Best Wildlife Safari Destinations | Best Countries for a Wildlife Safari

It is not easy to choose a country for your adventure as all countries are rewarding. All the destinations have abundant wildlife and scenery and wherever you go, there is a chance to see Lion prides and the shy Leopard in their natural habitat.

Discover the best countries for your wildlife safaris;

Kenya and Tanzania: Kenya is home to the Masai Mara and Tanzania has the Serengeti plains. Both destinations are world famous for the Great Migration where thousands of Wildebeests and Zebras cross the Mara River to the Serengeti plains.

The highlights here are the annual migration, Big Five, and Flamingoes and the must-see places are the Serengeti, Maasai Mara, Lake Natron, Ngorongoro Crater, and Olduvai Gorge.

Southern Africa: This area offers top wildlife safaris during your African trip. You can visit Kruger National Park of South Africa and you can go off the beaten path in Botswana and Namibia for authentic wildlife safaris.

The highlights are The Big Game, wine tasting, and a mokoro canoe trip through the shallow delta waters. The must-see places are the Okavango Delta, Sossusvlei dunes, Makgadikgadi Salt Pan, and Etosha National Park

Uganda and Rwanda: These offer enchanting Mountain Gorilla trekking and it is the best opportunity to see some of the surviving Mountain Gorillas.

The highlights are Gorillas and Chimpanzees are must-see places are Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Volcanoes National Park especially during a jungle safari.

Zambia and Zimbabwe: On the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, you find the world’s largest waterfall, Victoria Falls. Both countries offer remarkable wildlife safaris for a great adventure.

The highlights include a sunset cruise and a visit to Devil’s Pool and the must-see places are Victoria Falls, Zambezi River, and Hwange National Park.

Top Wildlife Safari Parks in Africa

An African tour trip is an experience of a lifetime that you shouldn’t miss when you visit the continent. For you to enjoy African wildlife safaris, you need to visit the top national parks that will give you the best adventure when you observe wildlife.

Below are the top national parks on the continent;

1. Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park stretches from the East Masai Mara region in Kenya and it offers the best wildlife safaris. It is a famous safari park with amazing wildlife with an unparalleled panorama of vast rolling plains.

Serengeti is one of the destinations that you need to visit as it boasts a variety of wildlife including the Big Five – Elephants, Lions, Rhinos, Leopards, and the African buffalo. This park also has over 500 bird species and carnivores like Cheetah, Hyena, Honey Badger, African wild dogs, and the unique Crawshay’s Zebra.

Serengeti National Park protected area holds the annual Wildebeest migration between June and November and this is categorized as a world natural wonder.

2. Masai Mara National Reserve

Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the popular safari destinations and it was recently ranked as the number one safari park by the World Travel Award. This game reserve sits on the Tanzanian and Kenyan border and it has abundant wildlife.

The game reserve gets its name from the Masai tribe who live within its boundaries. Masai Mara National Reserve is exceptional when it comes to wildlife safari tours as it hosts the annual migration that involves a large population of Wildebeests, Zebras, and Topis.

Tourists can always enjoy hot air balloon safaris and game drives for proper game viewing of the big game during wildlife safaris in the game reserve.

3. Kruger National Park

This is the largest and best safari park in South Africa and it offers the best African wildlife safaris. It is world-famous for family vacations. It is home to the big game as well as other mammal species including species of antelopes, the wild dog, the Giraffe, and the Blue wildebeest.

Kruger National Park is also known as the world’s greatest game viewing area as it offers a truly unique experience. If it is your first time on a wildlife safari, then Kruger National Park will guarantee you a chance to see an amazing variety of wildlife in their natural habitat like the newly introduced Bengal tiger.

4. Etosha National Park

Etosha National Park is located in the northwest region of Namibia and it is famous for spotting several animal species. This park hits differently during wildlife safaris, as animals come to you when in the park.

There are many water holes in Etosha National Park where you can park your vehicle and enjoy game viewing as there are Lions, large herds of Elephants, Gemsbok, Springbok, and many bird species.

Etosha National Park is also renowned for the Big Five and its Rhino conservation as black and white Rhinos were introduced to increase the Rhino population. Etosha National Park is one of the few places, you’ll also see Cheetahs, Caracals, Jackals, and Hyenas.

5. Okavango Delta

The delta covers permanent marshlands, as well as seasonally flooded plains. It is a series of connected rivers and lakes though home to amazing wild animals and bird species.

