Thrilling Safari Adventures: Top 12 Safari Destinations to Inspire Your Journey
A safari is one of the most exhilarating bucket list experiences, bringing you up close to some of the world’s most remarkable wildlife and landscapes. From the iconic plains of the Serengeti to the lush wetlands of the Okavango and the desert wildlife of Etosha, here are 12 of the best safari destinations in the world to inspire your adventure.
- Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
The Serengeti National Park is a timeless icon of Africa and one of the best safari destinations in the world for spotting the Big 5 and much more. Located in northern Tanzania, this UNESCO-listed national park is one of the oldest ecosystems on earth. It’s an epic expanse of plains and grassland, teeming with wildlife like giraffes, zebras, hyenas, cheetahs, and the rare African wild dog.
The Serengeti is also home to ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’ – the Great Migration. Over two million wildebeest, zebras, impalas, and gazelles cross the Mara River in a thundering mass each year in search of greener pastures, dodging predators like lions and leopards along the way.
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
- Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Just across the border from the Serengeti lies the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, the other half of the mighty Mara-Serengeti ecosystem. As one of the best safari destinations in the world, the Maasai Mara offers extraordinary wildlife viewing, including the Big 5, and cultural encounters with the Maasai people.
Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya (@Getty Images)
- Kruger National Park, South Africa
Kruger National Park, the oldest and most iconic national park in South Africa, is a top bucket list experience. Spanning two million hectares, it offers a good chance of spotting the Big 5, the unique Little 5, and everything in between. Private reserves around Kruger, like Karongwe, provide high animal density and cultural experiences with local communities.
Kruger National Park, South Africa (@ kimkim.com)
- Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, is an ancient volcanic crater in northern Tanzania. Home to over 25,000 large game animals, including the Big 5, Ngorongoro also protects Tanzania’s last remaining population of the endangered black rhino. Visitors can also explore Maasai villages and see fossilized footprints proving early human existence.
Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania (@ngorongorocratertanzania.org)
- Etosha National Park, Namibia
Etosha National Park in Namibia is renowned for its striking desert landscapes and abundant wildlife, including four of the Big 5. The park is one of the best places to see the white and critically endangered black rhino. Etosha’s waterholes are perfect spots for viewing lions, leopards, cheetahs, and herds of elephants.
Etosha National Park, Namibia (@ arebbusch.com)
- Chobe National Park, Botswana
Chobe National Park is famous for its massive elephant population. Around 120,000 elephants roam the park, and the best sightings are during the dry season from May to October. Chobe River cruises offer a chance to see elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, and a variety of birds.
Chobe National Park, Botswana (@chobenationalpark.co.za)
- Samburu National Reserve, Kenya
Samburu National Reserve is home to the unique ‘Samburu Special 5’ – the Reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, and gerenuk. Visitors can also explore conservation efforts at the nearby Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa.
Samburu National Reserve, Kenya (@abercrombiekent.co.uk)
- Okavango Delta, Botswana
The Okavango Delta in Botswana is a unique mosaic of islands, waterways, and lagoons, providing a lush habitat for an abundance of wildlife. Seasonal flooding creates an extraordinary environment for exploring by mokoro (a traditional dugout canoe), with close-up encounters of animals like hippos, elephants, and leopards.
Okavango Delta, Botswana (@telegraph.co.uk)
- Solio Game Reserve, Kenya18
Solio Game Reserve, located between the Aberdares and Mount Kenya, is a top rhino breeding reserve. The reserve houses the largest population of white rhinos on earth, alongside buffalos, zebras, giraffes, leopards, and lions, offering a relatively hidden gem on the safari circuit.
Solio Game Reserve, Kenya (@exploreeastafrica.com)
- South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
South Luangwa National Park is a premier wildlife sanctuary known for endemic animals like Thornicroft’s giraffe and Crawshay’s zebra. As the birthplace of the walking safari, visitors can experience the unique thrill of tracking animals on foot.
South Luangwa National Park, Zambia (@safari.co.za)
- Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
Tarangire National Park, with its distinctive landscapes and giant baobabs, is renowned for its large elephant populations and over 300 bird species. The park is especially spectacular during the dry season, with high concentrations of animals drawn to the Tarangire River.
Tarangire National Park, Tanzania (@ andbeyond.com)
- Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
Mana Pools National Park in northern Zimbabwe is a UNESCO World Heritage site along the Zambezi River. The park’s pools attract a high concentration of wildlife, making it a prime spot for game viewing. Mana Pools also offers unique experiences like walking and canoe safaris, providing diverse perspectives of its wildlife.
Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
Embark on your own safari adventure and experience the wonder of these incredible destinations. Whether it’s the vast plains of the Serengeti or the waterways of the Okavango, each destination promises unforgettable encounters with nature’s most majestic creatures.
