Game Drives in Tanzania : A game drive is a popular African safari activity and adventure that takes place within national parks and involves seeing wildlife from the comfort of a 4×4 open-sided safari vehicle that seats 4 to 6 people, giving you that traditional safari sensation. One of the most popular methods to see wildlife in Tanzania’s national parks is on a safari game drive. One of the most popular safari activities in Tanzania is game drives, which are included in the safari itinerary of almost 80% of people visiting Tanzania for wildlife. Early morning game drives, morning game drives, late morning game drives, afternoon game drives, evening game drives, late evening game drives, and night game drives are all options for game drives in Tanzania.
During your Tanzania game drives with Focus East Africa Tours, you will be accompanied by a knowledgeable safari guide who will not only know all the routes and targets where to search for wildlife, but who will also be well-trained, knowledgeable, and experienced in dealing with visitors and providing a factual interpretation of whatever attractions or physical resources are seen in the Tanzania national parks. In addition, the length and distance of a safari game drive in Tanzania can vary depending on guest preferences. The great grandeur of the savanna, with its undulating hills and endless horizon, will fascinate you as you journey into the bush.
Please inform us early in the reservation process if you desire to have the safari vehicle exclusively for you and your companions. We are highly adaptable and eager to work with you to incorporate the amount of exclusivity that you prefer and make your Tanzania game drive safari truly unforgettable.
How many categories of game drives are available in Tanzania? The following are the categories of game drives in Tanzania:
Early morning game drives; morning game drives; late morning game drives; afternoon game drives; evening game drives; late evening game drives; and night game drives are the seven types of game drives available in Tanzania.
Early morning game drives in Tanzania depart at 6:00 a.m. and return to the lodges at 9:00 a.m. Early morning game drives, like night game drives, are used to catch and target nocturnal species that are active at night and early in the morning, such as leopards.
A morning game drive takes place in the early morning hours, beginning around 7:00 a.m., and provides an excellent opportunity to see many animals as they are just waking up, with some still in their nests, such as chimpanzees, as well as the wonderful early morning sounds made by birds. Late morning game drives can begin as early as 9:00 a.m. with the goal of seeing the morning active animals, as these are the hours when the animals have awakened and are looking for food.
Afternoon game drive: Typically, an afternoon game drive begins between 3 and 4 p.m. After a well-deserved lunch and some resting time, you go on a delightful wildlife adventure. It is not a good time for game drives compared to early morning or morning game drives since the animals have already grazed and are satisfied. Therefore, they are resting in shedding places as the sun is a concern.
Evening game drives take place at 6:00 p.m., commencing at 4:00 p.m. and ending at 6:00 p.m. It’s the best time to watch animals because they’re returning from grazing to their sleeping and nesting areas.
Night game drive: Civets, bush babies, night jars, genets, porcupines, and various reptiles are just a few of the nocturnal wildlife that can be observed at dawn during Tanzania night game drives. Night game drives typically begin at 8 p.m. and run between 2 and 3 hours, depending on the availability of the animals.
What types of vehicles are used in Tanzania game drives?
In Tanzania game drive is mostly done by using two types of safari vehicles which are closed side land cruiser safari vehicle and open side land cruiser safari vehicles. Minibus are not more popular in Tanzania and are not frequently used compared to land cruisers.
4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser Safari jeeps (Closed-Side Vehicles).
Most of Tanzania tour operators such as Focus East Africa Tours in Tanzania, as well as most camps and lodges, use these safari jeeps since they function well in all weather and terrain conditions. These Land Cruiser vehicles are designed to seat 6 passengers, but with an extra seat and one person seating behind the driver, they can seat up to 8 people. There are numerous game viewing roofs on the cars. It’s dependable, tough, and roomy enough, and it’s slightly more comfortable than the only other alternative, the tour van or minibus listed below.
Minibus/Van for Safari Tour:
These vehicles provide the best value, which is why the vast majority of safari visitors to Tanzania still use them. Minibuses are less expensive than 4×4 Land Cruisers or Land Rover Jeeps, and they seat six people in comfort, each with their own window seat, while some vehicles may seat up to nine people. These safari vans are agile, reliable, and capable of managing practically all the road safari trips offered in Tanzania, despite not being 4×4. Due to road conditions, only a few spots in Tanzania require the use of a 4×4 Safari Jeep. Note that, in contrast to 4×4 land cruisers, these safari vehicles are not common and are not more used in Tanzania.
4×4 Open-Side Safari Vehicles
These vehicles are popular because they give an unobstructed side view during Tanzania game drives. They are almost always exclusively found stationed at safari camps or lodges within parks or reserves. Visitors to Tanzania that require this type of vehicle should discuss it with their safari outfitter while organizing their trip. In Tanzania, these are the most popular vehicles used to transport tourists from camp to camp. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area/Crater is the only exception to this restriction, where closed-side vehicles are required.
