Best AFRICAN SAFARI Tours and Tips
What are the best African safari tours and tips?
Have you always dreamed about going on an epic safari trip in Africa? But you don’t know where to start and which country to choose? There are so many great safari options in Africa, but Rwanda, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Namibia and Botswana offer the best experiences. Some of these safari destinations are perfect for first-timers, while others will be great for intrepid travellers.
In this article, we will list the best African safari tours.
Check them out for some travel inspiration!
6 Best African Safari Tours
Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda & Uganda
Gorilla trekking is one of the most unforgettable experiences in Africa.
You can’t see gorillas in every African country, because there are only a few places where gorillas live. The forests of Rwanda and Uganda are two of these places. These are also the best countries for gorilla trekking, as they have the most developed experiences and infrastructures.
You can see the gorillas in their natural habitat in:
- Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda;
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda.
Volcanoes National Park is a protected area in northwestern Rwanda. It consists of rainforest and five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains. The national park is home to the endangered mountain gorilla and the golden monkey.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a virgin forest located along with the Democratic Republic of the Congo border. The national park boasts rich biodiversity, but it is most notable for the gorillas that reside there. 400 Bwindi gorillas call the national park home — it is half of the world’s population of these endangered mountain gorillas.
Be warned — gorilla trekking tours in Rwanda and Uganda are expensive. The price can reach a whopping USD 1500 per day! Despite this fact, gorilla trekking is one of the best things to do in Africa. There are one-day and multi-day gorilla tracking tours, at various price categories. Choose the one that suits you the best.
Example — Volcanoes National Park: Link – https://bit.ly/3DnoZFI
Example — Bwindi: Link – https://bit.ly/3tUnn3o
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Kruger National Park is one of the oldest game reserves in South Africa.
With an area of 19,485 km2, it is also one of the largest game reserves in Africa. Being one of the world’s most famous safari parks, it offers some of the best African safari tours. In Kruger National Park, you can see endangered animals roaming free, which is a once in a lifetime opportunity. All the big five game animals can be spotted in Kruger National Park: the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and Cape buffalo.
The park offers one-day safaris or multiple-day safaris. You will be travelling in an open game-viewing vehicle with an experienced guide.
Example: https://bit.ly/3JZnMXJ
Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Covering 14750 km2, the Serengeti National Park is vast and teeming with wildlife.
The Serengeti National Park is one of the best safari destinations in Africa and one of the best wildlife destinations in the world. Thanks to the diverse landscapes, such as grassland plains, savanna, riverine forest, and woodlands, the Serengeti National Park boasts a rich and diverse flora and fauna and offers some of the best African safari tours.
The Serengeti National Park is home to wildebeest, zebra, elephant, giraffe, gazelle, impala, hartebeest, buffalo, hippopotamus, crocodile and other animal species.
The national park is well known for its annual migration of over 1.5 million white-bearded wildebeest. It is one of the largest movements of wild animals in the world, and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.
Many travel agents sell safari tours that include Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, two of the best places to visit in Tanzania, and in the whole of Africa.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is another stunning safari destination in Tanzania. This Conservation Area is named after the Ngorongoro Crater — a large volcanic caldera within the area. Formed when a huge volcano exploded, it is the world’s largest inactive, intact and unfilled volcanic caldera. It has a depth of 610 metres and an area of 260 square kilometres and provides a lush habitat for wildlife such as buffalos, hyenas, rhinos, lions, wildebeest, hippos, zebras, etc. The crater is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.
Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Maasai Mara National Reserve is home to some of the most diverse African wildlife.
It is a vast expanse of savannah plains. The national reserve is one of the most important wildlife conservation areas in Africa, well-known around the world for its large population of endangered animals, such as lions, cheetah, African leopard and African bush elephants. Just like the Serengeti National Park, Maasai Mara National park is known for its annual migration of over 1.5 million white-bearded wildebeest. It is one of the largest movements of wild animals in the world and is regarded as one of the Ten Wonders of the World. Seeing the migration of colossal herds is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
In Maasai Mara National Reserve, you can spot all members of the Big Five — the lion, leopard, elephant, Cape buffalo, black and white rhinos.
Example: https://bit.ly/3JXzz8Q
Etosha National Park, Namibia
Despite being a less popular destination in Africa, Namibia offers great safaris.
Etosha National Park is a wonderful safari destination. Established in 1907, Etosha National Park in northwestern Namibia is one of the largest national parks in Africa. With an area of 22,270 km2, the National Park boasts a variety of landscapes and abundant wildlife. In the park, you’ll experience savanna woodlands, grasslands and dolomite hills. However, the most prominent landscape is the salt pan, which can be seen from space. This is what makes this national park so unique.
The national park is home to hundreds of species of mammals, birds and reptiles, including some endangered species such as the black rhinoceros.
Etosha National Park offers unique safari experiences and various safari lodges. It is considered one of the most accessible national parks in Africa.
You can combine a trip to Etosha with a trip to other destinations in Namibia, such as Fish River Canyon Park, Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, Swakopmund and others. Many local travel agents sell multi-day tours that cover some of the best Namibia destinations.
Example: https://tidd.ly/3uGo8vV
Chobe National Park & Okavango Delta, Botswana
Botswana offers an excellent wildlife experience.
It boasts some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. The country is also known for its spectacular natural beauty. Botswana is wild and remote, and this will make your safari experience even more special. Where to go on a safari in Botswana?
Chobe National Park is the most biologically diverse national park in the country. It is where one of the largest elephant herds in Africa lives.
Many local travel agents also include a visit to Okavango Delta, the world’s largest inland delta and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Okavango Delta consists of vast floodplains and is home to the Big Five (African elephant, lion, leopard, Cape buffalo and rhino).
With its spectacular natural beauty, Botswana is a must for every safari and nature lover.
Multi-day Botswana, Victoria Falls and Zimbabwe safari tours are very popular. These types of tours are perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in the wild landscapes and visit more than one incredible African destination at once.
Example: https://tidd.ly/36Hk070
African Safari Tips
- Find out if you need a visa for your trip.
- You can book a tour that offers multiple experiences, for example — gorilla tracking + big five safaris, Masai Mara + Serengeti safari + Ngorongoro Crater, etc.
- Find out what is the best time to go on a safari. For example, the best chance to spot wildlife in Tanzania is during the dry season which is from June to October, and in January and February. However, the best chance of seeing the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti National park is in June and July. Decide where you want to go, and plan accordingly.
- If you are staying in a national park, wake up early (like 5-6 AM). There are higher chances of spotting wildlife in the morning than later in the day.
- Make sure you follow all the national park’s rules and listen to your guide. Do not feed or disturb animals! Do not wander off the path!
- Find out if there is a malaria risk in the area you are planning to visit? If yes, then you may need to take anti-malaria pills during your trip + even shortly before your trip. Ask your doctor about this.
- Staying at an eco-lodge is a great experience. In fact, it is one of the best things to do on safari in Africa.
- Safaris tend to be very expensive. Be prepared for that.
- Generally speaking, you should tip your safari guide and driver.
- Pack safari essentials such as bug spray, sunscreen with a high SPF, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, reusable water bottle, etc.
- Wear appropriate clothing that covers your arms and legs. It will prevent sunburns and bug/mosquito bites. Choose light-coloured clothing made of thin, lightweight and breathable material. Avoid bright colours, as they might scare animals.
- Bring sunscreen with you, as it is expensive in Africa.
