When choosing a safari vehicle for your trip, it is important to consider a few key factors to ensure that you have a comfortable and safe journey. Here are a few things to consider:
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Group size: Consider the number of people in your group and choose a vehicle that is the right size to accommodate everyone comfortably.
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Comfort: Look for a vehicle that has comfortable seats and enough legroom for all passengers. Consider whether you want to have a private vehicle or whether you are comfortable traveling with other passengers.
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Viewing opportunities: Choose a vehicle with large windows or an open-air design to allow for good visibility and wildlife viewing opportunities.
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Safety: Look for a vehicle that is well-maintained and equipped with safety features such as seat belts and roll bars.
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Suitability for the terrain: Consider the type of terrain that you will be traveling on and choose a vehicle that is suitable for the conditions. For example, a 4×4 vehicle may be more suitable for off-road travel than a standard sedan.
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The expertise of the driver: Look for a safari company that employs experienced and knowledgeable drivers who can provide information about the wildlife and the local area.
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Price: Compare the prices of different safari vehicles and choose one that fits your budget while still meeting your comfort and safety needs.
There are also many different types of vehicles used by safari operators when visiting and exploring the African continent. These include 4×4 safari land cruisers, safari minivans, and overland safari trucks.
1. 4×4 Safari Land Cruisers
Include two types of the safari vehicle, the closed and open land cruisers as listed below:
Closed 4WD Safari Land Cruisers
A closed 4WD safari land cruiser features a roof hatch that opens to provide tourists with a better view of wildlife in national parks and reserves. They are also fully equipped with every safety feature imaginable, including fire extinguishers, first aid kits, seat belts, a built-in fridge, high-backed seats, and a wide-range radio system to ensure tourists never get lost in the wilderness.
Seating Arrangements
Closed 4WD safari vehicle can only accommodate four to six (extended version) passengers, all facing forward.
Closed 4WD Safari Vehicle
Open 4WD Safari Land Cruisers
An open 4WD safari vehicle, on the other hand, features a canvas roof that protects tourists from direct sunlight, but the sides of the vehicle are open with a guard rail and roll-up canvas for wet weather. They are not suitable for long distances because the wind, dust, and sun can be harsh in Africa; however, these safari vehicles are excellent for game drives because they allow you to get up close and personal with the sights, sounds, and smells of the bush. Although popular in Southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, and Malawi), these types of safari vehicles can only be used in Kenya by guests visiting private wildlife conservancies and very remote lodges that can only be accessed by flights.
Seating Arrangements
Open 4WD safari vehicles can accommodate six to nine passengers.
Open 4WD Safari Vehicle
2. Safari Mini Vans
A 4WD Safari Mini Vans are the modified Nissan or Toyota Hiace that tend to be equipped with a pop-up roof designed for maximum game viewing. While the land cruiser is capable of handling the most difficult road conditions, there are a few places where the minivan can handle with the exception of known off-road terrain that is difficult to navigate. Safari Mini Vans are also not that comfortable when compared to Land Cruisers; but, the good thing about them is that they are very affordable as compared to the Land Cruiser and they are best suited for tourists visiting normal national parks with less treacherous roads.
Seating Arrangements
Safari Mini Vans can carry a maximum of 7 tourists each seating next to a window that’s designed to slide open allowing for good game viewing and photography.
Safari Mini Van
3. Overland Safari Trucks
Finally, the Overland Safari Trucks is another tourist vehicle that is specifically designed for long journeys, such as crossing multiple countries. They are typically equipped with modern conveniences such as onboard charging as well as a ‘kitchen’ section (often fold-out, beneath the seating area) with a stove and hand dish-washing area. Additionally, these vehicles are equipped with a fridge/freezer/cooler box that keeps your supplies and drinks cool during your drive in the African heat.
Overland Safari Truck
Seating Arrangements
Overland Safari Trucks carry large groups of people, ranging from 12 to 44 people. And given these dynamics, the seating configuration and size of these trucks may vary. Some have all forward-facing seats, while others have some backward- or side-facing seats. The seats are generally elevated, allowing for good views of the landscape, particularly in grassy areas where you might want to spot animals in the grass.
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