10 Amazing National Parks in Africa — From Expansive Deserts to Lush Rainforests and Majestic Mountains

As the second-largest continent globally, Africa boasts a diverse range of landscapes, including national parks teeming with remarkable wildlife, stunning vistas, and thrilling adventures. With over 350 national parks across its 54 countries, choosing which ones to explore can be quite a challenge.

To assist you in planning a memorable journey, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most renowned African national parks — along with a few hidden gems. From ancient deserts to urban mountain ranges and rainforests to savannas, here are 10 of Africa's finest national parks.

Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia

For many urbanites, the ultimate luxury lies in a few days of utter tranquility, expansive landscapes, and starry night skies. Namib-Naukluft National Park in western Namibia offers all this and more. Spanning nearly 20,000 square miles, it stands as the largest national park in Africa. This park encompasses part of the Namib Desert (considered the oldest desert in the world) and stretches along the rugged Atlantic coast, featuring deep canyons and unique wildlife. It is particularly renowned for the towering, rust-red sand dunes of the Sossusvlei area and the iconic Deadvlei clay pan, famous for its striking dead camel thorn trees — a top spot for photography in Namibia.

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

For elephant enthusiasts, Hwange is a must-visit destination. Located near the border of Zimbabwe and Botswana, these countries boast the largest and second-largest elephant populations in the world — with about 45,000 of these majestic creatures residing in Hwange. The prime time to witness these 'super herds' is during the dry season from August to October when they flock to watering holes. Additionally, you can spot lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, and rhinos. A major advantage of Hwange is its proximity to Victoria Falls (and the nearby international airport), allowing you to experience Zimbabwe's largest national park alongside the iconic falls in one trip.

Kruger National Park, South Africa

Kruger National Park is a sprawling expanse that attracts both South Africans and global travelers alike. Located in the far northeast of South Africa, it borders Mozambique and Zimbabwe, spanning 200 miles from north to south over an area exceeding 7,500 square miles. This iconic park is home to the Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffaloes) and offers a variety of experiences for every type of visitor, including luxury safari lodges, camping, self-drive adventures, and walking safaris. While Kruger is often hailed as Africa's most renowned park, you can escape the crowds by exploring the northern section, where expansive fever-tree forests and massive baobabs stand in relative solitude compared to the busier southern areas. Regardless of where you venture, the animals are so acclimated to humans that even shy creatures like leopards may casually approach your vehicle.

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is a premier destination for observing mountain gorillas. The park offers acclaimed gorilla treks that lead visitors from the headquarters into the lush, mountainous forest under the guidance of an experienced ranger. Depending on the gorillas' location during your visit, the hike may take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. Once you arrive, you'll have the opportunity to closely observe these endangered animals as they feed, socialize, and assess their human guests. While Volcanoes has the highest trek fees on the continent—$1,500 per person for a permit—offering luxurious accommodations, it stands out among options like Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in the DRC. Additionally, the park is easily accessible, located less than three hours by car from Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

The term Serengeti evokes images of endless golden plains, cheetahs perched on termite mounds, and throngs of wildebeests crossing the Mara River as part of their Great Migration. Adjacent to Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve, it is often viewed as the less congested of the two renowned destinations, largely due to its expansive size. In addition to its breathtaking landscapes, famous for fiery sunsets with solitary acacia trees, it serves as a fantastic location to witness big cat activity. Cheetahs can sprint freely across the open fields, while leopards are typically comfortable enough to let vehicles approach closely.

Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of the Congo

With nearly 90 years of history since its designation as a national park in 1935—much earlier than many others in Africa—Odzala remains a hidden gem where you might not encounter another tourist. Located in the northwest region of the Republic of the Congo, this park conserves a section of the Congo Basin rainforest, often referred to as the 'second lungs' of the planet after the Amazon. Visitors can enjoy kayaking along the forest’s waterways, walking through serene woods while spotting chimpanzees and elephants, and getting up close with western lowland gorillas, which are smaller and more playful relatives of the mountain gorillas found further east.

Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

Nestled in the southwest of Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park is only a few hours from the previously mentioned Volcanoes National Park, yet its scenery is dramatically different. Instead of volcanic landscapes and dense rainforests, you'll discover lakes, channels, savannas, and sprawling plains. Famous for its tree-climbing lions—an uncommon trait for these big cats—the park is also home to elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and hippos, along with over 500 species of birds. In addition to exhilarating game drives, visitors can enjoy boat excursions along the Kazinga Channel and track chimpanzees in their natural habitat.

Table Mountain National Park, South Africa

Considered the premier urban national park globally, this iconic attraction in Cape Town serves as the city's outdoor haven. The trails weave through the mountains, offering varying levels of difficulty and breathtaking views that can make even the most seasoned Capetonians marvel—whether it’s witnessing the sunrise from Lion's Head or the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean from the Pipe Track. Adventurous hikers can tackle the steep India Venster trail, while those in search of scenic beauty will appreciate the sweeping views of the ocean and Hout Bay from Suther Peak. For a more leisurely experience, enjoy tranquil walks through Newlands Forest or beautiful single-track paths along the mountaintop. Keep an eye out for South Africa's national flower, the king protea, vibrant sunbirds, and perhaps even the elusive caracal, a native wildcat. Not a fan of hiking or biking? A cable car offers a quick ascent to Table Mountain in mere minutes.

South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

South Luangwa National Park is recognized as the birthplace of the walking safari. Nestled in eastern Zambia, the park is divided by the Luangwa River, which serves as a natural meeting point for local wildlife. In addition to boasting one of the highest leopard populations globally, it is also home to lions, elephants, buffaloes, spotted hyenas, Thornicroft's giraffes, zebras, and wild dogs. Birdwatchers will delight in the hundreds of species here, including various eagles, kingfishers, and herons. The park can be explored via 4x4, boat, or on foot, and trekking through the bush while staying in temporary camps is an unforgettable experience.

Pendjari National Park, Benin

Situated in northwest Benin, Pendjari is one of West Africa's prime locations for spotting big game such as lions and elephants. The park also hosts hippos, buffaloes, waterbucks, and hartebeests, with smaller populations of leopards and cheetahs. The dry season is the optimal time to visit, as the park’s dense bush, part of a diverse landscape of woodlands, savanna, and rolling hills, can hinder wildlife sightings during the wet months. With the Benin government prioritizing tourism development, Pendjari is undergoing significant efforts to enhance employment opportunities, improve security, and attract more visitors, under the management of the conservation organization African Parks.