Most people imagine a safari the same way.
Wide African plains… a jeep driving slowly… maybe a lion somewhere in the distance. That image isn’t wrong, but a real safari experience is a little different once you’re actually there.
People often ask what happens during a game drive. The honest answer? It’s not always predictable.
And that’s kind of the point.
Planning a safari adventure? Get in touch today to explore available safari experiences and accommodations.
The Day Usually Starts Early
Safari mornings start earlier than most travelers expect.
Sometimes before sunrise. The air is cool, the sky still a bit dark, and the savannah feels very quiet.
During a Safari Game Drive in Masai Mara, guides head out early because animals are more active at that time. Predators might still be moving around, elephants often travel in herds, and birds start filling the air.
At Drunken Elephant Mara
Stay and do this at the camp
20 rooms under canvas in natural forest, about two kilometres from Sekenani Gate.
Experience
Game drives
Morning, afternoon and full-day drives into the Maasai Mara in search of the big five.
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Experience
Horse riding
See the Mara on horseback, with a guide.
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Stay · Sleeps 2
Double Tent
An elevated canvas tent for two, with its own verandah and en-suite bathroom.
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Stay · Sleeps 2
Executive Twin Tent
A twin tent with a separate lounge area and an outdoor shower off the bathroom.
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Coffee helps. A lot.
It’s Not Just Driving Around
One thing many first-time visitors don’t realize… a game drive isn’t random driving.
Guides are constantly looking for signs. Tracks in the dust. Movement in tall grass. Even bird calls can signal that something interesting is nearby.
Sometimes you drive for ten minutes and suddenly there’s a group of giraffes walking across the road.
Other times… nothing for a while. Then boom, a lion appears out of nowhere.
That unpredictability is part of the experience.
Every Drive Feels Different
No two drives in the Mara are the same.
One morning might be all elephants and zebras. Another day you might spot cheetahs resting in the grass or a herd of buffalo moving slowly across the plains.
Wildlife moves constantly, so each Masai Mara safari experience has its own rhythm.
Some days are busy. Some are quiet. But even quiet drives have moments that surprise people.
Safari Isn’t Only About Vehicles
Most safaris use vehicles for game drives, but that’s not the only way people explore the landscape.
Some travelers try a Masai Mara Horse Riding Safari, which gives a completely different perspective.
Moving through the savannah on horseback feels quieter somehow. Animals react differently too. It’s a unique way to experience the Mara.
Timing Your Visit Matters
Wildlife activity changes during the year.
Rainfall, migration seasons, even temperature shifts affect where animals move. This is why travelers often research the Best Time to Visit Masai Mara before planning their trip.
The Great Migration season gets a lot of attention, but honestly the Mara has wildlife throughout the year.
Evenings at Camp
Game drives usually wind down toward sunset.
The light across the plains turns golden, the temperature cools a bit, and everyone slowly heads back to camp.
After a long day, relaxing in Luxury Tented Accommodation feels surprisingly comfortable. Places like Drunken Elephant Mara combine the wilderness setting with a quiet, boutique camp atmosphere.
You still hear the sounds of the savannah at night though. Sometimes lions in the distance.
So… What Really Happens?
If someone asks what happens during a game drive, the answer isn’t a neat schedule.
Some driving. Some waiting. Then suddenly wildlife appears and the whole vehicle goes silent.
Those moments — unexpected ones — are what people remember most about the Masai Mara.
Questions and answers
So… What Really Happens?
If someone asks what happens during a game drive, the answer isn’t a neat schedule. Some driving. Some waiting. Then suddenly wildlife appears and the whole vehicle goes silent. Those moments — unexpected ones — are what people remember most about the Masai Mara.
Can I do a hot-air balloon safari or ride a horse?
Yes. Balloons lift off at dawn and drift over the plains for about an hour, ending with a bush breakfast — flights are run by licensed operators and booked as an extra. Guided nature walks and horse rides for suitable riders happen outside the reserve, where walking and riding are allowed.
Where is Drunken Elephant Mara?
Drunken Elephant Mara is a small tented safari camp at Sekenani in Narok County, Kenya. It sits in natural forest about two kilometres from Sekenani Gate, the main eastern entrance to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, so morning game drives reach the park within minutes.