African Safari Tours & Holidays Guide—Unveil the Magic of Customized African Safaris!
Below, we highlight the popular African safari destinations to visit during your African safaris & tour adventures.
Tanzania: Situated in East Africa, this country is renowned for the spectacular wildebeest migration between Serengeti National Park and Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. Moreover, you can encounter the Big Five during a captivating game drive in one of the most enticing national parks. Explore other game in the Ngorongoro Crater and observe a variety of bird species around Lake Manyara.
Kenya: Explore the wealth of African wildlife on Kenya’s captivating safaris, especially in the Maasai Mara National Reserve in East Africa. Additionally, uncover the wonders of other national parks and indulge in the beauty of coastal beaches along the Indian Ocean.
Botswana: This is the ultimate African destination for witnessing an abundance of wildlife in Southern Africa. Explore the diverse fauna at Chobe National Park, navigate the Okavango Delta on a canoe ride, engage with the San people during cultural tours, and venture into the Kalahari region.
Additionally, during your tours, you can encounter white rhinos at Khama Rhino Sanctuary. This is the ultimate African destination for witnessing an abundance of wildlife in Southern Africa.
Explore the diverse fauna at Chobe National Park, navigate the Okavango Delta on a canoe ride, engage with the San people during cultural tours, and venture into the Kalahari region. Additionally, during your tours, you can encounter white rhinos at Khama Rhino Sanctuary.
Africa Cultural Experience/Tours
Explore the game-rich nation of South Africa, whether you’re traversing the stunning Garden Route, visiting Kruger National Park, exploring Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, or taking in the beauty of Cape Town.
Conclude your journey with an incredible adventure in the wine-producing regions.
Zambia and Zimbabwe: These two countries in Southern Africa, both sharing the magnificent Victoria Falls, offer incredible scenic tours, wildlife experiences, and cultural safaris to tourists. Embark on a canoe ride on the Zambezi River for a unique opportunity to observe aquatic animals such as hippos and crocodiles.
Additionally, you can enjoy adventurous encounters with other game, including elephants, during tours in Hwange National Park, or marvel at the white rhinos of Matobo National Park.
Africa Walking Safaris
Uganda: Uganda is one of the premier primate destinations in East Africa, home to about half of the world’s mountain gorillas, primarily located in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Additionally, you can venture into the chimpanzee habitats of Kibale National Park and observe the diverse wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park.
Rwanda: This is the second most famous destination in East Africa for trekking mountain gorillas after Uganda. Rwanda’s gorilla treks take place in Volcanoes National Park, but you can also embark on other exciting Rwanda safaris in Akagera National Park and Nyungwe National Park.
Namibia. The ideal place for a desert tour is the Namib Desert. The northern desert offers breathtaking views of the baobab trees, and the dunes themselves provide fantastic opportunities for close encounters with stunning scenery.
Moreover, you can explore the wildlife in Etosha National Park or immerse yourself in the breathtaking coastal beauty of Swakopmund.
Why Is an African Safari So Expensive?
African safaris are expensive, mainly because of the incredible experiences they offer travelers. However, several factors contribute to the cost of an African safari. These factors include remote destinations, the size of the country, park entrance fees, the level of luxury, and whether to use a tour operator. Let’s examine these aspects below:
- Remote Destinations: Most tour destinations in Africa are so remote that reaching them by road is challenging. Therefore, many tourists end up paying higher rates for internal flights, which can make their African safari more expensive.
- Size of the Country: Large countries like Tanzania can be expensive due to their vast size, which increases the costs of both road and air transport.
- Park Entrance Fees: Park entrance fees contribute significantly to the cost of African safari tours, especially for tourists with extended tour durations. This is because park entrance fees are typically charged for every 24-hour period.
- Luxury Level: The level of luxury a traveler chooses can also impact the cost of their safari. Budget travelers will spend less than those opting for midrange or luxury tours.
- Self-Travel vs. Using a Tour Operator: Self-travel can be more cost-effective compared to using a tour operator. However, tour operators can provide excellent value for money by taking care of even the smallest details during your travels.
Vaccination And Visa Requirements For African Countries
Many countries in Africa require that you acquire vaccinations against certain diseases when entering their borders.
Most will require that you get vaccinated against yellow fever before departing from your country.
Some countries will also require immunizations against specific illnesses, so be sure to check with the embassy before your departure and always carry your vaccination cards as proof.
Since malaria is a threat in many African countries, you can also obtain anti-malaria medication, but it is better to consult with your doctor first.
For a visa, most countries also require that you purchase one for your travels depending on your nationality.
Your passport needs to have a validity of at least six months before your departure for your tour.
