What Is the Best Country to Go on Safari in Africa? (2025 Guide)

One Continent, Many Safari Dreams

Ask five safari-goers where the best safari in Africa is, and you’ll get five different answers — and all of them might be right.

That’s the magic of an African safari: no two experiences are the same. Whether you want remote wilderness, world-class luxury, or a first-timer’s Big Five checklist, the “best” country depends on your travel style, budget, and sense of adventure. Lets dive into what is the best country to go on safari in Africa?

In this guide, we break down the top safari destinations — including Botswana, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, and Namibia — so you can find your perfect fit in 2025.

Watching the herd of Elephants at Sunset in Chobe National Park Botswana. Photo Craig Howes

Quick Comparison: Top Safari Countries in Africa

Country	Best For	Signature Experience	Ideal Season
Botswana	Luxury, remoteness	Water safaris in the Okavango Delta	May–Oct (dry)
South Africa	First-timers, families	Big Five in Kruger, malaria-free options	May–Sept
Tanzania	Iconic wildlife spectacles	Great Migration in Serengeti	June–Oct, Jan–Feb
Kenya	Classic East Africa feel	Big cats and Mara river crossings	July–Oct
Namibia	Landscape + solitude	Desert elephants and self-drives

What is the best country to go on safari in Africa?

Female Leopard taken at Mala Mala Sabi Sands Photo Craig Howes

Botswana: The Ultimate in Wilderness Luxury

If your goal is immersive, wild, and crowd-free — Botswana delivers one of Africa’s most exclusive safaris.

Mokoro Safari In Botswana with African Bush Camps. Photo Craig Howes

“It felt like we had the entire Okavango Delta to ourselves. One morning we saw wild dogs from our mokoro — and no one else for miles.” — Jessica M., guest at Atzaro Okavango

What sets it apart:

• The Okavango Delta, a UNESCO site, offers mokoro rides, boat safaris, and epic game viewing in watery landscapes.

• Private concessions mean fewer vehicles and more freedom: walking safaris, night drives, sleep-outs, and off-roading are all options.

• Top High-end luxury lodges and fly-in safaris create a feeling of complete isolation in nature.

• Iconic regions include Chobe, Moremi, Makgadikgadi Pans, and Central Kalahari.

Perfect for: Luxury travelers, photographers, couples, and second-time safari-goers seeking privacy and pristine wilderness.

See

• The best time to visit the Okavango Delta

• Best Lodges in the Okavango Delta

• Best Lodges in Botswana

Vast herds of Elephants in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Photo Craig Howes

South Africa: The Most Accessible Big Five Safari

If you're looking for your first safari — or want variety and comfort — South Africa is a top choice. It delivers world-class wildlife, top-tier lodges, and the option to self-drive or be guided.

Female Leopard Captured in Sabi Sands. Photo Craig Howes

“Sabi Sands is hands down the best place in Africa to see leopards — I’ve had four sightings in a single drive.” — Craig Howes, wildlife photographer & founder of African Safari Mag

Why choose South Africa?

• Sabi Sands (Kruger region) is widely regarded as the best place to see leopards and the Big Five.

• Private concessions mean limited vehicles at sightings, night drives, and some off-roading — impossible in Kruger.

• No self-drives in Sabi Sands, this ensures exclusivity — only lodge guests and guides have access.

• Wide range of lodges from high-end luxury to boutique options.

• Easy to combine with Cape Town, the Winelands, or the Garden Route.

• Wide Range of Private Game Reserves in South Africa

See also:

• Best Luxury Lodges in South Africa

• Where to stay in Kruger National Park

• Private Safari Experiences

Perfect for: First-time safari-goers, families, and travelers wanting to pair wildlife with a broader South Africa experience.

Lions Sands Tree House in South Africa, Bed under the stars

Tanzania: Epic Wildlife and the Great Migration

Tanzania is all about scale and spectacle. Home to the Great Migration and iconic landscapes like the Ngorongoro Crater, it’s ideal if you're chasing classic, cinematic safari experiences.

Why Tanzania stands out:

• The Serengeti hosts the world’s greatest wildlife show — the migration of over 1.5 million wildebeest and zebra.

• Ngorongoro Crater packs dense wildlife into a volcanic caldera.

• Options to add on Zanzibar or the Selous (Nyerere) Reserve for beach or southern wilderness extensions.

Wildebeest during the great Migration in Tanzania

“The Great Migration is one thing. But what struck me most was the silence — and how small we felt in it.” — Shaun Stanley, safari planner & guide (from the podcast)

Perfect for: Those wanting dramatic scenery, migration events, and a chance to see big cats in action.

