Will I see snakes on my African hunting safari? Although there are many snakes in Africa including venomous varieties such as the cobra, puff adder and black mamba, hunters being bitten by snakes is a very rare occurrence. Snake encounters can be minimized by hunting during the winter months (June-August).

While snakes are present in almost all African safari environments, they are actually a rare sight for the average tourist. Most snakes, such as the Black Mamba, Puff Adder, or various cobras, are highly "shy" and possess sensitive vibrations; they typically feel a heavy safari vehicle or human footsteps long before you see them and will quickly retreat into the grass or underground. Your best chance of seeing a snake is during a "bush walk" with a professional guide who knows where to look, or perhaps spotting a python draped in a tree near a water source. Most safari-goers will spend a full week in the bush and never see a single snake. However, they play a vital role in the ecosystem by controlling rodent populations. As long as you stay inside your vehicle and follow your guide's instructions during walks, snakes pose almost zero risk to travelers.