An authentic techno-free guided safari by Grant Hine

Our disconnection from nature is largely due to the technological influence and approach to everyday life. Gone are the days of an authentic techno-free guided nature experience.

Some will say that the integration of technology in today’s wildlife safaris is revolutionizing the way people are exposed wild animals and landscapes, enhancing the guest experience.  I cannot agree with this, based on having provided pre-digital guided experiences compared to the modern guided techno-driven safari.

Prior to the introduction of digital cameras and later on, smartphones with cameras, guests and guides on safari in southern Africa used to take their wildlife pictures making use of cameras to capture and store the images on what we called film. Depending on the type of film these images were later, usually long after the safari experience (back home) developed and either printed on photographic paper or produced in the form of slides which had to be placed in frames for viewing through a ‘slide machine’.  

This meant that pictures taken during a wildlife safari could not be viewed instantly and either kept or discarded right there and then.   The fact that there was far less instant gratification, and no ‘bragging rights’ immediately shared with others who were not even on the safari created a far more authentic atmosphere, devoid of narcissism.

Guests and guides would take their photographs and not being able to view what they had just taken, would keep their focus on the here and now of the animal or animals being viewed. Guests would pay attention to what was happening and what was being voiced by the guide in terms of interpretation and storytelling, in a far more mindful manner.   Given that there was more focus on the present moment, not distracted by the technology and the need to instantly tell others what you have just seen through a lens, there was a greater connection to the animal(s) and landscape being experienced.  More time during the encounter was spent actually focusing on what was being viewed, leading to a better understanding and connection with the natural environment.

Guests were there to engage, and by this, I mean ‘live in the moment’ fully focused creating memorable connections to nature and gaining knowledge and understanding by learning from their guide. 

The techno-wildlife experience has become about pushing the boundaries of ethics and respect to get that narcissistic shot that will bring in a “thumbs up” like-sign on Instagram and other social media platforms.  It is no longer about being the moment; it’s about continuously seeing nature through a lens under the delusion that one actually had an authentic moment.  You cannot have an authentic safari through a camera or smartphone lens.  For it to be authentic you need to take it in with all your senses, and not the technological sensors of your equipment.   As Adam Bannister in his article ‘Guides or influences? When content creation compromises wildlife’ stated, “Moments that should be about connection … are instead treated as content opportunities”.  All this for personal gratification and admiration from others to support an ego-driven identity, with no connection to or respect for the natural environment and its inhabitants.  Wildlife is not a commodity to use at its expense for some form of self-gratification. We need to remember, as a species of mammal known as ‘human’ (homo sapiens sapiens – meaning wise man, again another ego driven application and contradiction to ourselves) are very much a part of the natural ecosystem.   The enforced disconnection from nature, largely due to our use of technological advancements and instant gratification lifestyles, has and will continue to have a negative effect on our mental and physical health.

This is not an authentic connection – yes, take the picture but then make use of your own senses for an authentic experience, and not your phone or camera sensors.

One would think that the main reason to escape the everyday “normal” life by visiting natural wildlife areas would be to do just that, ‘escape’ to something different for a calming and relaxed outcome.  Yet, most people do not escape, they take the very technology that is causing much of the lifestyle ‘disorders’ with them to maintain that dopamine related dependence.  To take a ‘break’ or to get away from it all, means to ensure a complete lifestyle separation by means of an authentic nature connection experience.  A connection with the true essence of nature and oneself for restorative mental and physical applications from nature’s own therapy.

In the increasingly techno-digital age, the souvenirs guests take back with them from a wildlife experience are, not surprisingly photographs, this more than anything else. These pictures will quite often entice friends, family and social media followers to possibly visit these placers themselves or to invest in ethical wildlife tourism and conservation. However, the idea of a picture to be Instagram-worthy, particularly if it’s a “selfie” with the wild and potentially dangerous animal is crossing the ethical boundary displaying a clear lack of respect for the animal and nature in general.   

Take the picture for a memory and later for sharing with others, but ‘witness’ the actual experience making use of your own senses (sight, sound, smell, and touch with safety in mind) and not the sensors of your camera or smartphone.  Why would you want to send the picture (particularly one where you are in it) off on social media before the guide has even accomplished an interpretation of what is being viewed, you are missing out.  Gain recognition and understanding of who you are through your connection to nature and not from other’s “likes” (so-called ‘friends’ who you have never met). 

By not taking in nature  authentically and connecting to it, you are disrespecting yourself and nature, contradicting the very reason you have chosen to visit a natural wildlife area.  

We are nature, and the sooner we come to realise this, the sooner our own health and that of the natural environment will be restored.