Some of the animals to see in the Okavango Delta are Elephant herds, Crocodiles, Lions, Rhinos, and other big game. A tour is not complete without a visit to this amazing destination and you can explore the Okavango Delta on a boat ride.

6. Mana Pools National Park

Mana Pools National Park offers unforgettable African wildlife safaris and it is well known for its huge Elephant population. This safari park is also a great destination for adventurous people who want to spot Leopards and Lions.

When in Mana Pools, you can stay in unfenced campsites located in the wilderness and if you want this kind of experience, then choose the accommodation near the Zambezi River for a better experience.

You can also embark on a boat safari and Mana Pools is one of the few places on the continent where you can for walking safaris without a guide. Mana Pools offers walking safaris during wildlife tours with incredible visibility.

7. Mala Mala Game Reserve

Mala Mala Game Reserve is one of the best places to see Lions in their natural environment. It offers the best wildlife trips since it borders Kruger National Park, the largest game reserve in South Africa.

Within Mala Mala Game Reserve, the Big Five thrive together with Cheetahs, Giraffes, and Wild dogs. The best time to see wild animals here is during the dry months, particularly in May.

The game reserve is considered a top destination for photographers and you can spot Lions during the day as they rest in their dens. Bush walks are also memorable in Mala Mala Game Reserve and you get to see Wild dogs.

8. Hwange National Park

Hwange National Park is the largest and most popular park in Zimbabwe and is well known for its animal kingdom as it has over 100 animal species and several bird species.

It is located in the northwestern part of Zimbabwe between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls.

Hwange National Park offers the best tailor-made walking safaris on the African continent and is good for a family tour. You can spot Lions and Elephants while in Hwange National Park in their natural environment.

African wildlife safaris in Hwange National Park are epic as you can enjoy a game drive within the rolling savannah plains.

9. Chobe National Park

Chobe National Park is located in northern Botswana and it has epic wildlife that you can spot during your tours. It consists of the Chobe River where large herds of Elephants gather to refresh and bathe and you can get clear sightings on a boat safari.

Chobe National Park plays host to concentrations of diverse wildlife including Lions, Giraffes, antelope species, Cheetahs, Zebras, Cape buffalo, and over 450 species of bird.

Chobe National Park is divided into four areas: The Serondela area, the Savuti March, the Linyanti March, and the Hinterland.

10. Nyerere National Park

Nyerere National Park formerly called Selous Game Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A game drive is key in Nyerere National Park as it rewards you with views of animals like the African bush Elephant, Lion, Wild dog, and Black Rhino.

Nyerere National Park has amazing bird species that birders can enjoy watching and also expect to see Hippos and Crocodiles during your boat safari.

A wildlife safari trip is unmissable in Nyerere National Park.

11. Central Kalahari Game Reserve

Central Kalahari Game Reserve is one of the popular game reserves in Botswana and it is home to the Bushmen. This game reserve is the second largest reserve globally and it is a great option for those who want to see the Big Five.

You will probably see a few Wild dogs and many bird species.

12. Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park was proclaimed a national park in 1964. African wildlife safaris are amazing in Ruaha National Park since it is off the beaten track destination.

It is home to diverse wildlife like Impalas, Waterbucks, Gazelles, Lions, Hyenas, and Jackals. Wildlife safari trips are great in Ruaha as they are a great option to see large predators since it is home to ten percent of Africa’s Lions.

The bird life of Ruaha National Park is unmissable because it has colorful bird species.

13. South Luangwa National Park

South Luangwa National Park is taken to be one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world and is almost similar to the Maasai Mara of Kenya and Chobe National Park as it has untamed wilderness.

There are several animals around the Luangwa River and it has oxbow lagoons which are among the most intense in Africa.

South Luangwa National Park is famous for walking safaris as they originated here and it is one of the best ways to experience Africa’s pristine wilderness.

There are about 60 animal species including the Crawshay’s Zebra and the Thornicroft Giraffe and over 400 different bird species in the South Luangwa National Park.

The Thornicroft Giraffe is only native to the South Luangwa National Park.

What Do You Want to See the Most?

A tour in Africa is rewarding with many attractions though the main goal will be the wilderness or flora and fauna.

The Big Five

Seeing the Big Five is a dream come true for tourists on a tour. You get to see Lions roaring in the wilderness, Leopards hunting for their prey, Elephants marching along the marshy banks, the African Buffalo grazing the savannah, and glimpses of Rhinos.

