African Safari: Which Country Is the Best?
Which country offers the best African safari? Is it Tanzania, Kenya or South Africa? When searching for the answer, your preferences and schedule are what truly matter. In this article, we outline the different safari experences each country offers, helping you quickly find the one that best suits your needs for an Africa tour.
Best Africa Safari Coutries Map
Safari in Tanzania
Home to the Great Migration, Tanzania offers unparalleled safari experiences with the iconic Serengeti National Park, and stunning landscapes ranging from vast savannahs to volcanic craters. The Northern Circuit, including Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Mount Kilimanjaro, is the most popular. For an untouched and wild vibe, experienced travelers keen on exploring the Southern or Western Circuits. Additionally, Tanzania boasts the tropical beaches of Zanzibar, making it a top destination for both adventure and relaxation.
| Wildlife Viewing | Easily seen: elephants, buffaloes, wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, giraffes, hippos Commonly seen: lions, hyenas Occasionally seen: leopards, cheetahs Rarely seen in Ngorongoro Crater: black rhinos Seen in southern parks: wild dogs, bat-eared foxes, black-backed jackals |
| Safari Options | Classic Game Drives, Walking Safaris, Balloon Safaris over the Serengeti, Night Safaris. |
| Best Time for Safari | June to October (Dry Season) August to September (Great Migration) January to February (Calving Season) |
Safari Add-ons
Cultural Tours: Visit local villages and interact with the Maasai people and other ethnic groups, such as the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes, to experience traditional dances, crafts, and way of life.
Kilimanjaro National Park: Climb the highest mountain of Africa.
Zanzibar Island: Relax on the gorgeous beaches of this "Spice Island".
Safari in Kenya
Kenya is the birthplace of the wildlife safari, a prime destination for Big Five sightings. Though it is smaller size and more crowded than Tanzania, it is accessible with well-developed infrastructures.
Maasai Mara is renowned for its dramatic river crossings during the Great Migration, and rich cultural interactions with the Maasai people, both of which are highlights of visiting Kenya. Moreover, the views of Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli National Park, provide a spectacular backdrop for wildlife photography.
| Wildlife Viewing | Easily seen: elephants, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, hippos, wildebeests Commonly seen: lions, hyenas Occasionally seen: leopards, cheetahs Rarely seen at Lake Nakuru and Nairobi National Parks: white rhinos |
| Safari Options | Classic Game Drives, Balloon Safaris, Walking Safaris, Camel Safaris |
| Best Time for Safari | June to October (Dry Season) July/August to September (Great Migration) |
Safari Add-ons
Mount Kenya: The second-highest peak in Africa, provides hiking and climbing adventures.
Masai Mara National Reserve: Shares the Great Migration with the Serengeti, offering spectacular river crossings and predator action.
Lake Bogoria National Reserve & Lake Baringo: Bird watching with possible sightings of flamingos in Lake Bogoria.
Safari in South Africa
South Africa combines world-class wildlife viewing with extensive network of parks, its private game reserves, luxury lodges and accessible infrastructure make it a favorite for both first-timers and experienced safari-goers. Unlike in other countries, white rhinos are rare and hard to spot, but in South Africa, they are commonly seen in the KwaZulu-Natal Park. Furthermore, Cape Mountain zebras and black wildebeests are rare and endemic to South Africa.
| Wildlife Viewing | Easily seen: elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, antelopes Commonly seen: lions, white rhinos Occasionally seen: leopards (higher chances in Sabi Sand), cheetahs |
| Safari Options | Classic Game Drives, Private Reserve Game Drives, Self-Drive Safaris, Walking Safaris, Night Safaris, Whale Watching Safaris |
| Best Time for Safari | May to September (Dry Season of the East) November to March (Dry Season of the West) June to November (Whale Watching Season) |
Safari Add-ons
Whale Watching Safaris: The town of Hermanus, provides land-based and boat-based viewing options to witness southern right whales, humpbacks, and Bryde's whales.
The Garden Route: Scenic coastal drive offers a mix of beaches, forests, and adventure activities. Stops can include whale watching, bungee jumping, and exploring quaint towns.
Wine Tasting Tours: Discover South Africa's renowned wine regions like Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, enjoy wine tastings, vineyard tours, and gourmet dining.
Cape Town: Visit to this vibrant city known for Table Mountain, Robben Island, and the Cape Winelands, explore its great city life and natural beauty.
Safari in Botswana
Considered as the wildest of the safari countries, Botswana is celebrated for its intimate wilderness and high-end eco-tourism. The Okavango Delta offering unique water-based safaris and Chobe National Park boasts the highest count of elephants, providing exceptional wildlife encounters in an unspoiled environment. In northern parks, you can possibly find endangered antelopes and African wild dogs.
| Wildlife Viewing | Easily seen: elephants, giraffes, hippos, buffalo, zebras Commonly seen: lions Occasionally seen: leopards, cheetahs |
| Safari Options | Classic Game Drives, Water-Based Mokoro (Canoe) Safaris in Okavango Delta, Walking Safaris, Boat Safaris, Mobile Camping Safaris. |
| Best Time for Safari | May to September (Dry Season) |
Safari Add-ons
Scenic Flights: Take a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta or the Kalahari Desert for breathtaking aerial views.
Kalahari Desert Safari: Explore the vast desert, home to unique wildlife and the famous black-maned lions. Okavango Delta: Explore the waterways and spot aquatic wildlife and birds.
Bird Watching: A superb birding destination with over 500 bird species. Join dedicated birding tours to spot both resident and migratory species.
