See more with guided game drives
Admiring the array of wildlife traversing the vast vistas of Africa, all from the safety and comfort of guided game drives, is a safari experience that is not to be missed. The expert knowledge of a guide behind the wheel and the extraordinary vision of the individual in the tracker seat add to the allure of guided game drives.
What to expect
This type of game drive makes visiting a national park or a private reserve an excursion to look forward to, with each offering something different. In a national park, a guided safari needs to adhere to the rules and regulation of the authority overseeing the management of the area—driving on designated roads, adhering to specific times, and staying in the vehicle are just some of them. There is a little more freedom when choosing a private reserve—meaning off-roading is usually possible, more exclusive game viewing and greater freedom of movement.
Guided Game Drives are usually conducted in a specially-adapted vehicle capable of going off-road, and that requires shifting into 4WD. The vehicle accommodated up to 10 safari-goers at a time, which provides an intimate experience in the wild.
Opting for a safari of this nature will give visitors a greater opportunity to marvel at the wonders of African wildlife. The local guides and trackers have a vast knowledge of the fauna and flora in their area, with countless hours spent crisscrossing the landscape. They are aware of the animals’ movements and special spots—and the best of all? They are at hand to answer a whole host of questions from the curious minds on the vehicle.
A Typical Day
A typical day on a guided game drive usually starts at the crack of dawn with a morning chorus of wild and wonderful sounds. After some warm liquid to invigorate the system, it is out to discover the natural world’s inhabitants for up to four hours. Upon return, it is time for a scrumptious breakfast, followed by a midday siesta. In the early afternoon, the body is refuelled with some light refreshments before it is time to explore the wilderness once again for a couple of hours. As the day makes way for the night, safari-goers return to camp to huddle around a bushveld fire and reminisce about the glorious day just passed.
The best destinations for Guided Game Drives
Here, opportunities abound, especially through privately managed concessions in the various national parks. Safari-goers can expect to spot an amazing array of wildlife from the comfort of the vehicle. From Big Cats like lion, cheetah, and leopard to herds of elephants—all up close and personal. National parks in the country include in the Chobe National Park, Okavango Delta, and Selinda Spillway.
Home to countless national parks and private reserves, this country at the southern tip of the African continent lends itself perfectly to this type of safari. The Kruger National Park is a prime destination with guided game drives from early morning to late at night on offer. When it comes to private reserves, there are a plethora of destinations in the Lowveld (Timbavati, Sabi Sands), North West (Madikwe), KwaZulu-Natal (Phinda, Thanda Thula), Eastern Cape (Shamwari), Northern Cape (Tswalu).
Most of the accommodation establishments in the Serengeti National Park are privately run. Here, safari-goers can lap it up in luxury while following big herds of animals along their ancient routes.
This immense landscape is overshadowed by the Namib desert that is best explored in this particular manner. It includes the Etosha National Park and various private entities where specialist desert dwellers such as bat-eared foxes and oryx can be encountered.