Best Safaris in Africa: Where to Go, Types, Costs & How to Choose The Right Tour

An African safari goes far beyond a standard holiday. It’s the kind of trip people think about for years, and when done properly, it delivers every time.

What most guides don’t explain clearly is how different safaris can be.

Where you go, when you travel, and the type of safari you choose will shape everything. That can mean busy game drives with multiple vehicles, or quiet, high-quality sightings that feel calm, immersive, and genuinely special.

This guide covers the best safari destinations across Africa, the different types of safari, and what to look for before booking. From iconic regions like Kenya and Tanzania, to more exclusive experiences in Botswana and the vast, open landscapes of Namibia, you can choose what actually suits your style of travel.

Jump to: Where to go • Kenya • Tanzania • Botswana • South Africa • Namibia • Zimbabwe • Safari types • Big 5 • Migration • Luxury • Honeymoon • Adventure • Gorilla trekking • Safari + beach • Typical safari day • Planning tips • Final tips • What to pack

Where to Go on Safari in Africa

East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania)

Kenya

Kenya is one of the best places to start if you want a classic African safari. Think open plains, huge wildlife numbers, and those iconic scenes you’ve probably seen before, but far better in real life.

The experience can vary a lot depending on where you stay and how your itinerary is built. Some areas are busy, others feel far more private, so it’s worth getting this part right.

If you’re planning it yourself, it can take a bit of time to find the right camps, timing, and routing. I’d recommend using a safari specialist like Go2Africa to plan your Kenya safari to help match you with the right experience.

Otherwise, these are good shorter or mid-range options that are easy to book without building a full itinerary:
• Maasai Mara day trip from Nairobi
• 8-day Kenya safari (all-inclusive)

Best for	First safari, iconic wildlife, Great Migration
Top locations	• Masai Mara • Private conservancies surrounding the Mara
Why go	• Front-row access to the Great Migration • Strong chance of Big 5 sightings • Classic open plains and safari landscapes
Pros	• High wildlife density • Reliable sightings year-round • Good mix of mid-range and luxury camps
Cons	• Can be busy during peak migration • Pricing increases in high season • Longer travel time from Australia • Often requires internal flights between parks • Can feel more commercialised in popular areas • Less flexibility for self-drive Can take a bit of planning to get the right experience, so I recommend using a safari specialist like Go2Africa to plan your Kenya safari →

Tanzania

Tanzania is where safari feels bigger, more spread out, and a bit more varied. You’ve got the Serengeti for those wide open plains and migration scenes, Ngorongoro Crater for dense wildlife in a compact area, and a mix of camps ranging from simple to seriously high-end.

It suits travellers who want a more in-depth safari, often across multiple locations rather than staying in one area. Distances are larger, so planning the route properly makes a big difference to how smooth the trip feels.

If you want it done properly without the stress, I’d recommend using a safari specialist like Go2Africa to plan your Tanzania safari. They handle everything, from choosing the right parks and lodges to organising transfers, flights between camps, and timing it around things like the migration. It’s a much smoother experience, especially if you’re trying to combine multiple locations or want a more high-end, tailored trip.

If you’re booking parts of it yourself, a shorter option like this 4-day Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari is a solid way to cover the key parks without overcomplicating it.

A lot of itineraries pair safari with the coast, and this is where Tanzania stands out. Zanzibar is the most popular add-on, with clear water, beach resorts, and a completely different pace after a few days on safari. You can mix in experiences like this Zanzibar Jozani Forest and Salaam Cave tour, or just keep it simple and use it as a place to unwind.

Done properly, Tanzania gives you both sides of the trip, high-quality wildlife and a relaxed beach finish, without needing to change countries.

Best for	Multi-park safaris, Great Migration, safari + Zanzibar combo
Top locations	• Serengeti National Park • Ngorongoro Crater • Tarangire National Park • Zanzibar (post-safari)
Why go	• Covers a large part of the Great Migration route • Ngorongoro offers dense wildlife in a compact area • Huge variety of landscapes across parks • Easy to combine safari with Zanzibar beaches
Pros	• Diverse safari experience across multiple parks • Strong wildlife sightings, including Big 5 • Less commercialised than parts of Kenya in some regions • Wide range of camps from mid-range to ultra-luxury • Ideal for longer, more in-depth itineraries
Cons	• Larger distances between parks, more travel time • Often requires flights or long drives between locations • Slightly less developed/logistically simple than South Africa • Not suited to self-drive safaris • Planning multi-stop itineraries can get complex • Peak season pricing around migration Can take a bit more planning to get the routing, timing, and camps right, so I recommend using a safari specialist like Go2Africa to plan your Tanzania safari →

Southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe)

Botswana

Botswana is a completely different safari experience. It’s quieter, more remote, and built around high-quality, low-volume tourism. You won’t find crowds here. Instead, it’s smaller camps, more space, and a much more personalised feel. The Okavango Delta is the standout, with water-based safaris, private game drives, and some of the best safari lodges in Africa. Most camps include daily guided drives with expert trackers, and a much higher staff-to-guest ratio, so everything feels more tailored. It’s also one of the easiest countries to travel in from a language perspective, with English widely spoken alongside Setswana. If you want something more exclusive, this is where Botswana really stands out.

