Nothing quite prepares you for your first morning in the bush: the chill before sunrise, the smell of the grass and the first glimpse of a giraffe silhouetted against an orange sky.
A day on safari
Most game drives start at dawn, when animals are most active, and return to camp for a late breakfast. The middle of the day is for resting, and a second drive heads out in the late afternoon, often ending with a sundowner as the light fades.
Patience is part of the experience
Your guide reads tracks, listens for alarm calls and knows each animal's habits, but wildlife keeps its own timetable. Some of the best sightings come after a long wait by a waterhole, so settle in and enjoy the quiet.
What to bring
Pack neutral-coloured layers, a hat, sunscreen and a good pair of binoculars. A camera with a zoom lens helps, but remember to put it down now and then and simply watch.
2 thoughts on “On Safari: What to Expect on Your First Game Drive”
The sundowner after the evening drive was our favourite moment of the whole trip. Bring a fleece, it gets cold fast!
Binoculars made a huge difference for us. We spotted a leopard in a tree that we would never have seen otherwise.