Travel Shop
Merch
Travel Tips
Photography
Points & Miles
Credit Cards
Figuring out how to choose an African safari destination can be challenging because there are so many incredible places to go! That’s why I created this guide to help narrow down which countries and regions are the best for your safari.
The Ultimate Safari Travel Guide
To plan the rest of your safari, check out my guides on choosing a safari that’s right for you, the best months for an African safari, what to budget for a safari, and things to consider when selecting a safari camp.
Here’s how to choose an African safari destination!
Do you Want To See The Great Migration?
The Great Migration is one of the world’s most famous and sought-after wildlife experiences. Most people think of The Great Migration as an annual event, but in reality, it’s a continuous year-long cycle of wildlife moving to and from Tanzania’s Serengeti and the Masai Mara in Kenya.
The segment of The Great Migration that most people want to witness is the river crossings in Kenya’s Masai Mara. In addition to seeing wildebeest and zebras try to avoid crocodiles in the river, big cats are always crouched nearby as herds move through their territories.
This river-crossing portion of The Great Migration has some of the best big game viewings in Africa, but it comes at a premium. Every safari destination will have peak prices and crowds during these months, so book in advance and plan accordingly. I recommend opting for smaller accommodation to avoid overcrowding on game drives.
August is the peak month for these river crossings, but you can also see crossings in July and September. These crossings are at the whim of weather and wildlife, so I recommend spending at least a week on safari to give yourself plenty of opportunities to witness one of these crossings.
Do you want to combine a safari with another trip?
If you want to combine a safari with a city break, you should go to South Africa. Here, you can combine a safari camp (or two!) with Cape Town and the Cape Winelands.
Several beach destinations combine well with safaris. These are called “bush to beach” trips! You could pair South Africa or Mozambique with Mauritius. Zanzibar with a safari in Tanzania. Or the Seychelles with a safari in Kenya.
Are You Willing To Do a Driving Safari?
A driving safari is the most epic road trip you can take. You’ll stay a couple of nights in several safari lodges or bush camps along a driving route.
You can hire a private guide and driver or join a small group tour. If you’re really adventurous, you can do a self-driving safari. Many tour operators have self-drive tour packages. The tour company will work with you on your route, make your reservations, and ensure you come prepared with any necessary knowledge or equipment. Then you pick up your rental car when you arrive and hit the road!
The best way to see South Africa and Namibia are on a driving safari. These countries are just too big with too many incredible and diverse destinations to see any other way. In South Africa, start in Cape Town and the Cape Winelands, drive the Garden Route, and end in Kruger National Park.
Highlights of a road trip through Namibia include Sossusvlei, Spitzkoppe, Twyfelfontein, Etosha National Park, the Skeleton Coast, and Okonjima Nature Reserve. Check out all of the best places to visit in Namibia!
Do You Want To See a Specific Natural Wonder?
Most people go on safari for the wildlife, but the landscapes can be just as enticing. Some of the best natural wonders in Africa that are worth a trip are:
Victoria Falls. You can stay on the Zimbabwe or Zambia side of the falls.
The Blyde River Canyon in South Africa. This canyon is often referred to as the most beautiful canyon in the world.
Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. You can climb on or around the famous mountain or just enjoy it as the backdrop for your game drives.
The Skeleton Coast in Namibia. This remote section of Namibia’s northern coastline is known as the “end of the Earth.” Here, you’ll see one of the most beautiful natural juxtapositions in the world – massive sand dunes dropping into the ocean.
How Much Time Do You Have For Your Safari?
I always recommend seeing as much Africa as possible during your trip. You’ve come all this way, and the airfare to get to Africa is always one of the largest expenses. If you’re going to be on safari for ten or fewer days, I recommend sticking to one country and exploring its top safari spots.
Destination Overviews
Destination Overviews
Best Times To Visit: April – September.
Top Regions For a Safari: Kalahari region, Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, Makadikadi Salt Pans.
Kenya
Best Times To Visit: February, June – November.
Top Regions For a Safari: Amboseli National Park and Maasai Mara.
Rwanda & Uganda
Best Times To Visit: December – February, July – September.
Top Regions For a Safari: Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Bwindi in Uganda.
Best Times To Visit: April – October.
Top Regions For a Safari: Caprivi and Etosha Regions.
Tanzania
Best Times To Visit: January, March, June – December.
Top Regions For a Safari: Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Parks.
Best Times To Visit: April – October.
Top Regions For a Safari: Zambezi National Park and Victoria Falls.
South Africa
Best Times To Visit: March (minus the regions that border Botswana and Zimbabwe), May – September.
Top Regions For a Safari: MalaMala, Sabi Sands, Southern Kruger National Park, Gondwana Game Reserve.
Best Times To Visit: April – October.
Top Regions For a Safari: Livingstone and Victoria Falls, Luangwa Valley National Park.
Shop My Safari Essentials
What would you add to this post about how to choose an African safari destination? Share with us in the comments!
For Planning The Rest Of Your Safari
-
How To Choose an African Safari Destination
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose a safari?
The first thing you need to decide when planning a safari is the type of safari you want to do – game lodge, tented-camp, adults-only, walking, riding, biking, photographic, driving, etc.
Second, decide when you’re going to go on a safari.
Third, decide where you’ll go on safari. Ask yourself these questions when deciding where to go on safari:
-Are you wanting to witness a specific wildlife event? For example, if you want to see The Great Migration, you should visit Tanzania.
