Top 10 Best Africa Safari Countries and Destinations 2020/21
Talking about an African safari? What you’ll think about is none other than numerous wildlife, spectacular sceneries, long distances and the hospitable people you’ll meet in the different areas of the Eastern and Southern parts of Africa. We have a list of countries that offer the best safari experiences. Safari experiences are always different from country to country, destination to destination and moment to moment. Some of the African safari countries that most tourists term as “best” include; Tanzania, Uganda Kenya, Rwanda, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Morocco, Zambia, Namibia and South Africa. Here are the 10 Best Africa Safari Countries to visit for a tour:
Tanzania safari
This is one of the famous countries that nature and wilderness lovers consider to travel among all other similar destinations in the world. The country is located along the coastline of the Indian Ocean in East Africa. Tanzania is greatly endowed with magnificent attractions and in this case we are looking at wildlife and landscape. It has 16 national prks and a number of game reserves which have a range of wild animals including elephant, zebra, lion, leopard, cheetah, Thompson’s Gazelle, wildebeest, crocodiles, buffalo and the world’s threatened species the rhino among others. Out of the long list of the national parks and game reserves in Tanzania, some of the them are; Lake Manyara national park, Gombe Stream national park, Selous game reserve, Tarangire national park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti national park- the most popular in the country and Africa.
Serengeti national park
This park is famous because of the prominent tourist activity of viewing wildlife in “The Great Wildebeest Migration”. Serengati is located in the northwest of Tanzania to the Kenyan border adjoining with Masai Mara national reserve. It covers a total area of 14,750 sq km and is divided into 3 sections; the Southern Serengeti plains which offer the real experience of wilderness, northern Serengeti and the western corridor.
As earlier said, Serenget national park is famously for the wildebeest migration which takes place every year at relatively the same time of the year depending on the weather. Large herds of animals totaling up to 2 million or more migrate from south of Serengeti towards the west and head to the northern region and others to Masai Mara in Kenya, then return to the south to complete the circuit. This migration is mainly dominated by wildebeest and quite a large population of zebras and less numbers of gazelles and elands.
Visit the park and watch any of the stages of the migration; crossing rivers or the long columns in the western corridor. You as well travel around December-February during the calving season and have chances of spotting predators trying to hunt for the calves.
Kenya safari
Kenya is an exceptional magical African safari country where you’ll adventure all Africa’s wonders in one country. It is one of the countries with many national parks and a high concentration of wild animals. Immediately you arrive in Kenya, you’ll be welcomed by these hospitable Kenyans, enjoy the friendly weather and you’ll be transferred to some of the parks where you’ll be thrilled by the large populations of lions, hyenas, wildebeest and antelope.
Masai Mara national reserve
Located in the southwestern part of Kenya, Masai Mara is one of the famous destinations of African safaris. It boasts for being a home to a big population of lions, leopards and cheetahs which can be spotted all year round, a reason they have featured in TV wildlife series. Other animals of the park are; wildebeest, hyena, duiker, hartebeest, hippo, zebra, eland, buffalo, giraffe and many others. There are over 400 bird species including migrants.
During the famous “Great Wildebeest Migration”, the animals make their U-turn at Masai Mara after enjoying the fresh grasslands of the park. This is another tourist game viewing activity that makes the park worth visiting. The large open plains of the park are a true African wilderness.
The park was named after the Maasai people who live near the park. The Maasai people are believed to be the ancestral inhabitants of this area. They used describe the area as “Mara” locally meaning spotted due to the many trees that are dotted in the plains.
Other exciting wildlife destinations in Kenya; Amboseli National park, Aberbare national park, Tsavo national park, Lake Nakuru national park and Nairobi national park.
Uganda safari
Uganda is one of the best African safari countries to visit because of the natural beauty in all corners; west, north, east and south western. Today, Uganda’s prime attraction are the endangered mountain gorillas found in two parks in the southwestern part of the country; Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorillla national park. In addition to these two parks, there are more 8 national parks, each with a unique attraction; Murchison fall national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Kidepo valley national park and Kibale national park among others. These are habitats for chimpanzees, African elephant, zebra, lion, hyena, cheetah, eland, buffalo, giraffe, golden monkey and much more. Birdlife of over 1000 in different habitats make birding sessions fabulous.
Besides the wildlife, Uganda has beautiful landscapes including mountains; Rwenzori, Elgon, waterfalls; Murchison falls, Sipi falls, rivers and channels; the Nile, Kazinga channel, Caves; Amabere ga Nyina Mwiru and much more incredible features that Uganda was described by Churchill as ‘T he Pearl of Africa”.
South Africa safaris
Also known as the republic of South Africa, South Africa is located in the subtropical southern of Africa. It has for long been a popular safari destination that provides classic African adventure regarding wildlife and relaxation experiences. It has large golden-grassland national parks which harbor wild animals such as elephants, buffalo, lion, greater kudu, hippo, warthogs, zebra, gemsbok, impala and over 800 bird species. South Africa is one of the few African countries with private game reserves. After the wildlife tour, there are overwhelmingly lovely places to visit for a relaxation before returning home. Some of these cities are; Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.
Among the top wildlife destinations in the Republic of South Africa is Kruger national park. It is one of the oldest national parks in south Africa and also one of the largest game parks in Africa, covering a total area of 19,485sq km. it is shared by two provinces Limpopo an Mpumalanga in the northeastern part of the country. The safari destination boasts for housing the “big five”; lots of elephants, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino. It has much more mammals and reptiles, birds and beautiful sceneries. This thrilling wildlife and sceneries are featured with bushman rock paintings and archaeological sites. Game drives and nature walks offer excellent views of all the attractions.
