What Is the Best Country to Go on Safari in Africa?
By Craig Howes — award‑winning wildlife photographer and founder of African Safari Mag.
There is no single “best” country to go on safari in Africa.
The right choice depends on what kind of safari you want: dense wildlife or vast landscapes, fly-in luxury or self-drive freedom, cultural interaction or complete wilderness, first-time ease or seasoned depth.
This guide exists to help you narrow your decision to one or two countries based on clear criteria, not rankings or hype. It sits between early inspiration and detailed planning, and is designed for travelers who are ready to make a confident choice.
How to Use This Page
Start with the comparison table to see how Africa’s top safari countries differ at a glance.
Then read the country sections that match your travel style.
From there, follow the links to deeper planning guides when you’re ready to refine dates, lodges, and routes.
When people ask what the best country to go on safari in Africa is, they are usually comparing these same destinations.
Table of Contents
Map of Africa’s Safari Destinations
Quick Comparison: Africa’s Top Safari Countries
Country | Best For | Signature Experience | Access Style | Cost Range | Best Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
South Africa | First-timers, families, value | Big Five & self-drive safaris | Fly-in and road | $–$$$ | May–Sep |
Botswana | Luxury travellers, privacy, repeat visitors | Okavango Delta wetlands and private concessions | Fly-in only | $$$$ | May–Oct |
Tanzania | Wildlife spectacle, first or second safari | Great Migration across vast Serengeti plains | Fly-in and road | $$–$$$$ | Jun–Oct, Jan–Feb |
Kenya | Culture, conservation, classic safari | Masai Mara predators and river crossings | Fly-in and road | $$–$$$$ | Jul–Oct, Jan–Feb |
Namibia | Landscapes, solitude, self-drive travellers | Desert wildlife, Etosha salt pans | Self-drive & fly-in | $$–$$$ | May–Oct |
Zambia | Walking safaris, return travellers | On-foot tracking in South Luangwa | Fly-in and road | $$–$$$ | Jun–Oct |
Zimbabwe | Guiding quality, canoe safaris, Vic Falls | Mana Pools & Hwange walking/canoe safaris | Fly-in and road | $$–$$$ | Jun–Oct |
*Countries are not ranked. Each excels for different safari styles.
*Cost guide: Per Person Per Night
$ = Budget ($180–350) • $$ = Mid-range ($350–700)
$$$ = Luxury ($700–1200) • $$$$ = High-end ($1200+)
Country-by-Country Safari Breakdown
Each country below offers a distinct safari experience shaped by wildlife density, landscape, logistics, and travel style.
South Africa
South Africa is ideal for first-time safari travellers, families, and those seeking flexibility, strong wildlife sightings, and a wide range of budget options.
Who it suits
First-time safari travellers, families, couples, and return visitors looking for Big Five sightings, malaria-free options, and easy logistics.
Why it’s special
South Africa delivers consistently excellent wildlife viewing, particularly in and around Kruger National Park and the adjacent Sabi Sands private reserves. It's one of the few destinations where you can self-drive, join fully guided safaris, or combine both. Beyond the bush, travellers can easily link safaris with Cape Town, the Winelands, or the Garden Route, making it perfect for a varied itinerary.
Cost & Access
South Africa offers the widest range of safari price points:
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Budget self-drive in Kruger National Park: from $150–$250 per person per day, including car hire, park fees, and basic rest camps.
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Mid-range private lodges: from $400–$700 per person per night, often including game drives and meals.
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Luxury lodges in Sabi Sands: from $900–$1,800 per person per night.
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Ultra-luxury (Singita, Londolozi, Royal Malewane, etc.): from $2,000+ per person per night, offering some of Africa’s best guiding, service, and leopard sightings.
South Africa is one of the few countries with reliable road access, non-malarial reserves, and the infrastructure to support both short trips and extended stays.
Considerations
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Public areas can feel busier than more remote safari regions
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Wildlife experiences vary significantly by reserve and lodge
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Less sense of wilderness isolation than Botswana or Zambia
Best time to visit
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May–September (dry season): ideal for game viewing.
