So it's a game drive experience you say you want, eh?
It's the dream trip of a lifetime, to see animals in their natural habitat, wild and free. A zoo can't compete, nor will Disney's The Animal Kingdom. You must have the real thing. Does this sound like you? Well, I was saying these words before taking my first trip to East Africa. I say "first" because I know there will be more trips to come. And, after you go for your first time, you'll be thinking the same.
I chose Kenya and Tanzania for my first safari, and these beautiful countries did not disappoint!
Game drives will be the pinnacle of your safari, and you need to pack appropriately. Bring Ciprofloxacin (as mentioned in my previous "Packing for a Safari" post last month), tissues, wipes, a scarf for dust, a hat, sunblock and dress comfortably. You are going to be in a vehicle for extended periods of time – riding over dirt and rocks – so, be as comfortable as possible! You might also want to pack inflatable cushions for your bum or choose a walking safari to break up the monotony of sitting.
There are two types of vehicles used for game drives – open on the sides, or windowed with a top that opens (an all-terrain vehicle like a Land Cruiser – see photo below). Either way, you'll have an adventure!
To start, I flew into Nairobi and stayed two nights locally to enjoy local sights at the Giraffe Centre and David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. I received giraffe kisses and saw the cutest baby elephants! (I highly recommend making for this beautiful place)
Next up, I flew to Tanzania, rested one night and started my first game drive the next day.
Tarangire
I spent two days in Tarangire National Park in Tanzania. It did not take long to see animals. Within the first fifteen minutes, I saw zebras, lions, and wildebeest.
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Tarangire is known for Elephants, and I was lucky to spend lots of time watching and admiring them from near and far, on both days.
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Safari is also fantastic for bird watching!
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Ngorongoro Crater
Still, in Tanzania, the Ngorongoro Crater is a must-see! It was a beautifully crisp drive up to the crater, and then you descend into it, and it's simply magical!
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Serengeti
Located mostly in northern Tanzania, Serengeti means "Endless Plains," and exactly what you'll find there! Beautiful, endless plains filled with wildlife. Leopards, Cheetahs, Cape Buffalo, Elephants, Guinea Fowl, oh my!
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Maasai Mara
I flew back to Kenya for my final days on safari in the Maasai Mara, with driver and guide, Mohammed, from Rekero Camp. As an avid photographer, seeing animals is his passion and not just a job. (I love that!)
We started our morning game drive with a beautiful sunrise and continued into midday with sightings of zebras, lions, and giraffes!
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Well, folks, this concludes our game drive portion. I hope you enjoyed all the photos from my game drives inspiring you to go on a safari too!
Stay tuned next month for reviews of my favorite places to stay while on a safari!
Until next time, thanks for reading and happy travels!
Lisa Eve is a powerful Intuitive Healer who has a passion for travel. Her worldwide travels have created fantastic opportunities for her to deepen her learning by studying with the best; to share her amazing talents; and to grow her appreciation of service, environment, and connection. Ever the creative Entrepreneur, she channeled her love of adventure and travel into www.LiveLightAndTravel.com, an invaluable resource for all things related to world-class experiences. For more information about her practice and services, explore her website at www.LisaEve.com.
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