If an African safari is not on your top list of things to do in life, add it now. Absolutely nothing beats waking up in the early morning hours, watching the sunrise over a vast savannah, waiting for massive, tranquil animals to make their way to a waterhole or start out on their day’s quest for food. Search for the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino) or gaze in awe at the sheer number of zebra, giraffe, and wildebeest, it doesn’t matter, animals are only the tip of what makes safari so incredible.
Yoga and meditation have nothing on the overwhelming sense of peace you will feel on safari. Being amongst some of the most beautiful creatures of the world, while staring out onto miles and miles of open landscape is one of the most relaxing things you will ever do in your life.
We have put together this list of our top 20 places for African safari to inspire and convince you to book that ticket, plan that trip, get yourself to Africa, as soon as possible. Happy travels!
Gorillas! Bwindi Forest is THE place to see gorillas! Almost half of all mountain gorillas live in this lush Ugandan forest. Almost anyone who has been to Bwindi Forest will tell you it was one of the top experiences of their life. Seeing gorillas in their natural habitat is truly breathtaking.
Ngorongoro Crater is the largest unflooded and unbren caldera in the world and another favorite of the region’s animals. A safari here will drive you into the bottom of this volcanic crater, where you are certain to easily spot a boatload of animals, including all of the Big Five.
Kruger National Park is the largest game reserve in South Africa and one of the oldest spots for a terrific safari. Not only is this home to hundreds of species of animals, tour guides in this park are well experienced and highly knowledgeable, making for an unforgettable experience.
While the gorillas of Uganda are perhaps the best known in the world, Rwanda also has a large number living in its Volcanoes National Park. Rwanda itself is also definitely worth a trip. This tiny country is incredibly beautiful; the gorillas just make it all the worthwhile.
The Sabi Sabi Game Reserve is actually part of the greater Kruger National Park, also on our list. This game reserve is a privately owned reserve. The reserve has all of the Big Five. Many come here for a luxurious experience than what may be offered at some other options on the list.
So grab your tickets, organize that time off work and book your trip to one of these incredible African Safari experiences. As always, if you have any suggestions that you’d like us to add to this list, don’t hesitate to send us a message.
Meghan Waters Mbaye