is no secret that many luxury establishments engage with media who cater to international audiences for this very reason. Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, South African National Conventions Bureau Chief Convention Bureau Officer says that in 2019, they want to show “Africa, especially South Africa, is a destination well positioned in the minds of foreign tourists seeking exclusivity, luxury and unique experiences.”

Transferring from the budget airliner to a plane with room for no more than 20 passengers had me shaking before the turbulence even began. It was the tiniest plane I’d ever been in, but I tried to put on a brave face for my editor sitting opposite me, who showed no signs of nervousness as she waited for the chance to whip out her laptop. The trip lasted only about 45 minutes and when time came to descend, I felt proud for having weathered the ride better than I thought I would, and started to feel nostalgic about being back in MP.

It had been years since I returned to the province, having left after high school to pursue my studies and the city life. But growing up there was special, and I made many lifelong friends in the small city that is Nelspruit. I thought about the last safari I was on and couldn’t quite place a particular memory. What we normally did was take a drive in the Kruger Park every now and again. As I was about to learn, safaris are a world away from self-drives, which allow for you to see animals safely from a distance in a much less invasive fashion. 

A member from the lodge awaited us at the small airport and transferred us to the lodge. When we arrived, we were greeted by the manager, who promptly showed us to our rooms before the first afternoon safari. There were to be two safaris daily: One in the early morning after a 5:30 wake-up call, and another at 16:00 which would continue through to sunset and starry skies. We walked along a path to my very own villa. It was gigantic; it was extravagant. A large door opened up to my complimentary (not-so-mini)-bar and lounge area. 

When we turned the corner, my four-poster bed stood in the middle of the room, and next to it my open-plan bathroom with a magnificent stand-alone bath. I plopped down my backpack and glasses as the woman showing me the room motioned toward the desk and cupboard, and an emergency walkie talkie before stepping out. Being a millennial and very excited to be encountering the highest level of luxury I’d ever come to know, I was filming everything as I walked through.

The room had natural stone walls on the two sides, met by stretches of panoramic glass, opening up to a direct view of a river with the wild animals, and also to my very own pool. I could barely contain my excitement as I headed outside to feel the water; here, you can literally swim in the park, watching as animals roam. Knowing that the next safari left in five minutes’ time, I decided to head back inside and get a drink. As I turned to do so, I saw a thin green snake drop from the tree towering over the thatch roof. It took me a moment to realise that the snake and I were heading in the same direction, me running and it slithering just as quickly. I stopped dead in my tracks. Having grown up near the bush, I ought to have known better. I slowly walked backwards, while the snake continued on – heading straight into my room, where every other door was locked. 

I was alone outside. The villa was completely private, so there was no chance of anyone seeing me, let alone hearing me. I frantically called my travelling partner, and all four times I got no response. I googled the lodge so I could call them, since I didn’t have the walkie talkie on hand and my glasses were inside, making me feel even more vulnerable; I wouldn’t be able to spot the snake very well. I couldn’t get through and when I did, the person on the line didn’t understand me.

I felt hopeless and bad signal finally ended the call, leaving me with no choice but to broadcast what was going on on Instagram – in my mind, the idea was that if something happened, people would at least know what went down. My voice was breaking and my hands shaking as I explained the situation. After 10 minutes or so of this panic, someone finally came to my aid – after all, I was holding up the safari. I explained what had happened, and the two women, who looked almost as frightened as me, told me we had to quickly walk through the room and make an exit. I barely made it to the safari vehicle, re-explaining the story to everyone in a clear state of shock. Of course, I thought, this had to have happened to me. 

Our first game drive was rather laid back. You’re destined to see many animals during your stay, from crocodiles and hippos in the waters – which of course you drive through – to families of giraffes, all sorts of birds and, perhaps most exquisitely visible, are the cats, ngoma ‘s and indgwe ‘s (lions and leopards). With my glasses on, I was able to see animals as we passed them, from birds perched on branches to some buck prancing around. The shock of the incident must have lulled me as we followed a large herd of elephants through the trees. This would be the first of our many off-road experiences, which I wasn’t entirely sure about.

The shrubs we drove over cracked as we drove behind the grey giants, finally parking on the riverbank as we watched on. There were baby ellies who used the trucks of their elders to get up and down the riverbed, crossing the water as the sun dipped. Our Ranger told us it was safe to get off the vehicle to stretch our legs, nibble on that snacks they’d brought for us, and sip on a sundowner of our choice. I was nervous to do so, but the G&T was certainly well needed. Every other time we stopped for drinks, the go-to was a “mocha-locka-choca-vula-vala,” a mocha hot chocolate with a dash of Amarula.