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October–April: green season, great for birding and photography; warmer weather in Cape Town.
Explore South Africa Further
Editor’s Tip
Sabi Sands is arguably the best place in Africa to see leopards, and one of the few where you can track the Big Five in just two or three game drives. For those wanting a taste of the bush without malaria medication, look at Madikwe or Kwandwe, luxury, family-friendly, and off the radar.
Health note
Several high-quality malaria-free safari options exist, particularly in Eastern Cape reserves, making South Africa a strong choice for families or travellers concerned about medication.
Botswana
Botswana is the benchmark for exclusive, low-impact safaris, best suited to travellers seeking privacy, pristine wilderness, and high-end experiences far from the crowds.
Who it suits
Luxury travellers, honeymooners, photographers, and second-time safari-goers who value seclusion, expert guiding, and exceptional wildlife encounters in remote settings.
Why it’s special
Botswana is Africa’s gold standard for low-impact, high-reward safaris. Vast private concessions in the Okavango Delta and Linyanti allow off-roading, night drives, and walking safaris, activities restricted in most national parks.
The Delta’s seasonal floods create dramatic contrasts: dry plains become glistening waterways navigated by mokoro canoe, with wildlife moving accordingly. Chobe offers some of the continent’s largest elephant herds, while the Kalahari and Makgadikgadi salt pans deliver stark beauty and desert-adapted species.
Considerations
Botswana operates on a high-cost, low-density tourism model to preserve its wilderness. Nearly all safaris are fly-in and lodge-based:
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Mid-range tented camps: from $800–$1,200 per person per night, including game drives, meals, and light aircraft transfers.
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Luxury lodges in private concessions: $1,500–$2,500 per person per night, with expert guides and a more exclusive experience.
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Ultra-luxury (Wilderness, Great Plains, Atzaró Okavango, etc.): $2,500–$4,000+ per person per night, with some of Africa’s finest service, locations, and guiding.
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Access is typically via Maun or Kasane, with onward flights into remote bush airstrips.
Considerations
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Among Africa’s most expensive safari destinations
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Almost all travel is by light aircraft between camps
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Not ideal for tight budgets or quick trips
Best time to visit
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May–October (dry season): peak game viewing, particularly in the Delta and Linyanti.
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December–March: green season, fewer crowds, great birding; some lodges close due to rains.
Explore Botswana Further
Editor’s Tip
If budget allows, try combining two ecosystems, such as the watery Okavango and arid Kalahari, for a richer contrast. For wild dogs and predator action, Linyanti and Selinda are world-class. And if you’re after absolute seclusion, consider a camp with just 3–6 tents and private vehicle options.
Tanzania
Tanzania appeals to travellers seeking vast landscapes, dramatic wildlife movements, and a classic East African safari experience defined by scale and spectacle.
Who it suits
Travellers prioritising wildlife spectacle, photographers, and those wanting a classic East African safari defined by scale, drama, and iconic landscapes.
Why it’s special
Tanzania is home to some of Africa’s most legendary safari experiences. The Serengeti hosts the Great Migration—over 1.5 million wildebeest and zebra moving in vast herds, tracked by lions, cheetahs, and crocodiles at dramatic river crossings. The Ngorongoro Crater is a unique caldera ecosystem with dense wildlife in a compact setting, while southern and western parks like Ruaha and Katavi offer raw, off-the-beaten-path adventures. The country also lets you pair a safari with Zanzibar's beaches and Swahili culture.
Cost & Access
Tanzania offers a wide range of safari experiences across three main circuits (Northern, Southern, and Western), mostly fly-in or guided road-based:
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Budget tented camps or lodge safaris (group-based): from $300–$500 per person per day, including shared game drives and basic lodging.
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Mid-range private safaris or mobile tented camps: $600–$1,200 per person per night, including full board, guides, and logistics.
