Safari Game Drives
Ever wondered what “game drives” are when you hear about the Masai Mara or an African safari? If you’re thinking about going on a safari in Kenya, you’ll often see game drives in the itinerary. In simple terms, a safari game drive is an exciting journey by vehicle into places full of wildlife, like a national park or reserve such as the Maasai Mara. The main aim is to explore the park and see a wide variety of wild animals living in their natural habitat.
In Kenya, a typical safari game drive lasts about 2 to 3 hours. Morning drives start from 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM, and afternoon drives are from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM. If you’re up for a longer adventure, there’s a full-day game drive option from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, which includes a tasty picnic lunch at a special spot in the Masai Mara Reserve, usually between 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM.
Thinking about the cost? Safari gamedrives in the Masai Mara start at USD 75 per person for each drive. If you want a more personal experience with a private vehicle for the whole day, it can cost between USD 300 and USD 550 per vehicle, depending on the camp. But, it’s often cheaper to book all-inclusive safari packages that include several game drives, accommodation, meals, and flights from Nairobi.
When you’re planning a road safari in Kenya, most plans include private safari game drives, giving you a special experience just for you. However, if you choose a Fly-In tour package, game drives are usually set up by the camp and might mean sharing the safari vehicle with other travelers. These group drives can have up to eight passengers, making it a cozy shared adventure. Choosing private game drives can be a good idea, giving you more freedom and control over your schedule. This is especially great for those with particular interests, like photography or bird watching, who can make the experience fit their needs.
Night game drives are something many visitors to the Masai Mara are curious about. It’s important to know that these night adventures aren’t allowed in the main Masai Mara National Reserve. Instead, they happen on private or group conservancies next to the reserve. Night drives usually take place between 7 PM and 9 PM, with the exact times depending on the camp or lodge offering this special experience.
A lot of people wonder about the difference between a safari and a game drive. Simply put, a safari is the whole trip, which can include many game drives across different parks and places. On the other hand, a game drive is just one outing during the safari, focused on exploring the wild and seeing wildlife.
Types of Safari Vehicles
When you’re off on game drives and full safaris in Kenya, the safari operator usually provides the vehicles, especially for road safaris starting from Nairobi. These vehicles are mainly Four Wheel Drive Toyota Land Cruiser Jeeps or non-4×4 Tour Vans, also called Minibuses. Some tour vans have 4WD abilities. Both kinds of vehicles are specially made for safari adventures and have game viewing roofs for the best wildlife watching. If your trip includes flying into the Masai Mara and you set up game drives with a lodge or camp, you might get to explore in ‘open’ sided 4×4 safari jeeps. These open-sided vehicles are perfect for the park’s rough terrain but aren’t built for highway travel, so they’re used just for taking tourists around the park.
4×4 Safari Toyota Land Cruiser Jeeps
These safari jeeps are a favorite choice among tour operators in Kenya and are widely used by camps and lodges in the Masai Mara. Known for their reliability in all weather and terrain conditions, they’re a top pick for adventurous travelers. Designed to comfortably seat six passengers, these Land Cruiser vehicles can fit up to eight adults by adding an extra seat, with one person sitting next to the driver. The vehicles have multiple game viewing roofs, making the wildlife watching experience even better. Known for their toughness and roomy interiors, they offer a slightly more comfortable ride compared to the alternative Tour Van or Minibus. For more detailed insights into car rentals in Kenya, check out the linked page. These vehicles are available in both stretched and standard versions, with the latter seating only four to five passengers. The open-sided versions are only used within the parks, as they aren’t suitable for highway travel.
Safari Tour Vans
These safari tour vans offer great value for money, making them a popular choice among many travelers going on a safari adventure in Kenya. While they cost less than the 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser or Land Rover Jeeps, these minibuses provide comfortable seating for up to six passengers, each with their own window seat. Some setups can even fit up to nine passengers. Although not usually 4×4, these vans are nimble, reliable, and perfect for most road safari trips across Kenya. Only in certain places, where road conditions require it or local conservancy rules demand it, is a 4×4 safari jeep needed for entry.
4×4 Open Side Safari Vehicles
Found mainly at safari camps or lodges within parks or reserves, the 4×4 open side safari vehicles offer a game viewing experience like no other. Their open sides provide a clear view of the amazing wildlife during game drives. For those visiting the Masai Mara who want this type of open safari vehicle, it’s important to talk about this preference with your safari outfitter during the planning stage. Usually, this might lead to booking a “Flying Safari package,” which involves a quick one-hour flight from Nairobi to the Masai Mara. Once there, you’ll go on game drives in these open-sided vehicles. However, remember that some lodges and camps prefer using the more traditional enclosed safari jeeps with overhead game viewing roofs. It’s a good idea to confirm these details when making your reservation to make sure your safari experience matches your expectations.
Check out this awesome video footage of an exciting safari game drive in the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.