If you’re looking for the classic “Big Five” safari experience, Kenya and Tanzania stand out. The Maasai Mara and Serengeti offer endless golden plains where millions of wildebeest thunder across the land during the Great Migration, an awe-inspiring natural spectacle. Amboseli, with its breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro, provides a stunning backdrop for elephant encounters.

For a more luxurious, exclusive safari, Botswana’s Okavango Delta is a dream. This lush, water-filled paradise is best explored by mokoro (canoe), gliding silently past hippos and elephants while bird calls fill the air. Nearby, Chobe National Park boasts one of the highest concentrations of elephants on the continent.

South Africa is perfect for those who want a mix of safari and modern luxury. The Kruger National Park and its surrounding private reserves, such as Sabi Sands, offer high-end lodges with exceptional game viewing. The country also combines well with a visit to Cape Town’s stunning coastline and the Winelands.

For true wilderness seekers, Zambia and Zimbabwe’s Lower Zambezi and Hwange National Park deliver raw, untamed beauty with fewer crowds. Walking safaris in South Luangwa let you track big game on foot, an exhilarating way to connect with nature. And, of course, Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, is an unmissable stop.

Uganda and Rwanda offer something different—gorilla trekking in the misty, jungle-cloaked mountains of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Volcanoes National Park. Locking eyes with a mountain gorilla is an unforgettable, deeply moving experience.

For something off the beaten path, Namibia’s otherworldly landscapes of the Namib Desert, with its towering red dunes and eerie, skeleton-strewn coastlines, create a dramatic safari setting. Etosha National Park provides fantastic wildlife viewing around its vast salt pan.

The choice depends on what you seek—thrilling game drives, intimate wildlife encounters, luxurious lodges, or untouched wilderness. No matter where you go, Africa’s magic stays with you forever. Do you have a particular experience in mind?