8 Best Countries for Safari Adventures

Whether you're looking for a luxe experience or traveling on a budget, you can find incredible experience across the entire continent. Delbars / Shutterstock

Think the zoo is wild? Then you haven't experienced the real thing.

The best countries for safari let you skip the glass walls and dive headfirst into untamed landscapes packed with life. From roaring lions to thunderous herds of elephants, these destinations give you front-row seats to nature's most epic shows.

Whether you’re dreaming of a walking safari through lion country or watching wildebeest flood across a river during the Great Migration, there’s a perfect safari destination waiting. But not all safari parks are created equal. Here are the top countries to plan your safari holiday.

1. Tanzania

Tanzania earns top marks from safari connoisseurs. The Serengeti National Park is legendary for the Great Migration, where over 2 million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles thunder across sweeping plains and brave crocodile-filled river crossings like the Mara River.

Next door, the Ngorongoro Crater holds dense populations of the Big Five (lion, rhinoceros, elephant, leopard, and buffalo) in a collapsed volcano.

And don't skip Ruaha National Park and Selous (now Nyerere), where southern Tanzania offers remote wilderness and abundant wildlife.

2. Botswana

Botswana is a premier safari destination that specializes in exclusivity. The Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, turns into a lush wetland every year, perfect for boat safaris among hippos and crocodiles.

Chobe National Park is famous for massive elephant herds, especially along the Chobe River. For remote adventure, the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park offers surreal salt flats and a chance to see endangered species like African wild dogs.

3. Kenya

Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve, or Kenya's Masai Mara, is the northern extension of the Serengeti and a front-row seat to the Great Migration. You'll find tented camps for every budget and luxury lodges, plus sweeping views ideal for hot air balloon rides.

Amboseli National Park offers unforgettable views of Mount Kilimanjaro behind elephant herds. For first-time safari goers, Kenya delivers classic game drives with reliable wildlife viewing.

4. South Africa

South Africa blends wild game with modern ease. Kruger National Park is one of the largest and most accessible safari parks, packed with huge game densities and a wide range of ecosystems.

Nearby, Sabi Sands Game Reserve gives you high-end safari experiences with excellent chances to track rhinos or spot elusive leopards. Down south, the Eastern Cape and the Garden Route offer malaria-free safaris ideal for families.

Bonus: Cape Town and the Indian Ocean beaches add even more reasons to visit Africa.

5. Zambia

Zambia is where you go for off-the-beaten-track safari experiences. South Luangwa National Park is the birthplace of walking safaris and known for its leopard sightings. The Lower Zambezi National Park sits along the Zambezi River, where canoe and boat safaris offer a different perspective.

Nearby, Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, makes for a powerful detour.

6. Namibia

Etosha National Park in Namibia is a standout for its stark beauty and salt pans that attract dense wildlife during the dry season. Expect dramatic scenes around waterholes.

Namibia is also one of the best places to see desert-adapted elephants and black rhinos. It’s a relatively expensive safari destination due to its remote location, limited infrastructure, and high standards of tourism services, but its remote wilderness makes it ideal for seasoned safari specialists.

7. Rwanda

Rwanda delivers one of the most intimate safari experiences in Africa. Volcanoes National Park is world-famous for mountain gorilla trekking, where small, tightly controlled groups hike into misty forests for face-to-face encounters with these endangered primates.

The experience is tightly regulated, which helps protect wildlife and keeps sightings uncrowded.

Beyond gorillas, Nyungwe National Park offers canopy walks through dense rainforest and some of the best chimpanzee tracking in East Africa. Rwanda’s compact size, smooth roads and strong conservation model make it ideal for travelers who want a focused, high-impact safari.

8. Uganda

Permits are generally more affordable than in Rwanda, making Uganda appealing for longer stays.

The country blends primate encounters with classic savanna safaris. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is another premier destination for mountain gorilla trekking, with rugged terrain that adds a true expedition feel.

For traditional game drives, Queen Elizabeth National Park stands out for its diverse ecosystems, prolific birdlife and famous tree-climbing lions. Add in boat safaris along the Kazinga Channel and Uganda earns its reputation as one of Africa’s most varied safari destinations.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.