Together, we will discover the Top 20 African safari destinations that offer an unmatched opportunity to see animals. Get ready for an amazing vacation.
Africa is a continent that appeals to both adventure seekers and wildlife enthusiasts due to its various landscapes and wealth of exotic creatures. Among the various African safaris, below are the popular wildlife destinations to keep in your bucket list.
1. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Take in the amazing spectacle of the Great Migration, which cannot be found anywhere else on Earth. The park’s vast savannahs are home to an amazing variety of animals, including the elusive cheetah and lions and elephants.
Northern Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park is well-known for the enormous zebra and wildebeest migration that occurs there every year.
The herds leave their breeding areas in the verdant southern plains and head north in search of fresh forage. Many pass over the crocodile-infested Grumeti River in the marshy western path. Others head northeast to the black eagle’s home, the Lobo Hills. The granite outcrops of the Moru Kopjes are home to black rhinos.
2. Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Immerse yourself in the unique blend of wildlife and Maasai culture at the Maasai Mara National Reserve. A protected savannah wilderness located in southwest Kenya, near the Tanzanian border, is known as Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, and hippos are among its fauna. Its plains are traversed by wildebeest on their yearly migration. The Mara and Talek rivers cut through the region, which consists of undulating hills and green plains. There are numerous Maasai villages (enkangs) in the surrounding area.
3. Kruger National Park, South Africa
Kruger National Park stands as a safari destination to South Africa’s commitment to preserving its rich biodiversity.
Home to an impressive variety of flora and fauna, including the endangered African wild dog, a journey through Kruger is a captivating exploration of nature’s wonders.
Kruger National Park, in northeastern South Africa, is one of Africa’s largest game reserves. Its high density of wild animals includes the Big 5: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalos. Hundreds of other mammals make their home here, as do diverse bird species such as vultures, eagles and storks. Mountains, bush plains and tropical forests are all part of the landscape
4. Okavango Delta, Botswana
In northern Botswana, there is a large inland river delta called the Okavango Delta. Wide open grassy plains that periodically flood and transform into a lush animal home are its most notable feature.
The region’s east and center are occupied by the Moremi Game Reserve. In this area, hippos, elephants, and crocodiles are passed by using dugout canoes. Rhinos, giraffes, lions, and leopards are among the animals found on dry land.
5. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Situated in the Ngorongoro District of the Arusha Region of northern Tanzania, Ngorongoro Conservation Area is both a protected area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The region has the name Ngorongoro Crater, which is a huge volcanic crater in the region. The conservation area is overseen by the Tanzanian government’s Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority, and its borders correspond to those of the Ngorongoro District in the Arusha Region.
This natural amphitheater shelters an impressive concentration of wildlife, creating an unparalleled setting for game viewing. It’s a microcosm of Africa’s diverse ecosystems in one breathtaking location.
The Great Migration, a vast yearly migration of millions of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, and other species, takes place in the region that unites the two parks and Kenya’s Maasai Mara game reserve.
The western section of the park borders the Serengeti National Park. One of the most significant paleoanthropological sites in the world, Olduvai Gorge, is also located within the protection area.
6. Chobe National Park, Botswana
The first national park in Botswana, Chobe National Park boasts the most biological diversity. It is the third-largest park in Botswana, behind Gemsbok National Park and Central Kalahari Game Reserve, and is situated in the country’s north.
Lions in Chobe National Park are well-known for preying on elephants, namely calves and juveniles as well as subadults.
Large herds of Cape buffalo and elephants are widely recognized for flocking along the Chobe Riverfront during the dry months. The forests and lagoons surrounding Linyanti Marsh are home to lions, antelopes, and hippos.
Along with zebra migration, the Savuti Marsh’s floodable grasslands are home to a wide variety of bird species.
7. Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Not only is the breathtaking Victoria Falls one of the world’s seven natural wonders and a destination on many people’s bucket list, but it also serves as the entry point to a number of top-notch wildlife parks that provide some of the best safari experiences in all of Africa.
The 56 000 acre Zambezi National Park offers breathtaking scenery as it runs alongside the Zambezi River and is only a quick 15-minute drive from the town center.
A range of exotic species, including buffalo, warthog, zebra, giraffe, elephant, hyena, various antelope, crocodile, hippo, leopard, painted dog, lion, and many more, can be seen on game drives within the park, which are conducted by very experienced guides.
Activities include canoe excursions, fishing, bird viewing, camping for the night, and having picnics at approved locations along the river. If you want to remain in cozy lodging inside the park and then take day trips into Victoria Falls town, the park also has some of the most breathtaking hotels.
8. Amboseli National Park, Kenya
One of Kenya’s most popular parks is the Amboseli National Parks, which is overlooked by Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak. Amboseli, which means “salty dust” in Maasai, is one of the best sites in Africa to get up very close with big herds of elephants.