We returned to the lodge, ate a meal on a wooden deck and retreated to our rooms. I was informed that there were no other villas available, so I had to be brave and stay in the original one. I had the Ranger come to my room to do a snake inspection. He didn’t find anything, which actually worried me more. Being 24, alone, and generally very dramatic, I lit the room dimly, played some Andrea Bocceli and reclined in a hot bath. After dancing and singing to my heart’s content and my body’s abilities), I melted into my bed, enclosing the four posters with the mosquito netting, feeling safely cocooned away from my lime green neighbour. Thankfully, it wasn’t until breakfast the next day that I was told snakes love hiding in beds for their warmth.

Game drives are invigorating, as adrenaline rushes through your body, which feels like a stark contrast to the serenity experienced while unwinding at the lodge. We set out to find hyenas at their den, but sadly they weren’t home. Instead, we saw a pack of lions hanging out, with three playful cubs among an otherwise very boring lot. Lions are most active between dusk and dawn, while their days are spent resting.

We watched them for a while before heading back and were promised that, in the afternoon, we’d be on a mission to find and track a leopard. The area is well known for its leopard sightings, having one of the most dense of its populations in the country. I spent the day eating far too much, lounging by the pool outside and almost always questioning whether I was looking up at branches or reptiles. 

Before we knew it, it was time to get back into the safari vehicle to fulfil the promise of tracking a leopard.”Popcorn!” exclaimed the ranger. Our Animal Tracker, was sitting at the edge of the seat, at the front of our safari truck, looking for tracks. Sitting just behind the duo, we searched the greenery as we rode past it, playing our part in searching for a glimpse of Nyeleti, one of the male leopards known to frequent the area. 

Suddenly, we smelt popcorn again. It meant we were close, as this is what the leopard scent smells like when it marks its territory. Our guide radioed another game driver nearby, who told us that he had heard him vocalising. We were close. Reaching a fork in the road, and the Spotter scanned the ground, and eagerly told us to continue on the left path after spotting the iconic print softly placed in the sand not too long ago.

A short drive down, our Spotter raised his arms in the air in satisfaction, gleefully turning to us. He didn’t need to say it; he had spotted Nyeleti on an adjoining road. “Yes please!” he exclaimed, to which our guide responded with a “Good job, boet!”

Nyeleti, meaning shining star, stood wondering along, in a coat that had white underpinnings, rich black spots and golden-orange ombre. He approached the bushes every few metres, smelling it, before running his body and tail along with leaves, letting the others who may be close know of his presence. 

Nyeleti stood still to watch the animals within his territory. Impalas were alarm-calling with a loud, deep screech. He kept moving on the prowl though, not quite ready to hunt. As we followed him, the smell of popcorn remained, and while we marvelled at his majesty, the sun dipped past the horizon. The road ahead was a sandy-tan colour, winding around turns between patches of deep green bushes. This was the third time today that our guide were the first to spot an animal. Our Spotter had an in incredible eye, and the Ranger was able to involve everyone in the safari in the action, telling interesting stories and snippets of information – it was clear that we were riding with the dream team, and the ones you should ask for by name during your visit. 

Sunsets are their best in the company of the savannah, with the sky rapidly changing hues in the open above you. Here, you will feel the duality of being so close – to the ground, to the animals, to nature, and so far – into the expansive landscape, and from the busyness of the modern world. Just as you ponder these thoughts, you get word of a pride of lions with a kill, and just like that, you’re off on a ‘Ferarri Safari’ …

We sped off in silence for what felt like another 10 anxiety-filled minutes. En route, each bump in the road jolted a new thought in my mind about what we were headed towards. It was the same pack of lions we’d seen earlier, except this time we wouldn’t find them looking so ‘boring’. I tried to rationalise it, being glad that they had a kill, that is – because this is the cycle of life after all, and they did look pretty starving earlier on.

While for most foreigners, and probably quite a few locals too, seeing a kill is the ultimate bucket-list item on the safari wish-list. I, for one, could not, and would not, understand that. I know it’s nature, but I don’t need to see that. Just like I don’t need to know the process of how my steak arrived on my plate. If I did, I probably wouldn’t eat, and then I’d be starving like the lions. So, just let me eat my steak in peace, and I’ll let the lions do the same. But, alas, no one else on board shared my sentiment. With that, we arrived at the scene. 

