Africa has some of the most mesmerizing wildlife experiences out there, so if you are planning on going there for the first time, picking the most suitable safari might be hard for you. Not to worry, though; this guide is going to make your life easier because here, you’ll learn about the best African safari locations, including Botswana and Tanzania, along with relevant details about the timing and average cost of the tour. Where to go on safari in Africa and what about the best time of year for African safari? We’ll tell you.
Safari in Botswana
If you are looking for luxury safaris, then Africa is the right place for you, and Botswana is the leading option in safari expansion. This is largely due to the country’s unspoiled nature, wide variety of ecosystems, and surplus of wildlife.
Why Botswana?
Botswana is the perfect location for an authentic wildlife safari because of its extensive landscapes such as the Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta. Botswana’s top best safaris in Africa do not feel crowded thanks to the variety of parks that focus on a more personable experience, rather than just a bombardment of tourists.
The plethora of wildlife that live in Botswana include:
- Okavango Delta: A UNESCO World Heritage site offering a combination of boat safaris and wildlife like no other.
- Chobe National Park: Popular for its large elephant populations and the cruises through the Chobe River that promote high coverage.
- Moremi Game Reserve: Recognized for its extraordinary views of lions, leopards, and other predators.
Best Time to Visit Botswana for a Safari
The best time to visit Africa safari is between May and October, which is the dry season. During these months, wildlife congregates around water sources, making it easier to spot animals. The Okavango Delta also experiences its annual flood during this period, and it can be an excellent time for a Botswana water safari.
Cost for a Safari in Botswana
Botswana safaris in Africa prices can run anywhere between $300 per person per day to $2000, all depending on the level of comfort and exclusivity. There are also camping safaris for those on a budget and there are elite lodges that are sought after for their exquisite comforts and cozy niches.
Safari in Tanzania
Like Botswana, Tanzania is a rival for the best African safari tours, featuring remarkable parks and the opportunity to see the Great Migration, one of the most stunning events in nature in Africa.
Why Tanzania?
Tourists looking for the best travel destination in Africa for safari will be pleased with Tanzania’s wide range of stunning landscapes and animals. Some of the best ones include:
- Serengeti National Park: Where, for instance, the annual movement of more than 2 million wildebeests and zebras occurs.
- Ngorongoro Crater: A World Heritage Site which is an excellent wildlife viewing area set in a stunning volcanic caldera.
- Tarangire National Park: Famous for its ancient baobab trees and large elephant herds.
- Selous Game Reserve: One of the world’s largest game reserves which is guaranteed to offer you off the beaten path experiences.
Best Time to Visit Tanzania for a Safari
The ideal time frame to the best safari in Tanzania is determined by what you want to do:
- June to October: The dry season provides ample opportunity to see wildlife as animals accumulate around waterholes.
- January to March: This is the period in Madagascar where newborn animals can be spotted and gain interest from the predators of the food chain.
Cost for A Safari in Tanzania
Within Tanzania, you can find a safari for both affordable and more luxurious prices, within the frame of $200 to $1,500per person a day. The price of the safaris are determined by the type of tour you have. For example, group or camping safaris are on the more affordable side, while private or luxury safaris take the price up higher.
Safari in Kenya
Kenya is globally regarded as the top location for safaris, and rightfully so with its stunning nature, wide range of wildlife, and exquisite cultures on display. There is a reason why Kenya is believed to be the number one country to go for a safari in all of Africa.
Why Kenya?
Kenya has some of the best classic safari experiences in the world, including:
- Masai Mara National Reserve: Famous for its great migration of zebras and millions of wildebeests crossing the Mara River.
- Amboseli National Park: This national park in Kenya is renowned for its elephant herds and offers stunning views of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
- Lake Nakuru National Park: Apart from being home to flamingos and rhinos, this park is worth visiting for any bird lover, as these areas are a magnet for birds.
- Tsavo National Parks: For those dreaming about a remote safari, Tsavo National Parks offers a great option that is not too busy.
Travelers from all across the globe have made use of Africa’s safari industry for a long time, cattle herding and wildlife has always been its major highlight so the places are quiet.
Best Time to Visit Kenya for a Safari
Depending upon what season you wish to visit the country depends on the time factors.
- July to October: It is perfect to see the Great Migration in Masai Mara.
- January to March: It is dry with clear blue skies, a time when many animals move to water sources.
Cost for a Safari in Kenya
The variety of the best safaris in Africa, Kenya means there is a wide gap in the expectations:
- Budget options: The best safari tours in Africa and camping safaris from $150 USD to $300 USD per person/day.
