Four South African Parks in the Top 10 Best Safari Parks of Africa

By Jeroen Beekwilder

No less than 4 South African parks have been awarded a top 10 position in the definitive list of Africa's best safari parks. MalaMala, Sabi Sands, Phinda and Kgalagadi all received a top 10 ranking. No other safari country has so many parks in the top 10. An excellent result for South Africa.

SafariBookings.com has published the list of Africa's best safari parks. The list was based on 3,008 park reviews that were collected via the SafariBookings website. Of this total, 2,234 reviews were contributed by safari tourists from more than 60 nationalities. To complement these user reviews, reputable guidebook authors (working for Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, Frommer’s, Bradt and Footprint) teamed up in the SafariBookings Expert Panel and wrote another 774 expert reviews.

With a rating of 4.81 stars out of 5, MalaMala Game Reserve ranked second of all parks, topped only by Serengeti National Park. Sabi Sands was awarded the 6^th position, Phinda Game Reseve ranked 7^th, and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park 9^th. Kruger ranked 20^th, which came as a surprise to the SafariBookings team. They expected this top-class park to rank higher.

Jump to:

Why are these 4 parks such great safari destinations?
The top 50 safari parks
What do experts say about these 4 parks?
What do safari tourists say about these 4 parks?
Demographics of the reviewers (all parks)

Why are these 4 parks such great safari destinations?

MalaMala, Sabi Sands and Phinda are all top-class private game reserves. Besides excellent accommodation, food and guiding, these reserves offer superb wildlife viewing with almost guaranteed sightings of the Big Five.
Kgalagadi is one of the most rewarding destinations for self-drive visitors; it is off-the-beaten-track with great wilderness appeal and excellent wildlife viewing.
Kgalagadi's scenery is stunning; the red sand dunes in the inhospitable desert form a magnificent backdrop for wildlife viewing and photography.
The three private reserves offer night drives, walking safaris, and the off-road driving allows close wildlife encounters.
Phinda is arguably the best place in Africa to see Cheetahs.
MalaMala and Sabi Sands share an unfenced border with Kruger National Park and are part of this enormous eco-system.
MalaMala doesn't offer traversing rights to guests from other properties, making it very exclusive and not crowded.

The top 50 safari parks

Serengeti National Park Tanzania

4.89/5
Classic safari, Big 5 present (rhino rare), many big cats, wildebeest migration
Ranks #1 of Africa's top 50 safari parks

3,383 Serengeti Tours
Mala Mala Game Reserve South Africa

4.81/5
Classic safari, private reserve, abundant wildlife- including the Big 5
Ranks #2 of Africa's top 50 safari parks

Mala Mala Tours
Okavango Delta Botswana

4.75/5
Canoe, boat and classic safari, waterway paradise, Big 5 (rhino in Moremi)
Ranks #3 of Africa's top 50 safari parks

253 Okavango Tours
Mana Pools National Park Zimbabwe

4.75/5
Walking, canoe and classic safaris, 4 of the Big 5 and wild dogs present, no rhino
Ranks #4 of Africa's top 50 safari parks

23 Mana Pools Tours
Moremi Game Reserve Botswana

4.66/5
Classic safari, Big 5 present (rhino rare), partly located in the Okavango Delta
Ranks #5 of Africa's top 50 safari parks

117 Moremi Tours
Sabi Sand Game Reserve South Africa

4.64/5
Area consisting of multiple private reserves, excellent Big 5 wildlife viewing
Ranks #6 of Africa's top 50 safari parks

97 Sabi Sand Tours
Phinda Game Reserve South Africa

4.63/5
Classic safari, private reserve, abundant wildlife- including the Big 5
Ranks #7 of Africa's top 50 safari parks

Phinda Tours
Masai Mara National Reserve Kenya

4.60/5
Classic safari, Big 5 present (rhino rare), many big cats, wildebeest migration
Ranks #8 of Africa's top 50 safari parks

1,445 Masai Mara Tours
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park South Africa

4.59/5
Classic safari, transfrontier park with Botswana, all big cats present
Ranks #9 of Africa's top 50 safari parks

Kgalagadi Tours
Ruaha National Park Tanzania

4.56/5
Walking and classic safari, 4 of the Big 5 (no rhino), cheetah and wild dogs
Ranks #10 of Africa's top 50 safari parks

69 Ruaha Tours
South Luangwa National Park Zambia

4.56/5
Walking and classic safari, giraffe, 4 of the Big 5 (no rhino), abundant wildlife
Ranks #11 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Ngorongoro Crater Tanzania