Three other safari vehicles were parked just off the road in a semi-circle. Ours inserted itself in the queue, hearing the purring before we saw the cats. All of the adult pride members were present, each tackling a different part of the eland that stood grazing not too long ago, our Ranger said. The game drivers held torches up as we sat in darkness. We made eye contact every now and again with a lion, their eyes appearing more amber as usual in contrast with the bright red blood around their mouths.

We stared on, some enjoying the sight, others even taking photos. Before us, the buck was tangled in an unnatural position, with parts of it missing as the lions gnawed away. It’s stomach had been ripped open to reveal shreds of bright green grass, freshly eaten, and I tried to look away each time its face was pulled up to reveal its sad brown eyes. All I could do was sit and wait it out, longing for us to head back to the lodge.

Our evening was about to come to an end as we approached the lodge, battling wind and trying to see animals with the help of a torch. Suddenly, the car stopped. The Ranger and Spotter got out and went to fiddle in the back. “Flat tyre,” was said flatly. It was then that I felt the onset of panic and nausea rush through me, which was somewhat quelled when he followed that with a “Just joking!” and passed ponchos to each of us, mere seconds before rain drops began to fall.

Thankfully, we were back at the lodge within minutes – and as far as I was concerned, our nighttime horror show had come to an end. We were informed upon arrival that the snake had been found in the lodge’s main fireplace; and with that, all I knew is that I would be getting a great night’s rest.

Flash-forward to the morning game drive, where I was still rather disturbed by the previous night’s sighting.  Little did I know, the lions weren’t the only cats to get lucky. We happened upon another leopard, sitting under the shade of a tree with a kill. This was an unusual kill for a leopard, but the Ranger explained he must have been really hungry, something we could all relate to, as our stomach growls matched the animal’s purrs.

I couldn’t decide if this kill of the rock monitor (or giant lizard) was more gruesome than that of the eland the night before. This poor little thing was still alive. We sat nearby, passing around the binoculars to get as close a look as possible, watching this leopard bite into the moving creature. It was being eaten alive. We heard every crack of bone. It all felt so cruel. Worst part is, when we eventually left and later returned to the site, we found it had been left as it was, eaten merely as a snack, rather than wholly devoured which would have made us (okay, me) feel like its death was a little better and more dignified. 

Before heading back to the lodge, I had become desperate for the toilet. I reluctantly spoke up, and we stopped off. The car was stopped, facing away from a nearby tall  area of bushes in otherwise yellow-hued savannah, which he double-checked was safe for me. Being out of the vehicle, off road, vulnerable and in the environment of wild animals was pretty terrifying. I was back in my seat as fast as I could manage, and with that we returned to the lodge for some breakfast of our own. 

Our route back was interrupted by yet another off-road look at two stout rhino and then a few metres away, two elephants, neither of which enjoyed our prying presence and looming eyes. They stood their ground, turning to look at us head-on. We sat calmly looking on, involuntarily engaged in a staring contest. The rhino started kicking up dust, mock running toward us before trotting into the bushes as we drove away, my knuckles five shades whiter than they had been at the start of the morning. When we saw the elephants, they too mock-charged us, giving us what the Ranger said was a warning with the waving of their ears. The elephants, though, didn’t play. They came at us as we revered, fast and on musk, before growing tired of us and letting us go.

My anxieties for what I’d witness and which animal we might provoke were ignited in unison with the engine of the safari truck. So much so, that I decided it would be best for me to skip the final morning safari, opting instead for more time wrapped up in what was obviously a very high thread count. This just isn’t for me, I thought. People from all over the world come here for this – to see animals as wild as possible, as close as possible – and in my opinion coming rather close to death. It’s so quintessentially part of the landscape of South Africa, rooted in the life here. And yet, it just isn’t for me.

I know what you’re thinking: how can I be a South African travel writer who doesn’t enjoy safari? My editor had the same question, as she told me about my predecessor who was so terrified that she physically couldn’t keep it together and crouched down, crying when animals approached. Kayla and I are clearly two sissies, who cannot handle that part of the outdoors. I don’t think it makes us less South African though, does it? Feel free to follow my ‘tracks’ digitally, seeing which adventure they’ll send me off on next – and how well I fare.

