What is known to some as game drives are known to others as safaris. While the term game drive always refers to a single outing into the wilderness in search of wildlife the term safari may also be used in regard to a wildlife trip or tour of several days or weeks. What we deal with below relates to single outings into the bush (including guided game walks). If you are interested in wildlife tours visit the tours section on the Africa Deluxe Tours website*.

General matters & self-drive safaris
The wonder of viewing game in an African game reserve / national park is that you are observing wildlife in their natural surroundings in the bush and not in a cage or pen in a zoo. These animals come and go as they please. If you are going to a big five game reserve, such as the Kruger National Park in South Africa, you are not guaranteed to actually see all of the big five. Luck plays a big role as do knowledge, endurance and off course the amount of time you'll be spending in the reserve. It is best to do game drives early in the morning and late in the afternoon (how early or late you can do game drives are dictated by the reserve or rest camp's gate opening and closing times).

During the warmer part of the day animals tend to keep to the shade to conserve energy and are much more difficult to spot. You should do the same, relax back in the rest camp or lodge during the warmer part of the day. If there is a lot of water available in the veld (after good rains) animals don’t need to visit water holes or dams often as they can get most of the water they require elsewhere (from water puddles). During wet spells sightings at dams and water holes are therefore significantly lower. However, during dry spells there are few places as rewarding as staking out a dam/ water hole (with a flask of hot coffee and a few rusks to pass the time - or whatever refreshments tickles your fancy).

Very importantly game reserves are about much more than just the big five. Try to get your hands on a good field guide - mostly available from rest camp convenience stores. When sighting smaller game or birds the experience can be tremendously enriched when you learn something about the animal’s social behaviour, etc. In larger reserves, such as the Kruger National Park, you can purchase maps of the reserve, at a small fee, from the entrance gates to the reserve or at rest camp's.

Guided game drives
Many reserves offer night and sometimes day game drives with qualified game rangers on open 4x4-safari vehicles - sometimes small trucks (depends on the rest camp or lodge you're visiting) You can enquire about these and/or book them at your rest camp's reception. In most reserves private vehicles are not allowed out of camp at night and joining one of these safaris is the only way to see wildlife at night.

In private game reserves, such as Sabi Sabi, your accommodation includes all meals as well as two guided game drives a day (early morning and late afternoon-night). Private reserves are mostly very exclusive and do not allow self-drive game drives.

Going on game drives with well-qualified game rangers in open safari vehicles are very rewarding. The ranger will pick up clues and traces invisible to the untrained eye and will provide a lot of background knowledge on the bush, eco-systems, etc.

Make sure to take in enough fluid on game drives to prevent dehydration, use your hat and sun lotion when you’re exposed to the sun and don’t forget your binoculars in the camp/ lodge! Remember that you're going into the bush and will be there for a while, there are no toilets next to the road - the animals don't fancy them… consider visiting your hut's before departing!