What to expect on a Tanzania game drive?
The purpose of a guided game drive is to witness African wildlife in its native habitat. During the cooler hours of the day, when most animals are active, is the best time to view wildlife. As a result, game drives are usually scheduled in the early morning, afternoon, or evening. You will go on a game drive with a guide and your own travel group or with a shared group of up to 12 people, depending on which game drive you booked.
You can expect to witness a variety of animal species along the way. Your guide will tell you more about the creatures and their habits while you observe them. With the sun in your back, a skilled ethical guide will switch off the vehicle at a safe distance from the animal sighting, allowing you to take photos and ask questions. It’s an excellent way to become acquainted with Africa’s animals.
Because the animals are untamed and travel freely across the parks and reserves, the odds of witnessing wildlife are great but never guaranteed. When there isn’t much in the way of wildlife sightings, it’s a good idea to talk to your guide and learn as much as you can about Africa’s incredible natural wonders. A trained guide will also stop for a comfort break throughout the drive so you can stretch your legs, use the (bush) bathroom, and have a drink or snack.
How long does the Tanzania game drive last?
A typical safari game drive in Tanzania lasts between 2.5 and 4 hours, depending on what you see and your preferences for wildlife viewing. A game drive’s length or distance varies based on where you are and what you’ll see along the way. A full-day game drive, which may last up to eight hours, is available at some places. You will bring a packed breakfast (and lunch) and eat out in the bush, with spectacular views wherever you look, on a full-day game drive. Night game drives are available at some locations and are usually shorter. The average length of a night game drive is two hours.
The best time to go on a game drive is early in the morning, when the wildlife is most active. The creatures hide under trees or shrubs during the warmest portion of the day and are difficult to identify. To see animals, gaze through a bush instead of straight at it, looking for any obvious changes in color, shape, or form. Getting up early for a morning game drive, returning to your lodge or camp for a late brunch, and then going on another game drive in search of animals in the late afternoon.
What should you bring on a Tanzania game drive?
On a Tanzania game drive, you don’t need to bring anything except yourself. Water is provided in the car, and the guide generally has a couple of guidebooks to share around—not that you’ll need them, given their knowledge. Most travelers, on the other hand, like to have a pair of binoculars on hand for seeing smaller or further away species. Consider bringing a camera or a phone to capture some of the wildlife you encounter. If you’ll be spending more than two hours in an open vehicle, dress appropriately for the weather and bring additional sunscreen.
What is the best time to go on a game drive in Tanzania?
A game drive can be done at any point during the day, or a full-day game drive is an excellent alternative. Some parks have driving restrictions, such as from sunrise (6 a.m.) until sunset (6 p.m.).
In Tanzania, the optimum time to go on a game drive is usually between sunrise and dusk. The creatures are more active during the cooler hours of the day. The odds of seeing animals hunted are higher in the early morning or early evening. There is less activity in the middle of the day, when it is normally hot. Many animals seek refuge in the shade or in the shrubs. If you come across lions, for example, they are most likely resting or sleeping. However, because the bush is the bush and you never know what will happen.
Again, game drives in Tanzania are best done during the dry season, from June to October, when the parks’ roads are in good condition and not muddy from rain. Also, during this time of year, animal viewing is excellent because the habitats and vegetation in the parks are sparse, making it easy to see animals from even long distances. Furthermore, during the dry season, game drives in Tanzania are ideal because animals congregate in various water sources, swamps, and rivers within the park, making it easy to target and see them.
Where to go on game drives in Tanzania?
Game drives are permitted and available in all Tanzania national parks, with the exception of those parks with poor landscapes that are not suitable for game drives, such as Kilimanjaro National Park and Saanane Island National Park. All of Tanzania’s northern circuit parks, such as Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park, and Arusha National Park, provide game drives.
Mkomazi national park, Selous game reserve, Nyerere national park, Mikumi national park, Saadani national park, Katavi national park, Burigi-chato national park, Ibanda kyerwa national park, Ruaha national park, and others are among the other national parks in Tanzania where game drives are available.
Conclusion, Because there are various types of game drives in Tanzania, such as early morning game drives, morning game drives, late morning game drives, afternoon game drives, evening game drives, late evening game drives, and night game drives, not all safari parks in Tanzania allow night game drives and early morning game drives.
Most national parks allow game drives from sunrise to sunset, so late night game drives and early morning game drives may be prohibited. So, if you require a night game drive or an early morning game drive, please let us know as soon as possible when making your bookings so that we can arrange this activity for you. These game drives require special requests and directives from a specialized park authority.
