Hood Safari

Franklin, Lamar, and Trevor head into hostile Ballas territory to make a drug deal, which quickly turns into a violent shootout and daring escape.

“Hood Safari” is a key mission in Grand Theft Auto V that sees Franklin, his friend Lamar, and Trevor head into a dangerous part of Los Santos in an attempt to buy drugs from the Ballas gang. This mission explores themes of loyalty, street life, and the complex relationships between the main Characters. Players must navigate the tensions between rival Gangs and Law Enforcement in this high-stakes scenario.

In “Hood Safari,” Franklin, Lamar, and Trevor set out to Grove Street to conduct a drug deal with the Ballas gang. Things go awry, and the mission quickly turns into a shootout followed by a dramatic escape through Los Santos’ streets and rivers. The mission highlights the explosive dynamic between Trevor, Franklin, and Lamar while showing Franklin’s complicated ties to his old neighborhood.

Objectives

• Meet Lamar at his aunt’s house.
• Travel to Grove Street with Lamar and Trevor.
• Conduct the drug deal with the Ballas.
• Engage in a shootout when the deal goes wrong.
• Escape from the Ballas and the police using jet skis.
• Evade the police and regroup with Trevor and Lamar.

Setting

The mission takes place primarily in the neighborhood of Grove Street, a nostalgic location from previous GTA games, particularly San Andreas. The setting includes the surrounding Ballas-controlled territory, followed by an escape route that takes players through the waterways of Los Santos. This gritty, gang-ridden area serves as a backdrop for the mission’s intense action sequences.

Objective 1: Meet Lamar

• Preparation: The mission starts with Franklin meeting Lamar and Trevor at Franklin’s aunt Denise’s house in Strawberry. A cutscene follows, in which Lamar convinces Franklin to join him and Trevor for a drug deal in Grove Street.
• Dialogue: Pay attention to the dialogue between the Characters, as it provides context for Franklin’s history with Lamar and Trevor’s chaotic influence on the group.

Objective 2: Drive to Grove Street

• Traveling: Franklin drives the crew to Grove Street, home of the Ballas gang, for a drug deal. During the drive, the banter between the Characters highlights their differing personalities and approaches to criminal life.
• Background: Lamar and Franklin discuss the deal and reflect on their history in the neighborhood, while Trevor, ever the wild card, adds his unique perspective.

Objective 3: The Drug Deal

• Confrontation: Upon arriving in Grove Street, the crew meets with the Ballas to make the deal. As the deal unfolds, it quickly becomes clear that things aren’t going according to plan.
• Ambush: The deal turns into an ambush as the Ballas betray Franklin, Lamar, and Trevor. A shootout ensues, and players must fight their way out.

Objective 4: Engage in a Shootout

• Combat: Use cover and coordinate with Lamar and Trevor to eliminate the Ballas gang members. The shootout takes place in the streets of Grove Street, with enemies attacking from all directions.
• Escape Route: As the shootout continues, police arrive, complicating matters. After eliminating the Ballas, players must flee the scene as police reinforcements close in.

Objective 5: Escape on Jet Skis

• Head to the Water: Follow Lamar and Trevor to the nearby Los Santos canals, where the crew hijacks jet skis to escape.
• Evade the Police: Ride the jet skis through the waterways, avoiding police boats and helicopters. Use the environment to dodge obstacles and lose the pursuing Law Enforcement.
• Regroup: After successfully evading the police, regroup with Lamar and Trevor to complete the mission.

Mission Conclusion

• Wrap Up: The mission ends with the trio discussing the chaos of the drug deal gone wrong and Trevor’s unpredictability. The cutscene offers a glimpse into the fractured relationships between the main Characters.
• Rewards: Completing “Hood Safari” progresses Franklin’s storyline, and players unlock additional Missions. The mission also reinforces Franklin’s ties to Lamar and his complicated relationship with Trevor.

• The mission features a return to Grove Street, a key location from Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, giving longtime fans a nostalgic callback to the earlier game.
• During the shootout, players can spot references to past GTA games, including graffiti and Landmarks from San Andreas.
• The mission demonstrates Trevor’s reckless behavior and his volatile relationship with both Franklin and Lamar.
• The mission marks one of the few times that all three Characters—Franklin, Lamar, and Trevor—work together in a high-stakes situation.
• The combination of a gunfight and a jet ski chase is one of the more memorable set pieces in the game, mixing on-foot combat with vehicular escapes.
• The banter between the Characters during the drive to Grove Street reveals a lot about their personalities and their differing views on crime and loyalty.