8 top safari destinations in Africa

With countless incredible game reserves to explore, picking the ultimate African safari adventure is a challenging task for any traveler.

From the iconic Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the untamed Kalahari Desert in Botswana, here are eight of Africa’s most breathtaking national parks.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Serengeti National Park embodies the Africa of your dreams, with endless grasslands, towering acacia trees, and vast herds of wildlife roaming freely across the plains.

The Serengeti is home to the Great Migration (typically from June to July and January to February), a breathtaking wildlife event where over two million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle follow the rains in one of nature’s most incredible spectacles.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Serengeti offers stunning predator encounters similar to those of Kenya’s Masai Mara (part of the same ecosystem), with lion and cheetah hunts often happening in solitude, far from other safari vehicles.

While the vast plains may test the patience of some visitors between sightings, the sense of being a small speck in the vast African wilderness is what makes the Serengeti so special.

For first-timers: Beginners to safari might want to start their Tanzania journey with a day or two at Ngorongoro Crater, where the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard) are often visible in a single morning drive. After that, the Serengeti can be enjoyed as the ultimate bonus.

For seasoned travelers: Take your time in the Serengeti to truly absorb its magic, especially in less-traveled spots like Namiri Plains or around the Grumeti River. For an alternative to the Serengeti, consider Tanzania’s Selous Game Reserve, renowned for exceptional lion and wild dog sightings.

For more details on safaris in Tanzania, visit Safari Bookings.

Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda

Kidepo Valley National Park may be one of the most stunning parks across all of Africa.

With the vast plains of Kidepo and Narus Valleys framed by the dramatic backdrop of Mount Morungole, the sacred peak of the enigmatic Ik people, this park is captivating for its scenery alone.

Add incredible wildlife sightings and minimal tourist crowds, and you have an unbeatable combination.

The fierce Kidepo lions hunt the roaming herds of over 4,000 buffalo (with a park population around 13,000) and you’ll frequently spot elephants majestically moving through the valleys.

The park’s remoteness deters many, but the 12-hour road journey from Kampala or a pricey private flight is a small sacrifice to uncover one of Africa’s true hidden treasures.

For first-timers: If the long journey to Kidepo doesn’t appeal, Murchison Falls National Park offers dramatic waterfalls and excellent wildlife viewing from boat safaris, making it a great alternative.

For seasoned travelers: Even those who have experienced everything else Africa offers will find Uganda to be a top destination for primate watching. Observing gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a transformative experience, and chimpanzees can be tracked on foot at Kaniyo Pabidi.

For more details on Uganda safaris, visit Natural World Safaris.

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Hwange National Park is arguably one of Africa’s most overlooked wildlife destinations.

As Zimbabwe's largest national park (covering nearly the same area as Hawaii), Hwange is believed to have more mammal species (108 in total) than any other national park on Earth.

With the highest concentration of large land animals anywhere, Hwange sees so few visitors that its massive elephant population (around 46,000) outnumbers international tourists by almost 200 to one.

Hwange is also a hotspot for predators, home to “super prides” of lions with more than 20 members (strong enough to hunt young elephants), along with hyenas, leopards, and the fascinating painted dogs.

For first-timers: Pair your visit with a relaxing lakeside stay at Lake Kariba or a beginner-friendly safari at Zambezi National Park, where you can spot elephants, giraffes, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, and even lions, all just a stone’s throw from the iconic Victoria Falls.

For seasoned travelers: Mana Pools National Park boasts a remarkable density of wildlife, and its canoeing and walking safaris (guided or self-guided) provide an adrenaline rush for even the most seasoned wilderness adventurer.

For more details on Zimbabwe safaris, visit African Bush Camps.

Samburu National Reserve, Kenya

Often overshadowed by the more famous Masai Mara, Samburu National Reserve offers a more untamed and authentic Kenyan safari experience.

The Samburu people (often confused with the Maasai to the south) offer a similarly rich cultural experience in what was once Kenya’s Northern Frontier District, where few villages receive many visitors, and the Samburu’s legendary hospitality remains as welcoming as ever.

In addition to the iconic wildlife sightings that attract visitors to southern Kenya, Samburu National Reserve is also home to the lesser-known but equally impressive ‘Samburu Special Five,’ which includes the Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, and the graceful gerenuk antelope.

For first-timers: The Masai Mara National Reserve, often dubbed “the greatest wildlife real estate on Earth,” is an essential destination for any wildlife enthusiast.

Instead of staying in the heart of the (unfenced) park, consider booking a stay at a private concession, where you can enjoy exclusive experiences like walking safaris and night drives, offering a more intimate wildlife encounter than the typical Mara camps.

For seasoned travelers: The Matthews Range, a 150-kilometer stretch barely known to most, is a “biological bonanza” – a lush, jungle-covered “island in the sky,” where you can walk among lions, buffalo, and the highest density of melanistic black panthers in the world.

For more details on Kenya safaris, visit Porini Safari Camps.

