Safari Vehicles
We are traveling with another couple. Will they let us always be in the same vehicle or will we have to be split up on occasion? We’re on the Classic Safari 9/17/25.
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We are traveling with another couple. Will they let us always be in the same vehicle or will we have to be split up on occasion? We’re on the Classic Safari 9/17/25.
Comments
Hmmm. Depends on your TD and how your group reacts with others. "Cliques" sometimes get frowned on. If you ask nicely . . . . .
It depends on your TD and the size/configuration of your group. In my experience on three Tauck safaris we were rotated so we could experience getting to know our fellow travelers. You can always express your wishes and concerns in a private conversation with your TD. Have a great trip!
They will do their best to accommodate you, but it does depend on the size and configuration as stated.
On our last K&T there was a family of six including a couple small children, that always had their own vehicle. That being said, having two couples of friends on the same vehicle might be difficult. The TD;s rotate people to different vehicles every day, and within the vehicle people work out a fair rotation of seat locations. Also, the vehicles don’t always travel in formation, so often times each vehicle will have a different experience. Your attention during a game drive is going to primarily be outside the vehicle rather than a social experience inside. I’m thinking that you might have a better experience if you are not distracted by the company of your friends. Another item might be conversation. Your driver is your tour guide during a game drive and he will be doing most of the talking. You definitely don’t want to talk over him or make a difficult for him to speak.
Agree with SeaLord, you need to be laser focused on looking for animals not socializing
Thanks for the info. I’m a bit surprised by some of the comments. We simply want to experience this amazing trip with the people we flew halfway around the world with. Not because we don’t want to interact with others or talk to each other during the drives. We’ll be fine with however the TD wants to do it. But our preference would be to stay together. Thanks again.
Sorry to alarm you, SeaLord and I have been on lots of safaris and it’s just an observation of what can happen. Last year, our family took the family Bridges Safari, The other family really wanted to mix and mingle, even suggesting a ladies only vehicle both adult and kids… i didn’t really want to do that, I was more in favor of the fewer people in a vehicle the better for me, more room to hop from seat to seat for seeing and photography, so if they wanted a full vehicle, I did not.
Our worst experience was on the Elegant South Africa where two other couples traveling together never stopped talking to each other on the day we shared the same safari vehicle, they never thought to look out, relying on the driver to spot animals, which in my mind is a mistake, part of the excitement is animal spotting.
I was part of a group of 4 on my K&T tour. There were singles, couples and other groupings.. We never asked to be together on the safaris but we were. We always had 2 others with us. We had a very collegial group of 24. Meal time was very sociable - everyone was lovely and friendly.Our TD (Chris Morrison) was outstanding and facilitated the camaraderie with a great group activity at the beginning of the trip. It was a fantastic trip!!
When you choose to safari in a group, the TD does try to mix things up. We have done private safaris with another couple, in which case we had our own vehicle. Don’t let this ruin your experience. Just go and enjoy!!! You will have lots of opportunities from after breakfast until about 4:00 pm, as well as at dinner, to compare notes and sightings with your friends. That’s two different experiences!!!
I like meeting new acquaintances on trip. I like to mix things up. I can see my friends at home any day of the week. I can see my family anytime. The chances of meeting or getting along with others and maintaining that friendship on a trip is a true gift. I understand if there are small children in a safari vehicle with their parents but being together with family or friends without an opportunity to meet others is a no for me. Also, rules of boundaries need to be discussed when traveling with friends so no assumptions are made. Do you dine ever single meal together, do you choose the same excursions, etc etc.
We were on a family A&K safari when my daughter was 7 (she’s 32 now) and all the children had their own vehicle with the child director, and the driver. She loved it and still remembers that experience.
OK, when two women in my safari vehicle started talking about hair products I thought I would die. I jokingly asked the husband of one of the women what his hair routine was. When he responded to me earnestly. I knew I was in trouble. I asked the TD to be transferred out of that vehicle, but he waited until the next camp to mix things up. It was a very unusual group, to say the least.
Talk to your tour director when you get there. We did both South Africa Elegant adventure and K & T. First time we were a group of 8 and the second time a group of 6. For elegant adventure we were 4 in one safari vehicle and 4 in another. When we changed lodges she switched up the 8 of us but we were still 4 and 4. For K & T we were in the same vehicle for each drive
I assume you not with the same driver
British
Not with the same driver. We switched drivers every day