Activity guide
Game Drives: How They Work, Times & Private vs Shared
Dawn and afternoon drives in open 4x4s are the core of every safari - here is how they actually work.
What it is
A game drive is a 2 to 4-hour circuit in an open-sided 4x4 with a pop-up roof, run at dawn (6-9am) and afternoon (3:30-6:30pm) when predators move. Full-day picnic drives suit Migration waiting days.
Trips featuring this activity
Where it is available
Every park on every itinerary; private concessions add off-road and night options.
Best time
Year-round; dry seasons concentrate game, green seasons cut crowds.
Cost
Included in all safari pricing - private vehicles cost more for two, converge at four plus.
Who it suits
Everyone - no fitness needed. Photographers should request private vehicles and beanbags.
FAQs
What exactly is Game Drives: How They Work, Times & Private vs Shared?
Every park on every itinerary; private concessions add off-road and night options.
What does it cost?
Included in all safari pricing - private vehicles cost more for two, converge at four plus.
Who is it suitable for?
Everyone - no fitness needed. Photographers should request private vehicles and beanbags.
Can we customise the route?
Freely - add nights, upgrade camps, swap parks or append beach and trekking. Request a proposal and we re-quote line by line.
Do we need a visa?
Most visitors need one: Tanzania offers visas on arrival for many nationalities, Kenya uses an eTA applied for online before travel, Uganda an e-visa. We confirm the current rule for your passport before you fly.
One decision per country, and they differ. Tanzania sells visas on arrival for most passports - US$50, US$100 for United States citizens - or by eVisa in advance. Kenya has issued only the eTA since 2024, at US$32.50 online at least three days before departure. Uganda runs an e-visa printed before you fly, and the US$100 East African Tourist Visa folds Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda into a single stamp. Six months of passport validity covers all three. Send us passport details at proposal stage and we confirm every rule for your nationality before you commit to flights.
Traveling solo - how do single supplements work?
All itineraries run solo. Expect a 20 to 50 percent supplement where lodges charge per room; vehicles cost the same whether one or six ride. Ask for the honest supplement math per trip.
Is a balloon flight worth adding?
Once, yes: a dawn flight over the Serengeti or Mara with a bush breakfast runs 550 to 600 dollars and minimum ages apply. Book at proposal stage - seats sell out months ahead in season.
How far ahead should we book?
Peak Migration and gorilla-permit months need 6 to 12 months. Green season often works with 2 to 4 months notice.
Is this trip suitable for children?
With a private vehicle and pools at stops, yes for most routes. Gorilla trekking has a strict minimum age of 15.
Related
All activities | Travel guide | Tanzania
Add this to your safari
One proposal, all activities placed correctly.