Few travel experiences can match the magic of an African safari. To go on one is to surrender to the rhythm of the wild—waking before dawn for a game drive as the bush comes to life, and ending the day with a drink as the sun melts into one of the continent’s breathtaking sunsets.
Many travelers don’t realize that safaris come in many forms: open-vehicle drives across vast plains, guided walks with expert trackers, canoe trips along winding rivers, and even ocean safaris that reveal hidden coral reefs and marine life. But what makes today’s safaris so special isn’t just the wildlife—it’s the people who bring the experience to life. A decade ago, few lodges focused on this connection. Now, many are owned or run by local communities, so travelers learn from those with deep-rooted knowledge while supporting livelihoods that help protect these landscapes.
From gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda to watching meerkats and elephants in Botswana’s waterways, here are 15 of Africa’s most remarkable safaris.
Wilderness DumaTau, Botswana
Photo: Courtesy of Wilderness
Seeing elephants cross channels filled with shimmering reeds while their calves splash in the shallows is one of the world’s great sights—and that’s exactly what you can experience at Wilderness DumaTau in northern Botswana’s Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, a key elephant corridor. With access to the Linyanti River floodplain and Savuti Channel, the lodge offers incredible wildlife viewing paired with luxury accommodations. The spacious common area includes a library, bar, and restaurant, all overlooking the Kwando River and a floating fire pit on the shore. There are also eight airy tented suites, each with river views, a private plunge pool, raised walkways, and floor-to-ceiling windows shaded by tall acacia trees—perfect for daydreaming. During your stay, you’ll learn from local guides and researchers working on migration and anti-poaching projects, making conservation a core part of the experience. While game drives let you track the area’s famous wild dogs, the real highlight is being on the water: boat rides glide past hippos, crocodiles, and elephants feeding on waterlilies among the reeds.
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King Lewanika Lodge, Zambia
Photo: Courtesy of King Lewanika Lodge
In far western Zambia, the Liuwa Plain seems to stretch on forever. Arriving by helicopter, the golden grasses glow so brightly under the blue sky that you feel swallowed by the landscape. Though King Lewanika Lodge offers all the comforts of a luxury safari camp, including elevated tented villas, its real advantage is access. It’s the only permanent camp in the area, giving you a rare look at wildlife in its most natural state—and Africa’s second-largest wildebeest migration. What makes Liuwa Plain unique isn’t just its ecosystem—where hyenas, not lions, are the top predators—but also the fact that the entire reserve is managed by African Parks, which works with local communities to protect the region for the future. On game drives, you might see wildebeest, cheetahs, and packs of hyenas or wild dogs hunting together, while learning how the camp creates jobs in this remote corner of Africa and ensures that conservation benefits nearby villages.
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Bwindi Lodge, Uganda
Photo: Courtesy of Bwindi Lodge
At the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Bwindi Lodge is a jungle paradise made up of thatched-roof suites called bandas, each perched above a valley alive with chattering monkeys and birds. From the moment you arrive, it’s clear the forest is the star—dense, green, and home to gorilla trekking, one of the most intimate wildlife encounters anywhere.Embark on a trekking adventure in Bwindi, where expert guides lead you through dense foliage for a chance to gaze upon a majestic silverback gorilla in the wild. But your visit is more than wildlife encounters; it’s about connecting with the local community. The lodge supports initiatives like the Bwindi Bar training program and the Mubare Bee-keeping project, offering new livelihoods to families who once turned to gorilla poaching. This approach ensures conservation benefits everyone in the region. You’ll also have opportunities to meet artisans, weavers, and coffee growers, savoring their perfect brews along the way.
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Limalimo Lodge, Ethiopia
Perched on a dramatic escarpment in Ethiopia’s Simien Mountains National Park, where rugged peaks meet lush valleys, Limalimo Lodge is a community-driven project that immerses you in the region’s wilderness. Founded in 2016 by mountain guides Shiferaw Asrat and Meles Yemata with support from the African Wildlife Foundation, the lodge aims to highlight the park’s beauty while uplifting local households through tourism. Its sustainable design features 14 rooms built from rammed earth, wood, and thatch, nestled among fragrant juniper, olive, and acacia trees. By employing locals and sourcing produce nearby, the lodge helps the community thrive alongside conservation. Guided by residents and experts, you can trek along cliffs where troops of over 200 gelada monkeys graze, with lammergeiers soaring overhead and cracking bones on rocks. If you’re fortunate, you might spot a horned Walia Ibex, Ethiopian wolf, leopard, or hyena.
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Miavana by Time + Tide, Madagascar
While nothing beats seeing lemurs in the wild, arriving at Miavana is an adventure in itself: a helicopter ride over baobab forests and turquoise waters lands you on a pristine white sand island off Madagascar’s northeast coast. Villas overlook a lagoon so calm it mirrors the sky. Though it’s the country’s most luxurious resort, Miavana maintains a relaxed vibe, with guests often barefoot by the beach or lounging in stone-and-wood pavilions that open to private shores, complete with plunge pools and breezy living areas for sunny afternoons. Visitors come primarily to seek out crowned lemurs on guided inland treks, but the surrounding seas offer their own thrills—snorkel with parrotfish, dive alongside manta rays, or watch humpback whales breach in the distance.
