You’re browsing around the web looking for ideas for your next vacation, when suddenly you come across a photo of a spectacular sunset, blazing with fiery colors, with an elephant strolling peacefully in the foreground. It’s a beautiful picture, and the more you look at it, the more you start to picture yourself there: on a jeep, binoculars in hand, roaming the savannah among incredible animals.
Then you snap back to reality, stare at your computer screen and think: “Wow, I absolutely have to go on a safari in Africa!” And it’s right after making that decision that a whole lot of questions start buzzing around in your head. The first one is definitely: where should you go on safari?
Exactly, because choosing the right place for an African safari is essential. Every country has its own features, and every park has its own unique character. Luckily, while wandering the web, you found this article. So relax, we’ll explain everything!
Safari in Africa: the best countries and parks
1) Kenya
One of the most famous places to go on safari in Africa is a timeless classic: Kenya. Kenya is undoubtedly one of the most popular safari destinations, with lakes, forests and natural parks such as the famous Masai Mara. The Masai Mara is one of the most beautiful parks in Africa for a safari. Here you can find what are known as the “Big Five”: the lion, rhinoceros, leopard, elephant and buffalo. But that’s not all! Alongside the Big Five, you can also spot giraffes, wildebeest, zebras, gazelles and antelopes. In the Masai Mara, in the right season, you can also witness one of the most spectacular wildlife events on the continent: the Great Migration of the wildebeest.
2) Tanzania
And if we’ve mentioned Kenya, we can’t leave out Tanzania, one of the most popular and rewarding destinations for a safari in Africa. Tanzania’s natural beauty is truly extraordinary, thanks in part to the sources of two of the world’s great rivers, the Nile and the Congo, Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa, and Lake Tanganyika, the deepest. In the north of the country, between Lake Victoria and Kenya, lies Serengeti National Park, one of Africa’s most important protected natural areas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Serengeti is home to the largest concentration of herbivores in the world. Here you can witness the great migration of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles, which move toward Kenya’s Masai Mara. The animals begin their migration by gathering in the Serengeti valley after the rains and then heading north. In October, they return south, toward Tanzania and Ngorongoro, for the breeding season.
3) Uganda
Uganda is becoming an increasingly popular safari destination. Here you have the chance to enjoy a truly unique experience: a safari to see mountain gorillas in Bwindi National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this park, you set out in search of gorillas on a forest trek through what is called the impenetrable forest, because most of the area can only be reached on foot. In other nearby parks, such as Queen Elizabeth or Kibale, you can also spot lions, giraffes and even some elephants. And let’s not forget the chimpanzees! A true specialty of this region. In short, it’s absolutely worth a visit!
4) Namibia
When choosing where to go on safari, it’s impossible not to talk about Namibia. It’s our favorite safari destination! The country’s most famous park is Etosha National Park, whose very name already reveals the area’s most distinctive feature. Etosha means “great white place” or “place of dry water,” just like the color of the salty desert floor of the Etosha Pan, which covers much of its territory. In this park it is possible to spot all of the Big Five and much more: rhinos (both white and black), elephants, kudu, lions, springbok, zebras, giraffes, jackals and leopards. The park is very well organized: there are several artificial waterholes which, when water is scarce, attract animals and allow travelers to see them up close. In some camps, the salt pans are even lit at night, making it possible to observe nocturnal wildlife from nearby. Amazing.
We had an incredible safari in Namibia: take a look at our NAMIBIA TRAVEL EPISODES, featured in our segment on Kilimangiaro, Rai 3.
5) South Africa
An African safari is often associated with a trip to South Africa. That’s because South Africa truly offers an endless choice of places to go on safari. The main park is Kruger National Park, opened in 1898 and protected by UNESCO, located in the north of the country and covering 20,000 square kilometers. All the camps inside Kruger are well organized and easy to use: travelers are often helped with animal sightings thanks to notice boards and chalkboards used to mark where the Big Five have been spotted (Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Elephant and Rhinoceros), the animals most sought after on safari! This is especially useful for travelers doing a self-drive safari and desperately searching for lions and leopards. In general, South Africa is the safest country for a self-drive trip (together with Namibia), with 414 kilometers of paved road running from the park’s southern gate to its northern gate.
6) Zambia
Zambia! The country where a special type of safari was born: the walking safari, meaning a safari on foot accompanied by expert local guides, allowing you to discover hidden corners little by little and observe up close the hundreds of animal species that live here. Zambia is considered the “gem of Africa” and has several parks where you can go on safari. Among them is Lower Zambezi National Park, which offers abundant wildlife along the Zambezi River and unique activities such as boat trips and canoe excursions; or Kafue National Park, one of the very few places in southern Africa where you can go on a hot-air balloon safari.
7) Botswana
Botswana is called the land of giants because it is home to most of Africa’s elephants: about 120,000 live here. If you’re looking for a truly wild safari, immersed completely in nature, then Botswana is the destination for you! The country is still largely untouched, and encounters with wildlife are very easy. There are many different parks to visit! Chobe National Park, for example, was the first national park established in Botswana, in 1968, and is divided into four geographical areas, the best known of which is the Chobe Riverfront, the paradise of elephants. Taking a cruise along the Chobe River is certainly one of the most beautiful experiences you could ever have: thanks to the constant presence of water, the riverbanks attract many animals. Here it is normal to come across large herds of herbivores and families of elephants quenching their thirst by the river in the evening.
Then there is the immense Okavango Delta: a unique and incredible habitat that can be explored by mokoro (traditional canoe) or on a low-altitude flight at sunset. In the delta you may spot antelopes, gazelles, zebras, buffaloes, elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hippos and crocodiles.
8) Malawi
One country emerging with exciting safari options is Malawi, still relatively little known and not yet heavily touristed. There are several parks worth visiting! Such as Majete Wildlife Reserve, the kingdom of elephants, where you can also find lions, leopards, black rhinos, buffaloes, antelopes and zebras. Or Liwonde National Park, famous for offering one of the most beautiful boat safaris: accompanied by a local guide on a small boat, you can admire elephants drinking just a few meters away, grunting hippos, baboons and crocodiles. It may not be among the first destinations that come to mind, but if it’s your second safari experience, why not give Malawi a chance? You’ll be surprised!
We’ve done it ourselves: take a look at our MALAWI TRAVEL EPISODES, featured in our segment on Kilimangiaro, Rai 3.
If you want to set off on an amazing safari you’ll remember forever, take a look at OUR TRIPS.
