Safari Game Drives in Masai Mara: So what really are “Safari Game Drives” in Masai Mara or during an African Safari. The meaning of a safari game drive is an adventure excursion by vehicle into a wildlife area such as a National Park or Reserve, for example Masai Mara National Reserve, with the purpose of exploring the reserve and seeing a variety of wild animals in their natural habitat.
How long is a Safari Game Dive? Typically in Kenya, the drives last 2 to 3 hours per drive in the morning and afternoon hours, with morning timings usually scheduled from 6.30 am to 9 am and afternoon timings being 3.30 pm to 6.30 pm, though travelers may sometimes opt for a full day game drive generally from 10 am to 4 pm, in which case the excursion will include a packed picnic lunch to be had inside the Masai Mara National Reserve at a designated picnic spot, during lunch hours anytime from12:30 pm to 2.30 pm.
The cost of Game Drives in Masai Mara, prices start from USD 200 per person per game drive and in case you wish to have an exclusive vehicle hired from the camp for a full day drive the cost be US$ 300 to US$ 550 per vehicle.
However it costs less to book all-inclusive Safari Package that include several game drives, accommodation, meals and flights from Nairobi.
Most road safaris to Masai Mara include private safari game drives while Fly-in tour packages, will usually have non-private game drives, meaning other travelers may also occupy the same vehicle. Seating capacity of the vehicles is usually a maximum of 8 passengers so not too large for a group. Private game drives nonetheless have their advantages as you have a higher level of personal freedom and flexibility in terms of timings and convenience. Tourists with special interests such as photography or bird watching are advised to opt for private drives.
Night Game drives in Masai Mara are also always a curiosity for many visitors.
Note: the night drives are not permitted inside the main Masai Mara National Reserve and only happened on private or group conservancies which border the main Reserve, Timings range from 7 pm to 9 pm, varying depending on which camp or lodge offers these night excursions to their guests.
Lastly, the frequently asked question is about the difference between a safari and a game drive. Well, a safari is an entire Tour that may include many game drives at various locations and parks, while a game drive is just that, a single game drive while on a safari.
Vehicles used for game drives and other complete safaris in Kenya are mostly provided by the Safari Operator especially when you book a Road Safar staring from Nairobi. These vehicle types could be 4×4 wheel Toyota Land Cruiser jeeps or non 4×4 Tour Vans also known as Minibuses. Certain tour vans also come with 4WD. Both of these vehicle types have game viewing roofs and are safari customized.
However if you fly into Masai Mara and book game drives with the Lodge or Camp, then you may find some of these camps offer game drives in “open” sided 4×4 safari jeeps. These open side vehicles are not suitable for highway travel hence are restricted to ferrying tourists only in the reserve.
4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser Safari Jeeps
These safari jeeps are universally used by Tour operators in Kenya and by most camps and lodges in Masai Mara as they tend to perform best in all-weather and all-terrain conditions. These Land Cruiser Vehicles optimally seat 6 passengers but can seat up to 8 adults with an extra seat included and with one person sitting beside the drive.
The cars have multiple game viewing roofs. Reliable, robust and spacious enough while also being marginally more comfortable than the only other option.
Safari Tour Minibus/Van
These vehicles offer the best value and unsurprisingly, the vast majority of Safari Tourists to Kenya still do Less costly than 4×4 Landcruiser or Land Rover Jeeps, minibuses set 6 people in comfort each with their own window seat, though some vehicles are configured to take up to 9 passengers. Though not usually 4×4, these safari vans are agile, reliable and are perfectly capable of handling almost all road Safari Trips available in Kenya.
Only a few selected locations in Kenya necessitate using a 4×4 Safari Jeep either sue to road conditions or due to local conservancy rules with allow entry only for 4×4 vehicles.
4×4 Open Side Safari Vehicles
Almost always only found stationed at Safari Camps or Lodges within parks or reserves. These vehicles are popular as they allow an unhindered side view during game drives.