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Time + Tide Chinzombo, Zambia
Nestled on the banks of the South Luangwa River, Time + Tide Chinzombo provides access to one of Zambia’s most legendary parks, renowned as the birthplace of the walking safari. The lodge, shaded by ancient msikizi trees, features six spacious villas made of steel, canvas, and natural timber, each with soaking tubs and wooden decks facing the river, complete with plunge pools. Upon arrival, the blend of elegance and wilderness is palpable, with hippos grunting in the background. Days here follow the bush’s rhythm: morning drives might reveal wild dogs sprinting across plains, leopards stalking from shadows, and lions resting in the shade before their next hunt. Walking safaris, pioneered decades ago by Norman Carr and local trackers, offer an immersive way to experience this untamed landscape.The most intimate way to explore the area is on foot. This unique experience lets you slow down and appreciate life in the bush by reading tracks in the sand and listening to animal calls, which guide your next steps.
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Singita Lebombo, South Africa
Photo: Courtesy of Singita
Kruger National Park is South Africa’s greatest wilderness, and Singita Lebombo occupies one of its most stunning locations. Situated on a 33,000-acre private concession in the park’s southeast, where basalt cliffs meet the rolling ridges of the Lebombo Mountains, each glass-walled suite is suspended above the N’wanetsi River, inspired by eagles’ nests built into the cliffs. The interiors are open, modern, and filled with light, featuring decks perfect for watching giraffes pass by below. Daily game drives take you into territory where large prides of lions patrol riverbeds, leopards lounge in trees, and herds of elephants stir up the savanna dust. After the excitement, relax with rooftop stargazing or sample wines from an award-winning cellar.
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Mpala Jena, Zimbabwe
Photo: Courtesy of Mpala Jena
Set along the Zambezi River in Zambezi National Park, Mpala Jena brings riverside safari dreams to life, offering easy access to the thundering Victoria Falls. Each villa features canvas tents that flutter in the breeze, opening onto hardwood decks where elephants come to drink and hippos sound warnings to intruders. The camp is elegant yet unpretentious, with indoor-outdoor living spaces under thatch and stone roofs. A portion of every stay supports conservation and community development, including the Zambezi Parks Support Foundation, which leads anti-poaching efforts. From camp, enjoy boat safaris past hippos, baboons, and crocodiles on sandbanks, or game drives across floodplains where lions and giraffes roam.
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Angama Mara, Kenya
Photo: Courtesy of Angama Mara
Perched over 1,000 feet high on the Oloololo Escarpment, Angama Mara spans 1,700 acres bordering the Mara Triangle, with nearly a mile of Rift Valley frontage overlooking the iconic Maasai Mara grasslands—where the Great Migration unfolds in clouds of dust and thundering hooves. Each glass-fronted suite has private decks and spacious interiors, hovering above the plains so you feel suspended between worlds at sunrise. Start your days early with a hot air balloon ride or game drives to spot wildlife, enjoying a picnic breakfast or lunch under a desert date tree. Beyond seeing lions, leopards, elephants, and black rhinos, you’ll connect with Maasai naturalists who share generations of knowledge about the land. Through the Angama Foundation, the lodge also funds schools, scholarships, and clinics, ensuring tourism benefits reach the local community.
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Singita Sasakwa, Tanzania
Photo: Courtesy of Singita
Located in northern Tanzania within the private 350,000-acre Singita Grumeti Reserve, Singita Sasakwa stands atop a hill like an Edwardian manor set in the savanna. Part of the vast Serengeti Mara ecosystem, the camp offers tennis courts, an equestrian center, a spa, and chic cottages with stone verandas, chandeliers, and private infinity pools. Despite its grandeur, Singita Sasakwa remains deeply connected to the wild.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful and clear FAQs about the top African safaris
General Beginner Questions
1 What exactly is a safari
A safari is a journey or expedition typically in Africa to observe and photograph wildlife in their natural habitat Its not a zoo youre a guest in the animals home
2 Why is Africa considered the best place for a safari
Africa has vast protected wilderness areas teeming with an incredible diversity and density of iconic animals like lions elephants giraffes and rhinos that you cant see anywhere else in the world
3 Whats the difference between the Big 5 and other animals
The Big 5 is a historical hunting term for the most dangerous animals to hunt on foot Today its a popular checklist for wildlife viewing but there are many other amazing animals to see like cheetahs hippos and wild dogs
4 When is the best time to go on an African safari
The dry season is often best With less water and foliage animals gather around remaining waterholes making them easier to spot
5 Is a safari safe
Yes when you follow your guides instructions You will stay in your vehicle during game drives and the animals are accustomed to seeing safari vehicles which they dont perceive as a threat
6 What should I pack for a safari
Pack neutralcolored clothing a widebrimmed hat sturdy shoes binoculars a good camera sunscreen and any necessary medications
Choosing Your Safari Destinations
7 Which African country is the best for a firsttime safari
Kenya and Tanzania are fantastic for firsttimers due to their wellestablished infrastructure incredible wildlife density and the famous Great Migration in the Serengeti and Maasai Mara
8 What are the Top safari destinations I should know about
While lists vary the most renowned often include
Serengeti Maasai Mara For the Great Migration