South Africa has more national parks with a variety of wildlife to offer. They include; Addo Elephant national park, Kgalagadi National park, Namaqua National park, Golden Gate Highlands National park and Beautiful Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve among others.
Botswana Safari
The reason to why Botswana is among the most amazing safari countries is because of the presence of the glamorous wildlife in its game destinations. This country in the south of afroica ha tightly protected its wild animals and their habitats in designated places such as the most famous Chobe national park, Kalahari game reserve, Nxai Pan national park, Moremi National park and Okavango Delta among others.
Chobe national park
This is Botswana’s pride for wildlife diversity. It is the second biggest national park in the country and is famous for a high concentration of elephants. The park has four different ecosystems; the dry hinterland, swamps, Savuti marsh and riverfront floodplains and forests. Apart from elephants, Chobe national park houses a range of many other wild animals including Greater kudu, sable antelope, hippos, giraffes, zebra, cheetahs, lions, leopards and more. It has birdlife of over 400 species.
Wildlife viewing can be done on game drives or on boat cruises along River Chobe. River Chobe is a conducive nesting area for bee-eaters where thousands of nestlings are sighted during specific seasons.
Rwanda safaris
Rwanda is a small landlocked country located in east Africa, bordered by Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the East, Burundi to the south and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west. Besdes the small size of the counyry, it has good roads that connect to the wildlife destinations thus relatively short durations of travelling to each of them.
Also known as the “Land of a thousand Hills”, Rwanda is currently one of the safari countries attracting thousands of tourists due to the [prime attraction- the endangered mountain gorillas living in Volcanoes National park on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. Rwanda is a very safe country for tourists, it is peaceful, no political instabilities and the tourism sector has been well developed.
Rwanda has few but incredible national parks; Volcanoes national park, Akagera national park, Nyungwe national park and Gishwati-Mukura joint National. Apart from mountain gorillas, other wild animals in the parks are; golden monkey, red-tailed monkey, Rwenzori colobus, buffalo, elephant, hippo, rhino, zebra and chimps.
Safaris to Rwanda are often combine d with a visit to one of the museums that expose the remains of people that were killed in the Rwanda genocide and more information about the about the genocide.
Volcanoes national park
this park has made Rwanda a great tourism destination because of the mountain gorilla and golden monkey trekking. It is located in the northwestern part of Rwanda and is part of the Virunga Massif. It takes about 3 hours to connect from Kigali international airport to the park by road. A gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda costs US$1,500.
Namibia safaris
This country is situated on the southwestern African coast bordered by Angola in the north, Botswana in the east and the Republic of South Africa in the south.
It is impossible to boast about only wildlife in Namibia without talking about the breath taking views of the landscapes, the beautiful desert sands and the lovely people of Namibia. The Namib Desert adjoining the rugged skeleton coastline, the iconic Damaraland and the fascinating national parks make Namibia a great country for safari.
Etosha national park
This is one of the destinations that the biggest percentage of tourists to Namibia goes to. It is the most dramatic national park in Namibia and among Africa’s top national game reserves. Etosha national park is located in the northwestern part of the park, covering an area of 22,270 sq km. Its name was derived from Etosha pan whose bigger portion is situated in the park. This waterhole attracts a number of wildlife such as buffaloes, pelicans, flamingos and others.
Etosha national park is a home to about 114 mammal species, 110 reptile species, over 300 bird species and 16 amphibian species. Some of the mammals include giraffes, leopards, cheetah, rhino, cape fox, hyena, mangoose, lions and zebra.
Other areas with exciting activities to do on a safari in Namibia are; Bwabwata national park, Nkasa Rupara Natioanl park, Mudumu national park, Namib-Naukuft National park, Khaeb National park.
Malawi safaris
This country is endowed with electrifying attractions regardless of its small size. It is a landlocked country surrounded by Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia. It has a relatively smaller population compared to other African countries and much of the land is covered by Lake Malawi and wildlife reserves. The lake is a home for over 600 bird species and it attracts several animals especially during the winter season.
There are 9 national parks in Malawi; Nyika national park, Lake Malawi National park, Kasungu national park, Liwonde national park and Mulanje mountain forest reserve among others offer plenty of wildlife including lions, zebras, hippos, elephant, crocodile, eland and waterbuck. These wildlife attractions together with a visit to Chongini rock art area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site offer the best of an African safari.
Zambia safari
Those who wish to encounter the wildest experiences are catered for on a safari in Zambia. It is one of countries in Africa that have a long list of national parks with diverse high-profile wildlife such as cheetah, leopard, Black and white rhino, elephant and others. Zambia’s wildlife is protected in 20 national parks and thiose with the most impressive tourist activities and attractions are; South Luangwe national park, Mosi-oa-Tunya national park, Kafue national park, Lower Zambezi national park, Liuwa Plains national park and Lochinvar national park. The destinations offer opportunity to view wildlife on game drives, river cruises and nature walks. You’ll also encounter the Zambians who have preserved their culture and traditions. These people are however hospitable.
Tourism and travel around safari destinations is being developed and improved, for example, the introduction of the East African visa which one can use to travel to Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. You can travel to 2, three or more African safari countries, to different national parks with our well experienced guides.
Top 10 Best Africa Safari Countries
Adventure in the wild safaris is tour operator specializing in Bwindi Gorilla and Uganda wildlife safaris. We offer a wide range of Gorilla trekking and wildlife safari packages at affordable rates with a focus on delivering high quality services for all travelers who book their trips with us.
