6 of the Best Places to Go on Safari in Africa

When it comes to travel bucket lists, “going on safari in Africa” is an item that appears on many of them. And understandably so! Seeing elephants, lions, and hippos in their natural wild habitats is absolute magic; going to the zoo is never the same again.

While you cannot find lions and elephants in every single one of Africa’s 54 countries, there are roughly 10 nations considered the absolute best for wildlife safaris. I have been lucky enough to experience several of them.

Pinpointing the singular “best” safari is impossible since it is highly subjective, but here are six of my favorite places to help you narrow down the options for your own bucket-list trip.

1. Kruger National Park, South Africa

My very first safari was in Kruger National Park. Covering more than 7,500 square miles, it is one of the largest game parks in Africa and incredibly accessible for first-timers.

The Experience: I stayed in a private concession (Jock Safari Lodge), allowing for off-road game drives far away from the crowds. You can also self-drive on the dedicated park roads.
What You Will See: The “Big 5” (buffalo, elephant, rhino, lion, and leopard), giraffes, and even endangered wild dogs.
When to Go: The best times are the “shoulder” seasons in April/May and September when temperatures are mild and the weather is dry.
How to Get There: Fly into Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport or Skukuza Airport, or make the 4-to-5-hour drive from Johannesburg.

2. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

The Serengeti represents the epitome of the African safari. Translating to “endless plain” in the local Maasai language, this park is the backdrop for countless nature documentaries.

The Experience: We opted for a multi-day camping safari. The public campsites are basic and unfenced, meaning it is not uncommon to hear hyenas strolling through camp at night!
What You Will See: Huge herds of wildebeest and zebra following the Great Migration, big cats, and crowded hippo pools. Try to visit during calving season (Jan/Feb) to see thousands of wildebeest born daily.
When to Go: The dry season (June-October) is busiest but best for watching big cats hunt.
How to Get There: Most safaris start in Arusha, Tanzania (served by Kilimanjaro International Airport), which is a 3-to-4-hour drive to the gates.

3. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Millions of years ago, a massive volcano exploded, leaving behind a 2,000-foot-deep caldera covering 100 square miles. Today, it is a self-contained wildlife paradise.

The Experience: We camped on the crater rim at the Simba Campsite. Most wildlife inside the crater never leaves because the caldera floor contains everything they need.
What You Will See: A dense population of lions, zebras, hippos, and a couple of dozen highly endangered black rhinos. (Note: You won’t see giraffes here, as the steep slopes are too difficult for them to navigate).
When to Go: June-September offers the best wildlife viewing, but April/May offers fewer crowds if you don’t mind a little rain.

4. Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

The Maasai Mara connects directly to the Serengeti across the border. It is a fantastic destination because you can effortlessly blend wildlife viewing with cultural visits to local Maasai villages.

The Experience: I stayed at a backpacker camp with local Maasai guides. For a luxury bucket-list item, you can book a hot air balloon flight over the plains at sunrise, complete with a champagne breakfast.
What You Will See: The famous Mara River crossings during the Great Migration, Nile crocodiles, cheetahs, and massive prides of lions.
When to Go: June-October is the dry season. The Great Migration river crossings typically happen between July and September.
How to Get There: A 5-hour drive or a quick 1-hour flight from Nairobi.

5. Chobe National Park, Botswana

If you love elephants, Chobe is non-negotiable. Home to the largest African elephant population on the continent (estimated around 50,000), it revolves entirely around the Chobe River ecosystem.

The Experience: I did an overland trip, mixing traditional 4×4 game drives with incredible boat tours on the river.
What You Will See: Elephants swimming! You can literally watch them completely submerge themselves and use their trunks as snorkels.
When to Go: May to October. During this dry season, animals congregate heavily around the riverbanks, making sightings incredibly easy.
How to Get There: The main riverfront entrance is only 3 miles from Kasane, which is a short one-hour drive from Victoria Falls.

6. Etosha National Park, Namibia

Often overlooked for the bigger names, Etosha National Park is a true hidden gem. It is centered around the massive, silvery Etosha Pan (a giant salt pan).

The Experience: Etosha is built for self-driving due to its excellent road system. We camped inside the park at Okaukuejo Camp, which features a floodlit watering hole where you can watch animals all night without leaving your accommodation.
What You Will See: Elephants, giraffes, oryx, hyenas, and a relatively large population of elusive black rhinos.
When to Go: July-September is best, as the arid landscape forces animals to gather closely around the remaining watering holes.

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