Top 10 Best Safaris in Africa

Whether you are embarking on your first safari or fifth, there are a multitude of factors to consider when it comes to deciding where to go on safari. From choosing the ideal time to travel to the wildlife you wish to see, our team of Africa specialists have selected the top ten best safaris in Africa that promise to be an exciting game viewing holiday that perfectly blends luxury and adventure.

Our experts will help you plan your tailor-made African safari holidays in 2025 and 2026: +44 (0) 2039 933538 or make an enquiry.

As one of the largest game reserves in Africa covering nearly 20.000km² of undisturbed savannah, woodland and riverine forest, Kruger National Parkis one of the best African safaris. Home to nearly 150 species of mammals including the Big Five and over 500 species of birds, we recommend planning a Kruger Park safari during the dry months where the South African wildlife are congregating around the scarce water sources.

Best time for a Kruger Park Safari: May – October
Best things to do in Kruger National Park: Plan a drive to see the Big Five
One of our favourite safari lodges in Kruger National Park: Dulini River Lodge

Home to the legendary Big Five, the thunderous Great Migration and the largest population of lions in Kenya, the Maasai Mara delivers one of the best safaris in Africa. Set in over 370,000 acres of rolling grasslands, acacia trees and riverine forest, the Maasai Mara is one of the best reserves to track the big cats, spotted hyenas and various other species. Between July and October, you can also witness one of nature’s most remarkable events – the Great Migration. This annual migration of wildebeest and zebra across the plains and perilous waters of the Mara River, is a true bucket list experience.

Best time for a Maasai Mara safari: January – March, June – October
Best things to do in Maasai Mara: Book a hot air balloon flight to see the Great Migration of wildebeests and zebra, big cats and Big Five
One of our favourite safari lodges in Maasai Mara: Kicheche Mara Camp

With a mosaic of intricate channels, lagoons, swamps and islands, theOkavango Delta is the world’s largest inland delta. This fertile oasis is home to an extraordinary myriad of wildlife including endangered mammals, the Big Five and over 500 species of bird. The Okavango Delta is a model of low-volume tourism, which not only preserves the vast and varied ecosystem, but offers a more exclusive Botswana safari experience.

Best time for an Okavango Delta safari: May – October
Best things to do in the Okavango Delta: Plan a mokoro or motorboat trip
One of our favourite safari lodges in Okavango Delta:Duba Plains Camp

With more endangered species found here than anywhere else in East Africa, including the Grévy’s zebra, Lelwel hartebeest and African wild dogs, the Laikipia Plateau is a haven of impressive wildlife. As one of the lesser known places for an African safari, the open savannah and rolling acacia hills of the Laikipia Plateau are home to exciting activities, luxury lodges and a wildlife density second only to the Maasai Mara.

Best time for a Laikipia safari: June – October
Best things to do in the Laikipia Plateau: Plan a horse riding safari to experience the incredible wildlife from a new perspective
One of our favourite safari lodges in Laikipia Plateau: Sosian

One of the best safaris in Africa is the Serengeti National Park. The Serengeti is the infamous starting location for the Great Migration of over a million wildebeest and zebra to Kenya’s Maasai Mara, but it is also renowned for being home to the largest concentration of plains game on the continent, and also thousands of predators. The Serengeti National Park is a particularly great destination for a first-time safari holiday.

Best time for a Serengeti safari: January – March, July – October
Best things to do in Serengeti National Park: Witness the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra
One of our favourite safari lodges in Serengeti National Park: Serengeti Safari Camp

As one of Tanzania’s least known safari destinations, the untamed wilderness of the Ruaha National Park is a great place for a Tanzanian safari. With its endless rolling hills, towering baobab forests and vast open plains, you can witness Tanzania’s largest elephant population with over 10,000 elephants, countless herds of herbivores and prides of big cats, and you may also have the chance to see the rare striped hyena and elusive African wild dog.

