The Best Safari Countries to Visit in Africa
Africa continent has a lot of best countries where you can go on safari holiday. We’ve put together a list of 5 of them where you can enjoy world-class African safari tours.
Find inspiration here to help you decide which African safari country is the best one for you.
Visit Tanzania – experience “the Great Migration”
If you go on safari holiday in Tanzania, you can look forward to experiencing the amazing Serengeti National Park. The Serengeti safari offers every opportunity for you to spot lions, leopards, African elephants, rhinos and buffaloes, known collectively as “the Big 5”. Serengeti national park is also where you can witness the Great Migration, when up to two million gnus, zebras and gazelles migrate from Serengeti to Masai Mara in Kenya in their search for green pasture and water.
Tanzania is still a relatively new safari holiday destination compared to countries such as Kenya.
The impressive landscapes give you the sense of experiencing the wilderness – especially if you visit the Ngorongoro Crater, which is the remains of a collapsed volcano.
Can be combined with: a relaxing beach vacation on the gorgeous island of Zanzibar, located off the coast of Tanzania.
Besides its white, sandy beaches and azure sea, Zanzibar is known for its spices. So don’t forget to take some exotic spices home with you from “Spice Island”!
A Tanzania safari can also be combined with a beach holiday in Mombasa, Kenya or climbing mount Kilimanjaro, which is also located in Tanzania.
Tanzania safari tours is for those who: wish to experience amazing nature and wildlife. The chance of spotting “the Big 5” and “the Great Migration” in Serengeti National Park is high. Click here to view our safari tour to Tanzania.
Visit Kenya – The world’s largest concentration of wildlife
In general, Kenya is the better know African safari destination, but consequently most of its prime parks and game reserves are considerably busier than across the border in Tanzania. Masai Mara is the name of the Kenyan section of the Serengeti ecosystem, located in Tanzania. In August, September and October, Masai Mara National Park is home to one of the world’s largest concentrations of wildlife. This happens when “the Great Migration” ends up in Masai Mara before heading back to Tanzania – something you simply have to experience!
In Kenya safari, you might also spot “the Big 5”. In addition to all the wild animals on the savannah, you can also experiance a wide variety of birds, by Lake Naivasha, for example.
If you wish to meet the locals, you should be sure to visit to a Maasai village. The Maasai are a proud people that that honours its traditions. They still live as their ancestors did more than 300 years ago. They measure their prosperity by the number of cows and wives they have, and live off the milk and meat of their own cattle, among other things.
Can be combined with: a fabulous beach vacation in Mombasa which, besides being a metropolis, is also an important and lively port on the Indian Ocean. Kenya safari experience can also be combined with a beach vacation on the wonderful island of Zanzibar.
Kenya safari tours is for those who: wish to go on safari holiday at one of Africa’s classic safari destinations offering great variety in terms of its nature and wildlife, including “the Big 5” and “the Great Migration”.
Visit South Africa – diverse and child-friendly
If you have never been on Africa safari before, South Africa is the perfect destination. It is known to be a culturally and ethnically diverse country, with Dutch, Chinese and Indian influences, to name but a few. In fact, South Africa often goes under the name “Rainbow Nation”.
You can also experience this diversity in the country’s national parks.
South Africa’s trump card is undoubtedly Kruger National Park. The huge safari park, which is almost the size of Wales, gives you ample opportunity to discover the best Africa has to offer. Located in north-eastern South Africa, the Kruger park contains no fewer than 146 different types of mammals (including “the Big 5”), 520 bird species, 120 reptiles and just under 2,000 different plants.
In the southern part of South Africa lies the Kariega Valley. Not only does the valley boast beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife, but it is also completely malaria-free country, making this destination an obvious choice for families with children, pregnant women or others who do not wish to take malaria medicine. The Kariega Valley also offers a large number of animals, including “The Big 5”.
Can be combined with: a city break in Cape Town, beach vacation in beautiful Mauritius or outdoor experiences at Victoria Falls in Zambia.
South Africa safari tours is for those: travelling with families and children. South Africa is also ideal for holidays where several generations are travelling together. What’s more, The destination offers great diversity in terms of its nature and wildlife, national parks and experiences.
Visit Namibia – a land of contrasts
Namibia is a unique African safari destination, where you will find outstanding scenery filled with contrasts.
A safari holiday in Namibia means a visit to the world-famous Etosha National Park, considered one of the best places to experience Namibia’s wildlife. The park consists of Etosha Pan – a vast salt plain covering 5,000 km2. The salt plain, which is a dried lake, is said to be visible from space.
It is especially good to visit Etosha park in times of drought, as the animals gather around the few remaining waterholes during this period. The Park is home to unique animals that have adapted to its rugged nature, such as desert elephants, which can go for up to 3 days without water, and the Kalahari lion, which has distinctive black tips on its brown mane.
Namibia holiday also offers unique nature and culture. In the Kalahari Desert, you will find the world famous red sand dunes in Sossousvlei. Namibia is also where you will find the Twyfelfontein sandstone cliffs, which house more than 2,500 rock engravings. The fascinating engravings date back 6,000 years, and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Namibia holiday can be combined with: Cape Town in South Africa or Victoria Falls in Zambia.
Namibia safari tours is for those who: wish to discover a different side to Africa’s culture, nature and wildlife than the classic safari destinations.
Visit Botswana – pristine nature
In Botswana, you will find some of Africa’s most pristine and less visited safari parks. The government has made great efforts to preserve the country’s nature, which has limited the number of tourists who have been allowed to visit the country. The country is therefore now considered to be one of Africa’s most exclusive safari holiday destinations, where you can expect a more intimate safari experience.
Most of the country is made up of the Kalahari Desert. But in the north-western corner is the lush Okavango Delta, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its unique ecosystem.
East of the delta lies Chobe National Park, which is home to more than 45,000 elephants, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes and leopards. The Chobe River runs through the park, where you can spot crocodiles and hippos. Embark on a river safari and get right up close to the nature and wildlife along its banks.
Can be combined with: South Africa Safari or Namibia. Namibia offers unique and distinctive nature experiences, such as the sand dunes in Sossusvlei and Fish River Canyon – one of the world’s largest canyons, while South Africa offers unique safari holidays in the country’s national parks, beautiful coastal routes and exciting towns and cities.
Botswana safari tours is for those who: long for spectacular, unspoiled nature with exciting and abundant wildlife. Botswana is an exclusive but costly African safari destination.