Views of the top and the plains and wetlands of the park may be seen from Observation Hill. Here, nature enthusiasts can study five distinct ecosystems, including the savannah, woods, wetlands with sulfur springs, and the dried-up bottom of Lake Amboseli.
They can also get a taste of real Maasai culture by going to the Maasai community that is near the park.
9. South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
The jewel of eastern Zambia is the South Luangwa National Park. Locals refer to it as just “the South Park.” It was first established in 1904 as the Luangwa wildlife Park and changed its name to one of three wildlife reserves in 1938.
The magnificent park is located between 500 and 800 meters above sea level and spans an area of roughly 9050 square kilometers on the floor of the Luangwa Valley. This wonderful game-rich park has an abundance of spectacular and fascinating topography, with the Muchinga Escarpment enclosing its western and northwest boundary and the meandering Luangwa River lining its southern border.
There is a lot of wildlife in South Luangwa National Park. Hippos are often crammed into the river inside the Mfuwe Gate entry. There are hundreds of kinds of birds living in the wooded savannah.
Paths that go from the park’s lodges pass rare Thornicroft’s giraffes, herds of elephants, and baobab trees. When darkness falls, the leopard population is located using spotlights.
10. Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe’s largest natural reserve is Hwange National Park. With a total area of about 14,600 sq km. Situated just off the main route between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls, it is located in the northwest of the country. African wild dogs, lions, and sizable herds of elephants live on its grasslands and mopane forests.
Animals gather at the Mandavu and Masuma dams in the northwest, where hiding lookouts can be found. Bumbusi National Monument has 18th-century ruins and pre-colonial rock carvings. Waterholes like the Nyamandhlovu Pan, with its raised viewing platform, can be found in the southeast.
11. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Return to the Masai Mara National Reserve for a deeper exploration of its intricate ecosystems. The reserve’s diverse topography ensures a captivating safari adventure, unveiling the beauty and complexity of the circle of life in the animal kingdom.
Situated near the Tanzanian border in southwest Kenya, the Maasai Mara National Reserve is a conserved savannah habitat. Elephants, zebras, hippos, lions, and cheetahs are among its wildlife. During their yearly migration, wildebeest cross its grasslands.
The Mara and Talek rivers cut across the region’s lush plains and undulating hills. Maasai communities, or enkangs, are scattered over the surrounding area.
12. Etosha National Park, Namibia
One of the biggest national parks in Africa is Etosha National Park, which is located in northwest Namibia. Friedrich von Lindequist, the Governor of German South West Africa, declared it a game reserve in March 1907 with Ordinance 88. In 1958, it was named a Wildschutzgebiet, and in 1967, the Republic of South Africa’s parliament passed an act granting it national park status.
It was called after the large Etosha pan, which is nearly totally included within the park, and covers an area of 22,270 km2. The Etosha pan, which spans 4,760 km2 (1,840 sq mi), makes up 23% of the national park’s overall area.
Hundreds of species of mammals, birds, and reptiles can be found in the area, including numerous rare and threatened species like the black rhinoceros. In Namibia in 2022, poaching claimed the lives of sixty-one black rhinoceroses, 46 of which were in Etosha.
13. Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania
With an area of 54,600 square kilometers made up of open woods, grassy plains, mountains, and forests, the Selous Game Reserve is the largest protected wildlife reserve on the African continent.
Frederick Selous Courtney, a renowned hunter and explorer, is honored by having this reserve bear his name. Safaris in the Selous are highly recommended; the reserve is three times larger than the Kruger National Park in South Africa and twice the size of Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park.
Established in 1922, this reserve was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 due to its unspoiled natural surroundings and abundant species diversity.
In 2019, the Tanzanian National Park Authority (TANAPA) recommended and announced renaming the northern portion of this reserve as The Nyerere National Park in remembrance of President Julius Nyerere, Tanzania’s first president.
Although the exact limits of Nyerere National Park are still being determined, it is thought that the park will include the photographic sector located in the reserve’s northern section and extend all the way to the River Rufiji wilderness area in the reserve’s southern region.
Within this national reserve, one can find a variety of wildlife mammals, including roughly 145,000 buffalo, 4,000 lions, 100,000 wildebeests, large herds of giraffes, 35,000 zebras, 40000 hippos, 250,000 impalas, numerous Lichtenstein’s hartebeests, waterbucks, elands, and bushbucks, as well as hyenas, leopards, and crocodiles.
In addition, this is one of the few wildlife reserves in Africa where you may see sable antelope, African wild dogs, and puku antelope. This game reserve also is home to over 445 different birds species like fish eagle, carmine, ibises and palmnut vultures and many more in the various habitats within the reserve.
14. Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa
For an exclusive safari experience, Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa beckons with its private lodges and abundant wildlife. Indulge in luxury while surrounded by the untamed beauty of the African bush.
