5 of the Best Safari Destinations in Africa
The nature reserves and national parks of Africa play host to some of the most remarkable wildlife on Earth – and as such they attract many thousands of visitors from the UK alone. Whether it's seeing a lion hunt down a zebra, watching a herd of elephants nudge their young across a rushing river, or simply enjoying a savannah sunset with an accompanying chorus of bird and animal life – nothing fires the imagination quite like an African safari. But choosing where to take your safari is no easy task, since there are so many incredible wildlife spots on this continent. But our top-five blog should help. So grab your khakis, binoculars and holiday insurance – and get ready for an experience like no other.
Duba, Botswana
Duba boasts two prides of lions that hunt by day – in contrast to all other African lions which hunt by night. The sunlit spectacle of lions taking on buffalo has made Duba extremely popular with lion lovers. A visit to see the beasts hunt, fight and roam in this stunning landscape of 65,000 acres is not cheap, however, with many tour operators charging over £4,000 per person for a seven day trip. However, luxurious accommodation and the experience of a lifetime arguably make it well worth the investment.
Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Established way back in 1961 the Masai Mara is Kenya's top wildlife park and is often the main reason for a visit to Kenya. Occupying the idyllic Rift Valley and merging with the Serengeti Plains of Tanzania to the south, the landscape alone is breath-taking. And then there are the animals. Despite being relatively small, the Masai Mara has an abundance of wildlife, including the 'Big Five', which comprises the lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and Cape buffalo. But you'll also see cheetah, hyenas, wildebeest, giraffe, warthogs, zebra, baboons and topis. Oh yes, and crocodiles and hippos in the Mara River.
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Five hour's drive from Johannesburg, the Kruger National Park is ideal for self-drive safaris, offering as it does, extremely well-maintained tracks. But they've had plenty of time to make the park such a delight to explore, having been established in 1898. But you don't come here for the pleasant drive, you come here for the widest variety of wild animals on the continent; along with the 'Big Five' (lion, leopard, Cape buffalo, rhino and elephant), you'll have a great chance of spotting hippo, cheetah, crocodiles and giraffe, among many others. A wide range of top quality accommodation options make Kruger a very comfortable park to stay in, although you can also ‘rough it' in tents and caravans. Check out some of the many Kruger tour operators by visiting: https://www.safaribookings.com/kruger/tours
Chobe National Park, Botswana
If you like your elephants and want to guarantee plenty of sightings, then Chobe National Park could be the ideal setting for a safari. But as well as boasting more than 120,000 elephants, the park plays host to the 'Big Five', together with hippo, crocodiles, wild dogs, kudu, lechwe and a dazzling array of birds (more than 450 species!). The sunsets here can be spectacular, invariably made even more so by the abundant wildlife. But taking centre stage at all times are the elephants – large and small.
The numerous glasslands, thickets and floodplains in Chobe have made it the ideal spot for a national park and is rewarding all year round. But visit in the dry season from April to October for the best chance of seeing your favourite animals – since they tend to gather along the river banks, making them easy to spot.
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Playing host to the great annual migration of zebra and wildebeest – one of the most incredible wildlife spectacles on the planet – Serengeti National Park is perhaps the quintessential safari location. The migration does not take place like clockwork, but the herds gather around the Grumeti River in Tanzania and the Mara River in Kenya between July and September. The animals migrate to survive – seeking out food and water – but of the 1.5 million wildebeest that set out, around 250,000 do not make it. For safari lovers there's a great chance of seeing a kill; crocodiles lie waiting in the water, while lions, leopards and hyenas lurk in the tall grasses, watching for stragglers. The wide variety of camps and lodges in the park ensure you'll get the full Serengeti safari experience, complete with hippos and hyenas roaring and laughing as the sun goes down.
