Safari Briefing in Text

This text briefing is the one you get as you start the Krabi Virtual Night Safari app. If you cannot understand the English – you can read it here in English, or translate it to your own language.

ESSENTIALS – this is in audio on the app – or you can read it here.

Welcome to the Krabi Virtual Night Safari app. We’ll cover some ESSENTIALS here, so please listen closely.

If you’d like to see this pre-safari briefing in plain text, go to this page: Krabi Nature dot com forward slash safari.

So, you already know generally what this app is all about. You’ll walk around and find wildlife using tips we’ll give you with audio over your phone.

This app will work for 24 hours from the time you hit this start button. You can do this tour in daylight hours or night time hours, but you’ll find that you will find more wildlife during the night time.

This tour will last 2 hours from the time you are dropped off at the top of the hill. The taxi driver will pick you up in 2 hours wherever you are on the hill.

Don’t return to the vehicle to get a ride if you’re tired, just stay there and wait for the taxi.

To find wildlife, It’s best to walk a couple of steps, look closely at the ground, leaf litter, and vegetation around you. Look for anything moving. Look for anything with a different color or shape. Listen for something moving in the leaves. This will help you find things.

SAFETY

THINGS ON THE GROUND

Before you walk, scan the ground in front of you. The most important thing to keep in mind is to not step on something or kick something that is on the ground where you are walking.

We have spiders, termites, ants, centipedes, scorpions, and other wildlife which can bite or sting. Ants are the biggest problem, they have long trails on the road that you should avoid stepping in. If ants are on you, just brush them off. They’re bites are itchy and usually not a big problem.

We have a venomous snake called the Malayan Pit Viper that is capable of bad bites that you must go to the hospital for.

There’s a photo of this snake on the app you can find in the PHOTOS section. It’s labeled with the name.

In 18 years of people looking for wildlife on this hill we don’t know of anyone ever bitten by this snake here, but, we do see them sometimes and the venom is strong so this is the main safety concern for you during the tour.

Just make sure to always check where you are putting your feet.

There is an EMERGENCY BUTTON located in this app on the top right. You should click that button 3 times fast if bitten by a snake or anything you fear may cause you a problem. The taxi will come immediately to find you.

Note – the Emergency Button can only work if you have data service on your mobile phone. Some places on the tour don’t have good connection, so this is not a perfect solution, but can work at times. The taxi driver will be on the hill waiting for you to finish, so someone in your group can go meet him at any time if you need help.

BEES

During the dry season from December through April there are sometimes bees that bother us during the night tour.

It is usually 1 or 2 bees that come toward the white light, angry and ready to sting. If you hear a buzzing bee, just shut off your lights quickly – and tell everyone in the group to do the same. In 2 minutes turn one light on to see if the bee is still around.

If clear, everyone can turn on lights again.

You may have to walk out of that area a bit to get away from the angry bee.

MAMMALS

We don’t have any large mammals that run out of the forest to attack us on tours.

We have small leopard cats that are shy and flee when they see us.

We have Mouse Deer with big reflective red eyes you might see in the forest at some distance.

We have no tigers, elephants, or bears at this location.

SLIPPERY ROAD

The road can be slippery especially during the rainy season months from April to November, or anytime it has rained a lot.

There is a black and green moss that grows mostly on the sides of the road that should be avoided.

Sometimes it is slippery like ice.

PHYSICAL EXHAUSTION

Even night time can be hot and humid in Thailand and it may not be something you are ready for. If you feel light headed or extremely tired or out of breath as you walk around, you should sit and rest and recover. If you think you are having a medical emergency, of course click the EMERGENCY button 3 times and get the taxi to come and pick you up right away.

Drink fluids every 30 minutes or so as you walk. You will probaby be hot and sweating.

Some extra points:

Stay on the paved road at all times. Do not walk into the forest or vegetation. The road is your safe zone.
Children must stay next to adults at all times.
Don’t touch any wildlife, plants, or insects. Look, don’t handle.

By using this app you understand you’re fully responsible for your own safety and your own decisions out here. We can’t possibly warn you about every single risk in a rainforest environment, and things can change fast. This app is guidance only. You agree to move carefully, stay aware of your surroundings, and use your own judgment at all times. If anything feels unsafe, stop immediately and call for the taxi using the emergency button.

OK THAT’S IT! ARE YOU READY TO GO? Let’s find some things you’ve never seen before!