Maasai Mara National Reserve
Kenya
Maasai Mara National Reserve
The northern extension of the Serengeti ecosystem, and the stage for the annual wildebeest migration's river crossings.
Visit KenyaGame Drives
4x4 safaris across open savannah and floodlit waterholes, the classic African wildlife encounter.
Overview
A game drive is the activity most people picture when they think of an African safari: an open sided 4x4, an experienced guide, and hours spent following tracks and radio reports across open country.
We run game drives at dawn and dusk, when wildlife is most active, and build in enough time at each sighting that a stop never feels rushed.
Maasai Mara National ReserveWhy Do This
01
The classic safari experience, in an open sided 4x4
02
Dawn and dusk timing for when wildlife is most active
03
Experienced guides working radio networks between vehicles
04
Available across nearly every destination we plan
Game Drives By Country
Game drives are the backbone of a safari almost everywhere we operate, but the open plains of East and Southern Africa offer the most reliable, highest volume wildlife viewing.
Kenya
Visit Kenya- Logistics
- The Maasai Mara is a five to six hour drive from Nairobi, or a forty five minute scheduled flight into one of its airstrips.
- Cost
- Game drives are generally included in your lodge or camp rate, with park fees of around $80 per person per day on top.
- Where To Stay
- From simple tented camps to Angama Mara's cliff top suites overlooking the whole reserve.
- Our Take
- Kenya's Mara delivers the highest wildlife density of anywhere we plan, especially during the July to October migration.
Tanzania
Visit Tanzania- Logistics
- The Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater are reached by light aircraft between parks, or a longer overland circuit from Arusha.
- Cost
- Park fees run $70 to $100 per person per day depending on the park, generally built into your itinerary cost.
- Where To Stay
- Options span mobile tented camps that follow the migration to fixed luxury lodges on the crater rim.
- Our Take
- Tanzania's parks are larger and less crowded than Kenya's, at a somewhat higher overall trip cost.
Namibia
Visit Namibia- Logistics
- Etosha National Park is a self drive friendly park, though we generally arrange a guided vehicle and driver for a smoother trip.
- Cost
- Park entry runs around $10 per person per day, among the most affordable game viewing we offer.
- Where To Stay
- Options range from public campsites to Ongava Lodge on a private reserve bordering the park.
- Our Take
- Etosha's floodlit waterholes make for some of the best night time game viewing anywhere in Africa.
Best Parks & Regions For Game Drives
A handful of parks anchor most of our game drive itineraries, each with its own signature draw.
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Serengeti National Park
Tanzania
Serengeti National Park
Endless open plains that host the same migration herds for most of the year, plus resident lion and cheetah populations.
Visit Tanzania
Etosha National Park
Namibia
Etosha National Park
A vast salt pan ringed by floodlit waterholes, drawing elephant, lion and rhino into view after dark.
Visit Namibia
Chobe National Park
Botswana
Chobe National Park
One of Africa's highest elephant concentrations, best seen from a river boat along the Chobe waterfront.
Visit BotswanaWildlife You Might See
Game drives are built around the Big Five, but the supporting cast is often just as memorable.
Sample Game Drives Itineraries
A few of our ready made itineraries built around Game Drives, or ask us to design your own.
Murchison Falls, UgandaUganda Wildlife Safari Adventure
Queen Elizabeth's tree climbing lions, a Kazinga Channel boat cruise, and Murchison Falls in one loop.
FROM $1,690 ppView Itinerary
Zanzibar, TanzaniaTanzania Wildlife & Zanzibar Beach Safari
Six days across the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, then four on Zanzibar's east coast.
FROM $2,950 ppView Itinerary
Etosha to Victoria FallsEtosha To Victoria Falls Safari
Namibia's floodlit waterholes overland to the thunder and spray of Victoria Falls.
FROM $2,890 ppView Itinerary
What To Expect
Drives typically run two to four hours, morning and afternoon, with stops for photography and a chance to step out at designated points. Dress in layers, since early mornings are cool even close to the equator.
Serengeti National ParkWhen To Go
July to October is peak season across East Africa for the migration, though Namibia's dry season game viewing runs May to October.
GOOD
JanGOOD
FebFAIR
MarFAIR
AprFAIR
MayGREAT
JunBEST
JulBEST
AugBEST
SepGREAT
OctFAIR
NovGOOD
Dec
Best — ideal conditions
Great — very good conditions
Good — solid, fewer crowds
Fair — wetter or hotter, still workable
Pair It With
Other experiences you might like
Game Drives pairs easily with any of these.
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Chimpanzee Trekking
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Boat & Canoe Safaris
A slower, water level view of Africa's wildlife, from a boat cruise to a hand poled mokoro canoe.
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Cultural & Community Visits
Direct time with the communities who call these landscapes home, led by community members themselves.
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Mountain & Volcano Climbing
From an overnight hike to a churning lava lake to a sunrise dune climb, added altitude changes the whole character of…
ExploreGame Drives Frequently Asked Questions
What time of day are game drives run?
Dawn and dusk, when wildlife is most active and the light is best for photography. A full day drive with a picnic lunch in the bush is also available on request.
Will we definitely see the Big Five?
We cannot guarantee specific sightings, wildlife moves on its own schedule, but our guides work radio networks between vehicles and know the parks well enough that most multi day safaris turn up the large majority of what you are hoping to see.
Is there a minimum age for game drives?
No minimum age for the drive itself, though some parks restrict young children from certain walking safaris or night drives. We will flag any age restriction relevant to your chosen park when planning.
Watch: Ultimate Wild Safaris On Location
Real footage from our own journeys. See the full channel on YouTube.
Let's plan your journey
Ready to add Game Drives to your trip?
Tell us your dates and we will build it into a full itinerary.
Talk to a Safari ExpertOur Kampala team replies within 24 hours · +256 705 087 906