A safari is an overland journey which, in the past was often related to hunting wild animals. However nowadays it refers more to observing wild animals, especially on the African continent. This kind of travel can be dangerous and expensive, but it is a precious experience to observe wild animals in their natural habitat. Perhaps this experience once in a lifetime is enough. So, I want to suggest 10 Safaris in Africa you should visit.
1. Masai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya
Masai Mara Nature Reserve in Kenya is probably the number 1 safari destination in Africa, it’s home to over 570 species of birds and 95 species of mammals. This place is the best place to see the Big Five (lion, cape buffalo, leopard, rhinoceros, and elephant). This is one of the key popular tourism points in Kenya, it is located in South-western Kenya along the Great Rift Valley area in Norok county, Kenya, adjacent to the Serengeti national park of Tanzania. The total area under conservation in the Greater Maasai Mara ecosystem amounts to almost 1510 km2.
2. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is a famous and well-known park for its annual migration of over 1.5 million white-bearded (or brindled) wildebeest and 250000 zebra, as well as for its numerous Nile crocodiles and honey badgers. This park has inspired many films and books. You can find safari accommodation in the Serengeti National Park if you prefer this to the adventure of doing the journey with a tent.
3. Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania
Located around 180 km in the West of Arusha in the Crater Highlands area of Tanzania, Ngorongoro Conservation Area is named after Ngorongoro Crater. a large volcanic caldera within the area. This World Heritage Site houses over 25000 large animals, not including over 2 million that pass through during the migration.
4. Kruger National Park, South Africa
The Kruger National Park is located in northeast South Africa near Mozambique. Its high density of wild animals includes the big 5: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and cape buffalos. Other animals that live here include eagles and storks, as well as several other mammals and birds. Mountains, bush plains, and tropical forests are all part of the landscape.
5. South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
South Luangwa National Park covers a vast area of 9059 square kilometers, the best part of this area being the Luangwa River, where you can see elephants, rhinos, crocodiles, and other animals gathering together to drink. The Savannah also houses the giraffes, birds, and leopards. You can take some amazing pictures of this place.
6. Chobe National Park, Botswana
Chobe National Park is Botswana’s first national park, and also the most biologically diverse. Located in the north of the country, it is Botswana’s third-largest park, after Central Kalahari Game Reserve and Gemsbok National Park, and has one of the greatest concentrations of game in all of Africa. Chobe National Park is a true wildlife paradise and perhaps one of the best national parks in Southern Africa. Boat cruises and game drives along the river are very popular.
7. Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
The name of this park originates from the Tarangire River that crosses the park, which is located in Tanzania’s Manyara Region. When you enter this park, you will see straight away the wild animals around you, including elephants, birds, giraffes, leopards, buffalos and more. The Tarangire Ecosystem is defined by the long-distance migration of wildebeest and zebras.
8. Etosha National Park, Namibia
Etosha National Park is home to hundreds of species of mammals, birds, and reptiles, including several threatened and endangered species like the black rhinoceros. Located in Northwest Namibia this park is also known for having nice places to camp and take good photographs, as well as offering a self-guided safari.
9. Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa
Addo Elephant National Park is a diverse wildlife conservation park situated close to Port Elizabeth in South Africa and is one of the country’s 20 national parks. It currently ranks third in size after Kruger National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Established in 1931 to save 11 Elephants on the brink of extinction, the park currently houses more than 600 elephants and a large number of other mammals. Bird Island is home to the world’s largest breeding colony of gannets – about 120000 birds – and also hosts the second largest breeding colony of African penguins.
10. Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Amboseli National Park is located in Loitoktok District, Rift Valley Province of Kenya. The park is famous for being the best place in Africa to get close to free-ranging elephants, among other wildlife species. Other attractions of the park include opportunities to meet Maasai and visit a Maasai village. From this park, you can also see the highest free-standing mountain in the world, Mount Kilimanjaro.