Kalahari Desert, Botswana

Known to the San Bushmen as Kgalagadi, or 'The Great Thirstland,' the Kalahari Desert is a place where Africa reveals its raw, untamed nature.

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve, covering 52,800 square kilometers, is a remote and challenging destination. Due to its dry conditions, wildlife here is more dispersed compared to other major parks in the region.

This is a land brimming with adventure. Imagine encountering majestic gemsbok amidst the shimmering mirages of Deception Valley, or camping near the powerful roar of a local lion pride in Tau Pan (meaning Lion Pan)—experiences that evoke a deep sense of privilege.

The reserve has no facilities, so you'll need an experienced tour operator skilled in leading 4x4 convoys to navigate this rugged region.

The challenges of logistics are always outweighed by the unmatched thrill of this unforgettable adventure.

For first-timers: To truly grasp Africa's diversity, there's no better combination than a two-stop safari—exploring the shimmering pans of the Kalahari and the vast wetlands of Okavango. Moremi Game Reserve offers the most accessible safari experience, with abundant wildlife in the delta.

For old hands: Northern Tuli Game Reserve is one of Southern Africa's hidden treasures. Here, you can embark on mountain biking, walking, or even horseback riding through stunning mopane and fever tree forests, all while observing herds of up to 400 elephants and some of the world's finest leopard sightings.

For more details on safaris in Botswana, visit Safari Bookings.

South Luangwa National Park and Kafue National Park, Zambia

South Luangwa National Park, Zambia’s premier wildlife destination, is beloved by safari enthusiasts for its serene, uncrowded landscapes and its astounding wildlife concentration.

In contrast, the vast Kafue National Park, which is twice the size of South Luangwa, entices seasoned safari-goers with remarkable lion and leopard sightings and an extraordinary variety of antelope species, many of which are hard to find elsewhere.

Except for rhinos, the Big Five are quite common here. Lions and cheetahs are frequently spotted hunting across the Busanga Plains, while leopards and painted dogs can sometimes be seen from a boat on the Lufupa River.

Zambia, alongside Zimbabwe, is famous for having some of the world’s best safari guides. Visitors can enjoy walking safaris and night drives—experiences that are rare in many other national parks across the continent.

For first-timers: Sometimes, the best experiences are found in smaller places. Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, one of Zambia’s tiniest, is more like a sanctuary than a traditional park, yet it harbors the Big Five and offers a wealth of other attractions, including the chance to walk alongside white rhinos.

For old hands: Lower Zambezi National Park delivers breathtaking views of hippos and enormous crocodiles from the unique perspective of a canoe on the majestic Zambezi River.

For more details on Zambia safaris, visit Zambia Tourism.

Etosha National Park, Namibia

While Namibia may not boast the wildlife density of its neighbors, it offers exceptional opportunities to spot desert-dwelling species, as well as perhaps the best chance to witness cheetahs in their swift, graceful action across the landscape.

Etosha National Park is undoubtedly the highlight of Namibia's wildlife offerings, but it can become quite crowded during the dry season (from July to September) when animals gather near the waterholes.

With affordable camps, well-maintained roads, and tracks, Etosha is an ideal destination for self-drive safaris. The floodlit waterholes, like Okaukuejo in the southwest, provide a rare chance to observe lions, hyenas, and even black rhinos after dark.

For first-timers: Skeleton Coast National Park is famous for its numerous shipwrecks scattered along a 500-kilometer stretch of eerie desert dunes. While not a traditional wildlife park, it offers a rare chance to witness massive colonies of Cape-fur seals and herds of migrating desert animals.

For old hands: The Zambezi Region (formerly known as the Caprivi Strip) serves as a natural crossroads for wildlife from Namibia, Zambia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. However, it's a challenging safari best tackled in a 4x4 convoy.

For more details on Namibia safaris, visit Safari Bookings.

Kruger National Park, South Africa

Enormous Kruger National Park (roughly the size of Israel or Wales) offers something for every type of safari-goer.

Kruger is renowned for its wide range of wildlife, including the Big Five, with around 1,500 lions and vulnerable rhinos. Its well-maintained road network ensures access to most parts of the park, even for two-wheel drive vehicles.

Often criticized as a 'tame wilderness' due to its paved roads and excellent infrastructure, Kruger National Park stretches 414 kilometers from Crocodile Bridge in the south to Pafuri Gate in the north. For a more authentic wilderness experience, it is recommended to venture further into the park's less-explored northern trails.

For first-timers: Kruger is one of the most affordable and accessible major parks in Africa for independent travelers with a rental vehicle. Adjacent to Kruger, the Sabi Sand Game Reserve shares a 50-kilometer unfenced boundary and offers exceptional wildlife viewing, including what is considered the best leopard sightings on the continent.

For experienced travelers: Phinda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal is renowned for its excellent cheetah sightings, massive leopards, the rare opportunity to spot both black and white rhinos, and a bird list of over 400 species.

For more information on South Africa safaris, visit Safari Bookings.