The perfect shot

Before you read

What can you use the two things in the photographs for? What do you think they are used for in South Africa? Write down your ideas before you read the article.

The perfect shot

There are people all over the world who dream of going to South Africa. They dream of seeing wild animals in their natural habitat. They dream of that perfect shot. Some tourists are relatively rich, certainly by South African standards, and can afford to go on a safari to chase their dreams. Often they are after the Big Five: the lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino. Some use a camera, some use a gun.

Tourism is an important source of income for South Africa. The industry provides jobs: safari companies, guides, cooks, drivers and cleaners all work to give tourists a holiday of a lifetime. Then there is the money that tourists spend when they visit South African cities, vineyards and “tribal villages”.

Not everyone likes tourists. Not everyone likes how they behave in other countries, what they say and do. But maybe it’s easier to criticise people who go on hunting safaris in South Africa than to criticise people who hunt in your own country. Right now there may be someone aiming for the perfect shot in a forest near you.