Game drives in Africa are one of the most popular and exciting ways to explore the continent’s rich wildlife. This incredibly immersive experience involves driving through national parks or game drives in specially built safari vehicles, often guided by an experienced ranger of guide with a goal of spotting various animals in their natural habitat.
Game drives allow you to witness the beauty of Africa’s wildlife, from the majestic and famous Big Five – lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and rhinos to lesser – known but equally fascinating species like giraffes, cheetahs, wildebeests, hippos and waterbucks among others.
Types of Game Drives in Africa
Morning Game Drives
This kind of game drives start early in the morning, just before dawn, when animals are more active. The cooler temperatures make it an excellent time for spotting predators on the hunt.
Afternoon Game Drives
Normally the afternoon game drives begin in the late afternoon and last until dusk. It is a great time for observing animals coming to waterholes or preparing for the night.
Night Game Drives
Night game drives are conducted after dark, providing a chance to spot nocturnal animals such as hyenas, leopards among others using spotlights to locate wildlife.
How Long is a Game Drive
Game drives depart in the early morning (06 am) and return to your camp or lodge for breakfast (10 am). Some days, you might have a full bush breakfast in a one of the picnic sites in the park or reserve toward the end of your morning game drive.
Leave again in the late afternoon (3 pm or 4 pm) on a game drive lasting until sundown, then return to the camp or lodge just after nightfall.
Game drives coincide with wildlife’s most active hours of the day. During the heat of the afternoon, animals are resting, so you won’t be missing anything by relaxing in your lodge or camp.
What Does a Day on Game Drives in Africa Look Like?
On a typical safari day, expect to wake up around 5:30 am, enjoy some tea or coffee and a small snack, and then set off on your drive. Expect to spot a lions on a fresh kill, or hyenas on the hunt, among other wildlife species.
Later return to camp between 10 am and 11 am for brunch. In the afternoon (between 11 am and 3 pm) you can take a short nap, read a book, charge your devices and enjoy facilities at your luxury lodge or tented safari camp.
Around 3:30 pm, you will met for tea and then head out for your second game drive. As the afternoon heat relents, wildlife becomes increasingly active. Elephants head down to the river to drink and wild dogs hunt pack.
After the sun set, you might stop for a sundowner which is a safari tradition that is easy to get used to.
Sip on a cocktail or a gin and tonic and watch the sunset before heading back to camp for dinner, possibly have a short night drive with a spotlight as you return to your camp.
What You Can See on Game Drives in Africa?
- Big Cats: Lions, leopards, and cheetahs are commonly seen on game drives in Africa, especially on morning and afternoon game drives
- Herds of elephants: Elephants are abundant in many African parks, providing some of the most iconic wildlife moments
- Zebra and gazelles: These beautiful wildlife species are commonly seen grazing on the plains adding to the beauty of Africa’s grasslands.
- Herds of Buffaloes: Large herds of buffaloes are often found near water bodies. There social behavior is fascinating to observe.
Can Game Drive Safaris Go Off-Road?
Off-road driving is not allowed inside some national parks like Tanzania’s Serengeti or Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, while private concessions have more flexibility. These rules also apply to night drives and bush walks.
Where to Go on Dame Drives in Africa
Africa’s offers a number of incredible destination to go for game drives, these include
Tanzania
Tanzania is one of the most famous destinations for game drives in Africa, the country boasts a number of safari destinations including Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara National Park in the Northern Circuit, and Nyerere National Park, Katavi National Park and Ruaha National Park.
Kenya
Kenya – known as the birth place of safaris is a sanctuary for the Big Five and other wildlife safari protected in several reserves and national parks including Masai Mara National Reserve, Laikipia Plateau, Samburu National Reserve, Meru National Park, Tsavo East & West National Park, Amboseli National Park and Cyulu Hills.
Rwanda
Rwanda has only one savannah national park – Akagera National Park where game drives are done.
Uganda
Crowned the Pearl of Africa, is one of the most popular destination for game drives in Africa.
