Top 10 Best African Safari Parks & Destinations of 2024

Jump to:

• Top 10 Best Safari Parks & Destinations in Africa
• Serengeti Rated Africa’s Best Safari Park
• 12 Kenyan Parks in Africa’s Top 50
• 10 South African Parks in Africa’s Top 50
• Top 11 to 50 African Safari Parks & Destinations
• How We Created This List
• Demographics of the Reviewers (All Parks)

• 

  #1 Serengeti National Park    Tanzania

  4.85/5
  Classic safaris, Big Five (rhino very rare), big cats, wildebeest migration
  Ranks #1 in Africa’s Top 50 Safari Parks

  3,596 Serengeti Tours
• 

  #2 Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve    South Africa

  4.71/5
  Area consisting of multiple private reserves, excellent Big Five wildlife viewing
  Ranks #2 in Africa’s Top 50 Safari Parks

  90 Sabi Sands Tours
• 

  #3 South Luangwa National Park    Zambia

  4.71/5
  Walking and classic safaris, giraffe, four of the Big Five (no rhino), abundant wildlife
  Ranks #3 in Africa’s Top 50 Safari Parks

  59 South Luangwa Tours
• 

  #4 Ruaha National Park    Tanzania

  4.70/5
  Classic and walking safaris, four of the Big Five (no rhino), cheetah and wild dog
  Ranks #4 in Africa’s Top 50 Safari Parks

  74 Ruaha Tours
• 

  #5 Okavango Delta    Botswana

  4.70/5
  Classic and canoe safaris, exclusive camps, wetlands, Big Five (rhino in Moremi GR)
  Ranks #5 in Africa’s Top 50 Safari Parks

  230 Okavango Tours
• 

  #6 Chobe National Park    Botswana

  4.63/5
  Boat and classic safaris, four of the Big Five (no rhino), abundant elephant
  Ranks #6 in Africa’s Top 50 Safari Parks

  245 Chobe Tours
• 

  #7 Moremi Game Reserve    Botswana

  4.62/5
  Classic and canoe safaris, stunning scenery, Big Five present (rhino very rare)
  Ranks #7 in Africa’s Top 50 Safari Parks

  106 Moremi Tours
• 

  #8 Masai Mara National Reserve    Kenya

  4.61/5
  Classic safaris, Big Five present (rhino rare), many big cats, wildebeest migration
  Ranks #8 in Africa’s Top 50 Safari Parks

  1,409 Masai Mara Tours
• 

  #9 Ngorongoro Crater    Tanzania

  4.59/5
  Classic safaris, abundant wildlife including the Big Five
  Ranks #9 in Africa’s Top 50 Safari Parks

  4,271 Ngorongoro Tours
• 

  #10 Katavi National Park    Tanzania

  4.50/5
  Classic and walking safaris, four of the Big Five (no rhino), many hippo in the Dry season
  Ranks #10 in Africa’s Top 50 Safari Parks

  Katavi Tours

Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park has been voted Africa’s best safari park for 2024. One of four Tanzanian parks in the Top 10, Serengeti was the clear winner, beating competition from other parks on the continent.

Every year we survey safari travelers and experts from across the planet to find the best safari destinations, and in 2024 we considered nearly 2,400 of their reviews. The results should come as no surprise: this is the fifth year in a row that Serengeti National Park has come first, and its score of 4.85 out of 5 is one of our highest ever.

Why the Serengeti? For a start, this is where the annual 2-million-strong wildebeest migration spends a significant part of the year. Whenever the migration passes through, it truly is one of the greatest natural spectacles on the planet. But at any time of year, the dance for survival between predator and prey takes place against the backdrop of classic safari landscapes. Elephants, big cats and vast herds of other wildlife interact on East Africa’s most extensive savannah grasslands, alongside great piles of boulders known as koppies, and within sight of perfectly formed umbrella thorn trees silhouetted against the rising and setting sun. No wonder everyone loves this place.

• 

  Mary Fitzpatrick US - Mary has authored the Lonely Planet guide to Tanzania.

  Rating:

  5/5 stars

  “Serengeti is Tanzania’s most visited park, and with good reason. Almost from the moment you enter the gates, wildlife surrounds you in astounding numbers and variety, together with an incomparable sense of space. The headline event is the annual wildebeest migration...” Full review
• 

  Philip Briggs ZA - Philip has authored the Bradt guide to Tanzania.

