Popular African Safari Destinations

Destinations Overview

Kruger National Park

South Africa's greater Kruger Park includes the Kruger National Park as well as the adjacent private game reserves, such as the famous Sabi Sand and Timbavati Game Reserves. Greater Kruger is by far the most accessible and affordable major game reserve in Africa, with the highest number of mammal species of any national park in the world. It is a fantastic year round safari destination, ideal for a first time safari. The malaria risk here is low, the game viewing is spectacular, and there is a wide range of accommodation and safari options to choose from, for all budgets. Lodges in Kruger are priced in South African Rand, which makes Kruger one of the most affordable safari destinations in all of Africa. Reach out to one of our safari experts to find out about our various Kruger Park safaris on offer.

Okavango Delta

Botswana's legendary Okavango Delta is a wildlife paradise like no other. The Okavango offers both water-based and land-based safari activities, including both day and night time game drives, guided island walks and bush walks, scenic boat cruises, and peaceful mekoro trips (traditional dug-out canoe) through the reed-fringed channels of the Okavango. There are lots of safari lodges to choose from, priced mostly in US dollar. The Okavango is a high end safari destination and best suited to travellers with a generous budget. The various camps and lodges don't all offer the same activities or quality of game viewing. Chat to one of our Botswana safari experts to help you create a Botswana safari itinerary that is perfect for you.

Victoria Falls

The majestic Victoria Falls can be visited from the Zimbabwe side or Zambia side. "The smoke that thunders", as Vic Falls is known by the locals, is one of the most spectacular wonders of the natural world, and the adventure capital of Africa. You can see the falls in a day, but there is so much to see and do in and around Victoria Falls that it's worth spending three or four nights to get the most out of your visit. Surrounded by big five game reserves, Vic Falls offers easy access to other nearby safari destinations such as Chobe National Park in Botswana or Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. Ask one of our African safari specialists about the best way to include Victoria Falls on your African safari itinerary.

Chobe National Park

Chobe National Park in Botswana is a huge and diverse national park that offers phenomenal game viewing in a few distinct regions. The Savute channel is an epic wildlife destination that has been featured in numerous wildlife documentaries. The Chobe river region offers the best boat based game viewing in the world during the dry season, from June to October. Accommodation options range from large resort style hotels along the Chobe river to remote tented camps deep in the bush. Chobe combines well with the Okavango Delta, Kwando and Linyanti regions, as well as Victoria Falls. A popular option is to combine a safari in South Africa with a visit to Victoria Falls and nearby Chobe National Park.

Maasai Mara

Kenya's flagship safari region, the Maasai Mara (sometimes spelled Masai Mara), is the original and quintessential African safari destination. The Mara, as it is known, teems with wildlife and is of course famous for the annual great migration, when over a million wildebeest and zebra make their journey from the Serengeti to the Mara in search of fresh grazing. The migration is a wildlife spectacle like no other, and the best time to see the migration in the Mara is between July and September. The Mara ecosystem includes the Mara triangle, the Maasai Mara National Reserve, and a number of adjacent conservancies managed by the local tribes who live in harmony with nature. Accommodation options in the Mara are plentiful. The sheer abundance of choice can be overwhelming for the first time visitor. Our East Africa safari specialists are experts at making recommendations to suit your budget and interests. Let us craft a personalized safari itinerary that is perfect for you.

Serengeti

The famous plains of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania are home to the great wildebeest migration, particularly between October and June. Seasonal highlights include the annual river crossings over the Grumeti and Mara rivers, as well as the calving season in February. Apart from the wildebeest migration, the Serengeti is home to an incredible abundance of resident wildlife, including Africa's big cats (lion, leopard and cheetah). Serengeti is the jewel of Tanzania's northern safari circuit, and for many it is the highlight of their African safari. Talk to us about where to stay, and how best to combine the Serengeti with other nearby safari destinations such as Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park, and more.

Cape Town

While Cape Town is not known as a wildlife or safari destination, it is the most visited travel destination in Africa, and often ranks as one of the top tourist cities in the world, thanks to the spectacular scenery, friendly people, sunny weather, beautiful beaches, world-class cuisine, vibrant culture, and affordable prices. Cape Town offers a huge variety of activities, including guided tours or self-drive day outings to the Cape Winelands, Cape Peninsula and Cape Point, where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet, Robben Island museum, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, and a visit to the top of Table Mountain for the most famous views in Africa. Cape Town combines easily with the scenic Garden Route, and other popular destinations like the Kruger Park and Victoria Falls are only a short flight away. The best time to visit Cape Town is between September and April.

To learn more about other popular travel destinations in Africa, search for the destination by name in the search bar at the top, or browse through the complete list of African travel destinations via the link below.