Safari in Zambia
Zambia, a pioneer of safari on foot, is renowned for its exceptional walking safaris in South Luangwa National Park. It also features the stunning Victoria Falls, one of the world's largest waterfalls. The country's focus on conservation and intimate safari experiences makes it a hidden gem for wildlife enthusiasts.
| Wildlife Viewing | Easily seen: elephants, hippos, buffaloes, zebras, crocodiles Commonly seen: leopards, lions Occasionally seen: giraffes, wild dogs |
| Safari Options | Classic Game Drives, Walking Safaris, Boat Safaris |
| Best Time for Safari | May to October (Dry Season) |
Safari Add-ons
Victoria Falls: Visit one of the world's largest waterfalls from Zambian side, it is advisable to experience its peak from June to August.
Fishing Expeditions: Enjoy fishing for tiger fish in the Zambezi River while viewing wildlife, for a unique experience.
Zebras
Safari in Zimbabwe
Boasting the second-highest elephant count in Africa, Zimbabwe offers rich wildlife experiences in Hwange National Park and breathtaking scenery along the Zambezi River in Mana Pools National Park, known for its exciting canoe safaris and walking safaris among elephants, hippos, and crocodiles. This off-the-beaten-track destination also features the majestic Victoria Falls, adding a spectacular natural wonder to your safari itinerary.
| Wildlife Viewing | Easily seen: elephants, hippos, zebras, warthogs Commonly seen: lions, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeests, spotted hyenas |
| Safari Options | Classic Game Drives, Walking Safaris, Canoe Safaris |
| Best Time for Safari | June to October (Dry Season) |
Safari Add-ons
Victoria Falls: The Zimbabwean side of Victoria Falls has 75% more viewing points, you can try activities like helicopter flights, bungee jumping, and sunset cruises.
Lake Kariba: Relax with fishing trips, houseboat stays, and wildlife viewing along the shores of Africa's largest man-made lake.
Matobo National Park: Home to both black and white rhinos, although rarely seen, Matobo offers opportunities for rhino tracking alongside ancient rock art and breathtaking granite landscapes.
Great Zimbabwe Ruins: Explore the ancient city ruins of Great Zimbabwe, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and learn about the region's rich history and culture.
Safari in Uganda
Uganda's diverse landscapes, including savannahs, lakes, and forests, provide habitats for a wide variety of wildlife. It offers an outstanding safari experience with primate walks to track endangered mountain gorillas in lush rainforests, while also boasting excellent birdwatching opportunities with over 1,000 species documented.
| Wildlife Viewing | Easily seen: buffaloes, hippos Commonly seen: gorillas, chimpanzees, elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, Uganda kobs |
| Safari Options | Classic Game Drives, Primate Walks, Boat Safaris |
| Best Time for Safari | June to August, December to February (Dry Season) |
Safari Add-ons
White-water Rafting: Experience white-water rafting in Jinja with rapids ranging from mild to wild.
Chimpanzee Tracking: Trek through Kibale Forest National Park to observe chimpanzees and other primates in their natural environment.
Mount Elgon: Climb the volcano through scenic trek and unique volcanic landscapes.
Safari in Rwanda
Home to endangered mountain gorillas, Rwanda is offering a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounter in their natural habitat. Additionally, Rwanda provides the chance to see diverse wildlife in Akagera National Park, where savannahs, mountains, and swamp ecosystems combine to create a scenic background for game drives and boat safaris.
| Wildlife Viewing | Easily seen: buffaloes, hippos, zebras Commonly seen: gorillas, chimpanzees, giraffes |
| Safari Options | Classic Game Drives, Gorilla Trekkings, Boat Safaris |
| Best Time for Safari | June to September (Dry Season) |
Safari Add-ons
Akagera National Park: Scenic Big Five reserve offering boat trips and night drives as well as regular game drives.
Kigali City Tour: Explore Rwanda's vibrant capital city, including visits to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, and local markets.
Tea and Coffee Plantation Tours: Visit plantations to learn about Rwanda's thriving tea and coffee industries, including tours and tastings.
Safari in Namibia
Namibia is characterized by its dunes and desert landscapes, along with its rugged coastline, create a stunning picture for safari adventures.
While animals may not be found in vast numbers due to the arid terrain, it is exceptional for cheetah sightings. The country's marine wildlife encounters and unique desert-adapted wildlife add to its distinctive safari appeal.
| Wildlife Viewing | Commonly seen: cheetahs, elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests |
| Safari Options | Classic Game Drives, Self-Drive Safaris, Walking Safaris, Dolphin & Whale Watching |
| Best Time for Safari | June to October (Dry Season) |
Safari Add-ons
Swakopmund: Enjoy adventure activities such as sandboarding, quad biking, and dolphin cruises in the coastal town of Swakopmund.
Sossusvlei and Deadvlei: Visit the iconic red sand dunes of Sossusvlei and the eerie, fossilized trees of Deadvlei in the Namib-Naukluft National Park.
Dolphin and Whale Spotting: Namibia offers marine wildlife experience along the Atlantic coastline, you can see bottlenose and Heaviside's dolphins year-round, while southern right and humpback whales migrate through the region from June to November.
Fish River Canyon: Hike or take in the breathtaking views of Fish River Canyon, one of the largest canyons in the world.
Discover Best African Safari With Odynovo
Ready to experience the wild wonders of Africa? Reach out to us via [email protected] to tailor an African safari vacation that suits your preferences and needs.
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