An African safari is an experience of a lifetime. You can satisfy your wanderlust and marvel at nature at its best. Each destination is as diverse as its culture and people. So visitors always have plenty of options for their adventure.
Some travellers come for the incredible scenery. While others flock to get some outdoor action. Like hiking and hot air balloon rides, for example. So it helps to have an idea of which locations offer the experiences you're looking for. If the highlight of your Africa Safari is seeing majestic wildlife in its natural habitat, then consider these eight best Africa Safari parks:
1. Kruger National Park
This is one of Africa's largest wildlife reserves. In fact, this national park is located in the north-eastern parts of South Africa. More precisely, it's in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. The Kruger National Park covers an area of 19,485 km2. It is also classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Kruger National Park is a magnificent wilderness. It is home to the Big Five, the 5 largest mammals on the planet. It is also home to hundreds of other mammals, including antelopes, wild dogs, jackals, giraffes and blue wildebeest.
2. Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti National Park is in Tanzania. It extends as far as the eastern regions of the Masai Mara in Kenya. It is a world-renowned safari park. It covers an area of 30,000 km2. What's more, it offers an unrivalled panorama of vast rolling plains. The Serengeti is home to a rich variety of wildlife. These include the famous "Big Five": Lions, African leopards, African bush elephants, Eastern black rhinos and African buffalo. There are over 500 species of birds and carnivores, including cheetahs, hyenas, honey badgers and African wild dogs.
A unique must-see for any tourist is to witness the annual wildebeest migration. More than 2.5 million wildebeest, zebra, Thomson's gazelle and antelope migrate here between June and November to find better grazing. This phenomenon is a world wonder.
Read also: Tanzania Safari: the ultimate guide to a successful experience in 2023
3. Hwange National Park
This park was formerly known as the Wankie Game Reserve. Today, Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe's largest wildlife reserve. It covers an impressive area of 14,651 km2. Interestingly, the park's name was chosen by a local Nhanzwa chief. It became a national park in 1961. It is located in the north-western part of Zimbabwe between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls. Hwange boasts an astonishing variety of wildlife, including impalas, African buffalo and lions. As well as one of the largest populations of elephants on the planet, and over 400 species of birds. In this park you can also stay in luxury lodges to further enhance your experience.
4. Masai Mara National Reserve
Recently ranked as the top safari park on the planet by the World Travel Award (WTA). The Masai Mara Game Reserve is indeed a wonder to behold. It is located in south-west Kenya. The park borders Tanzania and covers an area of 1,510 km2. The park is named after the famous Masai tribe. It is famous for its exceptional variety of wildlife, including the Big Five and the migration of the great wildebeest.
Read also: Africa; Top 10 incredible natural wonders!5. Chobe National Park
This breathtaking wildlife park is located in the northern parts of Botswana. In fact, it's the country's first national park. But it's also the third largest park after the Kalahari and Gemsbok national parks. In fact, it covers an area of up to 12,000 square kilometres of land. Chobe National Park is home to diverse concentrations of wildlife, including lions, giraffes, antelopes, cheetahs, zebras, wildebeest and over 450 species of birds. The park is divided into four zones: the Serondela Zone, the Savuti Walk, the Linyanti Walk and the Hinterland.
6. Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale Forest National Park is located in western Uganda. The park covers an area of 776 square kilometres. It is considered to have the highest concentration of primates in the whole of Africa. This is because of its impressive range of chimpanzees, red colobus monkeys and L'Hoest's monkeys, as well as other endangered species. Visitors here will also be surprised by the lush rainforest and picturesque landscapes.
7. Etosha National Park
Located in the north-western region of Namibia, Etosha National Park covers an area of more than 20,000 km2. It is very famous for its ease of spotting varieties of wild animals. Unlike other Safari parks in Africa, where you have to go all the way round to see the animals. The animals in Etosha National Park usually come to you. Simply park your vehicle near one of the many waterholes and see animals by the hundreds - lions, elephants, gemsbok, springbok and various bird species.
8. Luangwa National Park
Many wildlife enthusiasts have dubbed Luangwa National Park one of the world's greatest wildlife sanctuaries. Indeed, the concentration of animals around the Luangwa River and Oxbow Lagoons is among the most intense in Africa. The park is located in the eastern part of Zambia. It covers an area of 9,050 km. The river is filled with hippos and crocodiles, while the land is home to over 60 species of mammal, including the Thornicroft giraffe, Cape buffalo, elephants and leopards. It is also home to a large population of bird species.
Read also: The best African countries to visit for a holiday in 2020