Which Country Offers the Best African Safari?

• The Okavango Delta: a watery maze best explored by mokoro (dugout canoe)
• Chobe River: epic boat safaris with close-up elephant and hippo sightings
• Kalahari Desert: home to black-maned lions and ancient San rock art
• Savuti: known for dramatic predator-prey encounters and elephant herds
• Makgadikgadi Salt Pans: surreal open spaces, meerkats and flamingo colonies
• Mashatu Game Reserve: a private wilderness in the remote eastern corner, known for predator sightings, excellent photographic hides, and off-the-beaten-path adventure

Botswana prioritises conservation over mass tourism, so prices tend to be high — but the payoff is incredible solitude and top-tier guiding. Many safari camps are located in remote areas and can only be reached by light aircraft, which adds to the cost. Safaris are typically priced in US dollars, and most are fully inclusive of game drives, meals and park fees. If you're looking for an exclusive, crowd-free safari in pristine wilderness, Botswana is hard to beat.

• Serengeti's endless savannahs and predator action
• Ngorongoro: the world's largest intact volcanic caldera
• Baobab-studded Ruaha and Selous (now Nyerere NP) in the south
• Mount Kilimanjaro and the beaches of Zanzibar

Tanzania is vast and divided into three distinct safari circuits: Northern, Southern and Western.

• The Northern Circuit — home to Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara and Tarangire — is the most popular, well-developed and easy to access, with plenty of lodge options and regular flights into Kilimanjaro or Arusha. It's ideal for first-time visitors and those wanting to witness the Great Migration.
• The Southern Circuit, which includes Nyerere (formerly Selous) and Ruaha National Parks, offers a wilder, more remote experience with fewer crowds and exceptional game viewing — particularly for elephants, lions and wild dogs.
• The Western Circuit, anchored by Katavi and the chimpanzee strongholds of Mahale Mountains and Gombe, is even more remote and best suited to adventurous travellers looking for something different.

Safaris in Tanzania are typically guided, lodge-based or mobile, and priced in US dollars. Charter flights between camps are common, especially in the south and west. Due to its size, distances between parks can be long, so a fly-in safari is often the most efficient way to explore. It's a good idea to plan your itinerary carefully around the seasons and migration patterns — and to book well in advance for peak months like July to October.

• The golden savannahs of the Masai Mara, home to the Great Migration and iconic Big Five
• Amboseli National Park, famed for close-up elephant encounters with Mt Kilimanjaro as a backdrop
• Flamingo-covered Lake Nakuru and nearby Lake Naivasha, rich in birdlife and photogenic landscapes
• Laikipia Plateau, a conservation success story with rhino sanctuaries and rare black leopard sightings
• Tsavo East National Park, known for its vast herds of elephants, buffalo and classic wide-open plains
• Mount Kenya, Africa's second-highest mountain, offering hiking and stunning scenery
• Kenya's Swahili Coast, where safari meets Indian Ocean beaches and centuries-old cultural heritage

Kenya's safari industry is well developed, with excellent infrastructure, experienced guides and a wide range of safari styles — from luxury lodges to mobile tented camps. However, some parks, especially the Masai Mara, can feel overcrowded during peak Great Migration months (July to October). For a more peaceful experience and better value, consider travelling during the shoulder seasons.

But what is the Masai Mara like outside of migration season? It's still absolutely worth visiting. The Mara has abundant resident wildlife year-round — including lions, cheetahs and elephants — and fewer vehicles means quieter sightings and dramatic skies after the short rains. Read more in our blog: The Masai Mara — Is it worth visiting outside of migration season?

Distances between parks can be long, so most safaris include scheduled flights between major hubs like Nairobi, the Mara, Laikipia and Amboseli. Safaris are typically priced in US dollars, and some lodges are seasonal — so it's a good idea to book early and check park conditions if travelling during the wet season (March to May).

• Victoria Falls: breathtaking views and adrenaline activities
• Zambezi River: perfect for canoe and fishing safaris
• Ancient ruins at Great Zimbabwe
• Remote gems like Gonarezhou and Matusadona
• Lake Kariba: vast floodplains with eerie mopane tree skeletons dotting the shores

Zimbabwe's tourism is rebounding, and visitor numbers are still relatively low — meaning fewer crowds and more intimate wildlife sightings. English is widely spoken, and the guides here are among Africa's finest. We recently returned from a week in Zimbabwe to mark Wild Wings Safaris' 20th anniversary — and to reconnect with what first inspired us: the joy of discovery, learning, and sharing Africa's hidden gems. From the misty magic of Victoria Falls to golden sunsets in Hwange, Zimbabwe delivered unforgettable moments without the crowds. It reminded us why this country, still under the radar for many, is one of Africa's most rewarding safari destinations.

• Kruger National Park: massive and convenient to reach
• Drakensberg Mountains and the Panorama Route
• Cape Town and the Garden Route
• Marine Big Five viewing: whales, sharks, seals, dolphins, penguins

South Africa is one of the few safari destinations with malaria-free game reserves, making it a popular choice for families, first-time safari-goers and seniors. Top malaria-free options include:

• Greater Addo region in the Eastern Cape, home to Addo Elephant National Park and nearby private game reserves — perfect for spotting elephants, lions and other Big Five species in a compact, easy-to-navigate area.
• Tswalu Kalahari Reserve in the Northern Cape, one of Africa's largest private reserves, offering exclusive access, unique desert-adapted wildlife and rare sightings like pangolin and aardvark.
• Madikwe Game Reserve, near the Botswana border, is Big Five territory and known for its strong populations of wild dog and rhino — all within a malaria-free zone.

International flights frequently arrive in Cape Town or Johannesburg, both excellent starting points for a combined trip. Spend a couple of days exploring Cape Town's beaches, winelands and Table Mountain, or fly to Kruger National Park for a classic 3-day Big Five safari with easy access from Johannesburg. Many travellers pair a South Africa safari with a visit to Victoria Falls — a popular multi-country itinerary that's easy to arrange thanks to good regional flight connections.