Below are the vaccination and visa requirements for popular African safari countries:
Tanzania Vaccination and Visa Requirements:
Tourists should be vaccinated against yellow fever, especially if they are coming from a yellow fever-endemic country.
Kenya Vaccination and Visa Requirements:
Likewise, travelers to Kenya must be vaccinated against yellow fever.
Botswana Vaccination and Visa Requirements: Tourists to Botswana will need to get vaccinated against yellow fever, especially if they are from a yellow fever-endemic nation.
South Africa Vaccination and Visa Requirements: You do not require a visa if you are staying in the country for less than 90 days, but you will require a yellow fever vaccination if you are from a highly risky place.
Zambia Vaccination and Visa Requirements:
If you come from a yellow fever-threatened country, then you will need vaccination against the disease.
Uganda Vaccination and Visa Requirements:
You need to be vaccinated against yellow fever since it is a threat in the country. Plus, some countries will need a visa to travel to Uganda, so you can either apply for it online or get it on arrival.
Rwanda Vaccination and Visa Requirements:
You need to be vaccinated against yellow fever if you are coming from a yellow fever-endemic country. Citizens from the United States can get a 30-day visitor visa on arrival or get one at the Rwandan Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Namibia Vaccination and Visa Requirements:
You do not need a visa to enter Namibia if you are staying for less than 90 days, but you are required to be vaccinated against yellow fever if you are traveling from a yellow fever-endemic country.
Zimbabwe Vaccination and Visa Requirements:
Tourists to Zimbabwe from yellow fever-endemic countries will need a yellow fever vaccination card. Citizens from the U.S. can get a 30-day single-entry visa at USD 30 or a double-entry visa at USD 45.
Best Africa Safari Tours & Vacations
According to various trip ratings below, we have chosen the most appropriate African safari tours and African safari packages to use for your safari in Africa. However, they can be tailor-made just for you to suit your needs and lifestyle.
6 Days Family Tour and Wildlife in Northern Tanzania Safari—Arusha, Tarangire National Park, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, and Materuni Waterfall.
10 Days Northern Circuit, Tanzania Safari—Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Nairobi, and Maasai Mara National Reserve.
11 Days Family Safari—Great African Adventure in South Africa (Kruger, Cape Town), Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park), and Botswana.
12 Days Family Safari—Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park, Arusha, Amboseli National Park, Lake Nakuru, Maasai Mara Reserve, and Nairobi.
14 Days Adventure, Family, and Wildlife Tour—in South Africa (Kruger, Cape Town), Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park), and Botswana.
16 Days Wildlife and Adventure of Magical Uganda—Entebbe, Jinja, Northern Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
20 Days Adventure, Camping, Wildlife, Local Communities—Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Zambian country, Serengeti in Tanzania, and Maasai Mara Reserve in Kenya.
41 Days Group Tour of Adventure and Wildlife—South Africa (Kruger, Cape Town), Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe (Hwange NP, Victoria Falls), Zambian destinations, Malawi, and Tanzania Safari.
Travel Advisory/Tips for Your African Safaris
Here are the travel tips and information that you may require during your African safari:
Keep the required distance when with the animals to be safe.
In the national parks and reserves, avoid strong smells that attract animals, for example, when you smoke or wear a strong perfume.
Pack only what you need when going for your African safari. Depending on the destination that you are going to, carry clothes that suit the season, whether it be the dry or wet season.
Also, make sure that you have your insect repellent, sunscreen, sturdy shoes for trekking adventures, flashlight, sunglasses, a wide hat, or cape for the sun, a jacket or windbreaker if you are traveling in the winter season, or a rain jacket/poncho if you are traveling in the wet season.
Try to avoid using your phone as much as you can, especially when you are on an experience so that you can fully enjoy the moment.
In case you have any allergies, make sure that you consult your doctor before traveling so he can give you the emergency medications that you will need to travel with. Silence is key to experiencing a lot on an African safari.
African Safari Frequently Asked Questions
Planning to go on African safaris & tours? Carefully read through some of the most popular frequently asked questions about African safari holidays for more information.
What is the average cost of an African safari?
Depending on whether you have come for a budget, midrange, or luxury safari, your African safari will averagely cost about $ 150 and $ 1,500 per person every day.
How Much Does A 7-Day African Safari Cost?
A 7-day African safari will cost about $ 600 to about $10,000 per person, depending on whether they use a budget, midrange, or luxury service.
How Much Does A 10-Day Safari Cost?
A 10-day African safari will cost about $ 1,800 for a budget tour and luxury holidays begin from around $5,000 per person.
What Time of Year is Best to Tour Africa?
The best time to visit Africa depends on where you are going or the experiences that you would like to have. However, the dry seasons of June, July, August, September to October, and December, January, February, and March are usually the best in most regions.
