Planning a dream safari: 7 must-visit national parks for an extraordinary African Safari
For some people, going on an African safari is a once-in-a-lifetime experience while for others, it is an adventure they will embark on again and again. There’s nothing quite like waking up at sunrise to the calls of the wild or sipping sundowners beside a watering hole as giraffes and elephants come to refuel. Seeing big-game wildlife in its natural habitat is a humbling experience, with the magnificent landscapes of Africa just as memorable as the animal encounters themselves.
But planning your dream safari can be a daunting experience, with so many national parks and wildlife reserves to choose from. In this guide, we’ll introduce seven of the best for ensuring an extraordinary experience and what it is that sets them apart. Whether you want to discover the desert-adapted wildlife of Etosha or enjoy a boat safari along the Chobe River, the opportunities are sure to be transformative.
With its high concentration of wildlife and big predators, the Serengeti is understandably one of the most popular safari destinations in East Africa. It encompasses breathtaking tracts of savannah, woodland and riverine forests in Tanzania’s far north, sharing its border with the Maasai Mara National Reserve in neighbouring Kenya. Together, they provide a setting for one of the world’s most impressive wildlife spectacles, the Great Wildebeest Migration, which sees millions of wildebeest and zebras (followed by opportunistic predators) make an annual pilgrimage in search of fresh grazing pastures.
Aside from being a great place to tick the “Big Five” off your list, the Serengeti is home to large populations of Maasai giraffes, hippos and vervet monkeys. More than 500 bird species have been recorded within its bounds, with the lush, “green’ season being the best time for twitchers to visit. During your stay, you can participate in everything from guided walks to hot-air balloon safaris as the sun rises over the Serengeti before settling into your choice of budget camp or luxury lodge.
Kenya’s most popular wildlife-viewing destination is the Masai Mara National Reserve, which hugs the country’s border to the west of Nairobi. Not only does it provide a backdrop to the Great Wildebeest Migration but one of the migration’s most memorable experiences takes place within its bounds. Each year, thousands of wildebeest and zebras attempt to cross the crocodile-infested waters of the Mara River, with only some making it to the other side. It’s nature at its most remarkable and an event that draws wildlife photographers from across the globe.
The Masai Mara National Reserve is managed collaboratively by local councils and tribal communities, making it a unique wildlife viewing destination. Here, the ancient traditions of the Maasai people are carried out alongside conservation initiatives, with impressive results. While exploring the Maasai Mara, you can expect to see healthy populations of impalas, Thompson’s gazelles and elephants, as well as hippos, cheetahs and jackals. Not only that, but you can meet with the local Maasai communities during culturally-focused village visits.
Easily accessible from Johannesburg, Kruger is South Africa’s most famous national park and offers both guided safaris and self-drive experiences. It encompasses almost 20,000 square kilometres of grassy savannah, granite kopjes and tropical rainforest that provide habitat for a huge variety of wildlife and it’s one of the best places in Africa to spot the “Big Five”. In addition to thrilling game drives and walking safaris, Kruger offers unforgettable “bush braai” experiences. The national park is staffed by highly experienced rangers who have in-depth knowledge of wildlife behaviour and will ensure you’re always in the heart of all the action.
Surrounding Kruger National Park are several private game reserves, such as Ngala and Sabi Sands, which offer a more exclusive experience without the crowds. A safari here comes with the added benefit of not being restricted to the road network, as game drives are permitted to go “off-road” for up-close animal encounters. In and around Kruger, you can also embark on night game drive to discover what goes on after dark, accompanied by the twinkling lights of Africa’s starry night sky.
Famed for its large herds of elephants and diverse ecosystems, Chobe National Park has well and truly established a reputation as one of Africa’s premier wildlife viewing destinations. It lies along the banks of the Chobe River in Botswana’s north, with a huge diversity of wildlife gathering along the riverbanks to refuel in the dry months. Boat safaris on the Chobe River are always memorable, allowing you to spot a diversity of wildlife while enjoying views of the Caprivi Strip in neighbouring Namibia.