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High-end and migration-tracking lodges (e.g. Singita, Nomad, Legendary): $1,500–$3,000+ per person per night, often in prime migration corridors.
Access is typically via Kilimanjaro (for the Northern Circuit) or Dar es Salaam (for southern parks), followed by road or bush flights.
Considerations
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Peak migration periods (June–Oct, Jan–Feb) attract crowds in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro
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Travel distances between parks can be long; multiple internal flights often required
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Walking and boating safaris are limited to certain areas
Best time to visit
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June–October: dry season, ideal for general game viewing and the northern migration
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January–February: calving season in southern Serengeti; dramatic predator interactions
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March–May: green season with lush landscapes and lower rates, but some lodges close
Explore Tanzania Further
Editor’s Tip
To escape the crowds, consider southern parks like Ruaha or Selous (now Nyerere National Park), where you can do boat safaris and walking safaris with fewer vehicles in sight. If you're tracking the migration, timing and lodge location are critical; be sure your operator understands the seasonal movement.
Kenya
Kenya suits travellers who want strong wildlife encounters combined with cultural context, community-led conservation, and a classic safari atmosphere.
Who it suits
Travellers seeking a balance of iconic wildlife, rich culture, and community-driven conservation. A great choice for first-timers, photographers, and those interested in local engagement.
Why it’s special
Kenya is the birthplace of the safari, and it still delivers on that legacy. The Masai Mara is world-renowned for predator sightings and the Great Migration’s dramatic river crossings (typically July–October). Beyond the Mara, conservancies like Ol Pejeta and Lewa offer intimate, low-vehicle safaris and strong rhino conservation. Northern Kenya’s Samburu region offers striking landscapes and rare species such as Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe, while Laikipia offers heli-safaris, camel treks, and authentic Maasai experiences.
Cost & Access
Kenya has excellent safari infrastructure and a wide accommodation range, from budget to ultra-luxury:
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Budget/shared safaris in public reserves: $250–$400 per person per day, often in minibus tours with set routes
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Mid-range tented camps and conservancy lodges: $500–$1,000 per person per night, including guides and game drives
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High-end lodges (e.g. Angama Mara, Ol Donyo): $1,200–$2,500+ per night with scenic locations and exceptional service
Access is typically through Nairobi (Jomo Kenyatta or Wilson Airport), with scheduled bush flights to key safari regions.
Considerations
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The core areas of the Masai Mara can be crowded during peak migration season
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Wildlife viewing and exclusivity vary widely by operator and conservancy
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Some regions have seasonal rains and may be harder to access at certain times
Best time to visit
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July–October: peak migration and predator action in the Masai Mara
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January–February: excellent general wildlife viewing and drier weather
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March–May: long rains, some camps close or offer reduced rates
Explore Kenya Further
Editor’s Tip
For a more exclusive safari, stay in one of the private conservancies surrounding the Mara, they offer walking safaris, night drives, and cultural visits not permitted in the national reserve. Northern Kenya is a photographer’s dream: fewer crowds, dramatic landscapes, and strong conservation stories.
Namibia
Namibia suits travellers who value vast landscapes, solitude, and the freedom of self-drive travel as much as wildlife encounters.
Who it suits
Independent travellers, landscape lovers, photographers, and those who value solitude, scenic diversity, and flexible travel.
Why it’s special
Namibia offers one of Africa’s most atmospheric safaris. From the towering red dunes of Sossusvlei to the eerie salt pans of Etosha and the rugged Skeleton Coast, its landscapes are as memorable as its wildlife. Etosha National Park delivers superb dry-season game viewing at floodlit waterholes, while desert-adapted elephants and black rhino roam the rocky riverbeds of Damaraland. Few places match Namibia’s sense of space and silence.
