Botswana game drive vehicles
Friday, September 26, 2008 at 05:52AM 
Four Ducks in a Row
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Our illustrious guide Tony jumped out to grab a quick shot of Derrick, Thomas, Mark and myself on a morning game drive. The vehicles in Botswana are not typically like the one in this image, as most are of a newer generation if you are staying at a Wilderness Safaris camp in the delta. What this image illustrates is how a typical configuration will be with 3 rear rows of seats, with each row slightly taller than the one in front of each other. I actually prefer the front seat position, as this allows me to chat with the guide, make recommendations for subject selection and vehicle placement, and it is also a good position for taking a photograph. The lower(st) position(s) are good for being at eye level with your subject. The middle and rear seats are also great as sometimes grass can be in your way between you and your subject, and these rear seats can help get you a different angle with nothing in the way. There are no bad seats in any of these vehicles, and all guides will work with you to make sure that all photographers have a good shooting position.
Game Vehicle, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Teya, John, Michael, Linda and Forest
Here we have a vehicle that has been configured the same from a seating point of view, but with the addition of an overhead sun shade. Note: many camps can remove the sun shade at your request if you prefer to have a wide open view for shooting birds in flight. It is a personal decision, as well as a camp's decision. It is common for camps to leave the canopy on during the warmer months of the year, and will remove it during the cooler months of the year. I don't have a real preference either way, but I do see both sides. Having the canopy off is good if the upright bars are in your way, but you might want the canopy for the hot sun in the warmer months. Camps are less likely to change the canopy setup if you do not have sole use of the vehicle, as your decision will affect others and their safari experience.
Reader Comments (1)
The pictures remind me of safaris in India. Here we have both versions of jeeps, however the open jeeps are what you find in northern & central India. In southern India, where I come from, the top is covered like the one in the 2nd picture.