On the morning of our last day at the lodge, I decided to skip the safari all together. I had had quite enough of the extreme rides, and apparently that day, I didn’t miss much. Instead, I enjoyed my late morning in the villa and took a final outdoor shower before packing my bags. We had another small plane ride to catch, one that this time didn’t feel quite as scary. I looked down as we shakily took off from the ground, smiling down at the vast, beautiful Kruger Park. This is where I’m from, and for that, I will forever be grateful. 

Is jy Afrikaans? Kliek hier vir nuus in jou taal!

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New movie 'Endangered Species' offers thrills, chills in story of safari vacation gone wrong

HOLLYWOOD -- The new movie "Endangered Species" starts out as a thrilling travel adventure for a family. But the thrills quickly become chills when their vacation takes a left turn into the wild.

Philip Winchester's character doesn't want to pay for a safari guide; it's not a good decision. The inspiration for one key scene came from an incident in the director M.J. Bassett's own life.

"The rhino kind of lowered her head and then started rumbling toward the vehicle and we're, like, 'Back up! Back up! Back up! Back up! Back up!" said Bassett.

Winchester loves working with Bassett. And that includes when many countries were shutting down film productions due to the pandemic. Turns out, Kenya was open.

"I mean, they pulled this film together in a month and then we shot it in 18 days," said Winchester.

"We talked to a local Kenyan production company and we sent them the script and said, 'Like, it's like five people in a van traveling in the wilderness so we're away from everybody. We can isolate from COVID as a crew. I'll do a very small crew of 20, 25 people. Can we do it?' And they said yes," said Bassett.

"The people who came along to this were all very like-minded. The people who would get on two 12-hour flights to get to Kenya and travel halfway around the world during the middle of the pandemic were pretty similar people," said Winchester.

The film is in select theatres and on streaming services May 28. It'll be out on Blu-ray and DVD June 1.

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What to do when a Safari goes wrong?

• Thread starter Erny
• Start date May 30, 2015

• May 30, 2015

I am currently in route back from a Safari in Namibia. I grass I have to vent more that anything, so here goes.... I purchased a safari at auction last year with a large and reputable company in Namibia. Two weeks ago we started the safari. Everything went great except for our PH. hewas incredibly rude, condeinsening and constantly sarcastic. Not just to us to other hunters in camp, camp staff and especially to the other PHs. He would constant tell us how bored he was because he does this all the time and lives in Africa. Anytime we had cell reception he would pull the cruiser over and talk "business". I understand enough africaan that he was not talking business just girls, drinking etc. My wife and I discussed it and we just decided to call our safafri short a couple of days just to get away from this PH. Everything else on the safari was fanatic and really enjoyed everyone's company except this one individual. Unfortunate this is te person I had to spend all my time with. I did not complain since the hunt was a very generous donation from the safari company. I guess my question is should I have complained or just kept my mouth shut and just ended the safari? We did give him a ridiculy low tip in our opinion, but the tracker Got a very large one, just to prove a point.  

sorry that your trip wasn't what you hoped . it seems that donation hunts aren't what the bargin price ,seems .(just what ive noticed ) don't blame you for the shabby tip , the tracker must of earned his ,tho .... I rekon id inform the company , at the same time thanking them for their genorisity................ did take any nice trophies ? sad that your wife had to endure this , too .hope if it was her first trip to Africa , it hasn't put her off ....... go home , get over the bitterness , and in 6 moinths start planning a return trip , somewhere else ............not one from the auction block ..........  

Erny, sorry to hear about your PH. Not easy to comment without all the facts.....but if I was in your shoes, I would have immediately made contact with the outfitter/owner and let him know how you feel. People should know it doesn't matter whether it's a auction/donation or full price safari, you deserve to be treated the same. Namibian PH's are usually known to be good quality but I am hearing differently lately. I agree with bluey, don't let it put you off Africa.  

So sorry to hear this but auction hunt or full priced hunt makes no difference. I would have had a short directed talk with him and if that did not change how he was I would have talk with the owner to get me a new PH. Guys need to stop forgetting they are the ones who paid or paying for the trip. Short of trying to tell a PH to do something that could get someone hurt they should be listing to your wants and needs and making it happen with in reason. Hope the next trip works out better for you.  