4.52/5
Classic safari, abundant wildlife in the volcanic crater includes the Big 5
Ranks #12 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Selous Game Reserve Tanzania

4.48/5
Walking, boat and classic safari, Big 5 present, healthy population of wild dogs
Ranks #13 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Kidepo Valley National Park Uganda

4.45/5
Classic safari, giraffe, cheetah, antelope species, 4 of the Big 5 (no rhino)
Ranks #14 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Chobe National Park Botswana

4.45/5
Boat and classic safari, Big 5 present (rhino very rare), abundant elephants
Ranks #15 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Ol Pejeta Conservancy Kenya

4.45/5
Classic safari, private reserve, Big 5 and chimpanzee sanctuary present
Ranks #16 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Etosha National Park Namibia

4.45/5
Classic safari, 4 of the Big 5 (no buffalo), excellent wildlife viewing during the dry season
Ranks #17 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Linyanti Concession Botswana

4.44/5
Classic safari, private reserve, 4 of the Big 5 (no rhino)
Ranks #18 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Hwange National Park Zimbabwe

4.44/5
Classic safari, abundance of all major safari animals- including the Big 5
Ranks #19 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Kruger National Park South Africa

4.43/5
Classic safari, great abundance of all major safari animals- including the Big 5
Ranks #20 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Lower Zambezi National Park Zambia

4.40/5
Canoe and classic safari, 4 of the Big 5 (no rhino), no giraffe
Ranks #21 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Katavi National Park Tanzania

4.35/5
Classic safari, 4 of the Big 5 (no rhino), abundant wildlife in the dry season
Ranks #22 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Matusadona National Park Zimbabwe

4.35/5
Walking, boat and classic safari, Big 5 present, many elephant, no giraffe
Ranks #23 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Timbavati Nature Reserve South Africa

4.33/5
Classic safari, private reserve, Big 5 present
Ranks #24 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Samburu National Reserve Kenya

4.33/5
Classic safari, 4 of Big 5 (no rhino), adjoining Buffalo Springs without fences
Ranks #25 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Tsavo West National Park Kenya

4.31/5
Classic safari, adjacent to Tsavo East, Big 5 present, low wildlife density
Ranks #26 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Madikwe Game Reserve South Africa

4.28/5
Classic safari, private reserve, Big 5 present
Ranks #27 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Amboseli National Park Kenya

4.26/5
Classic safari, Big 5 present, famous for its views of Mount Kilimanjaro
Ranks #28 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Kafue National Park Zambia

4.26/5
Walking, boat and classic safari, cheetah, 4 of the Big 5 (no rhino), no giraffe
Ranks #29 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Tembe Elephant Park South Africa

4.25/5
Classic safari, the Big 5 is present, famous for its big tuskers
Ranks #30 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Tsavo East National Park Kenya

4.25/5
Classic safari, adjacent to Tsavo West, Big 5 present, low wildlife density
Ranks #31 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
North Luangwa National Park Zambia

4.21/5
Walking safari only, Big 5 present (rhino in protected zone), no giraffe
Ranks #32 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Central Kalahari Game Reserve Botswana

4.20/5
Classic safari, wildlife scarce except after summer rains, all big cats present
Ranks #33 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda

4.19/5
Boat and classic safari, abundant wildlife, 4 of the Big 5 (no rhino), no giraffe
Ranks #34 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Shamwari Game Reserve South Africa

4.17/5
Classic safari, private reserve, Big 5 present
Ranks #35 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve South Africa

4.16/5
Classic safari, Big 5 present, famous for its rhino population
Ranks #36 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy Kenya

4.15/5
Classic safari, private reserve, Big 5 present
Ranks #37 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Meru National Park Kenya

4.15/5
Classic safari, 4 of the Big 5 present (rhino in fenced sanctuary)
Ranks #38 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Murchison Falls National Park Uganda

4.11/5
Boat and classic safari, waterfall, abundant wildlife, 4 of the Big 5 (no rhino)
Ranks #39 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Kapama Game Reserve South Africa

4.08/5
Classic safari, private reserve, Big 5 present
Ranks #40 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Gonarezhou National Park Zimbabwe

4.08/5
Classic safari, Big 5 and cheetah present, rhino rare and animals are skittish
Ranks #41 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Tarangire National Park Tanzania

4.05/5
Classic safari, 4 of the Big 5 (no rhino), abundant wildlife in the dry season
Ranks #42 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park Botswana