Best for	Luxury safaris, remote experiences, fewer crowds
Top locations	• Okavango Delta • Chobe National Park • Moremi Game Reserve
Why go	• Some of the most exclusive safari lodges in Africa • Water-based safaris (mokoro, boat, walking) • High staff-to-guest ratios and personalised service • Wildlife-rich areas with fewer vehicles at sightings
Pros	• Low visitor numbers, more private sightings • High-end, all-inclusive safari experiences • Exceptional guiding and tracking • Feels more untouched and less commercialised • Consistently strong wildlife viewing
Cons	• One of the more expensive safari destinations • Limited budget and mid-range options • Requires light aircraft transfers between camps • Less suited to short trips due to travel time If you’re planning a full itinerary, I’d recommend using a safari specialist like Go2Africa to plan your Botswana safari →

If you're adding parts of Botswana onto a trip, you can also book shorter experiences like a Chobe day trip from Victoria Falls or explore the Delta with a full-day Okavango Delta mokoro canoe tour without needing to organise a full safari from scratch.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a great option if you’re looking for a more raw, less commercial safari experience. It’s not as polished as some other destinations, but that’s part of the appeal. Wildlife viewing is excellent, guides are highly regarded, and it tends to feel far less crowded. A lot of trips here are built around national parks like Hwange or Mana Pools, often combined with Victoria Falls. Walking safaris are a standout, and it’s one of the best places in Africa to do them properly.

Best for	Experienced travellers, walking safaris, fewer crowds
Top locations	• Hwange National Park • Mana Pools National Park • Victoria Falls
Why go	• More raw, authentic safari experience • World-class walking safaris • Strong guiding and tracking • Easy to combine with Victoria Falls
Pros	• Fewer tourists compared to Kenya or South Africa • High-quality guiding • Wildlife sightings without crowds • Feels less commercialised overall
Cons	• Less infrastructure than more established destinations • Not as beginner-friendly for first-time safari travellers • Requires more planning and coordination Best done as part of a planned itinerary, so I recommend using a specialist like Go2Africa to plan your Zimbabwe safari →

South Africa

South Africa is the easiest place to start a safari. It’s well set up, straightforward to get around, and one of the few destinations where you can mix safari with cities, wine regions, and coastline in one trip. Kruger National Park is the main draw, along with the surrounding private reserves like Sabi Sands and Timbavati, where you’ll get more exclusive lodges and guided experiences. You can go fully guided or even self-drive in parts of Kruger, which isn’t really an option in most other countries. It’s also one of the most accessible safari destinations from Australia, with more direct and well-connected flight routes compared to other parts of Africa.

Best for	First-time safari, ease, value, mixed itinerary (safari + city + coast)
Top locations	• Kruger National Park • Sabi Sands Private Reserve • Timbavati Private Reserve • Cape Town (add-on)
Why go	• Easiest safari destination to plan • Strong wildlife sightings, including Big 5 • Option for both guided and self-drive safaris • Easy to combine with Cape Town and wine regions
Pros	• Easy logistics and strong infrastructure • More affordable than Botswana and some East Africa options • Wide range of lodges from mid-range to luxury • Direct and well-connected international flights • Great for first-time safari travellers
Cons	• Some areas feel less remote compared to Botswana • Public park sections can be busy • Higher levels of petty crime in cities compared to Botswana (requires normal travel awareness) • Can feel more developed than other safari destinations If you want a smoother, higher-end experience without planning everything yourself, I recommend using Go2Africa to plan your South Africa safari →

Namibia

Namibia is one of the most underrated safari destinations in Africa. It’s less about dense wildlife sightings and more about the landscapes, wide open space, and a completely different kind of experience. You’ve got Etosha for wildlife, but what really sets Namibia apart is everything around it. Think desert drives, red dunes, coastal towns, and the kind of scenery that feels nothing like a traditional safari. It’s also one of the few countries where self-drive actually works well, which makes it a good option if you want more flexibility and a slightly different pace.

