Different Types of African Safari Vehicles
By Andrew Lee & David "Red" Hunt
Before you embark on your next African safari, it’s good to know what kind of vehicle you’ll be exploring in. Depending on your safari location, your vehicle’s style will differ. Different parks have different rules, and some lodges add features to their vehicles that make your many hours spent on game drives more comfortable. Here’s a look of the safari vehicles you may be riding in.
Southern Africa: 4x4 Open Safari Vehicles
In Southern Africa, you’ll most commonly be riding an open safari vehicle that allows you to get up close and personal with the wildlife you encounter.
Countries
If your safari is in Southern Africa, you can expect to venture in a 4x4 open safari vehicle. This jeep style all-wheeler normally contains three rows and holds up to six guests. This guarantees everyone a window seat for prime photography and viewing experiences. This open concept allows greater visibility to get up close and personal with wildlife in their natural habitat. Some vehicles are roofless, which are great for birdwatching. Others have a canvas sunshade roofs to protect you from the hot African sun. These open style vehicles may also have a jump seat for your safari tracker, who watches the road to keep everyone safe.
When it comes to rules and regulations, about where safari vehicles can drive and what types are allowed, things are often stricter in National Parks than private game reserves.
In Southern African countries like Botswana and Zimbabwe, you may also ride in a closed 4x4 safari vehicle.
East Africa: Closed Safari Vehicles
In East Africa, you’ll be exploring in a closed safari vehicle with a pop-top hatch roof that raises for game viewing and photography.
Countries
If your safari is in East Africa, you’ll be touring in a closed safari vehicle. These too have three rows of seating and six window seats. The unique part of closed vehicles is the pop-top hatch roof that raises for game viewing and photography opportunities. Not only do they have this cool feature, but most also have air conditioning and a refrigerator to keep you cool and hydrated during your African adventure. Since distances can be great in places like the Serengeti and Maasai Mara, having this extra bit of luxury can make a 4 hour drive much more comfortable.
In East Africa, open vehicles are not permitted in national parks (including Ngorongoro Crater) and are closed for guest safety. In private game reserves, vehicles may be open or closed depending on rules of the reserve. Additionally, the region has road networks and require closed vehicles for long distance trips.
What Lion World Travel Offers
- You will have a knowledgeable safari guide to give you the best and safest experience possible.
What You Won’t find on a Lion World Travel Safari
- We do not use big safari bus type vehicles that may have 20 or more people in them.
- Lion World does not offer self-drive safaris, we prefer to support the local expert guides and trackers who add a great value to your safari experience. This is much better than driving yourself; you will miss out on many incredible safari moments if you’re too busy concentrating on the road. Additionally, you will not have to worry about driving on the left side of the road. In some private parks, self-driving safaris are not allowed.
Private Reserves vs. National Parks
You may be wondering what the difference is between private game reserves and national parks. Our trips offer safaris in both settings and it’s good to know what to expect from each. Here is a break down of the two to help you choose your preferred environment.
Private Reserves
Private Game Reserves, like Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, have a more exclusive, intimate feel.
These game reserves are privately owned and tend to be smaller. The owners create rules and regulations like determining who and how many vehicles can enter at a time. The safari rangers and trackers know all their animals extremely well and can identify most animals by sight; they even know their habits! The emphasis is placed on quality viewing. Also, more safari time is allowed as being within a private concession, there are no opening and closing times.
Additionally, private reserves allow walking and night safaris. If you prefer a more personal experience with wildlife, private reserves are for you.
An extra benefit to private reserves that you may not think about is the ability to drive anywhere. You can take a shortcut, drive around trees, and virtually go anywhere in search of wildlife. This privilege is treated with great care – the focus is on sustainability and the guides will be very selective about when and where to go off road to protect the land and respect the game.
Public Parks, such as National Reserves and National Parks
National Parks, like the Kruger National Park, are usually much larger and fully immerse you in nature.
In National Parks, safaris can differ from the private reserves. They are often bigger and can have a more adventurous feeling as wildlife may be spread further apart. In places like Serengeti National Park, you’ll witness wildlife spectacles like the Great Migration where nearly 2 million wildebeest and 20,000 plains game migrate from the Serengeti (in Tanzania) to the Maasai Mara National Reserve (in Kenya) to search for grazing grounds and water. In these parks, your safari vehicle must follow the roads and cannot take any “shortcuts” like you might on a private reserve. During peak times, parks may place a five-minute limit at each popular wildlife site to prevent guests from disturbing the animals and avoid crowds. If you are looking for wide open spaces, then national parks may be for you, especially in East Africa.
Remember that these public parks and reserves are open to anyone, so they may seem “busier” at times than private reserves, where you may be the only vehicle on the property. Of course, certain places get busy for a good reason!