When going for a safari in Kenya, the kind of vehicle you use is a great contributing factor to your overall experience. There are two main types of safari vehicles used by tour operators in Kenya and the choice of which one to use is dependent on several factors including where you are going, your budget, the experience you are looking for, number of people in your group, etc. These two safari vehicles are Toyota Land Cruisers and Tour Vans with pop-up roofs.
The Toyota 4 x 4 Safari Land Cruiser
The Toyota Land Cruiser is the most luxurious safari vehicle to use during your safari in Kenya. Other than being a 4*4 which is quite important for challenging road conditions that might be encountered in some parks, it offers more comfort and greater versatility during your safari. The safari land cruisers are specifically customized for road safari and not all are identical since different tour companies or camps have modified them in different ways.
Modification of the safari vehicles in Kenya and especially the land cruiser is a great balancing act as the vehicles must be safe for road travel – such as between Nairobi and Masai Mara and also be open enough to facilitate a good tour at the park. If the land cruiser is used for road travel from Nairobi say to the Masai Mara, it will have glass windows as a required safety measure. Once at the camp, some safari land cruisers especially those used by professional photographers are designed for the glass windows to come off and be replaced with a canvas cover that rolls up and down.
In general, most safari land cruisers have 7 – 8 individual seats. The safari land cruiser also has a pop-up roof to allow for maximum game viewing and photography. If the windows do not come off, they will be large and will slide open to allow for good views.
Most safari land cruisers are customized to ensure a window seat for 6 passengers. There is good space at the back for bigger luggage and under the seats for small day backpacks.
The safari vehicle is also fitted with UHF radio call, an important feature that allows the driver to communicate with other drivers during the game drive. This allows them to share information on the spots with interesting happenings such as a hunt or the siting of elusive animals such as the leopard.
In terms of comfort, most 4*4 safari land cruiser vehicles have charging consoles and a fridge or cooler box to preserve drinks. Most land cruisers have two fuel tanks to ensure continuity during game drives and as well as two spare tires to mitigate incidences of getting a flat tire that may happen in the bush.
Safari Mini Van
The safari minivan is typically a Nissan, or Toyota made vehicles such as the Hiace van or similar. Like the land cruiser, it is customized for safari and the most prominent feature is the pop-up roof designed to allow for maximum game viewing.
Typically, a safari minivan is modified to a maximum of 8 comfortable seats that allow for extra leg room, but in most cases, only 7 passengers are ferried at any one game drive. The windows are also designed to slide open allowing for game viewing and photography. Generally speaking, the safari minivan is a cheaper option than the 4*4 land cruiser in terms of price, but this is not a bad thing.
While the land cruiser can navigate trickier road situations, there are a few places that the minivan cannot go, with the exception of known off-road terrain that is difficult to navigate.
If you are going to the normal national parks and not for an expedition on treacherous roads, the choice of which safari vehicle to go for mostly boils down to individual preferences and budget considerations.
The safari minivan is fitted with a cooler, some also have charging consoles. The safari minivans like the land cruisers are also equipped with radios to enable the driver to communicate with other vehicles during the game drive.
To achieve the most from a Kenyan safari, Bison Safaris recommends the Land Cruiser. Minivans are affordable for familiar routes, but the 4×4 capability of the Land Cruiser, excellent comfort, and elevated viewing point are all valuable for off-road driving, witnessing the Great Migration and taking excellent game photography. For comfort, durability, and a real game-viewing experience, the Safari Land Cruiser is the superior choice.