Best for	Landscapes, self-drive, quieter and more unique safari experience
Top locations	• Etosha National Park • Sossusvlei (Namib Desert) • Swakopmund • Skeleton Coast
Why go	• Unique desert landscapes you won’t find elsewhere • Good mix of wildlife and scenery • More flexible travel style with self-drive options • Less crowded than most safari destinations
Pros	• Feels more open and less commercialised • Easy to self-drive compared to other African countries • Strong value compared to Botswana and East Africa • Very safe and straightforward for independent travel
Cons	• Wildlife less concentrated than Kenya or Tanzania • Longer driving distances between locations • Less of a traditional “Big 5” safari experience • Requires more planning if self-driving If you want to mix safari with something different, Namibia works really well, but it does take some planning to get the route right. For a more structured trip, I’d still recommend Go2Africa to plan your Namibia trip →

If you’re in Namibia, Swakopmund is a great base for something a bit different. You can get out into the dunes with this quad biking and sandboarding experience , or try something more unique like spotting desert-adapted wildlife on this “Little Five” desert tour . It’s also worth heading into the desert itself. Even though it’s not a safari, Sossusvlei is one of the highlights of Namibia, and this Sossusvlei day trip is an easy way to see it properly.

Types of Safari in Africa (What You Actually Book)

Choosing the right type of safari is just as important as choosing the country. The style of safari will shape how you experience wildlife, how much you move around, and how relaxed or structured your trip feels.

Some travellers want classic game drives focused on the Big 5, others want something more unique like walking safaris, desert landscapes, or combining wildlife with beaches. There’s no single “best” option, it depends on what kind of experience you’re after.

If you’re building your own itinerary, it can help to mix a couple of these styles. For example, pairing a traditional safari with something different like a Sossusvlei desert trip, or adding on a short experience like a Chobe game drive and boat safari. If you want everything stitched together properly, a specialist like Go2Africa can build this into one seamless itinerary.

A lot of itineraries also run through multiple countries, especially around Victoria Falls, where you can easily combine Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana with options like this 3-day multi-country safari or a shorter Chobe day trip from Victoria Falls, or have it fully planned through Go2Africa.

Most trips will start or route through Johannesburg, which is one of the main flight hubs for southern Africa, so it’s usually the easiest place to fly into and build your trip from. You can check routes and prices here: Search flights to Johannesburg, or have flights, transfers, and lodges organised together through Go2Africa.

Below is a breakdown of the main safari types so you can work out what suits your trip.

Big 5 Safari	Best for: First-time safari • Focus on spotting lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo • Found in places like Kruger, Serengeti, and Masai Mara • High success rate with experienced guides Easy to organise through Go2Africa
Migration Safari	Best for: Bucket-list experience • Millions of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle moving across ecosystems • River crossings are dramatic and unpredictable • Best in Serengeti and Masai Mara • Timing matters, with peak crossings July to October Worth planning with Go2Africa
Luxury Safari	Best for: High-end, tailored experiences • Private guides and curated itineraries • Unique stays like remote camps, lodges, and private islands • All-inclusive with meals, drinks, and transfers included Best booked via Go2Africa
Honeymoon Safari	Best for: Safari + beach combination • Often paired with Zanzibar, Seychelles, or Mozambique • Private villas and secluded lodges • Mix of safari and downtime Easy to bundle with Go2Africa
Adventure Safari	Best for: Active or unique experiences • Walking safaris and desert trekking • Cultural experiences and local guides • Rafting, hiking, and remote expeditions Can be customised with Go2Africa
Gorilla Trekking	Best for: Rare wildlife encounters • Trek through rainforest to see wild gorillas • Small group, controlled experience • Found in Uganda and Rwanda • Often added onto a safari itinerary Usually organised through Go2Africa
Safari + Beach	Best for: Balanced itinerary • Safari followed by a beach destination • Popular combinations include Tanzania and Zanzibar • Good mix of activity and relaxation Easy to plan through Go2Africa

What a Typical Safari Day Looks Like

Most safaris follow a pretty set rhythm, and once you’re in it, it actually becomes one of the best parts of the experience.

• Early morning game drive (this is when wildlife is most active)
• Back to the lodge late morning to relax, eat, or nap
• Afternoon game drive rolling into sunset
• Dinner at the lodge, then overnight stay

You’ll usually get two game drives per day, around 3 hours each, with the best sightings happening at sunrise and sunset. It’s worth being prepared for early starts and changing temperatures, which I’ve broken down in my safari packing guide.

How Much Does an African Safari Cost?

Safari pricing varies a lot depending on where you go, the time of year, and the level of lodge or experience you book.