- Mid-range options: Lodges and guided tours from $400 USD to $800 USD per person/day.
- Luxury options: Private tours with exclusive lodges are valued at upwards of $1000 USD per person/day.
Safari in Rwanda
While Rwanda may not be as expansive as the other African safari options, it surely provides an astonishing and close experience for all those who love gorilla trekking.
Why Rwanda?
Rwanda is a tropical African country with spectacular scenery; so your adventure wouldn’t be complete without exploring stunning nature, country, and trekking along the fascinating mountain jungles and sound adapting to gorillas. You’ll find Indeed, these must visit Rwanda top best African safaris:
- Volcanoes National Park: It enables the sight of the rare species of mountain gorillas. The mountaineering trip between volcanoes and gorillas is the opportunity for many.
- Akagera National Park: It’s a Big Five: top best safari in the world with stunning views of savanna and scenic lakes.
- Nyungwe Forest National Park: A wide range of experiences include primate watching, chimpanzee search, trekking, and a canopy walk above the rainforest.
Rwanda offers its visitors wonderful and ethical safari options while safeguarding the environment through effective conservation strategies and eco-tourism.
Best Time to Visit Rwanda for a Safari
The ideal periods to explore and trek animals are:
- June to September: Best months for Gorillas trekking as the walkways are normally dry which makes it easier to search for animals.
- December to February: Best time for tracking other primates and during game rides in Akagera National Park.
Cost for a Safari in Rwanda
- Gorilla Trekking Permissions: Standing at $1500 per person, the price isn’t exactly friendly but the gorilla trekking experience makes it completely worth it.
- For mid-range budgets: Expect to shell out anywhere between $300 to $600 per person to avail of a guided tour.
- For luxury experiences: Expect to shell out upwards of $1000 for a day as the cost for a single person for an upscale lodge coupled with a tailor-made experience.
Safari in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is an underdog when it comes to African safari locations, however it is able to provide some of the finest services as well as a unique experience which isn’t crowded with tourists.
Why Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe has a lot to offer to wildlife lovers that remain undiscovered in the world:
- Hwange National Park: Considered to be home to a diverse array of wildlife apart from elephants, which happen to be part of the African continent’s largest population.
- Mana Pools National Park: Recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site .This site is renowned for canoe safaris where tourists get up close and personal with hippos and are able to birdwatch.
- Victoria Falls: Unforgeable wild animal drives and boat rides on the Zambezi river are available although this region lacks safaris in the conventional sense.
- Matobo National Park: Wide granite hills and expanding granite areas are known as the perfect places to track rhinos.
The storytelling and unmatched skills of Zimbabwe guides are the reasons why the safari trips there remain memorable.
Best Time to Visit Zimbabwe for a Safari
The dry seasons of Zimbabwe take precedence over the rain-filled ones from November to April:
- May to October: This is when the highest amounts of vegetation appear and wildlife gathers near watering holes, making them easier to spot.
- November to April: Rain may cause some places to be difficult to access, but the landscapes are rich and full of life and ideal for bird-watching.
Cost for a Safari in Zimbabwe
The best Africa safari in Zimbabwe comes at a rate more affordable than multiple other African safari locations, for example:
- Budget safaris cost anywhere between 150 to 300 per person per day, along with camping options.
- Mid-ranges cost above camping rate while being less than $600 per person, most times incorporated with lodging along with guided safaris.
- Luxury safaris are on more of the expensive end, ranging from 800-1200 while tailored lodging is included.
Safari in Zambia
Moving on, Zambia is believed to be the initial location of walking safaris as it provides a form of wildlife experience in an African safari. It is the best place for safari in Africa (or at least one of them).
Why Zambia?
- South Luangwa National Park: It’s a perfect location for spotting predators as the dimension of the Squaw Valley Scout is referred to as the Valley of the Leopard.
- Kafue National Park: Other than being among the largest parks of Africa, this recently became the best place to search for cheetahs enabling tourists to travel harsh landscapes.
Considering Africa, the Zambian side of Victoria Falls enables tourists to visit the region as the location is known for wildlife viewing and a variety of other activities.
Best Time to Visit Zambia for a Safari
Planning to go on a Zambia safari? We have the perfect timeline for a seamless trip.
Consider planning this trip between the months of May up until October, these have been noted to have the lowest amounts of rain, this allows for wonderful displays of nature. Because of the clearer seasons, animals are often easier to find and track especially birthing time and migratory periods.
The period between March and November is also considered good, one of the main reasons being the abundance of plants during the specific time, alongside extreme amounts of migratory birds being active.
