Hatch Top Safari Jeeps – 4WD Land-Cruisers For Africa Safaris
The hatch-top safari jeep is a closed vehicle with a roof hatch to enhance game viewing in the national parks and reserves. Most ‘experts’ believe this is the most exclusive way to take a Safari by road on a moderate budget. Many mid-range and some up-market operators use these types of safari vehicles to transport clients from place to place. Normally, these safari vehicles are available on a private, one-party basis. For visitors wishing to be alone with family and friends, it is worth double-checking that this is the case in order to avoid disappointment. If you can afford the price, the 4×4 safari cruiser is the ideal vehicle for experiencing safari.
Africa Safari Destinations where Hatch-top 4×4 Safari Jeep is used
Closed hatch-top safari jeep are used extensively in Eastern Africa Safari destinations, namely Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. It has been argued by many ‘experts’, that closed Safari vehicles are not the most ideal means of transport for safaris and wildlife viewing. However, the use of closed 4WD safari cruisers in eastern Africa on road based safaris makes a lot of sense as travelers would not want to drive for hours, at speed, along paved highways and on dirt roads – in an open vehicle subjected to wind, rain, cold, heat, and dust. In this regard, the closed hatch-top 4×4 seems like a good choice for safaris in East Africa.
Variations of the Hatch- Top 4WD Safari Land-Cruisers
Within East Africa, the hatch-top safari cruiser comes in 2 variations – the short chassis and the long chassis. The short chassis from provides excellent stability and flexibility on the rough roads that some parts of Africa have. The short chassis safari cruiser is the modified version of the hard-top toyota with the only changes being the slight arrangement on the seats and the creation of the hatch roof. It has a smaller capacity, being able to take up to 6 persons on safari. The long chassis safari cruiser is the more popular variation. It is a modification from the pick up truck to an 8-seater safari vehicle.
Further, The 2 Variations Still Come in different forms: Short Chassis and Long Chassis, still come in 2 different types:
(1) The Short Chassis Sliding-Window Type
(2) The Long Chassis Side-Canvas Type
(3) The Short Chassis Sliding -Window Type
(4) The Long Chassis Side Canvas Type
Sliding Window Hatch-Top 4×4 Landcruisers
Tour operators use this type of safari vehicles to transport clients from one park to another, being closed on the sides, they insulate the travelers from the weather elements. They are closed vehicles with a viewing pop-top roof hatches or retractable open that allows you to see outside while standing. These safari vehicles are normally available on a private, one-party basis, and are therefore ideal for those wishing to be alone with family and friends.
Side Canvas Hatch-Top 4wd Landcruiser
This type of safari vehicles which have been cleverly modified to have canvas on the side (as opposed to sliding windows). The canvas can then be rolled up for game viewing , so that it is almost open-sided safari jeep. The same canvas can be rolled down in the even to rains! These are very few in comparison with the other types of the safari vehicles. Some a used to transport tourists from one destination to another, but most are stationed in the safari camps and lodges, only used to pick up guests for the airstrips and for use within the game reserves, parks and conservancies during game drives
Suggested Safaris Using Hatch Top 4WD Safari Landcruisers
Seating Arrangement and Luggage Space
The closed Hatch Top Safari Jeep comes in 2 versions – the short chassis version that can take up to 4 persons comfortably and the extended or long chassis version that can take up to 8 persons. For the long-chassis landcruiser even though it has a higher capacity in terms of number of persons, the recommended number is 6 persons if everybody is to get a window seat
With regard to luggage, it is advisable to pack light when on safari – regardless of the type of safari vehicle in use. With the 4×4 Landcruisers, there is a small compartment at the back for luggage. If the total number of persons on the trip is between 2 and 4, then all the luggage would fit into this compartment. However, with 6 to 8 persons, depending on the sizes, some of the luggage might have to be placed on the specially designed luggage rack on the roof. The luggage is then covered by a water-proof canvas for protection against water and (dust) during the drive.
Comfort and Safety of the Safari Jeeps
Just like most safari vehicles, Land Cruisers of jeeps of whatever type, are equipped with all possible safety features – including fire extinguishers, First Aid kits, seat belts and some have air bags. They have specially-designed fuel tanks to allow economical use of diesel during long journeys and snorkels for travel through rivers.
Protection from the Elements
Being a closed safari vehicle, one is assure of relative protection against most types of external danger as well as weather elements like rain, dust and wind.
Photography and Game Viewing With 4×4 Safari Jeeps
Similar to the mini van, game viewing is from the open roof hatch. One chooses either to stand of the floor of the vehicle and pop their head over the open hatch and view animals (or take photos). Alternatively, one could opt to stay seated and view wildlife (and try to take photos) from the slide window or the open space after rolling up the canvas, depending in the type of vehicle in use.