Our experts pick 5 of the best safari destinations in Africa

Africa is home to some of the most breathtaking national parks and game reserves on the planet. From dramatic savannahs teeming with the Big Five to lush wetlands alive with birdlife, the region offers adventures that stay with you for a lifetime. 

But deciding which reserve is best for you can be daunting if you’re not familiar with the landscape, seasonal wildlife movements, or haven’t been on a safari before. That’s where we can help.

In this guide, our expert travel advisors share five of their favourite safari destinations where you can experience the wild like never before. Whether you’re seeking iconic wildlife, unique ecosystems, or once-in-a-lifetime encounters, these destinations promise unforgettable memories.

Travellers encounter a pair of giraffe on a game drive in South Africa.

Kruger National Park, South Africa

Kruger National Park is South Africa’s flagship safari destination, stretching across nearly 20,000 square kilometres of diverse ecosystems. Known as the ultimate Big Five playground, the park offers travellers the chance to spot lions lounging under acacia trees, elusive leopards prowling granite hills, or elephants wandering riverbanks. Its rich biodiversity – over 500 bird species and hundreds of mammals – ensures that no two game drives are ever alike. 

How to do it: Visitors can explore Kruger via self-drive safaris, guided game drives, or luxury lodge stays nestled in the bush. Spending 3 to 5 days allows you to experience morning and evening game drives, relax in your lodge, and explore multiple habitats. 

We suggest: Beyond Kruger, you can extend your trip to South Africa’s iconic Cape Town, the scenic Winelands, or even Victoria Falls, combining wildlife with cultural and natural wonders. For Australians seeking a safari that blends adventure with comfort, Kruger offers an immersive and accessible safari experience.

Wildebeest brave a perilous river crossing during the famous Great Migration.

Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

The inspiration for Disney’s iconic The Lion King, Kenya’s Masai Mara is a quintessential African safari destination, renowned for its sweeping savannahs, abundant wildlife, and the legendary Great Migration. 

From July to October, millions of wildebeest, zebras, and antelope traverse the plains in a spectacle of survival, offering photographers and wildlife enthusiasts awe-inspiring moments. Visitors can also encounter the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino – while game drives wind through riverine forests and open grasslands.

How to do it: Safari options range from tented camps offering authentic bush experiences to luxury lodges with panoramic views of the plains. Cultural encounters with the indigenous Maasai people add another layer to the journey. Spending 3 to 4 days in the Mara gives you ample opportunity for multiple game drives and photography sessions. 

We suggest: Masai Mara can also be paired with Tanzania’s Serengeti to witness the full arc of the Great Migration or followed by a post-safari retreat on Zanzibar’s pristine beaches, combining wildlife adventure with island serenity.

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The canals and waterways of Botswana's Okavango Delta is home to many hippo.

Okavango Delta, Botswana

The Okavango Delta is a lush inland delta set within the arid Kalahari Desert, where waterways carve a labyrinth of lagoons and islands alive with wildlife. Visitors can glide silently through the waters in mokoros (traditional dugout canoes), and spot elephants, hippos, lions, and a dazzling array of birdlife. Walking safaris, scenic flights, and boat excursions offer multiple ways to engage with this UNESCO World Heritage-listed wilderness.

How to do it: Luxury lodges and mobile camps immerse travellers in the delta’s serenity while offering comfort and expert guidance. Spending 4 to 5 days ensures you experience both water-based and walking safaris fully. 

We suggest: Safari-goers can also extend their journey to Chobe National Park to witness large elephant herds along the Chobe River or continue onward to Victoria Falls, combining Botswana’s diverse wildlife with southern Africa’s natural wonders.

A gorilla encounter in Uganda is an intimate experience.

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

For a truly transformative safari, few experiences rival trekking to see mountain gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda. The misty forests of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda are home to these gentle giants, whose sheer presence is both humbling and exhilarating. Guided treks offer close encounters with gorilla families, providing insight into their social dynamics and conservation efforts. These journeys are complemented by scenic landscapes of volcanic mountains and dense jungle trails. 

How to do it: While Rwanda offers shorter treks ideal for those seeking a more accessible adventure, Uganda provides longer, more challenging hikes for avid explorers. Spending 2 to 3 days allows for one or two gorilla trekking experiences plus time to visit local communities. 

We suggest: After your gorilla encounter, travellers can relax by Lake Kivu or explore Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park, creating a diverse itinerary that blends primate encounters with classic African wildlife.

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Lemurs are one of the most popular safari animals you'll encounter in Madagascar.

Madagascar

Madagascar offers a safari experience entirely different from continental Africa. Isolated for millions of years, the island is home to unique species such as lemurs, chameleons, and rare birds, as well as dramatic landscapes ranging from rainforests to spiny deserts and towering baobabs. National parks like Isalo, Tsingy de Bemaraha, and Andringitra provide trekking adventures where wildlife and scenery merge into unforgettable vistas.

How to do it: Travellers can explore Madagascar through guided treks, wildlife excursions, and coastal adventures, with opportunities to witness endemic flora and fauna up close. Spending 5–6 days allows you to explore multiple parks, encounter diverse wildlife, and include leisure time on the coast. 

We suggest: Beyond the national parks, visitors can extend their journey to Nosy Be for pristine beaches and marine life or marvel at the iconic Avenue of the Baobabs, creating a safari that blends discovery, adventure, and relaxation on this extraordinary island.

National parks vs private game reserves: What’s the difference?

Choosing between a national park and a private game reserve can shape your safari experience. National parks, like Kruger or Masai Mara, are publicly managed and often larger, providing vast wilderness areas and higher chances of seeing diverse wildlife. Private game reserves, in contrast, are smaller, exclusive, and often include lodges, guided tours, and access to off-limits areas, offering a more intimate experience. 

For example, in the Masai Mara region, Olare Motorogi Conservancy is a private reserve where visitors enjoy tailored game drives, fewer vehicles on the tracks, and close wildlife encounters. While national parks offer scale and variety, private reserves provide exclusivity, luxury, and immersive guidance, allowing travellers to choose an experience that suits their style and budget.

Ready For A Safari?

Whether you’re looking for a classic safari experience or a more tailored itinerary for your honeymoon or family holiday, our expert advisors can find the best private and public game reserves to suit your interests and handle all the details – from flights to post-safari hotel stays. 

Contact us today to start planning your next wild escape.

Images by Shutterstock