This might not be the first question people ask — but it's one of the most common, and a fair one. Game drives can run for several hours, so here is the honest, practical answer.

At camp and on drives

  • Lodges and camps all have proper flushing toilets — even remote tented camps have private en-suite bathrooms.
  • On a game drive, your guide will stop at park facilities where they exist.
  • Where they don't, the time-honoured solution is a discreet "bush stop" — your guide checks the area is safe and gives you privacy behind the vehicle.
Guides do this every day. There is nothing to be embarrassed about — just tell them when you need to stop.

A few tips

Carry a small pack of tissues and hand sanitiser — these are the two things first-timers most often forget. Go before you leave camp, and don't over-caffeinate at breakfast. Beyond that, relax: it's all part of being out in the wild.

Travel with guides who make it easy

Our small-group and private trips are run by guides who anticipate exactly this. Browse our safaris →

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Frequently asked questions

Are there toilets on a game drive?

Fixed toilet facilities exist at some ranger posts and picnic sites. Where they don't, your guide will arrange a discreet bush stop.

How often can I request a bathroom stop?