12 Ultimate Safaris in Africa for Your Bucket List
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Africa is known to offer thrilling safari experiences through the hearts of its wildernesses. Whether you are looking to encounter the Big Five up close, see predators hunting down their prey, add to your collection of wildlife photographs, or relax in the tranquility of undestroyed landscapes, there is something for you in the national parks in Africa.
From the vast savannahs of the Serengeti to the lush rainforests of Bwindi, each safari offers a unique and unforgettable adventure.
If you are looking for safaris to add to your bucket list, you will never go wrong with the national parks we review here; they offer unforgettable experiences that are sure to captivate wildlife and nature enthusiasts.
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Witnessing the great migration of wildebeests is undoubtedly Serenegti’s most iconic highlight.
But there is much more to enjoy other than the migration of the wildebeests. Serengeti is renowned as one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros) in their natural habitat. Other animals you may see on your safari through Serengeti include zebras, cheetahs, hippos, crocodiles, giraffes and various species of antelopes.
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Serengeti is also known for its high concentration of big cats, such as lions, cheetahs and leopards. These are typically elusive, and many people going on safaris do not get an excellent chance to spot them.
Besides the animals, the vast plains of Serengeti, featuring acacia trees, are so calming to look at, especially when they burst into greenery during the rainy season. Whether you are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience or you are into wildlife photography, Serengeti offers amazing exploration opportunities you need to experience.
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Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
The Maasai Mara on the Kenyan side and the Serengeti on the Tanzanian side are interconnected. If you want to witness the wildebeest migration, you can do it on either side. You will be treated to views of the animals moving across the vast plains from one park to another in search of grazing pastures.
The thing, however, about viewing the migration in Masai Mara is that you may get to see the animals cross the Mara River. If lucky, wildlife photographers may get to catch snaps of crocodiles preying on wildebeests as they cross the river.
Besides the wildebeests, Masai Mara is also home to the Big Five, which includes large populations of lions, elephants, and buffaloes. Cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, hyenas, and various antelope species are also commonly sighted.
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There are so many ways to experience the vastness and beauty of the Masai Mara other than riding on safari vans. You can have a bush breakfast, take hot air balloon safaris for panoramic views of the park, visit the Maasai villages around the park for an immersive experience, or watch sunsets from the viewpoints in the park.
The Maasai Mara offers many accommodation options, including luxury lodges, tented camps, and mobile campsites. Many of these accommodations are within or near the reserve, offering convenient access to wildlife viewing areas.
Read also: Safaris Beyond Africa
Kruger National Park, South Africa
South Africa offers many opportunities for nature lovers, and Kruger National Park is an icon you cannot afford to miss when visiting the country. Kruger, the country’s largest national park, boasts diverse landscapes, including vast open grasslands, dense bushes, and rivers such as Sabie and the Crocodile.
In addition to the Big Five, Kruger is home to a huge population of hippos, crocodiles, numerous bird species, giraffes, wildebeest, hyenas, and zebras.
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You can choose to go on guided bush walks, daytime safaris, or nighttime safaris to better your chances of spotting nocturnal animals like leopards and hyenas.
When visiting Kruger National Park, you can stay at the rest camps, luxury bush lodges, or private concessions. You may also choose to stay in accommodations within the park limits, many of which offer panoramic views of the park and have animals walking by the decks.
Read also: Must-Visit National Parks
Okavango Delta, Botswana
As the Okavango River flows into the Kalahari Desert, it warps at some point, forming the Okavango Delta. This delta has become a rich haven for wildlife and attracts wildlife enthusiasts from all corners of the world.
During your safari at the Okavango Delta, you can spot a wide variety of animals, including the African Bush Elephant, buffaloes, hippos, giraffes, Nile crocodiles, lions, cheetahs, brown hyenas, spotted hyenas, warthogs, Black rhinoceros, white rhinoceros, and a wide variety of antelope species.
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An unmissable activity at Okavango Delta is exploring its pristine waterways. Riding a mokoro (traditional canoe) or motorized boat allows you to enjoy different perspectives of the rich ecosystem.
Whether exploring the waterways on boats, tracking the wildlife on foot, or going on game drives, the Okavango Delta is a destination that will surely enchant nature and safari enthusiasts.
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Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
Mana Pools is known for its stunning landscapes characterized by the meandering Zambezi River, floodplains, woodlands, and the Mana Pools, a series of oxbow lakes. Mana Pools National Park is an excellent opportunity to explore unspoiled natural beauty graced by various animals like elephants, buffaloes, hippos, and crocodiles that can typically be spotted along the Zambezi River. You may also spot elusive predators such as lions, leopards, and hyenas.
