Countries & Parks
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Countries & Parks
Learn more about the major safari countries, including their highlights, wildlife, best time to visit and more.
The 8 Major Safari Countries
Top-rated Safari Countries
Learn about the country's highlights, wildlife, best time to visit and more.
Parks & Reserves
Discover all major national parks & game reserves per country.
- Botswana Parks 15 parks
- Eswatini Parks 6 parks
- Ethiopia Parks 9 parks
- Kenya Parks 31 parks
- Lesotho Parks 3 parks
- Madagascar Parks 20 parks
- Malawi Parks 9 parks
- Mozambique Parks 8 parks
- Namibia Parks 20 parks
- Rwanda Parks 4 parks
- South Africa Parks 42 parks
- Tanzania Parks 15 parks
- Uganda Parks 17 parks
- Zambia Parks 14 parks
- Zimbabwe Parks 8 parks
Top-rated Safari Countries
Botswana
Botswana is a leader in low-density, low-impact tourism, with a special emphasis on exclusive, high-end safaris. Wilderness areas abound, especially in and around the Okavango Delta, which can be discovered on an unforgettable game drive or mokoro trip. Elsewhere, Chobe National Park, Moremi Game Reserve and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve are world-class safari destinations, combining stunning landscapes with exceptional wildlife. Botswana is also excellent for self-drive safaris.
- Rates $196 to $1,131 pp/day
- Best Time April to October (Okavango, Moremi, Chobe), December to May (Central Kalahari, Khutse, Kgalagadi)
- High Season July to October (Only Chobe gets crowded)
Eswatini
Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) is easily incorporated in a South African holiday. It offers some outstanding wildlife viewing in low-key parks, stunning scenery and traditional cultures. Mkhaya Game Reserve and Hlane Royal National Park are excellent places to see many flagship animals.
- Rates $85 to $411 pp/day
- Best Time May to September (Dry season)
- High Season December to January and July to August (It never gets very busy)
Ethiopia
Awash in cultural attractions and dramatic scenery, Ethiopia is far from ordinary. The wildlife here does not appear anywhere else on earth. Memories of being surrounded by hundreds of gelada monkeys with their swirling golden manes and bold red chests will last a lifetime. As will driving the continent’s highest road to see an Ethiopian wolf – Africa’s most endangered carnivore.
- Rates $116 to $363 pp/day
- Best Time October to December (Beautiful scenery, little rain)
- High Season October to January (Some parks get busy)
Kenya
Regardless of whether this is your first time on safari or you’re a safari veteran, Kenya is a fantastic place to go looking for wildlife. The Masai Mara National Reserve and surrounding conservancies get all the attention for big cat sightings and the annual wildebeest migration. But Kenya has numerous world-class parks to explore, and it’s also an excellent place to relax on a beach holiday once your safari is over.
- Rates $188 to $745 pp/day
- Best Time June to October and January and February
- High Season June to October and December to March
Lesotho
A mountainous wonderland completely surrounded by South Africa, Lesotho offers an array of adventurous options. On horseback is the best way to discover the stunning landscapes, while hiking in just about any direction is rewarding. Getting here is half the fun if you choose the hairpin bends of Sani Pass, South Africa’s most famous 4x4 track.
- Rates $53 to $91 pp/day
- Best Time January to December
- High Season December to January and July to August
Lesotho Parks & Reserves
All 3 Parks & Reserves
Madagascar
Madagascar is a world apart, an island so vast as to be known as ‘The Eighth Continent’. This most beautiful island has superb beaches, and its 50 national parks and reserves make it a top ecotourism destination. Whether you’re looking for wildlife or hiking for its own sake, Madagascar has fabulous trails, some of which you can walk at night with a flashight.
- Rates $138 to $432 pp/day
- Best Time Generally April, May, October and November (Less rain, good wildlife viewing; but varies by region)
- High Season July, August and December holidays (Many parks get busy)
Malawi
Malawi’s main tourist attraction is enormous Lake Malawi, with its beaches and water-based activities. The country also offers a range of safari options. Lovely Liwonde National Park has a winding river ideal for boat trips and seeing lots of elephants. Majete Wildlife Reserve is Malawi’s top Big Five destination. The rolling green hills of Nyika National Park are ideal for walking.
- Rates $256 to $677 pp/day
- Best Time July to October (Dry bush and animals easier to find)
- High Season July to October (Some parks are busy, high-season rates)
Mauritius
Mauritius is one of the most beautiful islands on Earth. But that’s just the beginning of any visit here. Reefs and a crystal-clear lagoon surround an island encircled by near-perfect beaches. The interior, too, has plenty of appeal, with rugged mountains, forest-filled valleys and a handful of endangered species, as well as an intriguing cultural and culinary mix.