Agree with the others that a hunt is a hunt regardless of how it was obtained. You didn't purchase a reduced service hunt. My advice would be that you either call the outfitter or write a cordial email explaining your concerns. Give specific examples as you did here and even more specific if you can. Give the outfitter a chance to make it better for the next person. And even if nothing changes you'll know that you've done the right thing and given your feedback.  

You were well within your rights to ask for a replacement PH. Nothing personal,just not a match made in heaven. There is a reason that the job description says "Professional" not just hunter,he clearly was not. I have switched out PH's in 2 days because they don't "fit" the client or his expectations or mine for that matter. It's business,you paid for a service by a professional,nothing personal. Sorry you had a crap PH, don't give up on hunting Africa,those types don't last long.  

I agree with others. I made similar mistake in not telling the owner/outfitter about a problem with his guide on a white tail deer hunt in Illinois a few years back. Afterwards I exchanged emails about what had happened, but at that point he could not do anything about it. Now, if I have any issue, I raise it in a cordial manner and have found that they are resolved. Would love to see some pics of the trophies you got!  

It seems that more auction hunts lately are ending this way. It does not matter how the hunt is obtained and for what cost. This should not happen. You would have been well justified speaking to the outfitter directly while the hunt was taking place. This PH needs to be flushed if this is how he conducts himself with clients.  

Witold Krzyżanowski

I agree with others. Witold  

These type of things hinder the charity efforts of our community. This is not the first we've heard these kind of stories. If they advertised a crappy safari no one would bid. If the outfitter doesn't know he can't fix it. If you don't the charity efforts will suffer. You should receive what you purchased.  

Diamondhitch

The squeaky wheel gets the grease... Sorry to hear about this.  

Divernhunter

I am an easy going hunter. However I draw the line with being rude, not doing their job etc. Personally I would have had a serious talk with the PH right away and probably asked(demanded) a new PH with who ever was in charge. I sure would not allow that to happen to my lady/daughter or other friends. What you paid or did not pay is not the question. I had a pig hunt here in Calif, USA and had a like guide. It was a good thing I got my pig early the 1st day or I might have had to skin him out. I spoke with the owner/outfitter and explained that I paid for a hunt not some inconvenience to the guides other work on the ranch and expected him to treat us better especially since he expected a $50+ tip for 3 hours of his time. I received an apology from the owner and assurances it would not happen again to myself or others. The seemed to be truly glad I gave him the feedback even if it was not good. I also received a phone call from the guide with an apology. That surprised me but made me know the owner did talk to the guide.  

Warbird782 said: It seems that more auction hunts lately are ending this way. It does not matter how the hunt is obtained and for what cost. This should not happen. You would have been well justified speaking to the outfitter directly while the hunt was taking place. This PH needs to be flushed if this is how he conducts himself with clients. Click to expand...

ScottG said: These type of things hinder the charity efforts of our community. This is not the first we've heard these kind of stories. If they advertised a crappy safari no one would bid. If the outfitter doesn't know he can't fix it. If you don't the charity efforts will suffer. You should receive what you purchased. Click to expand...

Erny, Sorry you didn't have a great time. I probably would have talked to the PH by the end of the first day. If things didn't change on the second day I would have talked to the outfitter and demanded a new PH. As has been said, it doesn't matter if the hunt was donated or not. A quality service is to be provided. Good job in giving him the reduced tip. I look forward to a report and photos if you will provide it. All the best.  

Erny said: ................ I did not complain since the hunt was a very generous donation from the safari company. I guess my question is should I have complained or just kept my mouth shut and just ended the safari? ....................... Click to expand...

Something else: Why did you even give him any tip. I would not have given him a cent. Then again I would have asked(demanded) a new PH right away. He earned no tip. By tipping he feels he can do it more and still make money. Even if a lesser amount.  

KWALATA SAFARIS

• May 31, 2015

Erny said: I am currently in route back from a Safari in Namibia. I grass I have to vent more that anything, so here goes.... I purchased a safari at auction last year with a large and reputable company in Namibia. Two weeks ago we started the safari. Everything went great except for our PH. hewas incredibly rude, condeinsening and constantly sarcastic. Not just to us to other hunters in camp, camp staff and especially to the other PHs. He would constant tell us how bored he was because he does this all the time and lives in Africa. Anytime we had cell reception he would pull the cruiser over and talk "business". I understand enough africaan that he was not talking business just girls, drinking etc. My wife and I discussed it and we just decided to call our safafri short a couple of days just to get away from this PH. Everything else on the safari was fanatic and really enjoyed everyone's company except this one individual. Unfortunate this is te person I had to spend all my time with. I did not complain since the hunt was a very generous donation from the safari company. I guess my question is should I have complained or just kept my mouth shut and just ended the safari? We did give him a ridiculy low tip in our opinion, but the tracker Got a very large one, just to prove a point. Click to expand...

