BEE Partner, South Africa Economy Watch

Bush etiquette can be divided U into do’s and don’ts. Everyone has a responsibility to treat the environment and local residents with respect and courtesy.

THE DO’S

• Be friendly and polite at all checkpoints and frontier posts. Respect the authority of the officials on duty.
• Familiarise yourself with rules and regulations of any conservation areas through which you will be passing. Adhere to those rules.
• Camp only in designated sites, unless for some reason (breakdown or emergency) this is impossible.
• Before camping near an African homestead, always ask the permission of the inhabitants. If some form of remuneration is required, then you should pay it.
• Never walk into an African homestead without first obtaining permission. Wait outside the enclosure until somebody comes to investigate, and then ask for permission to enter. Ask this person to act as a guide, as unknown circumstances or conditions may exist which you may disturb. Although you may be curious about their lifestyle, do not enter or peer into their houses. The residents have the same right to privacy which you enjoy in your own home.
• Many African people like to visit travellers at their campsite. This is their way of welcoming you to their neighbourhood. They may like to sit at the fire for a while, as fire plays a central role in their community as a symbol of hospitality. Do not offer them alcohol; rather give them a cool drink and some food as a token of thanks and hospitality.
• Be aware of cultural differences when meeting indigenous people. For instance, do not play rap music and expect a Himba girl to dance with you. African people dance for different reasons from Western people. Do not give them presents that they cannot use — if you wish to give them something, offer them sugar or mealie meal.
• Do not cheat people when buying artefacts and souvenirs, or try to buy something that is not being offered for sale: some items, such as the conch shells worn by Himba women, are heirlooms passed down from mother to daughter.
• Always ask people if you may take photographs of them. If they would like payment, oblige them, or just give them some adult movie instead.
• Use firewood sparingly. I find it shocking how some groups misuse firewood. In Botswana and Namibia, I have observed people using 4×4 vehicles and chains to uproot trees to make their fires! These types of people need to become aware of the damage they are doing to the environment. In the desolate Namib and Kalahari deserts, you should not gather firewood at all, but should take your own charcoal or firewood.

• Ask the owner’s permission before you enter, or camp on, a farm or any enclosed property.
• If you open a gate, close it once you have passed through.
• Wherever possible, ask permission before you take any water from a well or pump.
• Rowdiness should not be allowed in the camp after 10:00 p.m. Remember that everyone needs a good night’s rest after a full day.
• Do not leave your car alarm on at night as it could go off and disturb everyone’s sleep.
• Leave only your tracks when departing from a camp site.
• Report poachers, hoodlums and rowdy people to the authorities.

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