BEST PLACES TO SEE ANIMALS ON SAFARI

Whether it's the lithe leopard or the empathetic elephant, we all have our favorite safari animal. If you are dreaming of a safari but want to be in with the best chance of spotting your favorite animals on game drives, we can help you choose the best safari destination.

BEST PLACES TO SEE LIONS IN AFRICA

Probably Africa’s most iconic species, you can see lion prides in the Kruger National Park, KwaZulu Natal and surrounding private reserves in South Africa. The  Okavango Delta and surrounding private reserves in Botswana, South Luangwa National Park in Zambia, Ruaha National Park, the Serengeti and its private reserves in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara and its private reserves in Kenya.

BEST PLACES TO SEE GORILLAS IN AFRICA

Rare and highly protected, you can witness wild mountain gorilla families in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda and the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

BEST PLACES TO SEE GIRAFFE ON SAFARI

You can witness giraffes in the Samburu reserves, Meru National Park, Giraffe Manor, the Laikipia Plateau, and the Maasai Mara and surrounding private reserves in Kenya. Giraffe sightings are common in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda, the Nyerere National Park, the Serengeti and surrounding reserves in Tanzania. The Sabi Sands and other Kruger reserves in South Africa offer plenty of opportunities to spot giraffes. Also, the Okavango Delta and surrounding reserves in Botswana and South Luangwa National Park in Zambia.

BEST PLACES TO SEE CHEETAHS ON SAFARI

Private game reserves in the KwaZulu Natal and Eastern Cape in South Africa offer the opportunity to spot cheetahs on a game drive. The Maasai Mara and its surrounding private reserves in Kenya are famed for big cats, including cheetahs. Central Kalahari, Nxai Pan, Makgadikgadi, Okavango Delta and its surrounding reserves in Botswana all offer strong potential sightings. Also on the cheetah list are Etosha National Park in Namibia, Kafue National Park in Zambia and both the Serengeti and Ruaha National Park in Tanzania.

BEST PLACES TO SEE ELEPHANTS IN AFRICA

One of the most loved African species, elephants, can be seen in huge herds in Chobe National Park, Okavango Delta and its surrounding reserves in Botswana. The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve and other surrounding private reserves in South Africa are profilic for elephants. Also consider the Mana Pools National Park and Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe; Amboseli National Park in Kenya, the Tarangire National Park and its surrounding reserves in Tanzania.

BEST PLACES TO SEE RHINO IN AFRICA

Highly protected and rare, rhino can be seen in Phinda Private Game Reserve and other surrounding game reserves in South Africa; the Etosha National Park in Namibia and the Solio Lodge and other northern Kenyan areas.

BEST PLACES TO SEE HIPPOS IN AFRICA

Hippos are an iconic African resident and can be seen in the Serengeti National Park and other surrounding game reserves in Tanzania. The Kruger National Park and its surrounding private reserves, including the Amakhosi Private Game Reserve in South Africa are noted for their hippo population. Also consider the Okavango Delta and its surrounding private reserves, like Moremi Game Reserve, in Botswana and the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia.

BEST PLACES TO SEE MEERKATS IN AFRICA

The two top places for meerkat encounters (a favorite for families) are the Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana and the Tswalu Kalahari private game reserve in South Africa.

BEST PLACES TO SEE LEOPARDS IN AFRICA

Leopards are notoriously elusive but can be spotted by experienced rangers in South Luangwa National Park and other surrounding private game reserves in Zambia. Also, the Serengeti and its surrounding private reserves in Tanzania. The Kruger National Park and its surrounding private reserves in South Africa offer reliable leopard sightings as does the Savute region in Botswana.

BEST PLACES TO SEE HYENAS IN AFRICA

Spotted hyenas can be seen across sub-Saharan Africa, including the Serengeti in Tanzania and Maasai Mara in Kenya; Botswana’s Chobe National Park and Okavango Delta; the Zambezi areas in both Zambia and Zimbabwe and both North and South Luangwa National Parks. Also the Kruger safari area in South Africa. For the shaggier and more elusive brown Hyena, we recommend Skeleton Coast in Namibia.

BEST PLACES TO SEE THE ‘WILDEBEEST MIGRATION’ IN AFRICA

The two main areas which the wildebeest migration travels through are the Maasai Mara and Serengeti in Kenya and Tanzania, along with both national parks bordering private game reserves.

BEST PLACES TO SEE THE BIG 5 ON SAFARI

A variety of National Parks and private game reserves within the following countries can offer Big 5 safaris - South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Botswana.