4.04/5
Classic safari, wildlife scarce outside wet season, Big 5 present (rhino rare)
Ranks #43 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Nxai Pan National Park Botswana

4.00/5
Classic safari, wildlife scarce outside wet season, Big 5 present (rhino rare)
Ranks #44 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Mkhuze Game Reserve South Africa

3.92/5
Classic safari, Big 5 present, wild dog present but rare
Ranks #45 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Lake Nakuru National Park Kenya

3.90/5
Classic safari, Big 5 present, famous for its flamingos
Ranks #46 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Pilanesberg Game Reserve South Africa

3.87/5
Classic safari, Big 5 present
Ranks #47 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Addo Elephant National Park South Africa

3.86/5
Classic safari, Big 5 present, but only elephants are regularly seen
Ranks #48 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Mapungubwe National Park South Africa

3.85/5
Classic safari, 4 of the Big 5 and cheetah, no buffalo, lion and rhino are rare
Ranks #49 of Africa's top 50 safari parks
Matobo National Park Zimbabwe

3.85/5
Classic safari, rhino, leopard, cheetah, giraffe and antelope species present
Ranks #50 of Africa's top 50 safari parks

What do experts say about these 4 parks

James Bainbridge UK – Senior author of the Lonely Planet to South Africa.

Rating:

5/5 stars

“Kgalagadi is one of Africa's most incredible wildlife parks, and one of the world's most pristine wildernesses. The arid landscape is stunning: red dunes ripple away to the horizon, dotted with thorny acacia trees.” Full review
Philip Briggs ZA - Author of 7 Bradt guidebooks to Africa, incl. South Africa.

Rating:

5/5 stars

“My favourite wildlife destination in South Africa, legendary MalaMala pioneered the modern private reserve experience when it opened its gates to paying clients in the 1960s, and for many years it was the ultimate safari destination for the rich and famous.” Full review
Melissa Shales UK - Award winning writer for Fodors, Frommers and Insight.

Rating:

5/5 stars

“Sabi Sand Reserve is in effect a private extension of the vast Kruger National Park. It also probably represents the greatest cluster of unadulterated safari luxury on the planet, surpassing even the Masai Mara.” Full review
Stephen Cunliffe ZA - Acclaimed travel writer and avid conservationist.

Rating:

5/5 stars

“Phinda Private Game Reserve is the setting for one of South Africa's finest wildlife-viewing experiences. What the reserve lacks in terms of wilderness appeal is ably compensated for by its abundant animal sightings and quality nature-guiding experience.” Full review

What do safari tourists say about these 4 parks

TheWanderingAmerican US - 35-50 years of age - Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Rating:

5/5 stars

“Mala Mala is an absolutely amazing safari destination. Having done a more rustic camping safari in the past, I was blown away by the comfort and amenities (wifi, a/c, lack of insects, etc.) of the Mala Mala camp so deep in the bush.” Full review
rpgold CA - 35-50 years of age - Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Rating:

5/5 stars

“The accommodations in Phinda were very luxurious and very comfortable. We were very happy with the game drives taken and enjoyed abundant wildlife sightings. Although a private reserve, it is still large enough with varied terrain to avoid redundancy when staying multiple nights.” Full review
Bird Brian UK - 65 years of age or older - Experience level: over 5 safaris

Rating:

5/5 stars

“Kgalagadi is one of South Africa's top parks. Not only are there vast herds of grazers, there are a large number of predators. One would be unlucky not to see one of lion, cheetah or leopard on a visit. It is a large park, with a wide variety of camps and accommodations, of high quality.” Full review
Kimmy UK - 50-65 years of age - Experience level: first safari

Rating:

5/5 stars

“What an amazing time we had in Sabi Sands. We did not expect to see so many beautiful animals so close up. We loved the off-roading too; tracking cheetahs, leopards and lions. The river beds were dry and we enjoyed our morning bush mix stops there with the vervet monkeys and baboons.” Full review

Demographics of the reviewers (all parks)

User reviews: 2,234
Expert reviews: 774
Nationalities: 63

Percentage of reviews by country
All user reviews. Move your cursor over a country to get the number

Age and gender (Percentage)
All people who wrote user reviews. Move your cursor over the chart for more details

Safari Experience Level (Percentage)
All people who wrote user reviews. Move your cursor over the chart for more details

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By Jeroen Beekwilder

Jeroen is co-owner of SafariBookings.com. His desire to feel connected powers his love of travel. He has traveled all over the world with his wife and two children.