Your Guide to Choosing the Perfect African Safari Adventure
Africa has some of the most amazing places on earth for wildlife and safari adventures. Choosing where to go can be tough. Whether you're thinking about the deserts of Namibia, the stunning coastline of South Africa, or the unique wildlife in Botswana, Tanzania, and Uganda, each country offers something special.
In this guide, we'll break down the highlights and differences between the countries in Southern and Eastern Africa to help you pick the perfect spot for your next wildlife adventure.
Namibia - Desert and Safari Adventures
Best for: Desert activities, safari and stunning landscapes
Namibia is all about wide-open spaces and dramatic landscapes. If you love the idea of climbing giant sand dunes (hello Dune 45!) and exploring one of the oldest deserts in the world, the Namib Desert is a must-see. Sossusvlei's red dunes are perfect for sunrise hikes and epic shots, with the Deadvlei valley as a major highlight.
For wildlife, Etosha National Park offers amazing game drives where you can spot lions, elephants, and rhinos. Our tip: do the night safari if you get the chance. There are almost no other safari vehicles around, and the animals are more active at night. The infrared lights make sure that you can observe the animals, without harming or scaring them.
Also don't miss the Skeleton Coast, where there are many shipwrecks along the coastline. Together with the stormy waves and frequent fog, these wrecks create quite the eerie vibe.
In Namibia, you've also got the chance to meet the Himba people to learn about their culture, history and many traditions that have been around for centuries.
South Africa - Coastlines and Wildlife
Best for: Surfing, beaches and self-drive safaris
South Africa is probably the best mix of beautiful beaches, bustling cities, and fantastic wildlife. If you're after a sort of ''greatest hits'' package in Africa, this is your destination. The country is massive though, so you need at least a couple of weeks to experience all of our favourite places.
Let's start off with the big one - Kruger National Park. This is one of the best places to see the Big Five – lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo - and the national park area is so large that even with the amount of tourists visiting each year, it will never feel crowded. The best thing about Kruger is that, unlike in Tanzania and many other places, you can drive through the park by yourself in a rental car. This makes it even more adventurous.
The Garden Route down south is a great coastal drive with gorgeous scenery, cute little towns, and outdoor adventures like hiking and whale watching. The Garden Route eventually leads you to Cape Town, where you can explore Table Mountain, visit Cape Point for amazing views of the peninsula, and enjoy the great food and wine scene of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.
Don't forget to stop by Boulders Beach - seeing all of the penguins up close really is a treat you don't want to miss out on.
Botswana - Untamed Wilderness
Best for: Unique wildlife and remote camping adventures
Botswana is often overlooked, but honestly it's a gem! This is where you go for unspoiled wilderness and incredible wildlife experiences.
The Okavango Delta is a unique wetland where you can take water-based safaris by mokoro (a traditional canoe) and see a variety of animals up close - chances are you float by hippo's just 50 metres away. If you are lucky enough to camp out in the Delta at night, it's something you'll remember for the rest of your life. Seeing the sunset on the plains, hearing the elephants and hippos from your tent - there's nothing like it.
Another hit is Chobe National Park, famous for its huge herds of elephants and other animals. Our tip: go for a sunset boat safari on the Chobe River to see all the animals on the riverbanks. Hippos, elephants, zebras, crocodiles and buffalos are all here, and if you're lucky you might even spot some lions.
Botswana's got all the wildlife Kenya and Tanzania are famous for, but at a much lower price. For a real adventure, consider one of our camping trips to get close with the wild. For something a little less ordinary we recommend visiting the vast Makgadikgadi Salt Pans - if you count them together they make for the biggest salt pans in the world. During rainy season they turn into an oasis attracting all sorts of life, and in the dry season they are otherworldly pretty.
Tanzania - Serengeti and Beyond
Best for: Luxury safaris, climbing Kilimanjaro & island paradise on Zanzibar
Tanzania is home to some of Africa's most famous wildlife parks - the country has a great safari reputation for a reason! The Serengeti is known for the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest and zebras move in search of fresh grass.
The Ngorongoro Crater (the world's largest intact Caldera) is a haven for wildlife, since it's easy to spot all the different animals when they're dropping by for a drink of water. Big tip from us: while the famous national parks like the Serengeti are pretty expensive, the more you move down south, the cheaper it gets. One of our faves is Mikumi national park, which is much, much cheaper, and its close proximity to Dar es Salaam makes it perfect for combo trips with Zanzibar.
If you're up for a challenge, there's nothing more thrilling than climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa.
Don't miss a visit to the Masai Mara Reserve to meet the Masai people and learn about their traditions - the reserve also has a pretty large concentration of big cats like lions and cheetahs. The great thing about Tanzania is that after all the hiking and safaris, you can relax on the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar or take a diving course at one of the great dive schools on the island.
Uganda - Gorilla Encounters and More
Best for: Amazing forests and mountain gorillas
Uganda offers unique wildlife experiences you won't find anywhere else. Trekking through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that stays with you forever. The availability for this experience is extremely limited, as Uganda is (rightfully so!) super protective of their natural gems.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is another highlight where, if you're lucky, you can spot tree-climbing lions and take boat safaris on the Kazinga Channel among the hippos and crocodiles.
For those who love hiking, the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon trek is said to be one of the, if not the, best trekking experience Africa's got to offer. Challenging but utterly beautiful, through the highest mountain range on the entire continent, without the crowds you'll find on Kilimanjaro during the dry season. Uganda is a hugely underrated destination, with lots of natural beauty to offer you!
Kenya - Classic Safari and Coastlines
Best for: Classic safaris and getting to know about Maasai culture
Kenya and Tanzania have a lot in common. Both are synonymous with classic safari experiences and stunning landscapes.
The Maasai Mara is one of Africa’s top wildlife destinations, famous for the Great Migration and the number of big cats that live here. We also really recommend Amboseli National Park for striking views of Mount Kilimanjaro and large herds of elephants. If you want to climb Kilimanjaro yourself, that can be arranged too - it's a true once-in-a-lifetime experience and because of its location, it's a great combo with Kenya.
Beyond safaris, Kenya offers vibrant cultural experiences, from the Maasai villages to the bustling markets of Nairobi. Don’t forget the beautiful coastline along the Indian Ocean, where you can relax on the white sandy beaches of Diani or explore the historic port city of Mombasa.
Mozambique - Pristine Beaches and Marine Life
Best for: Beaches, marine life and diving
On the border of both Southern and Eastern Africa you'll find Mozambique, a real paradise for beach lovers and marine enthusiasts. The country’s coastline along the Indian Ocean is dotted with stunning beaches, clear waters, and vibrant coral reefs.
Bazaruto Archipelago and Quirimbas Archipelago are must-visit spots for snorkelling and diving since the variety of marine life is amazing, including dolphins, whales, and even dugongs. The Quirimbas Archipelago is a protected biosphere, mostly because of the massive mangrove forests and stunning coral reefs you'll find here.
In Mozambique, it's also possible to participate in marine conservation volunteering, where you'll help with researching the whale shark population under the guidance of the project scientists through scuba dives, ocean safaris and beach walks.
For a cultural twist, visit Ilha de Mozambique, an island full of historical architecture that's a UNESCO World Heritage site. The island is connected to the mainland with a bridge, so it's easy to get to.
In Mozambique you can also do safaris. Two places stand out. One is Gorongosa National Park, which is home to most major African animals like hippos, lions and elephants. The second one is Limpopo National Park, which is located on the border with South Africa, and on that side of the border is known as the famous Kruger National Park we mentioned above. Both are great picks for wildlife spotting.