Cost & Access
Namibia is a favourite for self-drivers and offers excellent value compared to many other safari destinations:
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Budget self-drive safaris: $150–$300 per person per day (car, campsites, park fees)
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Mid-range lodges: $400–$700 per person per night, often including meals and game drives
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High-end desert retreats: $900–$1,800+ per person per night in exclusive camps (e.g., Serra Cafema, Hoanib Valley Camp)
Most travellers arrive via Windhoek and rent a 4x4 to explore at their own pace. Fly-in options are available for more remote camps.
Considerations
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Wildlife densities are lower than in East Africa or Botswana
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Driving distances are long, expect multi-hour days between destinations
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Safari is often more about atmosphere and scenery than constant game sightings
Best time to visit
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May–October: dry season, with best game concentrations at waterholes
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November–April: green season, spectacular desert light and birdlife, but sparser wildlife
Explore Namibia Further
Editor’s Tip
If you love road trips, there’s no better place. Namibia’s gravel roads lead to surreal vistas at every turn. For a one-of-a-kind experience, consider tracking desert-adapted rhino with Save the Rhino Trust in Damaraland, a rare chance to support hands-on conservation.
Zambia
Zambia suits travellers who value immersion, expert guiding, and on-foot safari experiences over polish or scale.
Who it suits
Experienced safari travellers, walking safari enthusiasts, and those seeking an immersive, off-the-grid wildlife experience guided by some of Africa’s best.
Why it’s special
Zambia is the birthplace of the walking safari and remains one of the most rewarding countries for close-up, ground-level wildlife encounters. The South Luangwa is renowned for its leopard density, guiding calibre, and intimate bush camps. The Lower Zambezi offers canoe safaris, island lunches, and elephants crossing the river at eye level. Zambia is wild, seasonal, and refreshingly unpolished, in the best possible way.
Cost & Access
Safaris in Zambia are often fly-in and lodge-based, with a strong emphasis on guiding and walking:
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Mid-range bush camps: $500–$800 per person per night, often fully inclusive
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Luxury lodges (e.g. Chiawa, Sausage Tree, Time + Tide): $1,000–$2,000+ per person per night
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Fly-in logistics typically via Lusaka or Livingstone, with charter flights to camp airstrips
Some road-based itineraries are possible in South Luangwa, but distances and road conditions limit DIY options.
Considerations
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Most camps close during the green season (Nov–Apr) due to rains and road access
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Amenities are rustic compared to Botswana or South Africa, this is a bush experience, not a polished resort
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Ideal for slow travel, not quick-hit safaris
Best time to visit
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June–October: dry season, peak for walking safaris and game density
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Shoulder months (May, November) offer value and fewer crowds, though with some weather trade-offs
Explore Zambia Further
Editor’s Tip
Zambia is for those who want to feel the bush, not just see it. You’ll follow lion tracks on foot, dine under stars without another camp for miles, and hear hyenas through canvas walls. Pair South Luangwa with Lower Zambezi for a powerful contrast: dry woodland immersion meets riverfront adventure.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe suits travellers who value exceptional guiding, authentic safari traditions, and immersive wildlife encounters over contemporary luxury.
Who it suits
Adventurous travellers, repeat safari-goers, and those who value exceptional guiding, walking safaris, and authentic bush experiences over polish.
Why it’s special
Zimbabwe is one of Africa’s most underrated safari destinations. It offers superb wildlife, a deep safari tradition, and some of the continent’s best-trained guides. Mana Pools National Park is legendary for walking and canoe safaris along the Zambezi River, often with elephants wandering past your tent.
Hwange National Park is vast, diverse, and known for huge elephant herds, strong predator populations, and an emerging network of community-run conservancies. The country also pairs easily with Victoria Falls, one of Africa’s iconic natural wonders.
Cost & Access
Zimbabwe delivers a high level of experience at lower prices than comparable safaris elsewhere:
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Mid-range camps and mobile safaris: $400–$800 per person per night
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High-end safari camps (e.g. Little Ruckomechi, Somalisa, Wilderness): $900–$1,800 per person per night
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Ultra-remote options: up to $2,000+ during peak season for specialist walking or photographic safaris
Access is typically via Victoria Falls or Harare, with light aircraft into camps. Overland links with Zambia and Botswana are common.
