9 African safari destinations for wildlife and thrills

There’s something inherently magical about a safari in Africa. Endless rolling plains filled to the brim with wildebeest, zebra, and antelope, sunsets watching elephants spray each other at waterholes, and the ghoulish laugh of hyenas at night — it’s truly the adventure of a lifetime. But where to go and how to actually see these safari destinations (especially if you’re on a budget)? That’s the age-old question.

Where’s best to go on safari in Africa?

If you're 40+ and still game for a basic budget-friendly camping safari, look no further than our new ‘Classic’ African overland tours bringing a beloved grassroots adventure to a fully expanded age group! You can camp out in destinations like Uganda and South Africa with like-minded travellers while tracking mountain gorillas through mist-shrouded forests or searching for the elusive ‘big five’ across open savannahs.

Even better, you’ll see it all from our fully refurbished fleet of ‘Lando’ overland adventure vehicles — they’re purple, kitted up with fresh gear, and soon to be your new best friend. But with so many countries to choose from, where do you begin? Fear not, as we’re here to help you narrow it down with nine safari destinations waiting for you to roll up.

South Africa

There are countless reasons to see South Africa — including glugging wine in Stellenbosch’s vineyards, hanging out with pint-sized penguins on Boulders Beach, and hiking up mighty Table Mountain.

But arguably this destination’s biggest draw lies in its natural beauty, covering everything from the dramatic rock formations of the Cederberg Wilderness Area to Orange River — South Africa’s longest river. Let’s also not forget its world-class national parks and game reserves, where you can spot the cast of The Lion King in close proximity. Don’t miss a visit to Kruger, the country’s largest wildlife reserve and home to over 150 species of mammals and 500 species of birds.

See South Africa for yourself on: Cape Town to Johannesburg Overland Safari

Namibia

Now if there’s anywhere on Earth that you’d describe as ‘otherworldly’, it’s most likely Namibia. Home to the world’s oldest desert, The Namib, towering sand dunes, and the largest canyon in Africa, Fish River Canyon — it’s certainly got a flair for the dramatic — and that’s without even mentioning the wildlife-rich salt pans of Etosha National Park.

Beyond the larger land animals you’d expect, Namibia is also known for sightings of lesser-known predators like bat-eared foxes and the tank-like honey badgers — an animal which even lions are known to fear. There are also less than two million people here, mostly based in the capital Windhoek, so chances are you’ll have it largely to yourself.

See Namibia for yourself on: Namibia to Cape Town Overland Safari

Botswana

It’s easy to see why Botswana is considered one of the best safari destinations in Africa, as it’s home to one of the most impressive wildlife events in the world. When the Okavango Delta floods, it transforms the bone-dry Kalahari into a lush green, lagoon-filled paradise.

During the floods, animals arrive in the thousands from leviathans like elephants and hippos to flocks of pink flamingos and a deafening chorus of bullfrogs. There’s so much to see that it can be hard to know where to look. One thing you can’t miss though are the vast herds of zebra, wildebeest, and buffalo flocking together in one large mass — followed of course by lions, spotted hyenas, and fearsome Nile crocodiles.

See Botswana for yourself on: Victoria Falls to Windhoek Overland Safari

Zimbabwe

Given its much-publicized history, Zimbabwe doesn’t often top the list of the most-visited African safari destinations. It’s a real shame as there’s a ton to see and do in this friendly country. Perhaps the biggest draw is the mighty Victoria Falls — a thunderous waterfall measuring over 1,700m (5,577 ft) in length.

Forming a natural border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, it’s one of the world’s seven natural wonders and holds the title as the ‘world’s largest sheet of falling water’. There are plenty of activities — from spotting elephants, opting to hurl yourself off a bridge attached to a bungee cord, or hovering over the rising mists in a helicopter.

See Zimbabwe for yourself on: Namibia to Victoria Falls Overland Safari

Zambia

Lying just over the bridge from Zimbabwe lies Zambia, popular with both adventure-seekers and nature lovers alike. Boasting some of the best national parks in Africa — South Luangwa we’re looking at you — it’s home to countless impressive natural wonders.

Aside from Victoria Falls — otherwise known as the ‘smoke that thunders’ — there’s the Grade V rapids of the Zambezi beloved by adrenaline junkies wanting to test their mettle. Then there’s the aforementioned South Luangwa — which spans over 9,000km (5,592 mi) in the far eastern reaches of the country. A visit here is a must — dramatic scenery, night drives, seasonal walking tours, and one of the best chances to spot elusive leopards.

See Zambia for yourself on: Zimbabwe to Kenya Overland Safari

Malawi

Nicknamed the ‘warm heart of Africa’, it’s hard not to fall in love with Malawi. The people are some of the friendliest you’ll find, and the scenery is some of the most dramatic on the continent. The jewel in its crown is arguably Lake Malawi, billed as the ‘Lake of Stars’, that’s dotted with sandy beaches, secluded coves, and tree-covered islets.

