Abstract
Going on safari is one of the most popular holidays, with it attracting both local and international tourists in their numbers. Although such holidays are available in many different parts of South Africa, the Kruger National Park (KNP) and its surrounding private game reserves remain the epitome of going on safari not only in South Africa but across the globe. Despite its popularity, this type of holiday does carry much risk to tourists with it, as it involves viewing animals, some of which are dangerous in their natural habitat, which could pose a safety challenge to tourists. The study investigated the causes of tourists’ non-compliant behaviour with game reserve protocols during safaris in the Greater KNP, both in the private reserves and in the national reserve. The study was aimed at identifying the existing policies and procedures, and at investigating the level of tourists' compliant behaviour while on safari, including understanding the key stakeholders’ perceptions of the levels of tourist-compliant behaviour manifested. The study determined the impact that non-compliant behaviour by tourists has had on the game reserves. To accomplish its objective, the study used thematic content analysis, using 31 respondents from both public and private game reserves falling within the Greater KNP, with the participants being divided into three groups, namely those of tour guides, lodge managers and park authorities. The study revealed that, although policies are in place in the game reserves, high levels of non-compliance by tourists tend to exist when they embark on safari in both the private and the national reserves concerned. The study identified the following factors as being the main causes of tourists’ non-compliant behaviour: the imbibing of alcohol; self-guided safaris; and the lack of law enforcement and induction, among many others. The study additionally revealed that, compared to safaris undertaken in private reserves, the level of non-compliance in national reserves was significant. Thus, the study emphasises the importance of tourists adhering to the established protocols while they are on safari, due to the impact that their behaviour has on the environment, on employment and the degree of safety involved for the tourists themselves.