Newsletter

Get Important 360° News and Notifications:

Subscribe

Real-Time Game Drives

Watch Safari Drives In South African Wilderness Areas
Real-Time Safaris

Experience Game Drives From Where You Are

New technology now makes it possible to watch safari game drives from more national parks and game reserves in Africa than ever before. Experience what a safari game drive is like, in real-time, in South Africa.

Works On Any Device, From Anywhere With A Web Connection

You don't need any special equipment to watch real-time safari game drives, you can use any device currently in your possession like a mobile phone, tablet or PC.

Where To Watch

On social media channels like Facebook and Youtube.

Guide Commentary Included

The guide is such an important part of any wildlife orientated tour, because they add immeasurably to the experience using their knowledge and expertise, built up over many years in the field.

So to have their commentary included definitely adds a lot of value to the footage that might otherwise not be as impactful. Their words provide context, background and depth to the wildlife interactions.

Safari Travel Planning

If you dream of going on an African safari in person, this is a very good place to get an idea of what it's really like.

Real-Time Icon Kruger National Park

The Kruger National Park contains a diversity of wildlife that is unmatched throughout the rest of Africa, so this is an amazing place to experience a virtual safari.

Gain immediate insight into this African wonderland (Real-time safaris started May 2025).

Real-Time Icon Greater Kruger

There are several private game reserves situated right next to the Kruger Park with no fences separating them.

These areas are collectively known as the Greater Kruger and include places such as Sabi Sands, Timbavati, Klaserie, Balule and Olifants game reserves (Real-time safaris starting here August 2025).

What is a

Game Drive

A journey in a motorized vehicle, typically undertaken in a national park or game reserve on a safari, with the specific aim of finding and watching wildlife. The term 'game' was originally used to describe the animals that were targeted on a hunting expedition in Africa.

Guided and Self Drive

Two types of game drives are possible, one where the vehicle is driven by a professional guide (guided) and the other where the driver is a non-professional (self drive or DIY).

Vehicle Types

  • Guided - The kinds of vehicles used differ according to the region the safari takes place in, but what they all have in common is that they need to be rugged and capable of handling all kinds of driving terrain.

    In Eastern Africa the safari vehicles tend to be enclosed with a pop-top to allow standing photography.

    In Southern Africa the vehicles mostly have open sides and some are even completely open with no roof to provide all around visibility.

  • Self Drive - In Southern Africa there are numerous national parks and game reserve with good tar and gravel road networks that allow tourists to drive normal sedan vehicles on safari. Many locals use their own vehicles to go on a self or DIY game drive, and foreign tourists can rent a normal sedan vehicle to guide their own safari.

    Of course the more rugged, 4x4 vehicles are also available for self drive safari destinations where off-roading or challenging road conditions exist.

When And For How Long

Game drives normally commence early in the morning, just before sunrise, to have an opportunity to spot some nocturnal species returning to their burrows and see the animals that are active in the cool morning climate.

Then once the heat of the day has passed, an afternoon drive takes place which may finish after sunset. The night drive often happens after supper and may finish late to see all the species active at night.

As a general rule, drives have set starting times but the end time is dependant on what has been seen, so it's flexible and will finish within a certain time-frame and not exactly on time. Self drive safaris are completely flexible and the time and duration is wholly dependant on the driver.

Game Drive Cost

The price is dependant on the location, who the game drive operator is and the time and length of the drive. If it's a guided safari company, then the cost is included in the overall safari package price. If it's an extra activity in a national park or game reserve, then the cost differs according to whether it's a morning, afternoon or night drive.

Costs can vary widely, so it's best to confirm the price beforehand with the relevant operator.

Safari Company Owners, Show Your Clients The Whole Picture By Making Real-Time Videos Available To Them.

safari vehicle