When its bad atmosphere to enjoy a guided hunt. I would contact the safari operator and ask for an other PH . It doesen't happen so rare. And a breakoff - insurance is so important like a travel canellation -insurance . Foxi  

Norwegianwoods

You really need to talk with the outfitter about this. He needs to know about how your PH was and is.  

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Think you have a bad travel story? These 13 tales are worse.

These novels follow nightmare trips, from an African safari with a high body count to a Caribbean holiday wrecked by an earthquake.

Sky-high gas prices, traffic jams at national parks, rail strikes, canceled flights, and lost luggage —can this summer’s travel get any worse?  

Yes, it can. At least in fiction. As long as writers have been spinning out prose, they’ve reveled in sending their heroes to postcard-worthy places that aren’t as dreamy as they seem.  

“There’s something darkly fascinating about bad vacations—all the effort that goes into planning, the idea of getting away from your stresses and being able to relax, only to have everything go horribly wrong in a place where you may not speak the language, are unfamiliar with the laws, and have no way of getting help,” says novelist Greg Herren, executive vice president of the Mystery Writers of America . ”There’s escape in these books.”

Think Homer’s Odyssey , where the Greek isles morph into a monster-filled maze for a returning Trojan War hero, or Agatha Christie’s 1920s Egyptian cruise whodunit, Death on the Nile . More recently, novelist Lucy Foley ( The Paris Apartment , The Hunting Lodge ) takes her attractive young characters somewhere equally attractive and lets the bodies pile up.  

This summer, as you’re wondering if your misdirected bags are having way more fun than you are, turn to these novels to help you get through it.

Hellish journeys

Great Circle , by Maggie Shipstead, 2021 Amelia Earhart -esque aviator Marian Graves sets off to circumnavigate the globe via the North and South Poles. But storms, dwindling fuel—and doubt—plague her daring journey. Woven through this quest is an epic family drama that jets from the wilds of Montana to gritty World War II-era London , buoyant with ambition, resilience, and a decades-spanning romance.

Portrait of a Thief , by Grace D. Li, 2022 A quintet of Chinese-American college students turn museum visits in Amsterdam and Paris into art heists in Li’s anti-colonialism caper. Attempting to return antiquities to China from countries which previously looted them, the unlikely criminals run afoul of Interpol and, sometimes, each other. The nail biter also dives into what it means to exist between two cultures.

The Anomaly , by Hervé Le Tellier, 2021 You won’t complain about the turbulence and the cramped middle seat on your next transatlantic flight when you read about what happens to the passengers on Air France 006 from Paris to New York , in this mind-bendy novel. Let’s just say none of their lives are the same again. The consequences of that fateful flight range from murder and divorce to fame and career-defining success.

The Forgiven , by Lawrence Osborne, 2012 After a boozy lunch in Tangier, British couple Jo and David Henninger drive into the Moroccan desert to a decadent party at a friend’s weekend compound. On a dark, dusty road, they accidentally hit and kill a local Berber youth, setting in motion a chilling tale of haves and have nots, of guilt and redemption. Osborne summons the Sahara’s ominous simplicity and a rich cast of characters from the boy’s bereaved father to the drug-addled party host. (A movie version starring Ralph Fiennes and Jessica Chastain was just released.)

The Lioness , by Chris Bohjalian, 2022 Lion attacks. Millions of stinging ants. Kidnappers with elephant guns. The wide-open spaces of the Serengeti are fraught with peril and beauty in this bloody tale of a 1960s Tanzanian safari gone wildly wrong. Centered around an Elizabeth Taylor-like starlet and her entourage, the travelogue starts out with glamour (there’s a generator-powered ice maker and many chic outfits) and quickly slips into a man-versus-beast horror story.

( Learn why bad trips make for great memories .)

Two Nights in Lisbon , by Chris Pavone, 2022 An American woman on a quick weekend trip to Lisbon with her new, much younger husband, wakes up in her plush hotel to find him missing. The ensuing mash-up of spy thriller and travelogue takes place in the gritty, pretty streets of Portugal ’s seaside capital, replete with the scent of cinnamon-y pastel de nata tarts and the click-clack of its vintage cable cars.  