-Are you wanting to combine a safari with a city break, such as Cape Town? If so, pick a safari destination that’s a short drive or flight from the city you’ll be visiting.
-Do you want to road trip to see several different destinations? If so, my top recommendations would be Namibia or South Africa.
-Do you want to see a specific natural wonder, such as Victoria Falls or Mount Kilimanjaro?
-Do you want to do a walking safari? If so, opt for David Foot Safaris!
-How much time do you have for your safari? Do you have time to visit multiple destinations?
My guide for choosing a safari destination will take you step-by-step through determining the perfect place for your safari!
Which African country is best for safaris?
The Best Safari Destinations in Africa:
1. South Africa
2. Botswana
3. Kenya
4. Tanzania
5. Zambia
6. Zimbabwe
7. Namibia
8. Rwanda
9. Uganda
10. Mozambique
Pro Tip: go on safari in the dry season when wildlife is easier to find around water holes.
What is the best month to go on an African safari?
One of the most common questions I’m asked about safari planning is, “what are the best months for an African safari.” The truth is there are no bad times to go on safari because every month has excellent weather for at least a couple of safari destinations.
Most trip planning starts with a destination, and then you decide when you will visit. But with a safari, you need to do the opposite. Decide when you will be traveling, then scroll down to that month to decide where to go on safari.
January: Uganda, Rwanda, Botswana, Tanzania
February: Uganda, Rwanda, Botswana, Kenya
March: Tanzania, South Africa (minus the regions that border Botswana and Zimbabwe).
April: Victoria Falls (both the Zambia and Zimbabwe sides), Namibia, Botswana.
May: Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Mozambique.
June: Tanzania and Southern Africa. This is one of the driest and best safari months for most of Southern Africa! You can’t go wrong with anywhere in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, and Mozambique.
July, August, and September: These are the peak months for safaris throughout Eastern and Southern Africa. As far as game viewing goes, you can’t go wrong with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, or Uganda. July, August, and September are great months to see the river crossings in the Serengeti and Masai Mara areas. In addition to watching wildebeest avoid crocodiles, big cats are always crouched nearby as The Great Migration moves through their territories. Every safari destination will have peak prices and crowds during these months, so book in advance and plan accordingly. I recommend opting for smaller accommodation to avoid overcrowding on game drives.
October: Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania.
November: Northern Tanzania, Botswana.
December: Kenya, Northern Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda.
How many days on safari is enough?
I recommend spending at least two nights at each safari camp you plan to visit, and I’d suggest spending at least a week in Africa on safari.
Safaris are not cheap, and you get what you pay for, so don’t skimp on your lodge. As a general rule of thumb, you should plan on spending a minimum of $1,000 per night per person at an all-inclusive resort.
You can find cheaper options, but this is a red flag for your experience, the service you’ll receive, and how the lodge treats wildlife and locals.
I recommend opting for all-inclusive options unless you’re road tripping. If you’re staying at a different accommodation every couple of nights and/or hiring a driver or guide, the all-inclusive rate might not be the best choice.
Be wary of overcrowding when considering an all-inclusive accommodation that’s less than $1000 a night. Before you book, establish how many guests a property can accommodate. It’s a good sign when the lodge website states how many people will be on game drives. The last thing you want on a safari is to be packed shoulder-to-shoulder with people on game drives, at the pool, at dinner, and in the common spaces.
If you need to reduce your safari costs, take a shorter trip. A three-day safari at a lodge of your dreams will be a better trip than a week-long safari at an accommodation you have to settle for.
How far in advance should you book an African safari?
If you’re going on an African safari during the peak dry months from May – September, you need to be prepared for peak prices and crowds. Book your accommodation as far in advance as possible.
Is Serengeti better than Masai Mara?
The Serengeti and Masai Mara are both incredible safari destinations, and they will give you very different scenery and experiences. Tanzania’s Serengeti has more concentrations of wildlife than the Masai Mara, but Kenya’s Masai Mara is less spread out than the Serengeti. I highly recommend visiting both of these places!
What do I need to know before booking a safari?
The top factors that contribute to a great safari are choosing a sustainable and eco-friendly accommodation and/or tour company and going at the best time of year.
The best time to go on safari in almost every safari destination is the dry season from June – October. This is when wildlife will be most visible and easy to find because they’ll congregate around water holes. These are the winter months, so bring warm clothes and layers.
If you want to see a specific wildlife event – such as The Great Migration – you’ll have a narrow window of time when you can witness this, and it’s always one of the most expensive and crowded safari sights to see.
If you’re going on safari for birding, the month immediately after a destination’s rainy season is usually the best time to visit.
Is Kenya or Tanzania safari better?
The Serengeti and Masai Mara are both incredible safari destinations, and they will give you very different scenery and experiences. Tanzania’s Serengeti has more concentrations of wildlife than the Masai Mara, but Kenya’s Masai Mara is less spread out than the Serengeti. I highly recommend visiting both of these places!
YOUR TRAVEL CHECKLIST
PIN THIS GUIDE!
This article about how to choose an African safari destination is not a sponsored post, and the thoughts and opinions expressed in this post about how to choose an African safari destination are entirely my own. Some of the links in this post about how to choose an African safari destination are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission from this article about how to choose an African safari destination.