Single Day Safari	Best for: Short on time • $100 – $500 per person • Usually from cities like Nairobi, Arusha, or Victoria Falls • Includes guide, vehicle, and park access (sometimes meals) • Good intro, but limited wildlife exposure compared to multi-day
1–2 Day Budget Safari	Best for: Lower budget, quick experience • $150 – $400 per day : • Shared vehicles or group tours • Basic lodges or camping • Includes game drives + park fees • More rushed, less flexibility
3–5 Day Safari	Best for: First proper safari • $350 – $800 per day • Mix of parks (e.g. Serengeti + Ngorongoro or Kruger + surrounds) • Comfortable lodges or tented camps • Daily game drives included • Good balance of cost vs experience
5–7 Day Safari	Best for: Well-rounded experience • $2,500 – $10,000 total depending on level • Multiple parks and better wildlife coverage • Less rushed, more consistent sightings • Includes transfers between lodges and reserves • Most popular length for first-time travellers
10+ Day Safari	Best for: Full experience / multi-country • $3,500 – $15,000+ depending on style • Combine countries (e.g. Kenya + Tanzania, or Botswana + Zimbabwe) • Slower pace, better lodge selection • Often includes internal flights and premium experiences • Luxury trips can exceed $20,000+
Luxury Safari	Best for: High-end, seamless experience • $1,000 – $3,000+ per day • Private guides, premium lodges, fewer guests per vehicle • Includes flights, transfers, all meals, drinks, and experiences • Access to top wildlife areas and private reserves • Usually booked as a full package rather than DIY For this level, it’s genuinely worth using a specialist like Go2Africa to plan your safari →

For a full trip, a luxury 10-day multi-country safari can sit anywhere from $6,000 to $15,000, with high-end itineraries easily pushing beyond $20,000 depending on lodges and exclusivity.

You can find cheaper options, including one-day safari tours for a few hundred dollars, but most of the time a multi-day safari gives you a much better experience. You see more, travel less rushed, and actually get into the rhythm of the bush.

Mid to high-range safari packages almost always include daily game drives, transfers between parks or lodges, and a structured itinerary, which takes a lot of the stress out of planning.

If you want something seamless, a specialist like Go2Africa can plan the full trip properly, including the best lodges, routing, and transfers. Otherwise, it’s definitely doable to plan yourself, just expect to spend a bit of time getting it right.

What to Look Out For When Planning Your Safari Trip

This is the part that will make or break your safari. Where you go matters, but how you plan it matters just as much.

1 Timing matters more than location

• Dry season means better wildlife viewing, with animals gathering around water
• Migration depends heavily on timing and shifts each year
• Shoulder seasons can offer fewer crowds and better pricing

2 Private reserve vs national park

• Private reserves mean fewer vehicles and closer sightings
• National parks are more affordable but can be busy
• Smaller, less crowded areas often give the best experience

3 Travel time is often underestimated

• Africa is huge and distances add up quickly
• Expect small aircraft transfers between parks
• A well-planned route makes a big difference to your trip

4 Booking and logistics

• Safaris involve multiple lodges, transfers, park fees, and timing
• It’s more complex than a standard trip
• Many travellers use Go2Africa to have everything coordinated properly

5 If you’re a nervous traveller go to Botswana

• Botswana is one of the easiest and safest countries to travel in
• A Commonwealth country where English is widely spoken alongside Setswana
• Strong tourism industry with high-quality lodges and guides
• Feels calm, organised, and very well looked after

6 Don’t try to rush it

• Multi-day safaris give you a much better experience than quick trips
• You’ll see more wildlife and spend less time moving between places
• Slower itineraries almost always feel more premium and enjoyable

Final Tips Before You Book Your Safari

A few last things that are easy to overlook, but make a big difference once you’re actually there.

1 Know what to pack

• Neutral colours work best for safari (think beige, khaki, white)
• Layers are key, mornings can be cold, afternoons hot
• Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and a hat are essential

If you want a full breakdown, I’ve put everything here: What to pack for an African safari

2 Don’t skip travel insurance

• You’re often travelling to remote areas with limited facilities
• Medical evacuation is something you want covered, just in case
• Delays and cancellations can happen with small aircraft and transfers

I always make sure I’m covered before a trip like this, you can check options here: Travel insurance options

3 Stay connected (when you can)

• Signal can be limited depending on how remote your lodge is
• Having data when you land or travel between locations helps a lot
• Much easier than dealing with local SIM cards

I usually set up an eSIM before I go: Check eSIM options

4 Go in with the right expectations

• Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but that’s part of it
• Some drives are quiet, others are unforgettable
• The experience builds over a few days, not just one

Slowing down and staying a bit longer usually makes all the difference