Beach vacations gone bad

Saint X , by Alexis Schaitkin, 2020   Schaitkin uses multiple narrators to tell the story of a wealthy family whose teenage daughter disappears and dies during a vacation on an unnamed Caribbean island. The event reverberates for years with both the girl’s younger sister and the resort worker accused of murder. In the end, this dazzling debut novel is less a missing person mystery and more of a musing on how luxury tourism obscures a place’s true culture.

The Garden of Broken Things , by Francesca Momplaisir, 2022 Distressed over her young son’s behavior at school, a Haitian -American mother takes him back to her Caribbean island birthplace to emphasize how privileged he is. A devastating earthquake follows, throwing the family heritage trip into a nightmare of destruction and death in a country “that had come to expect disasters descending from the sky.” Momplaisir’s prose is as sharp as her insights, and while this is no feel-good tale, it’s a moving examination of family ties and poverty.

The Disaster Tourist , by Yun Ko-eun, 2013 In this satirical eco-thriller, Yona Kim works for a dark tourism company which takes visitors to zones ravaged by hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters. When a predatory colleague threatens her job, she flees on a business trip to review the company’s least popular tour package—a yawn-inducing desert island in Vietnam . But what initially seems like a chance to boost her career quickly turns into a moral crisis, entangling Yona in a plot to orchestrate a headline-grabbing global catastrophe risking hundreds of lives—including her own.

( Here are 13 thrilling real-life stories of journeys gone wrong . )

The Ruins   by Scott Smith, 2006 In this horror/sci-fi parable, hiking to an undiscovered Mayan temple in Mexico ’s Yucatán jungle sounds like a bucket-list dream for four American tourists. But deadly run-ins with arrow-wielding locals and sinister vines plague them in a tense read that suggests wandering off the beaten path—or touching sacred antiquities—isn’t worth the Instagram pic.

Rotten road and rail trips

Nevada ,   by Imogen Binnie, 2013 Dumped by her girlfriend and adrift in a boozy haze, trans woman Maria Griffiths steals her ex’s car and wheels it from New York to Nevada . Along the way, she becomes an unlikely mentor to another trans woman and discovers both the brighter and seamier sides of downtown Reno and early 2000s Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

The Boys,   by Katie Hafner, 2022 Anyone who has ever felt ill at ease on a group tour will relate to Ethan Fawcett, a young father ferrying his twin sons on a guided bicycle trip through Italy’ s Piedmont. His oddball children—and awkward attempt to retrace his honeymoon route (sans estranged wife)—make him unpopular with his fellow travelers. But there’s humor and hope in these misadventures amid plush hotels, libidinous guides, and ancient churches.

This Train , by James Grady, 2022 On a passenger train hurtling between Seattle and Chicago , Grady riffs on Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express with a slew of characters (a coder gone wrong, a corrupt billionaire, a wannabe widow) and crimes (a heist, a killing) in tight confines. Though set in the present day, the thriller’s descriptions of rundown Amtrak stations, shady criminals, and lonely Western landscapes smack of classic noir.

Related Topics

• ROAD BIKING
• TRAIN TRIPS
• NATURAL DISASTERS AND HAZARDS

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Video shows good samaritan run down after trying to stop carjacker, good samaritan run over, killed by carjacker ... captured on video.

A man in North Carolina paid the ultimate price after trying to stop a carjacking ... with the driver running him over and killing him in a now-viral video.

The video -- which hit social media just this weekend though the incident took place last month -- sees a Lumberton, NC man in a reflective construction vest come up to the side of a tow truck and point what looks to be a gun at another man.

Gunshots pop off ... and, though it's hard to tell, it seems the two men are exchanging gunfire because the man outside the truck doesn't stand still and fire.

The truck reverses quickly, speeding away from the man in the vest who is milling about in the street ... when the truck comes rushing back at him, hitting him.

The man goes flying in the air while the tow truck drives away from the scene of the crash. People scream and sirens can be heard before the video cuts out.

Like we said, the incident took place last month with suspect Ricky Alex Driggers reportedly charged with first-degree murder, two counts of attempted common law robbery among other charges.

Lumberton Police identified the victim as Jonathan Adam Lecompte ... one of several Good Samaritans they say tried to stop the carjacking. Authorities say Lecompte was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

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