Safari Vehicles
Game drives are usually conducted in open-sided 4×4 safari vehicles which are designed to provide the best visibility and immersion in the wild. Most often these are Toyota Land Cruisers, but some camps still use traditional Land Rovers. Common particularly at lodges in South Africa are open vehicles without a roof.
Closed vehicles are occasionally used where necessary because of more intense environmental conditions (such as excessive dust and/or heat) or on vehicle-based safaris in Tanzania and Uganda (where you drive over the road from camp to camp rather than flying). These closed vehicles have large windows and pop-up roof hatches to ensure excellent viewing opportunities.
(See our Health & Safety page for a discussion of safety and etiquette while on game drives.)
Shared/Private Activities
At almost all lodges, game drive vehicles are shared with other guests in camp. A private vehicle can be arranged subject to availability and at an additional cost. The cost impact of private vehicles is significant, ranging from $500 to $1,500 per day depending on the lodge.
If you do not book a private vehicle, please be aware that your activities will almost certainly be shared with other guests in camp. The number of guests per activity can vary, but most camps limit game drives to six or seven guests per vehicle (so that no one is in a middle seat).
(If you think you might be interested in private game drives, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can check availability and discuss costs with you.)
Transfers and Touring in Cities
While the focus of most itineraries is safari, you will inevitably spend some time near civilization, whether a night to rest up in an arrival city, multiple days of sightseeing in beautiful Cape Town, or relaxing at the beach in Zanzibar or Mozambique.
Most transfers between airports and hotels are booked privately, and days of touring are also booked with a private guide and vehicle almost without exception. Don’t hesitate to ask if you have an questions about your itinerary.
In East Africa it is common for closed safari vehicles to be used in the cities (e.g. Nairobi, Kenya and Arusha, Tanzania); some operators use mid-size SUVs. In Southern Africa the norm is large sedans, mid-size SUVs, or Sprinter-type vans, depending on the size of your group. Upgraded luxury vehicles are often available upon request and at additional cost.