Cost of a Safari in Zambia
Comparatively to most modern day Zamibian Tours, the safaris cost are cheaper than most locations worldwide while also having different ranges based on specific needs and the services offered.
- Budget deals: Starting at $200 to $400 per person covering camping in large groups alongside many easy to understand tours.
- Mid level: Sage from $450 to $800 per person covering rooms in comfortable yet affordable zambian lodges with tours.
- Higher End: Compartmentalized rooms in contrast to traditional lodges can go up from $900 to $1,500 per person.
Safari in Namibia
Namibia is often heavily considered to be the best place for African safari; it is a land of beautiful breathtaking areas filled with thick, pristine deserts to graze sand dunes. Coupled alongside stunning wildlife that has learned to adapt to a dry climate and environment, traveling there alongside groups is a great idea for thrill lovers.
Why Namibia?
Self-drive safaris are gardener alongside guided tours, making the exploration seamless alongside travel routes filled with rich history.
- Etosha National Park is a large salt pan forming a center area for many animals, including elephants, rhinos, lions, and giraffes, to congregate. The wide area allows the animals to be active and roam around, allowing easy tracking and exploration.
- Skeleton Coast: This is an untamed terrain where seals, desert lions, and shipwrecks can be found on the coast.
- South Africa: Although a true southern wildlife safari Africa is not possible, this region has breathtaking desert photoshoots and has active species such as oryx and other desert animals.
- Damaraland: This region houses some of the world’s most endangered species, such as the African elephants and black rhinos, as well as ancient rock carvings in the form of engravings on rocks.
Self drive safaris are allowed on the roads of Namibia making it one of the leading roads for self drive safaris around the world as well.
Best Time to Visit Namibia for a Safari
The timing for visiting Namibia is catered for in departure areas in that it incorporates your preferences:
- The dry season is from June to October: This is the preferred time for hunting animals as they will be congregating together around water points scattered across Etosha National Park.
- The green season from November to March: This season is best suited for bird watchers as it attracts a mix of migratory birds and frequent flooding, which creates a green environment but will make seeing land animals a challenge.
Cost for a Safari in Namibia
If looking for a nice warm addicting experience then Namidia is a great spot as it has a variety of safaris that can suit every pocket.
- Budget safaris: These safaris start from 150 to 250 dollars per person each day and include self-driving and sleeping in tents.
- Mid-range safaris: Starting at 300 dollars and going up to 600 dollars for each person every night with relatively plush hotels and a guide.
- Luxury safaris: These range from 700 dollars to around 1200 dollars each day and include hotels with great amenities and a personal guide.
Safari in South Africa
South Africa offers the best place in Africa for safari and is the place that is perfect for the first timers and parents travelling with kids, as it features rich wildlife and world class cities filled with rich cultural experiences, all in one place.
Why South Africa?
When it comes to South Africa, there is a wide range of things that they are known for, such as:
- Kruger National Park: One of Africa’s top five game parks and the largest in size, offering a wide variety of lodges.
- Private Game Reserves: Sabi Sands and Timbavati – boasting big games which can be viewed directly from your luxury room.
- Addo Elephant National Park: Excellent for viewing elephants and a variety of other mammals in a non-malaria area.
- Pilanesberg National Park: Close to Johannesburg, it is suitable for a quick vacation or first safari visitors.
- Cape Town: It is not a safari area, but it can accompany a safari for a more rounded trip.
Best Time to Visit South Africa for a Safari
The period of crawl changes by region when it comes to African safari terrain:
- May to September: As for parks like Kruger and Northern Parks, this dry season is perfect for spotting wildlife.
- October to April: It is the green season for the north, but it is also a perfect time for the Cape region, where whale watching in the oceans combined with the green fields on the land will be appreciated.
Cost for a Safari in South Africa
South Africa has plenty of safari and travel packages available for its travelers:
- Budget safaris: suitable low prices that range between 100 to 300 dollars for each person per day trying self-drives in Kruger.
- Mid-range safaris: these packages have been evaluated at an estimated range of 300 to 600 dollars per person wherelodges and guided game drives are included.
- Luxury safaris: these exclusive lodges and private reserves can charge a person between 700 to 1500 dollars, rounded to the exact dollar.
Conclusion
The dramatic deserts of Namibia are beautiful, charming, and unique in their own way, and so are the picturesque plains of Tanzania and the beautiful warm lodges of South Africa. Together, they make Africa one of the best places in the world for a safari. There’s much to be gained from it. The best safari in Africa is the one that corresponds to your interests, budget, and style.
Starting with different locations all week long and with different goals, never forget to prepare the journey appropriately and bear in mind the unique experience each season has to offer.
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