It’s an ideal spot to relax and crack an ice-cold Castel beer in between cooling dips or scenic beach walks. If you’re looking for a bit more adventure, the freshwater diving is world famous and there are cracking spots to fish. Just keep looking up though, as you’re likely being circled by hungry fish eagles looking to try their luck!

See Malawi for yourself on: Kenya to Zimbabwe Overland Safari

Tanzania

When it comes to the best safari destinations in Africa, surely Tanzania nears the top. There are 22 different national parks covering 15% of the country, from the well-known Serengeti to the off-the-beaten-track Selous. Add in the kaleidoscopic coral reefs and white sand beaches of Zanzibar to the impressive backdrop of Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro, and you can see why people flock here in droves.

While every nook and cranny is well worth a visit, we'd single out the neighbouring safari destinations of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. The former is famed for the ‘Great Wildlife Migration’ — where over two million wildebeests, zebras, and antelope cross into Kenya’s Maasai Mara and back, chased by predators snapping at their hooves. UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro on the other hand is known for having one of the highest wildlife population densities on earth, where you can spot cheetahs, secretary birds, elephants, and spotted hyenas.

See Tanzania for yourself on: Serengeti & Zanzibar Overland Safari

Kenya

The penultimate safari destination we hit up on our overland Africa tours, Kenya is truly a wildlife-lover’s dream. It’s often considered as the birthplace of the safari, with world-class parks like the Maasai Mara and Lake Nakuru drawing people in from all over the globe.

The Mara is all about the drama. Think herds of wildebeest being chased by lions, cheetahs, crocodiles and more in such numbers that it’s hard to imagine. On the other hand, Lake Nakuru is all about the scenery. Set on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, it’s framed by picturesque ridges and acacia woodlands and is home to leopards, elephant herds, and excellent bird watching. There’s more to Kenya though than just safaris — think Indian Ocean beaches lapped by azure waters, tea plantations galore, and one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Africa.

See Kenya for yourself on: Nairobi to Kampala Overland Safari

Uganda

Our final safari destination, Uganda goes way beyond just spotting the ‘big five’. Home to some of the world’s most endearing creatures — the majestic mountain gorilla, chimpanzees, and golden monkeys — it’s the place to get up close and personal with some of our closest relatives.

But if spotting these rare creatures doesn’t quite cut it, there are scenic lakes, Africa’s tallest mountain range, thunderous waterfalls, and some of the best whitewater rafting anywhere in the world. Not to mention the lively capital Kampala, with its buzzy bars and restaurants, a long and intriguing history, and vistas of the shimmering Lake Victoria.

See Uganda for yourself on: Gorillas of Uganda Overland Safari

When’s the best time to go on safari in Africa?

This is tricky to answer as some national parks — Kruger comes to mind — are bigger than New Jersey, so it really depends on your location. However, we recommend heading to Kenya and Tanzania during the ‘Great Wildlife Migration’ running from late June and early July through to late September and early October.

Similarly, South Africa, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe experience their dry season from May to October, when wildlife flocks to waterholes so it’s your best chance to see the ‘big five’ and other wildlife species.

For gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, try going during June to August and December to February to avoid excessive rainfall. April should definitely be avoided.

What wildlife can I see in Africa?

Africa is famous for its ‘big five’ — lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhino — but it doesn’t stop there. Uganda, the ‘Pearl of Africa’, plays host to half of the world’s population of endangered mountain gorillas, as well as chimpanzees and colobus monkeys.

Depending on where you are, hippos, buffalo, and packs of rare African wild dogs (also known as painted wolves) can be seen. Plus, you’re more than likely to spot herds of impala, wary to avoid spotted hyena, cheetahs, and opportunistic black-backed jackals, as well as troops of baboons, giraffes, elephants, meerkats, and warthogs. The latter two will likely not be singing ‘Hakuna Matata’. Sorry to disappoint!

When it comes to birds, then the statuesque ostrich, marabou stork, or snake-eating secretary bird reign supreme. However, ‘twitchers’ may spot African sacred ibis, lilac-breasted rollers, and malachite kingfishers too.

What do I need to pack for an African safari?

While you may be tempted to channel Meryl Streep in Out of Africa — and by all means, go ahead — you don’t need to dress to the nines on safari. Bear in mind that while the sun blazes during the day, temperatures often plummet at night in the savannah — sometimes to freezing. The key here is layers, layers, layers along with sunscreen, bug spray, and long pants.

Avoid camouflage patterns as they’re banned in many African countries and skip dark colours that attract the tsetse fly whose bite is painful and potentially dangerous. Bring a cap or hat to avoid the heat of the African sun and a scarf to keep the dust out of your mouth. And don’t forget your sunnies — if only to look cool as a cucumber in your pics!

Getting there

Ready to set off in our shiny new ‘Landos’ to see these safari destinations in the flesh? Our new overland tours let rugged adventurers camp their way around Africa. It’s no longer just for the 18-to-Thirtysomethings set (we heard you loud and clear!) so we’ll see you out on the savannah soon. Rwooooarrrrr!