Game Drives vs Walking Safaris

When it comes to experiencing the African nature up-close and personal, there is nothing better than a safari. That feeling of awe and wonder as you observe the continent’s fearsome wildlife in its natural environment is impossible to describe, and is something that needs to be experienced to be believed.

However, did you know that while you can opt for a classic safari, you can also have the opportunity to experience the wilderness on foot?

Both types of safari have their strong and weak points, and both cater to different types of visitors. Having experience with both, here are our thoughts on game drives and walking safaris, so that you can decide which one would best suit your African adventure!

Let’s get started!

Game Drives

Game drives are the classic way to experience a safari.

You’ll hop on a land cruiser with your fellow guests, and your guide will drive you around the reserve to showcase the flora and fauna that inhabit the area.

Pros:

First of all, a game drive is the safest and most relaxing way to experience a safari.

Since you’ll rarely, if at all, leave the vehicle, you can just lean back and take in all the mind-blowing sights you’ll come across. This also means that game drives are the ideal safaris to experience with kids.

Not having to leave the vehicle also means that game drives are extremely safe; Animals that inhabit game reserves are used to the vehicles passing by them everyday, and while they might get startled by someone suddenly standing up or by loud noises coming from the car, they will usually ignore the land cruiser and everyone inside it.

With the animals unbothered by the vehicles, your guide will be able to get you as close as possible to them, of course always within a safe distance and with respect for the wildlife.

Another advantage of a game drive is that your guide will be able to talk to you freely, and share interesting facts regarding the animals and plants you’ll observe. All safari guides have to undergo rigorous training and are experts in the African wilderness, so these facts will provide you great insight into what you’ll see.

Cons:

One problem with game drives is that no matter how close as you’ll get to the wildlife, you will still be stuck in a vehicle. While for most that won’t be such an issue, it will definitely be a little immersion-breaking for some people.

Safari hot-spots also often suffer from overcrowding, especially around exciting sights such as kills and rare game. There are few things we find more heartbreaking than seeing beautiful animals such as lions and cheetahs completely surrounded by noisy land cruisers.

It’s a total ambience killer, and it also puts an enormous amount of stress on the animals.

Should you go on a game drive?

There is a reason why game drives are so incredibly popular.

Being able to observe wildlife from a safe distance and in its natural environment is an incredible privilege, not to mention that many of the animals you’ll see are safeguarded from extinction thanks to the money you payed for your visit. 

That’s right, a significant part of the cost of your safari is used to maintain the game reserves, pay researchers and specialists, as well as promote conservation efforts.

It for this reason that it is always important to do your research, and make sure that the operator you pick for your trip is ethical and supports these conservation efforts.

Walking Safari 

Contrary to a game drive, you won’t be relaxing in the back of land cruiser.

Instead, you'll venture on foot into the wild with your guide. This can last from an hour up to several days, and you’ll experience the true African nature like never before!

Pros:

It doesn’t get more authentic than a walking safari.

Unlike a game drive, there is nothing separating you from the animals, which can lead to some incredible adrenaline-filled moments.

The thrill of spotting a pride of lions or a herd of buffalos in the distance, making sure you’re down-wind and then moving to an observation spot with your guide is definitely an exhilarating experience, although not for the faint of heart!

Even without spotting any wildlife, the feeling you get when walking through such primal environments, and the silence that surrounds everything, only occasionally broken by animal calls and birds is haunting. If you’re a thrill seeker, it simply doesn’t get better than this.

Walking safaris also have a much smaller impact on the animals and the environment. You’ll likely be moving in small groups and will be leaving little trace of your passage, and your guide will lead you through trails that will cause the least amount of disturbance to wildlife.

Cons:

A walking safari is not for everyone.

For one, it is a physically demanding activity, and you’ll need to be at least in decent shape before attempting one. Also, unlike game drives, hiking gear such as boots, pants and a hat are a a must-have. Since you’ll likely be walking for some distance under the sun, you’ll also need to stay hydrated or you’ll risk collapsing due to the unforgiving African heat. 

A walking safari is an activity that also inherently comes with a fair amount of risk.

Your guide will be armed as a last resort, usually with a rifle, but even then accidents have happened. Always follow any direction given by your guide to the letter, as your life could depend on it. And remember that you’re in the danger zone from the moment the hike starts to the moment it ends, so enjoy yourself but never let your guard down.

Should you go on a game drive?

As we said, a walking safari is not for everyone. We definitely don’t recommend going on one with kids, and you’ll need to be in good physical shape before considering this activity. 

If you feel mentally and physically ready, however, you’ll be in for one of the most memorable experiences of your life. Aside from actually being mauled, a walking safari is as close as you’ll ever get to observing the African wildlife in its natural environment, off-road and without the distraction of a vehicle.

So, which one should you choose?

All in all, both types of safaris offer an incredible chance to come face to face with animals that most people will only ever see on television or behind a pane of glass at the zoo.

Having felt the thrill of a walking safari, we can definitely say that it was our preferred experience. We’re avid hikers, and the opportunity to experience the African wilderness up-close and personal is one that we would definitely take again.

With that said, both types of safari will suit different types of visitors: 

• If you’re looking for a more guided, laid-back experience with plenty of photo opportunities, then a game drive is definitely the best option for you. We also recommend this experience for families with kids, as well as first-time safari goers.

• If it is instead not your first game drive, and you’re looking for a thrilling experience, then we definitely recommend signing up for a walking safari. You’ll need to be physically prepared, mentally ready and able to follow your guide’s instructions to the letter, but if you’re up for it you’ll be rewarded with the best possible way to admire the real African nature.

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