March to May and the month of November are usually heavy rainy months. Even though the rainy season also offers good safaris, the dry season is the best because various animals gather around water sources to drink. Also, the vegetation usually becomes thinner, thus making game viewing easier.
However, it is also the peak season for most African safaris, where the costs of accommodation and other services go higher.
Best Tour Company For Your African Safaris
We recommend Splendid African Safaris as the best tour company and the following are trustworthy and professional tour operators to choose for your African tours.
We Only Work With the Best African Safari Travel Agents. We are affiliated with trustworthy and professional travel agents from all over the African continent to help you with your tours to different African destinations.
Thus, we can help with guiding your trips and tours to these various destinations.
Where We Stay on Safari
There are various safari lodges and hotels in tourist destinations in different countries, ranging in budget, mid-range, and luxury.
Regardless of your location, we will assist you in locating accommodations that align with your unique preferences and lifestyle. This may include amenities such as all-inclusive services, air conditioning, and African architecture, among others.
Which African Country Has the Best Safaris?
Various African countries will give you unique experiences on your tour, as you will get to go for game viewing, bird watching, viewing spectacular scenery, or cultural tours.
However, various tourists and operators approve of Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania, South Africa, and Uganda as having the best safaris on the African continent.
Where Is The Safest Safari In Africa?
Almost every African country is safe to travel to. However, the safest countries to travel to in the African continent include Botswana, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Lesotho, Namibia, Zambia, Seychelles, and Mauritius.
What Safari Is Best For Family Tours?
Kruger National Park is the most family-friendly park on the African continent. Both a family safari and a romantic getaway African safari package offer the best itineraries for families.
Is Kenya or Tanzania better for safari?
Kenya is better for safaris compared to Tanzania. Unlike Tanzania, which is better in enormous wildlife views, luxury safaris, and the unique Baobab species of trees.
Kenya is suitable because of the developed infrastructure and the more accessible safari lodges from budget, midrange, and luxury.
African tours will give you the thrill of wilderness safaris in peaceful, remote places while enjoying authentic game viewing and ancient cultures.
Whether you are a solo or group traveler and you are ready to plan your African trip, contact and book with us today for authentic experiences.
Popular Safari Parks For African Safaris
Serengeti National Park in Tanzania
Serengeti National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site also referred to by many as the number one African destination. The protected area is famous for the captivating wildebeest migration that occurs between the park and the Masai Mara National Reserve.
You will also see thousands of zebras, antelopes, and other wild animals in the park. In February, there are newborn wildebeests in the southern sector of the park and they can join in the migration soon after they have been born.
Ruaha National Park in Tanzania
This amazing wildlife destination in Tanzania gets its name from the Hehe word, which means “river”. Various animals are protected in this park, including gazelles, impalas, waterbucks, jackals, cheetahs, lions, and hyenas, among others.
The various birds to also see in this place include the pale-billed hornbill, racket-tailed roller, crested barbet, and the Dickson’s kestrel, among many others.
Nyerere National Park in Tanzania
Formerly called Selous Game Reserve, Nyerere National Park was established as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 because of its diverse animal species, namely, African lions, African bush elephants, the East African wild dog, black rhinos, Hippopotamus and crocodiles, among others. More so, the park is an amazing birdwatching destination with birders watching various bird species.
Katavi National Park in Tanzania
This is one of the largest national parks in northern Tanzania with a very high number of Cape Buffalo species. You can enjoy a walking safari, guided by an armed ranger or local guides and you can also do your amazing self-drives in the park.
Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya
The Maasai Mara National Reserve connects with Serengeti NP to facilitate the great wildebeest migration. Masai Mara Reserve at the Rift Valley is among the most famous African safari places where you can see the wildebeests, the big five, cheetahs, and wild dogs.
Explore this Masai Mara reserve through amazing game drives and scenic views of the grasslands, woodlands, and rolling hills. You can best see the wildebeest migration between Tanzania and Kenya between August and October.
Laikipia Plateau in Kenya
Laikipia Plateau protects a large number of wildlife animals, including giraffes, Grevy’s zebras, black rhinos, and wild Dogs. This plateau plain is great to explore while on a camel, a horse, or on a walking safari. It is also an amazing destination for photographic tours and experiences.
Chobe National Park in Botswana
Chobe National Park in Botswana is an amazing game-viewing destination in Southern Africa. The park in Northern Botswana is famous for spotting lions for their high population that mostly preys on the elephant calves. There is also a large number of Cape buffalo in this protected area and various bird species for birdwatchers.
Okavango Delta in Botswana
This UNESCO World Heritage Site consists of various lakes and rivers that are connected, making it have permanent marshlands and plains that flood seasonally.
