Game vehicle at Governor's camp in Kenya where tourists are on the vehicle with their guide looking at a cheetah.

You’ve arrived at your lodge and checked in; signed the indemnity, unpacked your bags, jumped on the glorious bed, enjoyed high tea, and now it’s time to head out into the wild. Have you thought about what to take on a game drive?

Taking a smaller bag or a backpack along with you on a safari is a good idea.

Just pop what you need in it and it’s good to take on your game drive, game walk, boat ride, or even in the small planes if you’re flying between camps.

Let’s take a quick look at the most useful things you could take along on your game drive.

Remember MOST (not all – it depends on the lodge and the country) game drive vehicles are not enclosed and you will feel the fresh air blowing against you as you bumble along the sometimes-dusty roads.

Game vehicle from Kapama Private Game Reserve showing how there aren't any doors or windows and the vehicle is not enclosed so people are exposed to the elemants
Kapama Private Game Reserve, South Africa – many lodges have vehicles that are not enclosed

1. Hot or cold?

Know the season you’re travelling in, so you know what to take on your game drive. If you’re travelling in winter (May to around beginning September in the southern hemisphere), I would suggest you take some gloves, a beanie, scarf… that kind of thing. Lodges do provide blankets and ponchos (incase of rain), and you can ask if they have hot water bottles, as most of them do.

If you’re travelling in summer (September to around March in the southern hemisphere), take a light jacket or sweater for when the sun sets, just incase it gets a bit cool.

2. Take a Buff

If the ground is very dry, it could be dusty and then it’s a good idea to take a Buff that you can put over your mouth and nose.

They’re also great to use if it’s really hot – just rinse your Buff in some water and put it back around your neck, or around your wrist.

A buff is also great to push up over your head to keep your hair out of your face if you left your hair tie in your room.

3. Sun protection

If you’re coming to Africa in summer, be prepared for the hot, African sun. Think of things like sun block, lip ice, sun hat or cap, sun glasses. These can all make the difference between a great drive versus a miserable one.

4. Bug spray

Well, let’s face it city slicker, you’re in the bush now! If it’s summer, or if there’s a lot of water around, there could well be bugs (you know those teeny tiny annoying flying things – you might call them gnats, we call them miggies. Ask a local to teach you how to say that correctly). Also watch out for mozzies. So, grab the bug spray that will be provided in your room and it is safe to spray it onto your skin. If you’re not sure, read the label and ask your guide.

Woman at a lodge with lots of gnats and miggies flying around her.
Bugs can be annoying – but don’t forget that you’re in the bush!

5. Binoculars & camera

Most lodges do not provided guests with lodges as they seem to grow legs and ‘disappear.’ The best thing is to take your own pair, otherwise you have to share with your guide but then you have to wait your turn and could miss out on something interesting.

And don’t forget your camera….

6. Water bottle

A lot of lodges, especially those practicing sustainability, will provide you with a water bottle, and they have water stations around camp where you can fill it up anytime you like. Take one a long with you, especially as you don’t know how long you could be out for.

7. Extra batteries

Take spare batteries, sim cards, power banks, chargers, or anything you might need for your own equipment. Imagine if something exciting is going down in front of you and your camera dies. Ugh. It happens to the best of us.

8. Tissues or wet wipes

These are good to wipe just about anything.

Seriously, that’s it!

See? It’s not a lot. You don’t need to take EVERYTHING on a game drive.

Tourists with the ranger and tracker in an open game drive vehicle on safari in the Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge, in South Africa.
Open game vehicle at Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge, South Africa

Don’t worry about taking snacks (unless you have low sugar or something along those lines where you need to take your own), and don’t worry about taking a drink from the bar.

Your guide will stop somewhere safe, where there is a glorious view, and they will pull out the drinks and snacks for you to munch on, while you’re listening to the peaceful sounds of nature.

Honestly, that’s about all really. I could go on and on with other things that are nice to have, but that aren’t essential. I could also go on and on, just to take up more space and keep you reading and get you all confused.

But if you take the above in your backpack on your game drive, you are set to have a great time out in the bush.

If you’d like to know something, please reach out below. I’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

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