The country boasts a number of safari destinations including Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park.
South Africa
South Africa is one of famous destinations for game drives in Africa with a number of iconic wildlife destinations including Greater Kruger, Eastern Cape Reserves, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Madikwe Game Reserve, and the Southern Kalahari.
Botswana
Incredible destinations to visit game drives in Africa include Okavango Delta, Linyanti, Chobe National Park, Central Kalahari, Makgadikgadi Pans, and Nxai Pan National Parks.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is listed among the top destinations for game drives in Africa, the country’s top sites for game drives include Hwange, Mana Pools, Matobo Hills, Matusadona & Lake Kariba and Gonarezhou National Park.
Zambia
Fascinating destinations for game drives in Zambia include South Luangwa, Kafue, Lower Zambezi, North Luangwa and Liuwa Plains National Parks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens on a typical game drive in Africa and how long does it last?
Most game drives in Africa run 3-4 hours in open – seated 4×4 safari vehicles (maximum of 8 guests). You will meet your guide, get a quick safety briefing, and then head out at dawn or late afternoon when wildlife is most active.
Expect slow driving, frequent stops for tracks, birds, and big sightings such as lions, elephants and giraffes among others, plus a coffee/sundowner break.
Safari guides use radios and their tracking skills to position you respectfully without crowding animals.
Some reserves and national parks allow night drives (spotlighting nocturnal species) with licensed guides. Off-road driving rules vary by reserve, in many national parks stay on roads to protect habitat, while certain private conservancies allow limited off-road under strict guidelines.
When is the best time of day and season for game drives in Africa?
To get the best sightings and light, early morning (sunrise – 9 am) and late afternoon (3:30 p.m- sunset). Predators are more active, temperatures are cooler, and the golden hour boosts photography.
By season, the dry months (typically June to October) offer thinner vegetation and animals congregating at water, great visibility. The green season (November – March) brings dramatic skies, newborn animals, and superb birding though the grass is taller.
When booking your Africa safari, communicate your priorities such as watching big cats, calves/newborns, birding, landscapes, so game drive times and regions are matched with your goals.
What should I wear and pack for a game drive?
On game drives in Africa, pack layers and neutral tones, breathable shirts, a warm jacket/hat for cool winter mornings (May – August), and a light rain shell for November – March showers. Add comfortable closed shoes, polarized sunglasses, a wide – brim hat, reef – safe sunscreen, lip balm, and insect repellent
For sightings – carry
- binoculars (8×42/10×42)
- spare camera batteries and memory cards
- a bean bag for vehicle support
- a dry bag for Mokoro/boat experiences
- a small headlap
- Power bank
- Universal travel adaptor
Also carry personal medications (ask your clinic or doctor about malaria prophylaxis).
When packing, use a soft duffel and avoid drones as permits are required and often restricted in national parks and in some towns.
Are night game drives safe and what can I see after dark?
Night game drives are conducted by licensed guides where permitted and are considered safe when you follow instructions such as stay seated, quiet and no dangling items.
Vehicles use red-filtered or spot spotlights to reduce disturbance.
After dark you may find leopards on patrol, hyenas, genets, civets, porcupines, bush babies, owls, and other nocturnal specialists rarely seen during day. Expect slower speeds, more listening for alarm calls, and stops to read tracks at waterholes.
Availability for night drives depends on the reserve, many private conservancies offer night drives. Several national parks restrict activities to delight hours. Your Mantis Africa Safari itinerary will specify what is allowed in each area.
Should I book a private vehicle or join a shared game drive?
Shared vehicles are cost – effective and social which is great for first-timers and families, while still delivering excellent sightings. If you are a keen photographer (seeking control over angles/pace), traveling with young children (with flexible stops), or have specific targets in sightings such as spend an hour with one leopard, choose a private vehicle.
Private safaris offer custom departure times, more room for gear, and the freedom to wait out behavior (stalking, hunting, cub play). During the peak season, availability is limited which is advised to book your game drive early.