  Rating:

  5/5 stars

  “This world-famous reserve is probably my favourite safari destination anywhere in Africa. Although it is not scenic in the conventional manner of, say, the nearby Ngorongoro Crater, the flat grassy plains of the Serengeti – studded with isolated granite inselbergs – possess an uplifting sense of vastness and space. The game viewing is reliably superb...” Full review

When it comes to all-round safari countries, nowhere beats Kenya. As voted by safari-goers and our experts, Kenya has 12 parks included in our Top 50 list. This is more than any other African country. As nearly one-quarter of the best safari parks are in Kenya, this means that you have so much choice when it comes to planning your Kenyan safari, thanks to the incredible wildlife, professional safari industry and classic East African landscapes. At the top of Kenya’s list of highly ranked parks is the Masai Mara National Reserve, which came in at number eight, while world-famous parks such as Samburu National Reserve, Tsavo West National Park and Amboseli National Park also ranked highly.

• 

  Anthony Ham AU - Anthony has authored the Lonely Planet guide to Kenya.

  Rating:

  5/5 stars

  “In the Masai Mara, the annual wildebeest migration, usually from July to October, is surely the greatest wildlife show on earth, an astonishing spectacle on an astonishing scale and the like of which you’ll see nowhere else on the planet...” Full review
• 

  Lizzie Williams ZA - Lizzie has authored the Footprint guide to Kenya.

  Rating:

  4/5 stars

  “Kenya offers the classic quintessential image of a safari in Africa, and rightly so; the rolling hills and grassy plains really are stocked full of all the African animals people expect to see, including high concentrations of the crowd-pulling Big Five...” Full review

Coming in a close second behind Kenya was South Africa, which had 10 safari parks ranked within the Top 50. Like Kenya, South Africa has first-rate parks all across the country, taking in an astonishing and varied portfolio of wildlife and wild landscapes. The results also reflect the fact that South African safaris are in very capable hands, with an experienced safari industry overseeing a good mix of national parks and private reserves.

South Africa’s two top-ranked safari parks show this perfectly. For those who have been lucky enough to visit, it will come as no surprise that exclusive Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve was the second-most popular safari park in Africa; only the Serengeti ranked higher. Kruger National Park also appeared just outside the Top 10: safari-goers and experts alike love how this vast park is a symbol of what South Africa has to offer, with lots of big cats, the Big Five, and almost-guaranteed sightings of elephants and rhinos. Best of all, like so many South African parks, Kruger is extremely accessible, whether you’re on a self-drive or guided safari.

• 

  James Bainbridge UK - James has authored Lonely Planet’s ‘South Africa’ guide.

  Rating:

  4/5 stars

  “South Africa's main drawcard is the accessibility and convenience of its wildlife-watching opportunities. Not only are the Big Five here, in environments from Kruger's bushveld to Pilanesberg's extinct volcano crater, but you can see them from a hire car on tarred roads...” Full review
• 

  Ariadne van Zandbergen ZA - Ariadne is a renowned African wildlife photographer.

  Rating:

  4/5 stars

  “South Africa is my home and I love it. I’ve been traveling the highways and byways of this diverse country for almost 30 years, and I never tire of it. As a tourist destination, I can’t think of a more diverse country. From white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, stark deserts and fairy forests to vibrant cities and, most excitingly, wildlife-rich parks – South Africa has it all...” Full review

• 

  #11 Mana Pools National Park    Zimbabwe  

  4.50/5
  Walking, canoe and classic safaris, four of the Big Five (no rhino) and wild dog present
• 

  #12 Kruger National Park    South Africa  

  4.50/5
  Classic safaris, great abundance of all major safari animals including the Big Five
• 

  #13 Hwange National Park    Zimbabwe  

  4.48/5
  Classic safaris, abundance of all major safari animals including the Big Five
• 

  #14 Samburu National Reserve    Kenya  

  4.48/5
  Classic dry-country safaris, four of the Big Five (no rhino), adjoins Buffalo Springs National Reserve
• 

  #15 Lower Zambezi National Park    Zambia  

  4.48/5
  Canoe, boat, walking and classic safaris, four of the Big Five (no rhino), no giraffe
• 

  #16 Central Kalahari Game Reserve    Botswana  

  4.45/5
  Stirring desert scenery, excellent dry-country safaris, all big cats present
• 

  #17 Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park    Zambia  

  4.45/5
  Walking and classic safaris, Victoria Falls and small wildlife park, white rhino, elephant and giraffe, no big cats
• 

  #18 Akagera National Park    Rwanda  

  4.44/5
  Big Five, lovely scenery, top birding, night drives and boat trips
• 

  #19 Tsavo West National Park    Kenya  

  4.39/5
  Classic safaris, adjoins Tsavo East National Park, Big Five present, low wildlife densities
• 

  #20 Amboseli National Park    Kenya  

  4.39/5
  Classic safaris, great elephant viewing, famous for its Mt Kilimanjaro views
• 

  #21 Queen Elizabeth National Park    Uganda  

  4.38/5
  Boat and classic safaris, abundant wildlife, four of the Big Five (no rhino), no giraffe
• 

