No matter how many wildlife documentaries you may have seen (and we all love David Attenborough!) – nothing will prepare you for the jaw-dropping experience of seeing some of nature’s finest creatures up close in the wild. Whether you’re witnessing a birth, a hunt, or some touching moments between members of the same pack, you’ll find yourself wondering at the incredulous nature of our world. Forget modern technology – a safari adventure will take you back to basics and give you a greater appreciation for the little things in life.
It can be hard to know where to start when it comes to booking a safari, so we’ve done the hard work for you by coming up with a few of the most talked-about experiences in the world.
1. Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
The Masai Mara National Reserve is one of Kenya’s most popular safari locations, largely due to The Great Migration, which takes place between July and October each year. Over a million animals thunder across the reserve in search of water and grazing, which really is a sight to behold!
2. Okavango Delta, Botswana
Home to buffalos, crocodiles, elephants, red lechwe, leopards and white lions, the Okavango Delta is a gigantic oasis that surrounds almost 5,500 square miles of the Kalahari Desert in Botswana. As the life source to all the wildlife in the area, it makes for the perfect safari treat.
In total, this precious Delta supports164 mammalian species, 157 species of reptiles and 540 bird species – so it’s quite literally teaming with life!
3. Luangwa Valley, Zambia
Some of the best wildlife viewing in Zambia can be found in the beautiful Luangwa Valley which boasts broad sandy rivers and vast expanses of grassland. It’s also home to plenty of predators including lions, leopards and spotted hyenas.
4. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
This world-famous park has the highest population of large mammals on the planet and is best known for its 3000 lions. Other than the Masai Mara National Park, it’s also the only other place to see The Great Migration!
5. Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park is the oldest national park on the African continent and is also one of two places on the planet where you’ll be able to get up close and personal with a Mountain Gorilla (there are only around 1000 of these precious creatures left in the world!).
6. Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest wildlife park and its dramatic waterfalls make for a stunning centerpiece! Frequent visitors to the park’s riverbanks include giraffes, elephants, and buffaloes; while Nile crocodiles, hippos and aquatic birds are permanent residents.
7. Etosha National Park, Namibia
Etosha National Park is completely unique because it has a salt pan so large it can be seen from space – covering almost a quarter of the entire park! With several large waterholes, it’s a fantastic spot for observing some of Namibia’s finest wildlife, and each one offers a whole different viewing experience. You could see anything from a cheetah to a black rhino, depending on which waterhole you choose to observe.
8. Chobe National Park, Botswana
Described fondly as ‘The Land of The Giants’, Chobe National Park is home to Africa’s largest elephant population. It boasts over 10,000km2 of rich ecosystems and diverse landscapes which are teeming with wildlife and all centred around the breathtaking Chobe River.