Africa Travel Guide
Overview of popular African destinations
So you want to visit Africa, but you are not sure where to start. Where should you go? Which game reserves? What is Cape Town like? What is the Garden Route and is it worth visiting? Should we go to Kruger Park or Okavango Delta? Or both? This destination guide is designed to help you with these kind of questions, by giving an overview of top African travel destinations, tourist regions and game reserves. For now, our focus will be on destinations in Southern Africa.
Some of the most popular destinations in Southern Africa include Cape Town, the Kruger National Park, and Victoria Falls. Other regions you may want to include in your itinerary are the Okavango Delta, Garden Route, the Panorama Route, Chobe National Park and various other game reserves. You will not be able to see it all in one trip, so read through our travel guides below, which give you a summary of each region and destination, to help you decide where you want to go.
Happy planning!
Overview of Countries
Botswana
Botswana is arguably the world's best safari destination. Here you will find some of Africa's largest and wildest game reserves with landscapes ranging from semi-desert to forest; from dry savannas to watery swamps, all teeming with wildlife. There are hundreds of safari lodges in Botswana, most situated in prime safari areas and priced in US$.
More in the Botswana travel guide.
South Africa
South Africa is Africa's most visited country, and is known as the "world in one country". If you travel to South Africa, you have the opportunity to see Africa's magnificent wildlife, sunny beaches, vibrant cities, rich culture and history, and breathtaking nature. From deserts to forests, from mountains to beaches, from grasslands and wetlands to the dry savanna of the Kruger National Park, South Africa is known for its natural beauty and scenic splendour.
More in the South Africa travel guide.
Kenya
Kenya is arguably the most famous East African Safari destination - most likely by virtue of its bygone days of decadent colonial lifestyles immortalised in colourful books and movies like “Out of Africa” and “White Mischief”. It’s also one of the favourite areas to watch the world-famous Great Migration that takes place every year (Masaai Mara) and it’s recognised as one of the premier ‘beach and bush’ safari and seaside destinations.
More in the Kenya travel guide.
Namibia
Famous for its arresting desert scenery and outstanding game viewing, Namibia is one of Southern Africa's top travel destinations. Its most captivating attraction, the ancient Namib Desert, presents endless ochre dunes and parched salt pans, whilst the game viewing gem of Etosha National Park offers a world-class safari experience. Natural wonders include the Fish River Canyon, Etosha Pan, Sossusvlei, Waterberg Plateau and the fertile Caprivi Strip.
More in the Namibia travel guide.
Zambia
Independent, with a healthy economy and warm, welcoming people, Zambia is one of the undiscovered jewels of Africa. Apart from the world-famous Victoria Falls and nearby adventure and activity centre, Livingstone, it has a wealth of lesser-known, pristine national parks which are home to a huge variety of wildlife.
More in the Zambia travel guide.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a unique and exciting safari destination, popular with many safari "regulars". Often overlooked because of the political turmoil of the last decade, Zimbabwe is now making a comeback as one of the premier African safari destinations offering good value, uncrowded safaris and beautiful, remote wildlife experiences.
More in the Zimbabwe travel guide.
Tanzania
Tanzania in East Africa is one of the top safari destinations in Africa. Tanzania's vast Serengeti National Park is the scene of the annual Great Migration, a breathtaking wildlife spectacle which every serious safari enthusiast should observe at least once in a lifetime. Equally unique is the famous Ngorongoro crater, home to unparalleled numbers of wild animals. It is easy to combine a safari in northern Tanzania with a tropical beach holiday on Zanzibar island, just off the coast of Tanzania. And for the serious traveller, the wild and remote southern region offers beautiful national parks which are relatively untouched by development and human settlement, with huge game reserves such as Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park.
More in the Tanzania travel guide.
Overview of Game Reserves
Kruger National Park
The Greater Kruger National Park is South Africa's premier safari destination: it's the largest wildlife conservancy in Africa, set in one of the most accessible yet unspoilt wilderness areas in South Africa. It encompasses the Kruger National Park and a number of adjoining private reserves which share unfenced boundaries with the park; including Sabi Sand, Timbavati, Klaserie and Balule Game Reserves, which are home to a wide variety of private game lodges, each with its own brand of style and luxury.
More in the Kruger National Park travel guide.
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Ngorongoro Crater Region
Ngorongoro Crater is a Tanzanian ‘must-see’. Situated within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a vast park of spectacular beauty, this caldera, or 'collapsed-in' volcano has created a mini game reserve with many habitats in a very small area. This provides home to an incredibly diverse range of birds and animals, including the Big Five, in a concentrated space.
More in the Ngorongoro Crater Region travel guide.
