Snakes are my biggest fear. Therefore it would make sense for my scariest travel experiences to be about a little green snake appearing by my ankles while on the toilet in Tanzania, right? Unfortunately, no.
While I was in South Africa with the Wildlife Act, there were plenty of animals that made me feel uncomfortable and worried. However, there were 2 times on the trip where my heart was in my throat and I feel as if I should mention both of these, as they were terrifying for me.
For those who wish to listen to this post, please check that out here.
If you’re interested in South Africa, then check out this guest post on an anti-poaching!
Scariest Travel Experience No. 1
If you have ever seen a buffalo in real life, you would understand how they are on my scariest experiences list. When you come across a herd of buffalo in the dark, they suddenly become devil animals!
All of their scars are highlighted and their helmet looks like a big pitchfork. Just seeing these animals is enough to make me shiver.
I did more then just see them though. Both of my experiences happened on the same night (how unfortunate) and between the times of 12am and 3am. We had an emergency lion call up (lions were darted and transported, its typically done at night as it is safer and more comfortable for them) so we had to drive pretty damn fast to get to where we needed to be, so we could introduce these lions.
We were driving safely, but also not stopping for our usual sites since we were in a rush, however, before we could comprehend, we were in the middle of a herd of buffalo.
As said previously, buffalo are super scary in the dark, but they’re petrifying when they come charging at the side of the vehicle!
We were moving, and the buffalo didn’t even touch the car, but watching this big bull of an ox swish its head and run is enough to make a big man have goose bumps.
Scariest Travel Experience No. 2
I suppose this scary experience makes a little more sense compared to the buffalo one. Lions are predators; they’re huge and smelly and scary.
Due to the situation that I was in, I cannot divulge all that happened at the lion call up, but I can say that being so close to those lions had me shaking. I was on the other side of the fence, and I even made it to door duty (which, looking back on, I can’t for the life of me figure out why I volunteered).
While on door duty, it was my job to allow the vehicles in and out of the area quickly, and to ensure there were no lions near the door while I did this. Doesn’t sound too bad, right? Wrong! The fence was amplified to be 9 amps, which meant nothing to me until I accidentally touched it and I was buzzing for the rest of the day.
The electric shock went from my high (where I touched the electricity) to my hands (which were holding the metal fence) and I honestly had never felt more awake then I did in that moment. Knowing that there were lions on the other side of the fence while I recover from a major electric shock, was terrifying – and probably one of the reasons why I went to bed shaking that night!
Although I had encountered charging elephants, roaring lions and prowling cheetahs, I wouldn’t have changed any part of this trip because all of these animals are incredible!
It is a great post, a fascinating article. You had amazing adventures. I’m afraid of wild animals too. But on the other hand, I love wildlife photography. That’s why sometimes I break my fear of taking pictures of bears, bison, coyotes. I dream of a safari in Africa, I would like to photograph buffalo and lions, but from a safe distance 🙂
I definitely understand the fear of buffalo! They are intense and huge! The electric fence would have scared me the most though!
I laughed all through reading your post. I could picture how scared you were in these circumstances. I guess these experiences makes travelling fun.
I would have never imagined buffaloes are so scary! Lions I can imagine! Both sound creepy now. Although I would love to see any of those in their natural habitat someday! Thanks for sharing!
Wow these encounters are equally scary! I don’t know what I would do if that happened to me. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
I had a run in with a wild boar in Turkey … he charged me and I tripped as I ran away and my designer sunglasses went flying off my head. So somewhere there’s a wild board with some Armani glasses on!
I have not really experienced many animal encounters. Though, when I was bicycling in Alaska and Yukon, I was terrified that a bear would come out of nowhere. Im glad everything came out safetly!
Wow! These are some spectacular wildlife experiences! I’m glad to know that you survived and are able to write about it and share it with the rest of us. Seeing animals in the wild is also very special for me and always a wonderful experience, but I’ve never felt like I was in danger luckily!!! Thanks for sharing!
I’ve never been on a safari but I did have a scary experience with Buffalo in Yellowstone because some tourists were being stupid. Thanks for sharing.
I’m have encountered many animals along my way and like you , I wouldn’t have changed any part of my trips. <3
All animals scare me haha. Thanks for sharing your experiences. A safari is something I still would love to experience some day!
Buffalo are dangerous! Those things don’t play around. I would be terrified if they charged at me whether I’m in the back of an open Jeep or not!!! And you are lucky to be alive with that fence situation… great stories though!
Oh my goodness. Well Buffalo are considered one of the most dangerous creatures in Africa on safari, especially a lone male. They are very aggressive – especially at night. As for lions, well I think it is good to be scared of them!! How horrible about the electric fence. Ugh!
Aww, I’m sorry you felt so afraid! Getting shocked by a fence would definitely have my adrenaline pumping, though!
I haven’t come across such creatures yet but from the way you have describe it, it makes me slightly scared.
All animals can be scary depending on the circumstances! Don’t let that hinder you though, you can get some incredible experiences at the same time
I’ve never really felt scared around big animals before, but that being said, I so relate to how you feel because I am TERRIFIED of spiders 🙁
That seems like a terrifying experience. I would be pretty scared in both situations. That said, I love animals and I really enjoyed my safari
oh my god I would be terrified in both your situations. I love animals but if they don’t come too close 🙂