Game Drive

A typical safari day is built around two drives. You wake before dawn for coffee, head out as the light comes up, return for brunch, rest through the midday heat, then go out again in the afternoon, often pausing for a sundowner drink before returning after dark. Each drive usually lasts about three to four hours.

Vehicles differ by region: open-sided 4x4s are standard in southern Africa, while East Africa often uses closed vehicles with pop-up roofs. Rules differ too. National parks generally restrict night driving and require vehicles to stay on roads, while private reserves and concessions often allow off-road tracking and spotlit night drives.

Guides and trackers make or break a game drive, so lodge choice matters. Dry-season mornings can be cold in an open vehicle, so pack layers; see our safari packing list.