Considerations
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Political and economic instability has affected tourism infrastructure
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Some areas are remote and seasonal; expect rustic elegance, not glossy luxury
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Reputable operators are key, guiding and experience quality can vary
Best time to visit
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June–October: dry season and best game viewing
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Shoulder seasons offer value, but access may be affected by rains
Explore Zimbabwe Further
Editor’s Tip
Zimbabwe’s guides are among the best in Africa, if you want deep, interpretive bush walks and multi-day canoe trips, this is the place. Mana Pools is a dream for wildlife photographers and walking purists. And with Victoria Falls nearby, it’s easy to combine wilderness with wow-factor.
Other Safari Experiences: Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda & Uganda
While not part of the classic Big Five safari circuit, gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda offers one of the most profound wildlife encounters on the continent. In Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda) or Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Uganda), small groups hike through misty jungle to spend an hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family.
It’s not cheap, permits cost $700 in Uganda and $1,500 in Rwanda, and it’s more physically demanding than game drives. But for many, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime addition that pairs well with a traditional savannah safari in Kenya or Tanzania.
If This Sounds Like You…
If this is your first safari → South Africa, Kenya
Flexible logistics, strong wildlife sightings, and a gentle learning curve.
If privacy and luxury matter most → Botswana, remote Namibia
Low-density concessions and refined, fly-in safari experiences.
If you want dramatic wildlife moments → Tanzania, Kenya
Migration herds, predator action, and classic East African scale.
If you prefer independence and value → South Africa, Namibia
Self-drive options and a wide range of safari styles and budgets.
If you’re returning to Africa or want depth → Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Immersive safaris focused on guiding quality and wilderness connection.
Practical Safari FAQs
What is the safest country to go on safari in Africa?
Botswana and Namibia are often considered among the safest safari destinations, with strong governance and low-impact tourism models. South Africa is also safe when travelling in established reserves or with reputable operators.
Which country offers malaria-free safaris?
Parts of South Africa offer high-quality malaria-free safari options, particularly in Eastern Cape reserves. Most other major safari regions require seasonal precautions, depending on location and time of year.
Where can I see the Big Five most reliably?
Reliable Big Five sightings are found in South Africa’s private reserves, Botswana’s Okavango Delta, Kenya’s Masai Mara, and Tanzania’s Serengeti ecosystem.
What is the most affordable safari country?
South Africa and Namibia offer the widest range of safari budgets, including self-drive parks, mid-range lodges, and excellent value outside peak seasons.
When is the best time of year to go on safari in Africa?
In general, the dry season from May to October offers the best wildlife viewing across most safari regions. Each country, however, has its own seasonal highlights and trade-offs.
Final Guidance
There is no single best country to go on safari in Africa.
The best choice is the one that aligns with your expectations, travel style, and priorities.
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Choose Botswana for remoteness and refinement
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Choose South Africa for flexibility and first-time ease
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Choose Tanzania for scale and spectacle
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Choose Kenya for culture and conservation
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Choose Namibia for solitude and landscapes
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Choose Zambia or Zimbabwe for immersive, guide-led experiences
If you’re deciding between two countries, that’s normal. Most great safaris begin by narrowing the choice, not perfecting it.
Next step: explore our detailed country guides or planning resources to refine timing, regions, and safari style before you book.
📸 About the Author
Craig Howes is an award-winning wildlife photographer, filmmaker, and the founder of African Safari Mag.
He has spent over a decade travelling across Africa’s leading safari regions, from tracking lions in Sabi Sands to drifting through the Okavango Delta by mokoro, working closely with local guides, conservationists, and lodge teams along the way.
Craig’s work focuses on helping travellers move beyond generic safari advice to make confident, well-informed decisions based on real-world experience, seasonality, and travel style. When he’s not in the field, he curates in-depth safari guides, interviews expert guides, and documents Africa’s wild places through photography and film.