See

• Best Luxury Lodges in Tanzania

• Best time to see the Great Migration

Kenya: A Safari Icon with Cultural Richness

Kenya is the home of the original safari and remains a standout for its diversity of experiences — from classic game drives to cultural encounters and active adventures.

We spent the day with 2 Masai Warriors in Kenya on Safari. Photo Craig Howes

Kenya highlights:

• Masai Mara is famous for predator sightings and river crossings during the migration.

• Laikipia offers innovative conservation tourism: walking safaris, camel treks, horse rides, and community-led lodges.

• Rhino conservation and rewilding efforts are strong in Kenya’s central highlands.

• Visit authentic Maasai villages or take scenic helicopter trips in the north.

Perfect for: Culture-focused travelers, conservation supporters, and adventurers wanting to mix tradition with action.

A Lioness walks past our Safari Truck in the Masai Mara

See:

• Best Luxury Lodges in Kenya

• Kenya vs Tanzania, which is better for a Safari

Namibia: Safari in Surreal, Soul-Stirring Landscapes

Namibia might not have dense game viewing like East Africa, but it offers something entirely different — space, silence, and surreal desert beauty.

Why Namibia?

• Sossusvlei and Deadvlei feature some of the world’s highest dunes.

• Spot desert-adapted elephants and lions in Damaraland.

• Etosha National Park stands out for self-drivers — animals congregate at waterholes during the dry season.

• Low tourist density makes for peaceful, unhurried exploration.

Perfect for: Photographers, road-trippers, and travelers wanting to pair wildlife with landscape.

See

• Best Luxury Lodges in Namibia

• Is Namibia good for a Safari

Big Male Lion in Masai Mara, Kenya. Photo Craig Howes

Flying into Botswana Chobe National Park, with African Bush Camps

What Else You Should Know

What’s the safest country for a safari?

Botswana and Namibia consistently rank as two of the safest countries in Africa, with stable governments and low crime. Within South Africa, private reserves like Sabi Sands or Madikwe offer highly controlled, secure environments with expert guides and gated lodges.

Which country has the most exclusive safari experience?

Botswana leads the pack here, especially in the Okavango Delta and private concessions. With very few beds per hectare, luxury fly-in lodges, and a low-impact tourism model, it’s the best place to experience Africa with almost no one else.

Where can I see the Big Five most easily?

If you aim to tick off all five in one go — lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo — Sabi Sands (South Africa) is hard to beat. Kenya’s Masai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti also deliver, but sightings are more spread out and seasonal.

What’s the most affordable safari destination?

South Africa is hands-down the best value for money. Kruger National Park offers both self-drive options and public camps, while parks like Pilanesberg and Addo offer strong game viewing without the premium price tags. Namibia also offers affordable self-drive routes.

Do I need to worry about malaria?

In some parts of Africa — yes. But there are excellent malaria-free safari options in South Africa, particularly in Madikwe, Waterberg, and Pilanesberg.👉 Read our full guide to malaria-free safaris here.

Final Thoughts: What’s the Best Safari Country for You?

• Want remoteness and luxury? Go Botswana.

• First-time safari-goer? You’ll love South Africa.

• Looking for a spectacle? Nothing beats Tanzania.

• Interested in culture and conservation? Kenya is calling.

• Craving solitude and scenery? Namibia is your place.

• See Best Reviewed Safari Tour Companies

Ultimately, the best safari country is the one that fits your style, budget, and dreams.

Listen: Planning Your Safari with Shaun Stanley (Stanley Safaris and African Safari Mag)

What makes a great safari country — and how do you actually choose? In this episode, Craig sits down with veteran guide and safari planner Shaun Stanley of Stanley Safaris to talk Botswana vs Tanzania, remote lodges, and how to craft a safari that feels personal.

Let us know where you’re dreaming of going next — or tag us in your safari planning stories @africansafarimag.

Want more insight? Contact us to plan your dream safari for honest advice, lodge picks, and planning guides.

🦓 About African Safari Mag

African Safari Mag is a storytelling-first online magazine for safari dreamers, planners, and return visitors. From honest lodge reviews to insider guides, we aim to inspire the kind of safari that stays with you, long after the dust settles. We work with photographers, conservationists, and safari guides across Africa to bring you real perspectives from the bush.

Craig Howes meets the Local Kids of the Masai Tribe in Kenya.

📸 About the Author

Craig Howes is an award-winning wildlife photographer, filmmaker, and founder of African Safari Mag. He’s spent the last decade capturing Africa’s wildest corners — from the mokoro channels of the Okavango Delta to lion sightings in Sabi Sands. When he’s not behind the lens, he’s curating safari insights, speaking with guides, or helping travelers plan once-in-a-lifetime trips.