You can also see various animals around the delta, including the white and black rhinos, crocodiles, lions, and Cheetahs. It is also an ideal birdwatching destination for bird enthusiasts.
Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana
An African safari to Moremi Game Reserve usually occurs as part of the Okavango Delta tour, and it is known as the world’s 1000th UNESCO World Heritage Site. This reserve is an easy spot to view four of the big five that you can see during your African safari.
These are the lion, buffalo, elephant, and Rhino. There are also over 400 bird species to see in the reserve and amazing scenic adventures during a Mokoro canoe ride or a walking safari.
Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana
One of the popular game reserves in Botswana was designated in 1961 as a home for the Bushmen tribes. Central Kalahari Game Reserve occupies about 10% of the country’s land, which is an area of 52,800 square kilometers. It is thus the second largest reserve in the world and you can see other game like wild dogs and various bird species.
Kruger National Park in South Africa
Kruger National Park is recognized to be one of the best game viewing destinations in the African continent, especially if you want to easily spot the big five, which are the lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and Buffaloes. Birders will also awe at the over 500 bird species in the park. June to September is the best time to visit the park.
Sabi Sand Game Reserve in South Africa
The reserve sits next to Kruger Park and is favorable for game drives and African safari walks. Sabi Sand is great for viewing the big five and other animals, including lions, white rhinos, and cheetahs.
The reserve is also one of the best for night game drives to see nocturnal animals such as aardvarks, civets, and bush babies. To have a great experience, it is best to visit this destination in the low winter season from May to September.
Hluhluwe Game Reserve in South Africa
This is among the oldest game reserves in South Africa, rich in both amazing plants and animals. It is rich in various wildlife species, including mammals, reptiles, and birds, some of which you can spot at the Hluhluwe River.
You can also explore the big five animals in the park or connect to have a more extensive wildlife safari in Mkhuze Game Reserve.
Mala Mala Game Reserve in South Africa
This is the biggest reserve in South Africa and home to the big five. It borders Kruger Park, thus favoring an easier connection to the park.
At the reserve, you will be able to see and explore animals such as wild dogs, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, hyenas, and giraffes, among others.
Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe
Mana Pools in Southern Africa is famous for the vast elephant population, although you can also spot lions, wild dogs, and elephants.
It is a great place to experience the wild through its camping adventures, especially next to the Zambezi River, where you can also do canoeing and walking safaris. Game drives are also a magnificent experience in this place.
Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls, a unique natural beauty, is one of the must-not-miss destinations while you are on an African tour.
This stunning Victoria Falls, one of the world’s seven natural wonders, offers breathtaking views, serves as a natural habitat for animals, and sustains the surrounding vegetation year-round.
South Luangwa National Park in Zambia
The Zambian South Luangwa National Park is also a rich place to experience Africa’s wildlife, including endemic species like the Crawshay’s zebra and the Thornicroft’s giraffe.
Get to also experience the great sight of some of the big five, like the lions, elephants, and Leopards. You can visit this destination in the dry season between July and October, as many of the animals will gather around the water holes to drink.
Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia
The Zambian Lower Zambezi National Park is another destination to experience the unique African wildlife.
Even though there are no rhinos due to poaching, you can still explore various wildlife, including the big five and various bird species, for example, the Southern Ground Hornbills, Blacksmith Lapwings, and African Jacanas.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in East Africa is the most famous destination for mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda, protecting almost half of the global total population.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site has boundless ecosystems, from the unique Albertine Rift endemic birds to peculiar plants and other wild animals.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most famous park in Uganda for its abundant wildlife alongside the legendary Murchison Falls National Park.
The varied landscape of the park, including sweeping savannahs, crater lakes, wetlands, forests, swamps, and mountains, makes it home to a variety of wildlife species.
Kibale Forest National Park in Uganda
Referred to as the “primate capital of the world,” Kibale Forest National Park in Uganda is not just the easiest place in East Africa to spot chimpanzees, but also 12 other species of primates.
The Kibale Forest National Park is likewise a paradise for various forest birds that enthusiastic birders will be delighted to see.
Etosha National Park in Namibia
This Namibian desert park is famous for its pan that is so large that you can see it from space. However, you will also get to see the various animals living in Etosha National Park, including the Black Rhino species and White Rhinos that were just reintroduced.
The big five are also present and you can enjoy the spectacular scenery of the arid, sweeping savannahs and the dolomite hills.
Northern Damaraland in Namibia
This is one of the most remote, less populated areas of the African continent, where you can see various animals such as the black rhino species, Hartmann’s mountain zebras, lions, and the rare desert-adapted elephants.
At Damaraland, you can also explore the rock art at Twyfelfontein, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Contact us for the ultimate Africa safaris and we shall expertly arrange a custo-made private African safari experience
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