Best time for a safari in Ruaha: July – October
Best things to do in Ruaha National Park: Spend the night under the stars looking over the vast plains in the Ikuka Rock house
One of our favourite safari lodges in Ruaha National Park: Ikuka Safari Camp

Situated within a beautiful flood plain on the banks of the Zambezi River lies one of the best safaris in Africa, the Lower Zambezi National Park. With a plethora of wildlife and epic scenery, the Lower Zambezi National Park also offers a variety of safari experiences aside from bush walks and game drives, such as canoeing, fishing and floating lunches amongst crocodiles and hippos in the Zambezi River.

Best time for a Lower Zambezi safari: July – October
Best things to do in Lower Zambezi National Park: Canoe and fish among the wildlife in the Zambezi River
One of our favourite safari lodges in Lower Zambezi National Park: Chongwe River Camp

Famed as the birthplace of the walking safari, there are few places better suited to an African safari adventure on foot than South Luangwa National Park. Led by highly qualified guides, you can walk along the banks of the Luangwa River to see up-close the extraordinary wildlife in their natural habitat.

Best time for a South Luangwa safari: July – October
Best things to do in South Luangwa National Park: Encounter an array of wildlife up-close on a walking safari
One of our favourite safari lodges in South Luangwa National Park: Tena Tena

On the border of Botswana lies Zimbabwe’s largest game park, Hwange National Park. With its diverse and varied scenery ranging from the granite hills and mopane woodlands in the north to the southern desert scrublands near the Kalahari, there are countless elephants, lions, leopards and more as well as nearly 500 species of birds waiting to be seen.

Best time for a Hwange safari: June – October
Best things to do in Hwange National Park: Plan a day at the logpile hide around the waterholes with no barrier between you and the animals
One of our favourite safari lodges in Hwange National Park: Camp Hwange

Mana Pools National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site alongside the Zambezi River, offers some world-class walking safaris and catch and release tiger fishing excursions. Among the network of waterways and sandbanks, you will have the opportunity to capture the incredible wildlife in the golden light of day. Mana Pools National Park is a great safari for photographers.

Best time for a Mana Pools safari: June – October
Best things to do in Mana Pools National Park: Embark on a walking safari around the waterways
One of our favourite safari lodges in Mana Pools: Ruckomechi

As one of the most remote reserves in Africa and only accessible by light aircraft, the breathtaking savannah and mountain landscapes of Kidepo National Park are home to huge concentrations of wildlife. Kidepo National Park is the ideal destination for those who are looking to immerse themselves in the raw African wilderness.

Best time for a Kidepo safari: July – October
Best things to do: Plan a hike up the surrounding mountains to see the panoramic views
One of our favourite lodges in Kidepo National Park: Apoka Safari Lodge

At the foothills of Mount Kenya, Meru National Park is 220 miles of savannah, woodland and rivers divided by lava flows. On a Kenya safari to Meru National Park, you will encounter a paradise full of predators and herbivores as well as a Rhino Sanctuary, home to white rhinos and the endangered black rhino. With only a handful of luxury lodges, you will often have the wilderness all to yourself.

Best time for a safari in Meru National Park: June – October
Best things to do: Book a bush walk along the network of dirt roads
One of our favourite safari lodges in Meru National Park: Elsa’s Kopje

With few visitors and a flourishing population of wildlife including the Big Five, Akagera is a great destination for an African safari which takes you off the beaten track. Situated on Rwanda’s border with Tanzania, the magnificent lakes, rolling hills and sweeping savannah plains makeAkagera National Parkone of the most beautiful game parks in Africa and is home to an array of extraordinary wildlife.

Best time for a safari in Akagera: January – February, July -October
Best things to do: Plan a boat safari on Lake Ihema to see the hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds
One of our favourite safari lodges in Akagera National Park: Magashi Camp

One of Zambia’s oldest and largest game reserves, Kafue National Park sees relatively few visitors each year and large tracts of the park remain unexplored. From lions lounging in fig trees to rare antelope species and blue wildebeest, Kafue National Park is a great remote African safari destination.

Best time for a safari in Kafue National Park: July – October
Best things to do: Book a hot-air balloon flight over the plains
One of our favourite safari lodges in Kafue National Park: Ila Safari Lodge

If you need advice on where to go on safari in Africa or are looking to start designing your tailor-made African safari, speak to one of our Africa specialists: +44 (0) 2039 933538 and make an enquiry.