Things to Do
Game Drives in Tanzania
A game drive is the search for wild animals by vehicle. You travel slowly through a national park in an open-roof 4x4 while your guide tracks wildlife by reading footprints, alarm calls and movement in the grass. Across Tanzania, drives run in the early morning and late afternoon, when animals are most active, or as a full day with a picnic lunch in the bush.
Design Your JourneyThe Experience
What a Game Drive Feels Like
You leave camp at first light, while the bush is still cool and the predators are still moving. Your guide follows fresh tracks and circling vultures, then switches the engine off and lets the scene unfold: a lioness with cubs, elephants crossing the road, a cheetah scanning from a termite mound. There is no rush and no fixed route. The animals decide the day.
Choose Your Drive
Types of Game Drives
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06:00 – 10:00
Morning drive
Best for big cats and soft light.
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15:30 – sunset
Afternoon drive
Animals gather at water as the heat fades.
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8 – 10 hours
Full-day drive
Picnic lunch in the park, reaching quieter, remote areas.
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After dark
Night drive
In selected parks and private concessions, for nocturnal wildlife.
Where to Go
Where to Go on a Game Drive in Tanzania
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Northern Tanzania
Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and Lake Manyara. The Great Migration, the Big Five and large elephant herds.
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Southern Tanzania
Ruaha, Nyerere and Mikumi. Wild, uncrowded country with big lion prides and African wild dog.
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Western Tanzania
Katavi. Remote floodplains, vast buffalo herds and very few vehicles.
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Eastern Tanzania
Saadani. The park where the bush meets the Indian Ocean.
Explore →
When to Go
Best Time for Game Drives in Tanzania
- June to October: Dry season across the country. Grass is short, wildlife gathers near water, and it is the best time for the southern and western parks.
- January to March: Calving season in Ndutu in the north, with thousands of newborn wildebeest and the predators that follow them.
- April and May: The long rains. Northern parks stay open with fewer vehicles and lower rates, while some camps in the south and west close.
Good to Know
Game Drive FAQs
What is a game drive?
A game drive is a guided drive through a wildlife area with one purpose: finding and watching wild animals in their natural habitat. "Game" is the traditional word for wild animals.
How long is a game drive in Tanzania?
A half-day drive lasts 3 to 4 hours. A full-day drive lasts 8 to 10 hours with a picnic lunch.
What vehicle is used?
A 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof and a window seat for every guest. Each vehicle has air conditioning, charging ports, a fridge or cooler box for cold drinks, and Wi-Fi where the mobile network is strong enough.
What animals will I see?
Lion, elephant, giraffe, zebra and buffalo are seen on most drives across Tanzania. Wildebeest herds, cheetah and black rhino are best in the north. African wild dog is best in the south.
What should I wear?
Neutral colours, layers for the cool morning, a hat and sunscreen.
Can children join?
Yes. Drives are paced around each child's age.
Which languages do guides speak?
English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese, among others.
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