  #22 Murchison Falls National Park    Uganda  

  4.37/5
  Boat and classic safaris, waterfall, abundant wildlife, four of the Big Five (no rhino)
• 

  #23 Timbavati Private Nature Reserve    South Africa  

  4.36/5
  Classic safaris, private reserve, Big Five present
• 

  #24 Balule Private Nature Reserve    South Africa  

  4.35/5
  Classic safaris, private reserve, Big Five present
• 

  #25 Madikwe Game Reserve    South Africa  

  4.35/5
  Classic safaris, Big Five present
• 

  #26 Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park    South Africa    Botswana  

  4.33/5
  Classic safaris, transfrontier park shared between South Africa and Botswana, all big cats present
• 

  #27 Nyerere National Park    Tanzania  

  4.32/5
  Classic, walking and boat safaris, four of the Big Five (no rhino), wild dog
• 

  #28 Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve    South Africa  

  4.30/5
  Classic safaris, private reserve, Big Five present
• 

  #29 Ol Pejeta Conservancy    Kenya  

  4.27/5
  Classic safaris, private reserve, Big Five present, chimpanzee sanctuary
• 

  #30 Etosha National Park    Namibia  

  4.25/5
  Classic safaris, four of the Big Five (no buffalo), abundant wildlife in the Dry season
• 

  #31 Kafue National Park    Zambia  

  4.25/5
  Walking, boat and classic safaris, cheetah, four of the Big Five (no rhino), no giraffe
• 

  #32 Addo Elephant National Park    South Africa  

  4.23/5
  Classic safaris, Big Five present but only elephant are regularly seen
• 

  #33 Tsavo East National Park    Kenya  

  4.23/5
  Classic safaris, adjoins Tsavo West National Park, good for elephants and big cats
• 

  #34 Tarangire National Park    Tanzania  

  4.20/5
  Classic and walking safaris, four of the Big Five (no rhino), lots of elephants
• 

  #35 Makgadikgadi Pans National Park    Botswana  

  4.07/5
  Guided and self-drive safaris, varied river and salt-pan scenery, zebra migration
• 

  #36 Zambezi National Park    Zimbabwe  

  4.06/5
  Walking, boat and classic safaris, near Victoria Falls, four of the Big Five (no rhino)
• 

  #37 Arusha National Park    Tanzania  

  4.05/5
  Classic safaris, hiking, mainly antelope species, buffalo, giraffe and Kilimanjaro colobus
• 

  #38 Lake Nakuru National Park    Kenya  

  4.04/5
  Classic safaris, black and white rhino, lion and leopard, no elephant, family-friendly
• 

  #39 Lewa Wildlife Conservancy    Kenya  

  4.00/5
  Classic safaris, private reserve, Big Five present
• 

  #40 Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve    South Africa  

  3.95/5
  Classic safaris, Big Five present, famous for its rhino population
• 

  #41 Nairobi National Park    Kenya  

  3.89/5
  Classic safaris, four of the Big Five (no elephant), city skyscrapers as backdrop
• 

  #42 Pilanesberg Game Reserve    South Africa  

  3.88/5
  Classic safaris, Big Five present
• 

  #43 Aberdare National Park    Kenya  

  3.83/5
  Walking safaris, forest elephants and tree hotels
• 

  #44 Lake Mburo National Park    Uganda  

  3.81/5
  Boat, walking and classic safaris, mainly antelope species, regular leopard sightings
• 

  #45 Hell’s Gate National Park    Kenya  

  3.76/5
  Cycling, walking and climbing, with mainly buffalo and antelope species
• 

  #46 Mikumi National Park    Tanzania  

  3.72/5
  Walking and classic safaris, four of the Big Five (no rhino)
• 

  #47 Shimba Hills National Reserve    Kenya  

  3.58/5
  Classic safaris, abundant elephant
• 

  #48 Lake Manyara National Park    Tanzania  

  3.58/5
  Classic, walking and canoe safaris, treetop walkway, four of the Big Five (no rhino)
• 

  #49 Nxai Pan National Park    Botswana  

  3.31/5
  Dry-country safaris, salt-pan and baobab scenery, all big cats present
• 

  #50 Matobo National Park    Zimbabwe  

  3.20/5
  Exceptional granite landscapes, prehistoric rock art, limited wildlife includes rhino

We analyzed 2,384 park reviews on the SafariBookings.com website, which included 1,239 contributions by safari travelers from 74 countries, as well as 1,145 reviews written by our international team of safari experts.

In total 196 parks from 15 countries, consisting of Botswana, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, were included in the study.

Only parks recognized for classic wildlife-viewing safaris were considered. Parks mostly known for scenery or gorilla/chimp tracking (and not other wildlife) were not included.

Parks with less than nine reviews were excluded from the Top 50.