Lake Manyara National Park
The spectacular alkaline Lake Manyara forms the centre point of this small and very beautiful, park with surprisingly diverse fauna and flora. A circuit drive through the park passes through forest, wetlands, grassy plains and acacia forests, each offering views of different animals and multitudes of birds. Elephant, hippo, giraffe, tree-climbing lions and baboons are just a few of the game that call Manyara ‘home’.
More in the Lake Manyara National Park travel guide.
Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is traversed by the Tarangire River, which never dries up. Being the only source of water during the dry season (July to October), it draws hundreds of animals to the park, making for a wildlife and bird viewing spectacular. The landscape is varied, with grassy savannah plains, swamps, hills and spectacular baobabs.
More in the Tarangire National Park travel guide.
Arusha National Park
Don’t be fooled by the fact that the Arusha National Park is small (552 km2). Within its borders it has a diverse range of topography and wonderful wildlife. From the rugged peaks of Mount Meru to the marshy depths of the Ngurdoto Crater where warthog wallow, to monkey-filled montane forest and rolling grassy hills on which giraffe and zebra graze, there’s plenty to see here.
More in the Arusha National Park travel guide.
Maasai Mara National Park
It's said that you won't find a greater abundance of game anywhere in Africa, as you will at the Maasai Mara. Apart from the Big 5, you're likely to see a bigger variety and sheer numbers of wildlife - like the annual wildebeest migration, involving over 1,5 million animals.
More in the Maasai Mara National Park travel guide.
Mana Pools
Mana Pools in northern Zimbabwe is one of the few wilderness areas where it's possible to explore on foot (either guided or on your own) or by canoe. Roads are few and far between so game driving is by 4x4. It's a pristine, unspoilt paradise, with abundant game, spectacular scenery and an incredible variety of birds.
More in the Mana Pools travel guide.
Kwando / Linyanti Area
This vast, unspoiled wilderness area in Botswana's northern region comprises the extensive Kwando/Linyanti River System. Game rich and very scenic, this area is more remote than some of the other game reserves in Botswana, offering private, informal safaris without any of the restrictions of national parks: night/game drives, bushwalks, off-road game drives, canoe and mokoro gameviewing and even horse-back safaris.
More in the Kwando / Linyanti Area travel guide.
Balule Private Game Reserve
Balule Private Game Reserve is a collection of private game farms and reserves with no fences between them, allowing for free movement of game throughout the 2 million hectare Greater Kruger conservation area. The perennial Olifants River flows through the centre of the reserve, which attracts a wide variety of wildlife to this plentiful water supply.
More in the Balule Private Game Reserve travel guide.
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Hwange National Park
Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe's largest and most popular game reserve; arguably the best safari destination in Zimbabwe. There is a wide variety of habitats and vegetation types, including dry Kalahari-type bushveld, mopane shrubland, acacia savanna, huge open grasslands, vast wetlands and teak forests. This diversity attracts a variety of wildlife, making Hwange an excellent choice for an African safari. It’s also close to Victoria Falls and the two destinations can easily be combined in one safari itinerary.
More in the Hwange National Park travel guide.
Klaserie Game Reserve
Officially proclaimed in 1972, Klaserie Game Reserve shares unfenced borders with Kruger National Park, yet is completely privately-run. Klaserie is very involved in all aspects of nature conservation. You'll find a variety of safari lodges here, ranging from rustic bush camps and walking trails to luxury game lodges. Klaserie offers a tranquil, private and unhurried safari experience. Guest numbers are kept to a minimum and lodges are small and intimate.
More in the Klaserie Game Reserve travel guide.
Madikwe Game Reserve
Madikwe is one of South Africa's popular Big 5 safari destinations for those looking for a malaria-free safari. It's especially family friendly as there's no need for malarial prophylactics. Most lodges in Madikwe Game Reserve welcome children and offer specially-designed child-friendly programmes to keep the little ones busy and to help them really enjoy their safari experience, too.
More in the Madikwe Game Reserve travel guide.
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
The Sabi Sand Game Reserve is adjacent to the Kruger National Park. It is a collection of privately-owned game reserves which have dropped their fences by mutual agreement. There is also no fence between the Sabi Sand Game Reserve and the Kruger National Park, allowing the free movement of animals through the reserve. It is known as South Africa's top luxury safari destination, and the best place in the world for viewing leopards in the wild.
More in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve travel guide.
Chobe National Park
The Chobe National Park is one of the most popular and most accessible game reserves in Botswana. Situated in the far north of Botswana, Chobe includes the Savute area which is known for high concentrations of lions and elephants, and of course the Chobe River floodplain, where herds upon herds of animals gather in the dry season between May and October. The game reserve is most easily accessed from Kasane, a town just to the east of the park on the banks of the Chobe River, close to the border with Zimbabwe and, of course, Victoria Falls.
