A perfect safari day
Ideally, a day of safari begins with an early rise at the sounds of the African savannah, followed by your first game drive featuring all the early critters of the bush; zebras, elephants, wildebeests, giraffes, bushbucks, antelopes, many birds and preferably a predator or two. Want to know how to plan your perfect safari day and what to expect? Just read on!
You decide
Of course, the definition of ideal is different for everyone. The good thing is, that with us both the car and the guide are at your disposal completely. This means you can adjust the above in any way you like. During game drives, you can follow your own nose, no matter if that nose guides you towards big cats, birds, or elephants. Nobody will push you to drive on when you want to photograph or observe the same animal for hours on end. And if you want to be back at the lodge early for a sundowner with a view over the savannah, by all means, do so! Chances are, you spot some amazing wildlife from the comfort of your own tent.
The guide
To make the best use of this freedom, we advise you to discuss all your wishes with your guide during the first briefing and at any time during your safari. He is the expert on game drives and might be able to come up with suggestions to make your day even better. Together, you can create your personal and perfect safari day!
The perfect day
Ideally, a day of safari begins with an early rise at the sounds of the African savannah. After a healthy breakfast, you head out in a safari vehicle with your guide. This is the best time to see animals, which are most active just after sunrise (and just before sunset).
You explore the savannah until it’s time for a packed lunch from the lodge at one of the picnic areas in the park. You continue exploring the savannah until the sun sets, and you stop at a beautiful spot or go back to the lodge for the famous safari sundowner. The day ends with a good shower, a sumptuous dinner, and an early night. Because at sunrise the next morning? It all starts again…!
Park rules
This perfect day is limited by just one important thing – the park rules. For example, entry fees to the parks only allow ONE entry per 24 hours. This is relevant if you sleep outside the park, as you cannot use the same permit to enter again the next morning or to have lunch in the lodge during the day (and then go back).
Furthermore, game drives are only allowed from sunrise (6 AM) to sunset (6 PM), and guests are expected to be in their lodge outside of these hours. In the Masai Mara National Reserve, permits are even limited to those times (12-hour permits), and people sleeping inside the Masai Mara are expected to leave the park before 10 AM the next morning (whereas in other parks, you can still take your time to drive around).
How to plan your day
Game drive days can be as packed or relaxed as you wish. Below, we give two examples of what a full day of game drives in the national parks could look like. Of course, days of driving to the next park come with their own schedule due to the distances between parks.
The ultimate game drive day6:00 breakfast in the lodge 7:00 pick up from the lodge 7:00 – 12:00 game drives 12:00 – 12:30 lunch in the park 12:30 – 17:30 game drives 18:00 back in the lodge 19:00 dinner | A relaxing day of game drives8:00 breakfast in the lodge 9:00 pick up from the lodge 9:00 – 13:00 game drives 13:00 – 14:00 lunch in the park 14:00 – 16:00 game drives 16:00 back in the lodge 19:00 dinner |
No worries about food
When booking a safari, the meal plan will always be full board. Once you are on safari, that looks like this:
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Breakfast
Mostly a buffet and coffee, tea, juice or water.
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Lunch
The packed lunch usually has a sandwich, pasta salad, potatoes, some fruit, a muffin and a drink pack.
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Dinner
Buffet or à la carte. Drinks are not included in the dinner price. Prices are usually 3 USD for soft drinks, 3 to 5 USD for a beer, and 25 USD for a bottle of wine (prices are an indication).
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During the day
Our jeeps always have bottles of water in the fridge. Other drinks and snacks can be booked for a small additional charge per person per day.
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