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The walking safaris at Mana Pools National Park are a highlight you do not want to miss. It is an opportunity to witness friendly wildlife up close, like giraffes and zebras. For an immersive experience, you may go on canoeing or bird-watching excursions or cultural visits to the local communities.
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South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
Leopards are known to be nocturnal, secretive, shy, solitary, and masters of camouflage, making them the most difficult to spot among the Big Five. Many people on safaris do not get lucky to spot this big cat.
However, if you would like to enhance your chances of spotting leopards, your best bet would be at South Luangwa National Park, which is known to have a high population of leopards.
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Beyond leopards, the park is also home to elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, and antelopes. Driving along the Luangwa River is also an opportunity to see crocodiles and hippos.
South Luangwa National Park offers a range of accommodation options, including luxury lodges, tented camps, and rustic bush camps. Many of these accommodations are located along the Luangwa River, offering stunning views of the river and wildlife that come to drink at the river.
Read also: Interesting Natural Phenomena To Witness
Etosha National Park, Namibia
Etosha National Park is home to one of Africa’s largest salt pans, with waterholes and a large wildlife population. Surrounding the pan are expansive grasslands, mopane woodlands, and acacia savannahs, offering an excellent opportunity to connect with Mother Nature in its unspoiled state.
Etosha is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including the Big Five, as well as large herds of plains game such as zebras, giraffes, and various antelope species.
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The park is mainly known for its large populations of elephants and black rhinos, which can often be seen at the waterholes. It is also a haven for birdwatchers, with over 340 recorded species. Some notable birds to watch out for include ostriches, flamingos, and eagles.
Besides viewing the wild animals, the salt pan is also a site to behold, especially during the sunrise and sunset.
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Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda
As the powerful Nile River squeezes through a narrow gorge, it forms the picturesque Murchison Falls, the highlight of Murchison Falls National Park. The park features a mix of diverse landscapes, including savannah grasslands, dense woodlands, and forests, offering a perfect ecosystem for its large wildlife population.
The park is home to the Big 5, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, and numerous antelope species such as Uganda kob and waterbuck.
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On your safari, you can go on boat cruises to experience the Murchison Falls up close, go on fishing trips on the Nile River, or just spend the evenings relaxing in the tranquility of your safari lodges or tented camps.
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Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is known for its gorilla trekking experience. It involves trekking through dense vegetation to encounter endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
The name “impenetrable” is very intentional. The forest is characterized by dense woodlands, bamboo forests, thick ground cover of ferns and vines, and mist-covered hills. The thick vegetation you need to traverse offers an immersive experience in the pristine wilderness of Uganda.
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While gorillas are the show’s star when visiting Bwindi, the safari also allows tourists to see elephants, chimpanzees, and monkeys.
The forest has also been described as the world’s best place to see primates.
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Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Hwange National Park is the largest national park in Zimbabwe. It is known for its large elephant population, which gathers around waterholes during the dry season. The park is rugged and beautiful, with stunning vistas and dramatic sunsets perfect for photography
In addition to elephants, Hwange National Park has lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, zebras, buffaloes, and numerous antelope species.
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Hwange is also home to a rich birdlife, with over 400 recorded species. Wildlife photographers will have a great time capturing this birdlife, with the most famous sightings including raptors, waterbirds, and migratory species.
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Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Large herds of elephants, with a stunning background and the highest peak in Africa, is an experience Amboseli National Park is renowned for. The imposing presence of Mount Kilimanjaro in the background makes exploring Amboseli even more fascinating.
Other than the stunning peaks, visiting Amboseli lets you relax in the tranquility of open plains, acacia woodlands, and surrounding wetlands, all of which create a picturesque setting for spotting wildlife.
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Lions, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, and antelopes are some of the park’s most famous sightings.
Enjoy views of Mount Kilimanjaro, especially during sunrise and sunset; take hot air balloon trips for panoramic views of the park, or photograph the large herds of elephants in the heart of Kenya’s wilderness.
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Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Taking safari drives or trekking tours across Volcanoes National Park offers the opportunity to encounter endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Dramatic volcanic peaks, including the famous Virunga volcanoes, dominate this park. The landscape is characterized by lush bamboo forests, montane rainforests, and alpine meadows, all of which create a great and calming environment perfect for unwinding in nature.
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This park is also home to various monkey species, forest elephants, and numerous bird species.
If you like hiking, plan to summit the Virunga Volcano, which offers stunning panoramic views of the park and its surroundings.
Read also: Spectacular Volcanic Destinations
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Rachel is a content writer interested in creating engaging narratives on travel, home management, personal finance, and parenting. When free, you can catch her writing for her personal blog, flawlesshorizon.com, watching TikToks, or exploring hidden gems in her city.
