What to know about Game Drives Before You Go on Safari?

What to know about Game Drives Before You Go on Safari? Game drives are the pinnacle of most African safaris. Imagine the cool, crisp air of a savanna morning creating through your hair as your guide steers the 4×4 over a hill. All of a sudden, you hear a sharp intake of breath and a single, whispered word: “Leopard!”When you turn around, you see one of Africa’s most magnificent wild cats in all its spotted splendor lounging on a streambank a few yards ahead of the car. The leopard’s beauty surpasses your wildest expectations. You nearly forget to take a breath. You may get unrivaled scenery of incredible wildlife on game drives that take you right into the heart of the African wilderness. Everything you need to know about game drives to get ready for your Kenya safari is covered in this article.

What is a game drive?

A game drive, sometimes referred to as a wildlife viewing drive, is an adventure through wild regions in search of some of Africa’s most recognizable and elusive creatures. A trained naturalist guide who is knowledgeable about the local species and can lead you to incredible sights leads the tour. A tracker who specializes in “reading” natural clues, like as broken branches or mud marks, to locate animals might also accompany you. As the occupants of the wildlife drive vehicle observe, a leopard passes in front of it.
Take in the breathtaking scenery while on a game drive in an open-air vehicle equipped with stadium seats.

What time of day do game drives occur?

Since animals are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, these are the most popular times of day for game drives. Wildlife typically takes a nap in the middle of the day, especially during hotter seasons.

Game drives in the early morning begin as the sun is rising and last for two to four hours. A herd of African wild dogs waking up, a leopard dozing in a tree, or lions returning from the hunt may all be spotted.

Elephants and other large herbivores can be seen cooling off near rivers or at watering holes in the afternoon. Large carnivores begin to stir as the sun sets. The leopard that you observed dozing off this morning might start hunting antelope.

In private reserves, nighttime game drives may also be an option. (Most national parks are closed to visitors at night.) These generally start at dusk and last one to two hours. Watch a lion pride wake up and prepare for a nighttime hunt. Watch as hippos land to eat tall, verdant grass. Enigmatic safari animals like honey badgers and caracals come out as the night sky grows darker. Your guide may use tinted lighting that don’t obstruct animals’ night vision to highlight species if the moonlight isn’t bright enough for a clear look.

What types of vehicles are used in game drives?

Game drives are conducted in 4×4 vehicles or land cruisers with seating for 5 to 12 individuals, including the driver. Vehicles are usually open at the top in Botswana and South Africa. Passenger seats are often “stadium style” each row is a little higher than the one in front of it for great views.

Private reserves in East Africa allow the usage of open or canvas-topped vehicles. Safari vehicles are typically required to be enclosed in national parks. These can include enclosed 4x4s or minibuses, especially in Kenya. Both typically include a pop-up top or sunroof to improve visibility. You always get a window seat at Focus East Africa Tour.

Who can go on a game drive?

One of the easiest safari activities to participate in, game drives are suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. Game drives are open to anybody old enough to enter the wildlife area, though parks and reserves may restrict access to very young children for safety concerns.

What should I bring on a game drive?

To see smaller or farther-off species, most tourists choose to bring binoculars. If you want to record any of the animals you observe, think about taking a camera or cell phone. If you want to spend more than two hours in an open car, wear weather-appropriate clothing and pack additional sunscreen. Our post on packing for safari offers a more thorough list of what to carry and what to dress.