Madikwe Game Reserve is a conservation area that borders Botswana and is located in South Africa’s North West Province. Elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and endangered wild dogs are among the many species of animals that call the reserve’s grasslands, forests, and rocky Tshwene hills home.
Ostriches, vultures, and the massive kori bustard are just a few of the hundreds of bird species around the Madikwe Dam, animals frequently flock to drink around twilight.
15. Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
Escape the crowds and explore the hidden gem of Southern Tanzania, Ruaha National Park. This off-the-beaten-path destination offers a serene safari experience, with rugged landscapes and a thriving population of elephants, lions, and more.
Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park is a national park which derived its name from the Great Ruaha River, which stretches along its southeast border and serves as the main destination for seeing wildlife.
There are two airstrips in the park the Jongomeru Airstrip, which is close to the Jongomeru Ranger Post, and Msembe Airstrip, which is located near Msembe, the park headquarters. The park is accessible by car by a dirt road from Iringa.
The park is home to around 571 different species of birds. Hornbills are among the local species. A lot of migratory birds come to the park. The park is home to a number of other noteworthy creatures, including sable antelope, spotted hyena, giraffe, hippopotamus, African buffalo, and East African cheetahs, lions, and leopards.
16. Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda
In the northeastern region of Uganda, in the Kaabong District, is the Kidepo Valley National Park, which is close to Karenga. The major town in the subregion, Moroto, is about 220 kilometers (140 miles) northwest of the park via road. The distance, by road, is around 520 kilometers (320 miles) northeast of Kampala, the capital and largest city of Uganda.
Kidepo Valley National Park invites you to the unexplored wilderness of the north. With expansive plains and rugged mountain landscapes, this park is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts seeking a more secluded and authentic safari experience.
17. Tsavo National Park, Kenya
Marvel at the unique red-hued elephants of Tsavo National Park in Kenya. The park’s red soil, combined with thrilling game drives, provides an unparalleled safari adventure in the heart of East Africa.
Tsavo East National Park and Tsavo West National Park are the two distinct parks that make up Tsavo Situated in Kenya’s Coast Province, halfway between Mombasa and Nairobi.
The Galana River traverses arid plains on the slightly larger Tsavo East, which is largely level. Lugard Falls and the Yatta Plateau are other points of interest.
Relative to the other at the East, Tsavo West National Park is more mountainous and damp, featuring wetlands, Lake Jipe, and the Mzima Springs.
It is well-known for its abundant bird life as well as its huge mammals, which include the Masai lion, Black rhino, Elephant, Leopard, and Hippo. Other smaller creatures that can be seen in the park are the Maasai giraffe, lesser kudu, hartebeest, and bush baby.
18. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
For a truly extraordinary safari experience, visit the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda. Trek through lush jungles to encounter endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for wildlife enthusiasts.
One of the physically diverse places on Earth is the forest. Within its borders exist half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas, an extremely endangered species. Because of the forest’s biological significance, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization has designated it as a World Heritage Site.
There are currently thought to be 120 species of animals, 348 bird species, 220 butterfly species, and 27 frog species in the forest. Yellow-backed duikers and forest elephants are among the mammals.
The most well-known primates inhabiting the forest are the mountain gorillas, but there are also chimpanzees, blue, l’Hoest’s, red-tailed, vervet, and black-and-white colobus monkeys.
Great blue turacos, black-billed turacos, black bee-eaters, African green broadbills, gorgeous francolins, African black ducks, and Cassin’s grey flycatchers are among the birds that inhabit the forest.
19. Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe
Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe offers a remote and wild safari experience. With its untouched landscapes and diverse ecosystems, the park is a haven for those seeking solitude and a deep connection with nature.
Named “The Place of Elephants,” Gonarezhou is one of Zimbabwe’s most well-known wilderness areas and the country’s second-largest national park.
The Park, which stretches from the Save River in the north to the Mwenezi River in the south, covers 5,053 square kilometers, or over 1.25 million acres. It is home to some of the most stunning scenery in southern Africa, including the renowned Chilojo Cliffs.
20. Limpopo National Park, Mozambique
Embark on a cross-border adventure at Limpopo National Park in Mozambique. This transfrontier park provides a unique blend of wildlife, culture, and stunning landscapes, offering a truly immersive safari experience.
Elephant, lion, Cape wild dog, leopard, rhinoceros, blue wildebeest, spotted hyena, Cape buffalo, mongoose, kudu, giraffe, zebra, oribi, and hippopotamus are among the animal species that make this park home.
Going on an African safari is like traveling through a world of wild beauty and amazing wildlife. Every place, from the famous Serengeti sceneries to the isolated wilderness of Gonarezhou, offers a different combination of experiences that will make a lasting impression on your spirit.
Plan your African vacation with the unique charm of each site in mind, and customize your safari to suit your tastes and interests.
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