- Rates $418 to $745 pp/day
- Best Time May, June and September to November
- High Season November to April
Mozambique
Mozambique, dubbed the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, conjures up images of idyllic white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, swaying palm trees and delicious seafood. Indeed, with its pristine 2,600km/1,616mi dune-fringed coastline, the country is southern Africa’s most alluring beach destination. Less known is that thanks to incredible conservation efforts several Mozambican parks and reserves, which suffered greatly during the civil war, are slowly being restored to their former glory. For an adventurous off-the-beaten-track bush and beach holiday, Mozambique might just fit the bill.
- Rates $186 to $1,155 pp/day
- Best Time April to November (Lots of sunshine and little rain)
- High Season May to October (Most parks never get busy)
Namibia
In Namibia, the incredible landscapes are more than just a backdrop for the exceptional wildlife: they’re one of the main reasons for coming here. Etosha National Park is one of Africa’s finest wildlife parks, and the country’s private game reserves are also outstanding. Regions like Damaraland, the Skeleton Coast and Namib-Naukluft National Park combine intriguing wildlife possibilities with dramatic and wildly beautiful terrain.
- Rates $205 to $1,388 pp/day
- Best Time May to September (Most parks)
- High Season July to October or November (Etosha and Sossusvlei get crowded)
Réunion
Rising abruptly from the sea like an ocean-going mirage, Réunion is the most dramatic of all Indian Ocean islands. The hiking here is extraordinary with views to match, and so many other activities are possible – from whale watching to white-water rafting. A visit here also means fascinating village life, enticing food and fun festivals.
- Best Time May to November (Less rain)
- High Season July, August, Christmas, Easter (Busy)
Rwanda
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is the perfect choice for an unforgettable wildlife encounter. It’s challenging, thrilling and emotional, all in one package. This small but scenic country, referred to as the Land of a Thousand Hills, has a lot more to offer though. Thirteen other primates, including chimpanzees, inhabit the lush rainforest of Nyungwe National Park, while the Big Five traipse around the savannah plains of Akagera National Park. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can head out on foot, bicycle or boat to explore the beautiful Lake Kivu region, or even conquer one of the Virunga volcano peaks.
- Rates $330 to $1,111 pp/day
- Best Time June to September (Dry season)
- High Season June to September (Gorilla permits are scarce)
Seychelles
The island archipelago nation of Seychelles combines some of the world’s most beautiful beaches with astonishing biodiversity. Island and marine wildlife, found nowhere else on the planet, bring to life this superb chain of islands, with their volcanic interiors and blissful sense of Indian Ocean isolation. Exclusive resorts, trails through montane (mountain) forest, and aromatic spice gardens are among the many highlights.
- Rates $316 to $2,123 pp/day
- Best Time March, April, October and November (Shoulder months)
- High Season December to February
South Africa
South Africa is one of Africa’s great wildlife destinations. Vast Kruger National Park has an abundance of animals and is one of the continent’s iconic attractions. For outdoor adventure, the Blyde River Canyon is the third largest on the planet, and jagged peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains punch into the sky. Cape Town hums with an urban beat and is fringed by white sandy beaches.
- Rates $135 to $664 pp/day
- Best Time May to September (All parks), November to March (Cape Town)
- High Season October to March (Crowded during school holidays)
Tanzania
Tanzania, with its three safari circuits, is one of Africa’s top wildlife destinations. The popular Northern circuit incorporates bucket-list landmarks such as Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Mt Kilimanjaro. Repeat visitors might prefer the remote wilderness vibe of the Southern or Western circuits. For some beach time, the ‘Spice Island’ of Zanzibar is only a short flight away.
- Rates $220 to $624 pp/day
- Best Time June to October; January to February (For wildebeest calving)
- High Season July to March (North), June to October (South and west)
Uganda
Uganda is a great destination to view a combination of forest and savannah wildlife. Top attractions include gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable or Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks, and chimp trekking in Kibale National Park and other forest locations. Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks offer wonderful savannah safaris with good wildlife viewing, with four of the Big Five present (no rhino), as does the more remote Kidepo Valley National Park. To stand a chance of seeing all the Big Five, visit Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch to track rhinos.
- Rates $285 to $754 pp/day
- Best Time June to August and December to February (Most parks)
- High Season June to September (It's rarely crowded)
Zambia
In Zambia, you’ll be looked after on safari by some of the best guides in Africa. They’ll happily share everything they know about the local wildlife and landscape, while safely leading you on game drives, walking safaris and even canoeing safaris along the Zambezi River.
- Rates $198 to $992 pp/day
- Best Time May to September (Most parks)
- High Season July to October (Victoria Falls and South Luangwa get busy)
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is home to two of Africa's most remarkable tourist attractions. These are the spray-soaked, mile-wide Victoria Falls (officially one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World) and the brooding ruined city of Great Zimbabwe. This is also a wonderful destination for safaris. Most accessible is Hwange National Park, which hosts all the Big Five including some immense elephant herds. Elsewhere, the more remote Mana Pools, Matusadona and Gonarezhou National Parks offer great wildlife viewing and are ideal for walking safaris.
- Rates $90 to $753 pp/day
- Best Time June or July to October (Most parks)
- High Season July to October (Only Victoria Falls gets busy)