6 Best Places to Visit in Africa on Safari
Wildebeest migration at the Mara River
Safaris plunge you into untamed wilderness, with a sense of tranquility, surprise, and unexpected luxury found at the following six best places to visit in Africa on safari.
The African continent could fit the entirety of the United States within its borders more than three times and the opportunities to explore are endless across East and Southern African countries, home to vast game reserves and enormous national parks.
The following information offers you a guide to the best places for an African safari to capture the authentic spirit of culture and celebrate the wonders of the wild.
1. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
The Serengeti National Park captures most visitors’ preconceptions of what an African safari will be.
It is home to an extravagant number of wildlife, including the world’s largest concentration of mammals. Sporadic rocks rise suddenly out of the flat panorama, used by lions to survey the landscape, while animals like zebras and gazelle graze on the hundreds of miles of unbroken grassland.
The Serengeti acts as the setting for marvelous game viewing with distinctive ecosystems that support wildlife's movement across the plains, rivers, and woodlands. With as many as two million mammals living in the park, highlights include Serengeti Great Migration safaris, as well as huge numbers of eland, topi, waterbuck, zebra, and gazelle.
Highlights: Serengeti Great Migration • Eland • Topi • Waterbuck • Zebra • Gazelle
Recommended length of stay: 4-5 days
Learn more: Serengeti Safaris
2. Masai Mara National Park, Kenya
Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Gazing across the Masai Mara, one of Kenya’s top places to visit, is like stepping into a storybook safari experience, with endless plains interrupted by sporadic groups of rocks.
Lions roam across the landscape to survey their kingdom, while wildebeest graze in abundance. The rich gathering of animals like gazelle and zebra support the remarkably high concentration of predators, giving the national park more big cats per square mile than anywhere else.
The Masai Mara is one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations, known for crocodile-infested waters and galloping herds of migrating wildebeest. Whether on a hot-air balloon safari or in a private concession, some of the highlights of the Masai Mara include Great Migration safaris, migratory birds, leopard, lion, and cheetah.
Highlights: Masai Mara Great Migration • Migratory Birds • Leopard • Lion • Cheetah
Recommended length of stay: 4-5 days
Learn more: Masai Mara Safaris
3. Okavango Delta, Botswana
Okavango Delta, Botswana
The Okavango Delta, one of the best places to visit in Botswana, is a phenomenal oasis in the heart of the Kalahari Desert. The unique diversity of the desolate surroundings give way to blues and greens of the swelling Okavango River and its tributaries.
The natural wonders of the labyrinthine channels sprout reeds for the ultimate canoe excursions, game drives, and walking safaris. Thousands of islands rise out of the waterways and support the unique image of bounding lions through the water and over 400 recorded bird species.
The wild game at the Okavango Delta generally wanders around the fringes of the canals connecting the main park to outlying private concessions, giving its entirety a tranquil and secluded feeling. Some of the main highlights include elephants, Nile crocodile, lion, leopard, and greater kudu.
Highlights: Elephant • Nile Crocodile • Lion • Leopard • Greater Kudu
Recommended length of stay: 3-4 days
Learn more: Okavango Delta Safaris
4. Kruger National Park, South Africa
Kruger National Park, South Africa
The Kruger National Park is one of the oldest and largest national parks in all of Africa and among the best places to visit in South Africa.
Not only is the scale remarkable, but the varied biospheres of the park provide an excellent setting for diverse wildlife such as rhinos, lions, and giraffes. The grand size of Kruger also gives you access to exceptional experiences like the immense carved valleys, wild scenes of predators, and the authentic ambiance of the wilderness.
The beauty of Kruger stems from the wilderness and wildlife, with unfenced borders shared with private luxury game reserves that expand its ecosystem by 30 percent. The breadth of the landscape gives you access to incredible highlights like elephants, white and black rhino, lion, and 500 bird species.
Highlights: Elephants • White Rhino • Black Rhino • Lion • 500 Bird Species
Recommended length of stay: 4-5 days
Learn more: Kruger National Park Safaris
5. Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park is a collection of majestic peaks and impenetrable forests. Lush bamboo trees and rainforest drape the five steep volcanic mountains known for supporting elusive troops of mountain gorillas.
The stunning landscape only heightens the experience of a walking safari, as guides lead you through the protected landscape in search of endangered and secluded wildlife. The tallest mountain in Volcanoes National Park reaches over 14,763 feet above sea level for an adventure in search of rare wildlife hidden within the jungle terrain.
Some of the highlights you can find in Volcanoes National Park include gorillas, golden monkeys, forest elephants, and Rwenzori double-collared sunbirds.
Highlights: Gorillas • Golden Monkeys • Forest Elephant • Rwenzori Double-Collared Sunbird
Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days
Learn more: Rwanda & Uganda Gorilla Trekking Guide
6. South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
South Luangwa National Park is an underrated destination that captures the fantastic diversity of an African safari.
The bumpy and rough roads lead to endless action, from the riverbanks to the forest, with walking safaris, game drives, and some of the world’s best birding. Whether witnessing herds of elephants splash in the river or finding vultures circling in the sky over a lion’s latest hunt, South Luangwa rarely disappoints.
Stalking leopards, rowdy buffalo, and barreling hippos only scratch the surface of South Luangwa’s endless activity. The protected lands offer access to one of Africa’s most iconic visions of untamed wilderness, with highlights including elephant, puku, Lillian’s lovebirds, Thornicraft’s giraffe, and Coke’s hartebeest.
Highlights: Elephant • Puku • Lillian’s Lovebirds • Thornicraft’s Giraffe • Coke’s Hartebeest
Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days
Learn more: Zambia Safaris
Explore the Best Places to Visit in Africa on Safari
Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
The best places to visit in Africa on safari offer so much, from luxury lodges and immaculate environments to the world’s best wildlife experiences. Discover where our African safari specialists can take you in our sample African safaris and tours, customized to your unique travel interests and goals.
To find out more about the best time to visit Africa for safari, as well as what to expect from a day on safari and more, explore the insight and advice in our African safari travel guide.
