Safari trips in Africa are not in short supply and the question is not how but where?
Finding the best safari trips in Africa is all about figuring out your priorities. Then simply focus your research around it.
“Best safari” could mean wildlife, landscapes or staying at the ultimate luxury lodge.
Choose between the wet plains of Botswana, the dry deserts of Namibia and the lush mountains of Tanzania. Each are full of big cats and wild game such as lions, elephants, and hippos.
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Or why not kick-start your research by focusing on the wildlife you would like to see. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to see a black rhino, mountain gorillas or tree-climbing lions in the wild.
Some species are only found in particular regions while others are more prevalent in certain parks.
So if it’s all about wildlife for you, find which park is best for the animals you’d like to see.
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To help you plan your dream safari, I’ve put together a list of my personal favourites. Enjoy amigos…
Best Safari Trips in Africa
Tanzania
- Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater
Botswana
- Okavango Delta
- Chobe National Park
Namibia
- Etosha National Park
Uganda
- Queen Elizabeth Park
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Best Safari Trips in Africa
Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater
When looking for the best safari trips in Africa, there is no better place to start but here in Tanzania.
These two national parks offer a huge array of landscapes, wildlife and price packages. So you really cannot go wrong!
Accommodation ranges from basic bush camping to the finest safari lodges with sprawling views across this famous African terrain.
And the quantity of must-see species that live here is incomparable to any other safari I’ve experienced.
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I started my Tanzanian safari with a morning game drive at the Ngorongoro Crater.
The descent into the volcanic crater is simply breathtaking. Once inside, there is plenty of wildlife to look out for.
We ticked off wildebeest, zebra, flamingoes, hippos, waterhogs, serval cats and lions… mating.
We even spotted the critically endangered black rhino through our binoculars. What a moment!
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That afternoon, we drove through the Ngorongoro conservation area which is home to the Masai tribe.
We then had an afternoon game drive at the Serengeti where a cheetah came right up to our jeep.
The next morning we were greeted by hyenas at the gates to the park at 6am.
In the end, I was lucky enough to see the big five and all of the Serengeti’s big cats. This included lions, leopards and cheetahs – my favourite.
The Serengeti really was the gift that kept on giving! I cannot recommend it enough <3
It is one of the very best safari trips in Africa without doubt.
Okavango Delta
If landscapes are your bag, Botswana’s Okavango Delta should be at the top of your list of Africa’s best safari trips.
Watch out for hippos, crocs and pelicans as you drift through the waterways of Botswana. Local polers steer you through the wet plains in a traditional mokoro boat.
We opted for an overnight stay at the Okavango Delta where we camped on an island and cooked on an open fire.
Villagers offered sunset and sunrise bush walks where we saw zebra, antelope and giraffe – wandering just metres from our campsite.
It was incredible to think we had set up camp among so many amazing wild animals.
Before retiring to our tents, we were also treated to a campfire singing and a theatre performance under the stars.
Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park is Africa’s ultimate water safari. Here you can watch animals come to life across the water plains of Botswana.
You cannot help but feel fully immersed in the magic that takes place on the Botswana flatlands, home to Africa’s largest elephant population.
With many boats to choose from, we opted for a small vessel with an open top deck, perfect for landscape photography.
We scoured the water for hippos, watched elephants bathing their young and spotted crocs, antelope and buffalo along the water bank during a delightful three-hour cruise.
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With the laid back atmosphere of Botswana, we were also able to bring our own cool box onto the boat full of snacks and refreshments. Cheeky bonus.
Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park offers a unique desert landscape as the backdrop to your African safari.
For me its winning feature is the Okaukuejo Camp watering hole where you can watch elephants and rhinos come to drink at night.
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Be prepared to be blown away by the stunning scenery and pastel tones of Namibia’s desert safari. It is the land of endless sands, silver thorn bushes and pastel blue skies.
Lions nestle under dry branches in search of shade, zebra stand like statues in the baron landscape and giraffes pierce the horizon.
The desert is so flat, it is often possible to jump out of your jeep and take photos in the sand.
But the best thing about Etosha is Okaukuejo Camp which has a 24-hour viewing platform overlooking a watering hole.
Here you can watch all different types of wildlife come to drink at night. Truly sensational and one of my best travel moments of all time.
Queen Elizabeth Park
Queen Elizabeth Park is Uganda’s most visited park. It is also home to the country’s famous tree climbing lions.
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Have lunch at the park’s crater lake and watch out for buffalo, antelope, elephants, leopards, lions and chimpanzees on your game drive.
In the park’s Ishasha district, you can also find lions lazing on tree branches – if you’re lucky.
Scientists say these crafty cats have perfected the art of climbing trees as a way of escaping the overwhelming heat at ground level.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The gorilla safari tour at the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of my most treasured travel experiences.
The forest is just a few hours’ drive from Queen Elizabeth Park.
Tour operators often offer the two together as a package. This is the option I went for and the one I would recommend if you have the cash.
TRAVEL TIP: Gorilla safari tours are half price during rainy season. So if your dates are flexible, you could save some serious dollar!
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The impenetrable forest really lives up to its name. Be prepared to hike along steep cliffs and through dense jungle.
Expert rangers guide you through the forest with machetes to hack their way through.
They work in the area every day and are excellent at tracking the magnificent mountain gorilla.
And this completes my best safari trips in Africa
Africa has so many great safari options on offer, each with its own unique selling point. So research is crucial when trying to find the best safari trips.
So my fellow adventurers, drop me a message with your questions. I’d love love love to help!
Have I missed out your favourite African safari? Let me know in the comments below.
I want to do them all
Beautiful blog post.. thanks for sharing