KwaZulu-Natal is one of South Africa's most diverse regions — home to Big 5 safaris, long golden beaches, rugged mountains and living Zulu culture. Whether you're a first-time visitor or returning to explore deeper, we'll help you plan the perfect KZN safari itinerary.
What used to be an area of huge livestock farms is now one of Kenya's best conservation success stories. Ranchers in Laikipia are working with local communities to protect wildlife and generate employment from luxury tourim with fantastic results.
Most of the luxury safari lodges on or near Lake Kariba have their own highly skilled game rangers and trackers who will take you on walking safaris or open safari vehicle game drives inside Matusadona National Park or take you game viewing by boat and canoe.
A circular drive through Lake Manyara National Park passes through forest, wetlands, grassy plains and acacia forests, each offering views of different animals and multitudes of birds.
Undoubtedly the main attraction of Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha is their abundant birdlife, particularly greater and lesser flamingos and other water birds. But the area is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including healthy populations of white and black rhino.
An ideal safari itinerary to Zambia would include its favourite national parks - South Luangwa, well-known for its superb night and day game drives and walking safaris, the beautiful Kafue National Park, and Lower Zambezi, with its different scenery and water-based safari activities like canoeing and fishing. These safari destinations complement each other nicely and each provide a different safari perspective.
Sweeping grasslands, lone acacia thorn trees, stately Maasai warriors clad in red, the wildebeest leaping frantically into the Mara River. These are some of the iconic images of this world-renown safari destination.
The remote and uncrowded Mahale Mountain National Park is most famous for its walking safaris to observe the fascinating chimpanzees in their natural (and very beautiful) habitat. The park also offers far more in the way of other primates, predators and mammals plus incredible varieties of fish and birdlife.
Mana Pools is a pristine, unspoiled corner of African wilderness - perfect for those looking for adventure and a remote safari experience. The scenery is stunning with four perennial pools left over from ancient oxbow meanderings of the mighty Zambezi. It's a perfect safari destination for those who enjoy exploring nature on foot and by canoe. Game viewing by open safari vehicle is also offered.
Part of the Greater Kruger, the Manyeleti Game Reserve shares unfenced borders with three of South Africa's top safari destinations, the Kruger National Park, the Sabi Sand Game Reserve and the Timbavati Game Reserve. And, while the Manyeleti compares more than favourably with all three of its neighbours in terms of the abundance of game and the quality of the safari experience, the Manyeleti remains a hidden gem and something of a secret safari destination amongst safari insiders.
Equatorial Meru is wonderfully scenic. It lay dormant for a long time due to heavy poaching. Now that it has regained its former glory, it has earned its place on the top safari destination charts.
Situated in the central and eastern areas of the Okavango, Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana has a rich and diverse ecosystem. Spectacular bird watching opportunities and the Big Five, make Moremi an unforgettable safari destination.
Mpumalanga Province encompasses the Kruger National Park and the surrounding area, the Panorama Route, and the scenic Lowveld region. Many tours or safaris that include the Kruger National Park will pass through Mpumalanga Province.
While not a safari destination per se, if you're overnighting in Nairobi before or after your safari, there are some excellent wildlife reserves and santuaries worth a visit.
Probably one of Namibia's most-photographed natural attractions, the burnt-red towering sand dunes of Sossusvlei are ancient. The panoramic views of the Namib Desert from the top of one of Sossusvlei's most visited dunes, Dune 45, are spectacular and well worth the 85-metre climb.
Explore Namibia with our tailored tours and safaris. Tours and safaris to Namibia offer a unique and captivating array of experiences across its dramatic landscapes; the iconic red dunes of Sossusvlei, the wildlife-rich Etosha National Park, and the rugged beauty of Damaraland and the Skeleton Coast. Let our experts plan your perfect Namibia safari.
Forming the northwestern area of the spectacular Ngorongoro Conservation Area bordering Serengeti, the Ndutu area is most famous for its part in the Great Migration. Depending on the rain, the herds come down to the fertile grasslands to graze and calve from November to May. There is plenty of resident game all year round, too, including all six species of cat
Ngorongoro Crater is one of Tanzania's must-see places. Incorporated into the vast Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the caldera or collapsed volcano has a floor span of only 260 km². Despite this small size, it includes a diverse range of habitats, providing a home to an equally diverse and abundant variety of birds and animals, including the Big Five; lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino.
With the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater, fascinating archaeological site Olduvai Gorge and lush highlands, the Ngorongoro region is included in many of the popular Northern Safari Circuit safaris in Tanzania. Expect to see geological wonders, archaeological gems and a huge diversity of animals, all set in spectacular scenery that includes vast grasslands and mountainous volcanic highlands.
The Ngorongoro Crater, a caldera or collapsed volcano, is world-renowned for its spectacular scenery and abundance of wildlife. You're almost certain to see all of the Big Five, a wide range of antelope, crocodile, hippo, zebra and critically endangered black rhino on a day trip into the crater. Ngorongoro is a favourite stop on most Tanzanian Northern Circuit safaris and many opt to stay in one of the accommodation spots in the beautiful highland area around Karatu just outside Ngorongoro.
There are three large, malaria-free, Big Five game reserves in North West Province. Pilanesberg National Park, set inside an ancient volcanic crater, and family-friendly Madikwe Game Reserve further north are situated in a transition zone that attracts a large variety of wildlife that is not often found side by side. The Kalahari Conservation Area is characterized by Kalahari bushveld and offers volunteers the opportunity to work on conservation projects with some of Africa's most threatened and endangered species.
Bordering on Etosha National Park to the south, Ongava Game Reserve offers one of the few luxury private game reserve experiences in Namibia. In addition to off-roading, night drives and guided white rhino tracking, Ongava offers game drives in nearby Etosha National Park.
The Panorama Route along the Mpumalanga escarpment is usually visited as an add-on to a safari. If you're travelling between Johannesburg and the Kruger National Park by road, you can detour via the Panorama Route. This will extend the road trip to about 9 hours, so we recommend overnighting along the way. If you don't mind the long road trip and enjoy taking in dramatic scenery, a detour along the Panorama Route is well worth it.
Not far from iSimangaliso Wetlands and the pristine northern KZN beaches, Phinda Private Game Reserve offers a unique safari experience with many diverse wildlife sightings.
Why not chat to one of our safari experts who can answer all your questions and help you design your dream trip to Africa.