Sprawling to the south of the Chobe River are fertile floodplains and mopane woodlands that provide a habitat for wildebeest, impalas and zebras, not to mention lions and hyenas. During the dry season, leopards can sometimes be seen “fishing” for catfish in the small pools left over from the seasonal rains. Bird enthusiasts should head to the Savuti Marsh, an expanse of grasslands in the west of Chobe National Park where storks, eagles and herons are regularly spotted.
Centred around an immense crater that’s teeming with wildlife, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed destination to the southeast of the Serengeti. It is often visited on what is known as the “Northern Circuit”, a safari route that takes in some of northern Tanzania’s most famous parks and reserves. Game drives into the Ngorongoro Crater’s natural amphitheatre will get you up close to Grant’s zebras, gazelles and zebras, as well as give you the opportunity to spot the “Big Five”.
The Ngorongoro Crater is not only a must-visit for its wildlife density but also the breathtaking beauty of its landscapes. You can observe thousands of pink-hued flamingos gathered in the shallow waters of Lake Magadi, spot cheetahs and lions in the Ndutu Region or join a guided birdwatching trek through the lush Ngorongoro Highlands. No visit to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is complete without tracing the evolution of humans at the Olduvai Gorge, one of the world’s most important paleo-anthropological sites.
If you are planning African Safari Tours then One of Africa’s largest national parks, Etosha sprawls across the northwest of Namibia and is named after the starkly beautiful salt pan that covers almost a quarter of its protected area. It’s home to more than 100 different mammals, including several threatened and endangered species that include the black rhinoceros. One of the biggest draws of Etosha National Park is the opportunity for self-drive safaris, although guided experiences are also available.
In addition to spotting elephants, zebras and wildebeest who come to refuel around Etosha’s many watering holes, the park’s savannah provides a habitat for lions, cheetahs and leopards. During the rainy season, the immmense Etosha Pan fills with water, attracting an abundance of migratory bird species. Hornbills, eagles and falcons are regularly spotted, together with kestrels, hawks and flamingos.
If you want to escape the crowded parks and reserves of East Africa, the untouched wilderness of South Luangwa could be your calling. It encompasses the lush valley of the Luangwa River, which marks the end of the Great Rift Valley, as well as large tracts of woodland savannah. Established as a game reserve back in 1938, South Luangwa is renowned for its abundance of wildlife, including herds of elephants and rare Thornicroft giraffes.
South Luangwa is considered the birthplace of the walking safari, an activity that facilitates intimate wildlife encounters that aren’t comparable with game drives. It’s also notable for its large number of leopards, which are best spotted after dark. Boat safaris are a memorable way of spotting wildlife as it comes to refuel along the Luangwa River, with hippos wallowing in the murky waters and crocodiles waiting for their next feed. It’s also a leisurely means of truly appreciating the unrivalled beauty of South Luangwa.
Planning an unforgettable safari is not just about selecting a destination and booking your flights. It takes careful planning in terms of figuring out the best time to visit, finding suitable accommodation and selecting a safari package that suits your needs and interests. The best time to visit will depend on the experience you want to have, such as whether you want to coincide your safari with the Great Wildebeest Migration or enjoy the exceptional birdwatching of the “green” season.
Planning African safari tours also means thinking ahead when it comes to vaccinations (some of which need to be administered several weeks in advance) and chatting to your GP about malarial precautions. Each destination is slightly different, so always check the immunisation recommendations for your country of choice well in advance.
When it comes to packing for an African safari, you want lightweight and quick-drying clothing that is neutrally coloured so you blend into the bush. Always bring a good pair of walking shoes, a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen, as well as long sleeves and pants to help protect against mosquito bites in the evening. Photography enthusiasts should consider whether they want to bring a simple point-and-shoot camera or a professional-level DSLR with multiple lenses. A pair of compact binoculars is also highly recommended.
For Family Safaris In Africa Selecting a safari destination is a highly personal choice that depends on your interests, the experiences you want to have and the animals you want to see. But no matter where you decide to visit, your African journey will be enhanced by carefully planning, rather than it being a last-minute, off-the-cuff decision. By embracing the planning process, you’ll not only have a better understanding of what to expect on your safari adventure, but it will only heighten the excitement as your departure date approaches.
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