The Great Migration

This is an annual event where millions of Wildebeest, Zebra, and species of antelopes make their way from the Serengeti plains to Maasai Mara. Tourists on a wildlife safari trip can hope to witness this with clear sightings. You can get a glimpse of the migration according to the seasonal movements of the animals.

The Flamingos

You can enjoy the bird life at Lake Natron. This lake is found of algae that is harmful to animal species and the water can burn human skin though this has not stopped the flamingos from habiting the lake.

You will find a large population of lesser flamingos hanging out on the serene waters of Lake Natron.

Best Time for a Wildlife Safari in Africa

African wildlife safaris are remarkable at any time of the year though there are two seasons.

Dry Season

Mostly from May to October

Many countries have two seasons. The dry season is when there is little, or rainfall expected. During this time most of the water sources are dry and animals roam in the savannahs and congregate on the remaining water sources making it excellent for a wildlife safari.

However, this is also the peak season, and visiting becomes costly but it is the best time to visit. During the day, the weather is mild and pleasant, but the evenings can get a little chilly.

It is also the ideal time for boat trips as the water levels are low making navigation easy.

Wet Season

November to April

During this time, expect rain and some countries experience short bursts of intense rain. This time is good for scenery viewing as green is coming back again and also bird watching is amazing.

Usually, the wet season is the calving season. Remember that this is the low season and visiting for wildlife safaris is less costly and it is ideal for travelers who are on a budget.

Top African Wildlife Safari Tour Packages/ Our Top Wildlife Safaris

How Much Does an African Safari Cost?

African safaris cost anywhere between $125 and $1,500 per person per night. A budget tour averages $150 per night, mid-range $350, and luxury $750. The extreme top safaris can easily go up to $1,500 per night.

Is Safari Africa Expensive?

The cost of a trip depends on your budget and the type of tour that you want to engage in. The price mostly depends on when and where you want to go. However, expect to pay anything between $125 to $1,500 per person per day.

How Much Does a Safari in Africa Cost?

A trip in Africa costs anywhere between $125 and $1,500 per person per night. A budget tour averages $150 per night, mid-range $350, and luxury $750. The extreme top safaris can easily go up to $1,500 per night.

What Part of Africa Is Best for Wildlife?

East and Southern Africa have the best wildlife tours on the continent and in the world. These parts are blessed with a large population of wildlife that you can explore during wildlife safari trips.

All the Big Five are present with large herds of Elephants, the Black Rhino, Lion, African Buffalo, and the elusive Leopard and you see these on wildlife safaris.

Which African Country Has the Best Safari?

Tanzania is the world-famous country for safaris. This country boasts some of the most world-renowned national parks, especially if you want to see the Big Five during wildlife safaris.

What Safari Is Best for Families?

Most safaris are family-friendly and good for a family vacation or a romantic getaway. Kruger National Park of South Africa is said to have the best tour for families. You can always enjoy a jungle safari and see an amazing variety of animals and birds.

Which Is the Best Month to Go on An African Safari?

The best months to go on African safaris are from December to February and from June to August as this is the dry season, animals congregate at water sources making animal viewing easy during wildlife safaris.

The wet season is also good for scenery viewing as the green lush environment is coming back to life and bird watching is also unmissable during this time.

What Is the Average Cost of an African Safari Trip?

The average cost of African safaris depends on your budget. However, you can expect to spend between $125 and $1,500 per person per day.

Is Kenya or Tanzania better for safari?

Kenya is a more popular and affordable tour destination although both destinations offer great wildlife safaris. Tanzania offers many luxury African safaris if you prefer a vacation that feels more glamorous.

Both countries host the great annual migration of animals a natural wonder in the world.

How Long Do the Game Drives Last?

The length of a game drive during wildlife safaris varies, but they normally last for 3 hours. You can expect two game drives a day that is in the morning and the afternoon. Some lodges offer mid-morning and evening drives or at night and this depends on the kind of wildlife travelers want to see.

Is It Safe for A Solo Traveller to Go to Africa?

Yes, it is safe for a solo traveler to go to the African continent as it is safe. However, if you feel nervous, then you can join a group tour to meet people from around the world.

How Can I Find an Affordable Wildlife Safari?

Always for deals from the different tour operators and also mind the season that you want to travel in. During the dry season, wildlife safaris can be costly and cheaper in the wet season.

African wildlife safaris offer endless excitement and a real touch of the African wilderness. You get to explore the diverse wildlife in the different countries of Africa.

Sightings of animals are great during boat trips and game drives, and you will see the Big Five. Find the best wildlife safari in Africa for you when you choose our tour packages that will take you across the African continent.

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