The Magical African continent has something for you regardless of your kind safari interest. You’ll be exposed to breathtaking landscapes and incredible cultures, and you’ll be able to see nature at every turn. Best African Safari destinations will allow you to view wildlife in their natural environment. People who want to experience the best Safari destinations in Africa are in for an experience of a lifetime. This is especially to those who want to see the “Big Five,” namely the leopard, lion, rhino, African buffalo, and elephant. To experience this and more, the best safari destination in Africa like the Serengeti National Park is to be visited. Here are the 10 best safari destinations in Africa that should be on your 2023 bucket list.
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
The Serengeti National Park is dubbed the “place where the land runs forever.” It’s one of the best African Safari destinations, especially for first-timers. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Serengeti is known for its annual migration of wildebeest and zebras, which travel to the Serengeti each year to give birth.
In February, the plains in the southern section of this park become the birthplace of white-bearded wildebeest calves. The young calves that survive predators begin their journey that spans two countries and a million other wildebeest. It’s a dramatic sight everybody should see at least once in their lifetime. You’ll see antelope species and zebras caught in the migration. Lion sightings are also guaranteed, and if you’re lucky, you may see a leopard or cheetah. At almost 3.2 million hectares, this protected area covers most of Tanzania’s north-western corner. It’s ten times bigger than the Maasai Mara. Read more on the Serengeti Calving season
Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
The Masai forest is one of the 10 best safari destinations in Africa. Located in the Great Rift Valley, this expansive wilderness hosts the Big Five, as well as a large population of cheetahs and wild dogs. The game drives are amazing here because the area is known for its high density of animal population. There are plenty of safari lodges in this national reserve, and people usually book months or even years in advance.
If you want to see a few of the big five in their natural habitat, then the Masai Mara national reserve is among the best African Safari destinations worth considering. Aside from animals, you’ll also love its majestic rolling hills, acacia woodlands, and grasslands. Make sure to visit between August and October if you want to witness the wildebeest migration as they cross to Kenya from Tanzania.
Kruger National Park, South Africa
If this is your first-time safari, you don’t want to miss the chance to see wildlife in their natural habitat, which is precisely what you’ll find in the Kruger National Park. Best safari destination in Africa, at over 7,500 square miles, this park is roughly the size of a small country! Known as one of the world’s greatest game-viewing areas, the Kruger National Park offers a truly unique experience. The best time to visit this park is from June to September. The Kruger national park is truly one of the best African Safari destinations
Okavango Delta, Botswana
The Okavango Delta covers permanent marshlands, as well as seasonally flooded plains. The delta is a series of connected rivers and lakes, home to diverse wildlife, including Cheetahs, Crocodiles, Lions, Black, and white rhinoceros, Elephants
It’s one of the major interior delta systems that don’t flow into the ocean, and its wetland system is almost unbroken. The Okavango Delta is also an excellent destination if you want to do bird sightings. You might get lucky and see some rare birds. If you’re into photography, this safari will blow your mind away with its beauty.
Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa
Sabi Sand Game Reserve is located near the southern Kruger and is a cluster of private reserves. This wide-open savannah is a big attraction for game drives and walks. The big five are among the most common animals you’ll see in the reserve. Sabi Sand Game Reserve is also a top spot for those who want to experience close encounters with White rhinos, Lions, and Cheetahs.
However, this reserve is among the 10 best safari destinations in Africa, popular because of its amazing night drive experiences, where you’ll see nocturnal animals, such as Civets, Aardvarks, and Bushbabies. The game reserve is also known for its outstanding birdlife. If you like bird watching, you’ll be in for a treat here. It’s recommended to visit this destination during the winter or low season, from May to September.
Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
Among the Best African Safari destinations, Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in Uganda. It’s one of the most diverse and best safari destinations in Africa in the country and is located near the famous Murchison Falls. The park is known for encompassing different landscapes, which are all home to various species of wildlife. These landscapes include Mountains, Swamps, Crater lakes, Tropical forests, Open savannahs, and Wetlands.
The park is home to elephants, buffalos, giant forest hogs, and the African skimmer, which is a unique bird with a lengthy wingspan. This safari destination in Africa also has boat cruises for those who want to see crocodiles and hippos. If you want to see chimpanzees, you can take a hike in the park’s rainforest.
Etosha National Park, Namibia
Namibia may not be on the top list for most travelers in Africa, but once you’ve visited the Etosha National Park, you’ll change your mind. It is one of the best safari Africa destinations declared a national park in 1907. It’s named after the Ovambo word that means “the place where no plants grow,” an ode to the Etosha Pan, which is part of a lake that has dried out. It’s so large that you can see it from space!
One of the best activities for safari-goers in this national park is to stake out in a spring-fed waterhole and wait for animals to arrive. This best safari destination in Africa boasts a beautiful panorama of the dolomite hills and the arid savannas. It is amongst the best safari Africa destinations renowned for the big five and its rhino conservation, both for the reintroduced white rhino and the indigenous black rhinoceros. At Etosha National Park, you’ll also see cheetahs, caracals, jackals, and hyenas.
South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
South Luangwa National Park is one of the ultimate Best African Safari destinations in Zambia if you want to witness the wildlife, which includes endemic species such as Thornicroft’s giraffe and Craws hay’s zebra. There are also lions, leopards, and elephants in the area. The park houses tons of beautiful tented camps, lodges, and other accommodations, which can get busy during peak season.
If you want to see this best safari destination in Africa, be sure to plan and book in advance. This park is famous for its walking safaris led by expert guides. The best time to visit is from July to October during the dry season. This period is when animals come out from the high-temperature bush areas to look for water in the rivers.
Ngorongoro Crater and Conservation Area, Tanzania
All year round Ngorongoro Conservation Area spans vast expanses of highland plains, savanna, savanna woodlands, and forests. Established in 1959 as a multiple land use area, with wildlife coexisting with semi-nomadic Maasai pastoralists practicing traditional livestock grazing, it includes the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest caldera.
The property is one of the best African safari destinations in Africa and has global importance for biodiversity conservation due to the presence of globally threatened species, the density of wildlife inhabiting the area, and the annual migration of wildebeest, zebra, gazelles, and other animals into the northern plains. Extensive archaeological research has also yielded a long sequence of evidence of human evolution and human-environment dynamics, including early hominid footprints dating back 3.6 million years.
Nyerere National Park, Tanzania
The Nyerere National Park, formerly called Selous Game Reserve, is found in Tanzania. One of the Best African Safari destinations. The park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 thanks to its diverse wildlife. Which includes the African bush elephant, African Lion, Hippopotamus, East African wild dog, and black rhino, to mention a few. There is no permanent human habitation in the park. However, all human entry is controlled by the Tanzanian Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism’s wildlife division. When you visit this park, you can expect to see crocodiles and hippos during your boat safari. There are also many species of birds here for avid birdwatchers, so bring your binoculars! This marks the end of our 10 best safari destinations in Africa.
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