Wondering where to go on a safari? For the perfect itinerary, check out this article and contact our team about a safari getaway that’s equal parts wild adventure and classic leisure vacation. Read on for an overview of what each of these beautiful host nations has to offer in addition to their variety of safari packages, making them the hands-down best places to go on safari!
More travelers are making a commitment to protecting natural resources, like those enjoyed in the best safari destinations worldwide. By respecting local conservation efforts and embracing sustainable international travel, the perfect safari trip can also be eco-friendly.
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South Africa
The safari experience in South Africa has changed over the years to provide a safer, more organized, and more diverse experience that makes it one of the best places to go on safari. Customized experiences allow for dozens of safari itineraries to satisfy your desire to explore. You and your safari companions can add camping, concierge services, private tours, meals, and luxury amenities to a cherished wildlife excursion in South Africa.
Although there are a number of locations to go on a safari in South Africa, including Phinda Private Game Reserve, no list would be complete without Kruger National Park. Kruger is among the largest wildlife sanctuaries in the world, offering a quality safari experience to match its impressive size. Spend four or more days exploring the diverse ecosystems in Kruger, with each delivering a new experience for adventurous tourists. Wide open grassy plains, thick forest canopies, and sprawling freshwater systems, each with its own unique wildlife, are just a few of the natural systems you’ll observe.
Extend your South African stay and explore more of Kruger by staying in one of the park’s stunning properties (campsite, private villa, communal). After expending yourself roaming this vast untamed wilderness, you can retreat to the comfort and splendor of high-end accommodations.
Kenya
No list of African safari destinations is complete without wonderful Kenya. This bustling, modern African nation hosts millions of visitors from around the world every year seeking its mix of natural and urban vacation attractions.
The crown jewel of these attractions is none other than the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Maasai is the veteran safari-goers’ destination due to its luxury accommodations, the thoughtfully planned safari excursions offered, and the park’s fascinating biodiversity.
Maasai Mara has earned its global reputation as a premier wildlife reserve due in part to its role in the Great Wildebeest Migration. The majestic wildebeest spend the year traveling throughout Kenya and neighboring Tanzania in search of fresh grasslands capable of feeding these massive herds. One important milestone of this tremendous natural phenomenon is the crossing of the Mara River, which takes place around late July and marks the first leg of this year-long journey. Visitors of the Maasai Mara have the chance to witness over a million wildebeest, along with another quarter of a million zebra, cross.
The Maasai Mara National Reserve also offers safaris that bring you into contact with indigenous tribes, including the Maasai, from which the park derives its name. Interact with individuals who call the region home and learn from pastoralists who have been caretakers of these lands long before they were a national reserve.
Tanzania
Life springs eternal in Tanzania. Home to the largest variety of fauna anywhere, Tanzania’s Serengeti is among the best safari destinations in the world. While Kenya is one part of the Great Wildebeest Migration, modern day Tanzania (specifically the Serengeti National Park) is its epicenter. Along with the nearby Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti Park is where wildebeests give birth to their young as they continue their journey.
This rich land contains wide tracts of plains, woodlands, and riverine forests largely traversable by motor vehicles. For the portions that are not, hot air balloon tours are an option for avid safari adventurers. You can also add hiking for safari attractions that can only be seen on foot. Tanzania boasts a developed safari marketplace, offering an extensive range of experiences travelers can purchase. These can include five to 11-day stays in accommodations that range from rugged to luxurious. Your safari basecamp could be a modest tent or an elaborate tree lodge elevated high above the Tanzanian plain.
Visitors to Tanzania can also experience Tarangire National Park, home to the largest elephant population in Tanzania. Tanzania is also home to four other members of Earth’s “Big Five,” the large mammal species that call Africa’s rich plains home: elephants, rhinos, lions, buffalo, and leopards.
While safaris are considered safe for children and families, it is important travelers get the most accurate information regarding safari tour practices, as well as find reputable safari providers. Travel advisors can help safari goers better plan African safari trips that are highly seasonal. Portions of the Serengeti region that are desolate some months out of the year transform during the rainy season into wellsprings of life on Earth.
