Written by Nina van Schalkwyk

One of the things you might have caught yourself wondering while researching trips to Africa is, “What exactly is the difference between a safari and a game drive?” There’s a simple enough answer, but for those who have never explored the continent, the two terms might seem like one and the same. After all, both denote some kind of travel, right? Let’s break it down for you so you know what to expect before you even think about packing those bags. 

First things first. You might be wondering why there’s all this hype about a drive on which you play games - and in the African bush of all places! We get where the confusion comes in, so let’s set you straight. Game, in this case, refers to animals, which means a game drive is simply a drive through nature, looking at animals in all their splendour. 

Safari - A journey you won’t forget

A safari is as much about going away as it is about discovery. After all, the word itself comes from Swahili and means “journey” and what better journey to take than one through Africa? A safari is considered more the trip in and of itself, including the accommodation, activities and travel. It has a “romantic” connotation of finding yourself, exploring the unknown and venturing into the wild. A game drive is much more short-lived - only about a couple of hours - and involves a drive around a game or national park on the lookout for animals, either in one’s personal or rented vehicle or on the back of a larger open “game-viewer” (usually a Toyota or Land Rover 4x4 with ascending seats and shaded canopy) driven by a guide. 

Traditionally, safaris were taken through East Africa. That’s because most safaris were done by big game hunters who may have preferred the East’s open fields, the weather, or perhaps simply the region’s colonial character at the time. After all, Kenya in the 19th century was a haven for gin-and-tonic-swinging settlers who shrugged off class propriety and expectations back home in favour of adventure and… well, quite a bit of mischief, to be honest. These days, some things may have changed, like the fact that safaris are now widely available throughout the continent, from South Africa to Egypt, but the G&Ts are still as popular as ever. Whether you’re a novice or a pro, Viatu offers bespoke safari trips in some of the world’s best game-viewing destinations, including Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa.

Game drive - Take a drive on the wild side

You can visit Africa without doing a safari, but you cannot (we repeat: you cannot!) visit Africa without doing a game drive. It’s unspeakable. A game drive is simply one of those activities that are at the top of every Africa-trip-bucket-list, and for a very good reason. It’s the quintessential African experience. 

Sure, you can drive your car slowly with binoculars and camera by your side anywhere, even in your hometown, but doing it in an African nature reserve or game park is a truly rewarding experience. Do it with a guide and you’ll be the lucky recipient of their expertise at locating members of the Big 5. Do it by yourself and you can travel at your own pace, enjoying stunning natural surroundings with no one to hurry you along or ruin your photos! You might even be lucky enough to watch nature’s dramas unfold, with only your vehicle in the audience. 

So you see, while a safari is like the journey you’ll take in Africa, a game drive is a specific activity that will bring you up close and personal to the wild inhabitants of the continent. There’s no reason why you can’t experience both a safari and game drive, and in fact, you should. Go on a safari in Africa and take as many game drives as you can. Tap into your inner-Ernest Hemingway and don a camel-coloured cap and white shirt as you stare over the grassy plains of Africa from a lofty lookout point. Fact is your white shirt won’t stay white for long, so indulge in this moment and imagine you are one of the continent’s earliest pioneers. 

Excited for your first-ever African safari? Head to Viatu’s website to learn more.