A Typical Day on Safari
A typical day on safari essentially revolves around the need to see the wildlife at its most active. It usually follows a similar routine with slight variations between destinations and seasons.
Safaris are planned very carefully to coincide with when you are most likely to see wildlife. This means that an early start is essential to see the animals at their most active, which means that when they are resting in the heat of the day there is plenty of time to relax.
Early morning
An early start means an equally early wake-up call. Tea and biscuits are served at about 6am and at sunrise you head off on your early morning game drive. This, and the evening game drive, is generally the best times to spot the wildlife as the temperature is cool and the animals are still very active, including the big cats, which will be returning from a night of hunting.
Late morning
After a few hours you will either return to your camp/lodge for a hearty breakfast, or have a bush breakfast out on the plains and then return just before the heat of the day.
Lunch and afternoon
You usually have lunch in the camp/lodge and spend the main part of the day either relaxing or using the amenities, such as an outdoor pool. You might have something to eat and drink at around 3pm before heading out for another game drive.
Evening
As with early morning, the evening game drive is often the best time to see the wildlife. The predatory animals begin to stir from their heat-of-the-day slumber, and similarly, their prey become ever more active and alert as darkness falls. Vehicles usually return just before dark in time for a shower, pre-dinner drinks and then dinner. The evenings are often rounded off with a few drinks around the camp-fire warming toes and swapping safari stories.
Night time
Sometimes, you will have the opportunity to go on a game drive at night. Vehicles are equipped with powerful spotlights, as well as expert trackers, who will generally spot any wildlife well before you will. This is often the best time to spot the elusive leopard which, more-often-than-not, will be high-up in a tree. A game drive at night gives you a completely different perspective of the Bush and is an unforgettable experience.
How a typical day might unfold...
Early morning
An early start means an equally early wake-up call. Tea and biscuits are served at about 6am and at sunrise you head off on your early morning game drive.
This, and the evening game drive, is generally the best times to spot the wildlife as the temperature is cool and the animals are still very active, including the big cats, which will be returning from a night of hunting.
Late morning
After a few hours you will either return to your camp/lodge for a hearty breakfast, or have a bush breakfast out on the plains and then return just before the heat of the day.
Lunch and afternoon
You usually have lunch in the camp/lodge and spend the main part of the day either relaxing or using the amenities, such as an outdoor pool.
You might have something to eat and drink at around 3pm before heading out for another game drive.
Evening
As with early morning, the evening game drive is often the best time to see the wildlife. The predatory animals begin to stir from their heat-of-the-day slumber, and similarly, their prey become ever more active and alert as darkness falls.
Vehicles usually return just before dark in time for a shower, pre-dinner drinks and then dinner.
The evenings are often rounded off with a few drinks around the camp-fire warming toes and swapping safari stories.
Night time
Sometimes, you will have the opportunity to go on a game drive at night. Vehicles are equipped with powerful spotlights, as well as expert trackers, who will generally spot any wildlife well before you will.
This is often the best time to spot the elusive leopard which, more-often-than-not, will be high-up in a tree.
A game drive at night gives you a completely different perspective of the Bush and is an unforgettable experience.