More in the Chobe National Park travel guide.
Moremi Game Reserve
The Moremi Game Reserve is one of Botswana's best wildlife destinations. The lodges in the Moremi Game Reserve typically offer a combination of 4x4 game drives as well as boat trips on the waterways of the Okavango Delta. Moremi is a Big 5 reserve, although currently only Chief's Island, deep in the delta, has rhinos after a successful rhino reintroduction program. In other parts of Moremi, you can expect to see elephant, buffalo, lion and possibly leopard and wild dog as well. Cheetahs are rare but they do occur here. General game includes giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, kudu, lechwe, puku, hartebeest, sable antelope, impala, waterbuck, baboon and monkey, warthog and of course hippo and crocodile, to name just a few.
More in the Moremi Game Reserve travel guide.
Timbavati Game Reserve
The Timbavati Game Reserve is most famous for its white lions, which are still spotted in this area from time to time. The Timbavati is a collection of privately-owned game reserves which share an unfenced boundary with the Kruger National Park. It is a vast Big 5 game reserve situated to the west of Kruger, and to the north of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. The bush and game viewing in the Timbavati is similar to what you will find in the Kruger National Park.
More in the Timbavati Game Reserve travel guide.
Overview of Travel Regions
Kruger National Park
The Greater Kruger National Park is South Africa's premier safari destination: it's the largest wildlife conservancy in Africa, set in one of the most accessible yet unspoilt wilderness areas in South Africa. It encompasses the Kruger National Park and a number of adjoining private reserves which share unfenced boundaries with the park; including Sabi Sand, Timbavati, Klaserie and Balule Game Reserves, which are home to a wide variety of private game lodges, each with its own brand of style and luxury.
More in the Kruger National Park travel guide.
Zanzibar
Zanzibar is an archipelago made up of 50 islands, the two largest being Zanzibar (or Unguja, as it is locally known) with its historic centre, Stone Town; and Pemba Island (to the north-east). Referred to as the ‘Spice Islands’, the history here harks back to ancient trade routes. Indo-Arabic influences intertwine with the Swahili origins of this, the ‘Spice Island’, and the sights, sounds and aromas give an air of romance and headiness. Whether you’re looking for the noise and busyness of the historic cobbled streets of Stone Town, or the peaceful beaches and warm Indian Ocean offering dhow trips, excellent diving and more – Zanzibar is idyllic.
More in the Zanzibar travel guide.
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Serengeti Migration Area
The Greater Serengeti Migration Area refers to a huge area that incorporates a number of national parks, including Serengeti and the Ndutu region of Ngorongoro. Vast plains, rolling hills, volcanic mountains and forested areas make for breath-taking scenery. Add to that abundant wildlife and the annual circular migration through the region of millions of wildebeest, zebra, antelope (and their predators), and you have the perfect safari setting.
More in the Serengeti Migration Area travel guide.
Lake Kariba
Matusadona National Park is situated on the shores of Lake Kariba. It offers superb wildlife viewing and birdlife - and is one of the few parks in Zimbabwe where you'll find the Big 5 (black rhino). It also has the highest concentration of lion in Zimbabwe. It's a great safari destination for game viewing - by houseboat, canoe or boat, and on foot, preferably with an expert guide. The roads are rough and gruelling and 4x4 vehicles are required.
More in the Lake Kariba travel guide.
Garden Route
The Garden Route is the coastal area between Mosselbay and Port Elizabeth along the southern Cape coast of South Africa. It is known for its beautiful scenery, mountains, rivers, lakes, forests and beaches. A number of interesting, laid-back coastal towns add character to the Garden Route, including Knysna, Wilderness, Plettenberg Bay, Nature's Valley, Sedgefield and, of course, George with its regional airport.
More in the Garden Route travel guide.
Panorama Route
One of South Africa's most scenic areas, The Panorama Route refers to the escarpment in Mpumalanga Province, where the Drakensberg mountains separate the Highveld from the Lowveld to the east. Studded with numerous waterfalls, spectacular viewpoints and geographical phenomena and a breathtaking canyon, it's understandably a popular tourist destination.
More in the Panorama Route travel guide.
Related Trip Ideas Victoria Falls, Cape Town & Kruger Safari - 12 Days
Combine these three top travel destinations in Southern Africa on this popular 12-day trip idea - Victoria Falls, Cape Town and the Kruger National Park. You can swap the order of destinations around, change the duration and choose accommodation according to your budget and wish-list.
More about Victoria Falls, Cape Town & Kruger Safari - 12 Days