How to choose a safari

Tanzania

In a nutshell: Famous parks with a high density of wildlife that’s habituated to tourists
Best for: The Ngorongoro crater, one of the most densely-populated wildlife areas you can visit on safari
Reasons not to go: It’s more expensive than its smaller neighbour, Kenya, with long driving distances and busy parks in peak season
Can be combined with: Kenya; Uganda or Rwanda for gorilla watching. Zanzibar for a beach break
Families: Yes
Budget required: Mid to high
Best time to visit: Most people go in summer (migration season, peak time is June to July). Avoid rainy season (March-May)

South Africa

In a nutshell: Accessible, great for first-time safari-goers and families
Best for: Kruger National Park, which you can reach with ease from Johannesburg and where you can see all the famous safari animals within 24 hours
Reasons not to go: The southern area of Kruger can get very busy
Can be combined with: Botswana, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Lesotho
Families: As malaria risk is low in many areas of the country, this is one of the most popular places for family safaris
Budget required: Low to mid
Best time to visit: May to October. Peak time July to September

Botswana

In a nutshell: Africa’s ultimate example of conservation-focused tourism done to a world class standard
Best for: The Okavango Delta; for safari by mokoro (dugout canoe)
Reasons not to go: Price is a big one, and you won’t see rhino unless you’re very lucky
Can be combined with: Namibia, Victoria Falls, or South Africa
Families: Yes, if you’ve got the budget
Budget required: High
Best time to visit: May to October. May to August peak wildlife viewing

Namibia

In a nutshell: One of the best countries in Africa to explore with your own set of wheels
Best for: Etosha National Park, where waterholes provide great wildlife viewing
Reasons not to go: Not traditionally seen as a safari destination, and you won’t see hippos or crocs in Etosha. There are long drives, inhospitable landscapes, and lower wildlife density than, say, East Africa
Can be combined with: Botswana, Victoria Falls
Families: Intrepid families will have a blast
Budget required: Mid-range
Best time to visit: April to November. May to August is peak wildlife viewing in Etosha

Zambia

In a nutshell: Quiet parks with wildlife that’s less watched, and therefore truly wild
Best for: Walking safaris in South Luangwa National Park between charming bush camps
Reasons not to go: Basic lodges, less-than-slick transfers between parks, and bumpy drives
Can be combined with: Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe
Families: 12 is the minimum age for walking safaris
Budget required: Mid-range
Best time to visit: June to October

Zimbabwe

In a nutshell: Come for Victoria Falls, stay for the safari. Wildlife populations are slowly recovering
Best for: Hwange National Park’s huge open, elephant-filled plains, close to Victoria Falls. And some of the best guides in Africa
Reasons not to go: Expensive. Less accessible than the likes of South Africa and Tanzania, and therefore less popular for first timers
Can be combined with: Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, South Africa
Families: If your budget allows
Budget required: High
Best time to visit: August to November

Mozambique

In a nutshell: A great coastline for diving and whale watching; inland, the possibility of African wild dogs
Best for: Gorongosa National Park, back from the brink and coming back to life again
Reasons not to go: You won’t see many lions or elephants here – the populations are still in recovery
Can be combined with: Zambia, Malawi, South Africa
Families: Lodges are fairly basic in Gorongosa, despite high prices
Budget required: High
Best time to visit: April to December

Malawi

In a nutshell: Self drive safaris and beach, thanks to Lake Malawi
Best for: Liwonde National Park and the Majete Wildlife Reserve
Reasons not to go: You won’t see the ‘Big Five’ in this little, oft overlooked country
Can be combined with: Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique
Families: Not commonly, as there aren’t many ‘big’ animals, and travel distances are long
Budget required: High
Best time to visit: September to November

Uganda

In a nutshell: Birdlife, tree climbing lions, chimpanzees, and mountain gorillas
Best for: Seeing gorillas on a lower budget than in Rwanda
Reasons not to go: Wildlife density isn’t at the same giddy heights as that of East Africa
Can be combined with: Rwanda, Tanzania
Families: Minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15
Budget required: Mid-high
Best time to visit: June to September

Rwanda

In a nutshell: Safe, small and easy, with high-end lodges, beautiful countryside, and, most importantly, mountain gorillas
Best for: Combining Akagera National Park (savannah wildlife) with gentle trekking in Volcanoes National Park (mountain gorillas)
Reasons not to go: It’s very expensive, and Akagera National Park has far fewer animals than Tanzania or Kenya’s parks
Can be combined with: Uganda, Tanzania
Families: Minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15
Budget required: High
Best time to visit: June to September

Gorillas: Uganda or Rwanda

Chimpanzees: Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania

Lions, leopards, elephants, rhino, African buffalo (the ‘Big Five’): Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Zimbabwe

Lots of birds: Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Botswana

Wildlife, with minimal malaria risk: Some areas of South Africa

Parks on the wilder side: Mozambique (for Gorongosa National Park) and Chad (Zakouma National Park)

Lodge safaris embody rustic luxury, with comfy beds and traditional features. They also make the most of modern technology such as solar heated water. You may be in a larger central lodge or individual cabins with en suite facilities and private verandas. You’re likely to travel between lodges during your safari, but we recommend two nights or more in each, to let you relax and explore your surroundings.

A family safari is a great way to bring textbooks to life in a thrilling, open-air classroom, as well as enjoying quality time together. Many lodges and tours cater specifically to children, with pools, family-sized tents and cabins, and tour guides adept at engaging youngsters. Kenya and South Africa are two of the best destinations for this.

Safaris mean pre-dawn starts, and long, juddery journeys on unmade roads. Spectacular savannah wildlife will have you bounding out of bed in the dark, but knowing that you’re winding up on a Zanzibar beach after a Masai Mara experience will make your wake-up call all the more welcome. Zanzibar, South Africa, Mozambique and even Mauritius are perfect for post-safari sea and sand.

Where once a safari was synonymous with wildlife, there has been growing interest in the communities that share their land with. Staying on a conservancy owned by Maasai in Kenya, visiting a Himba village in Namibia, or taking a bush walk with a local guide is an eye-opening part of any safari, giving you a huge insight into the wildlife – as well as the daily life.

A walking safari brings you up close to wildlife on its own terms. With your senses heightened, small things take on huge importance – a print, a plant, a curious insect – and you’ll find yourself reliant on the careful instruction of a local guide who can explain how to track what you’ve found. Zambia is the go-to place for an incredible walking safari, but other top experiences include walking with the Maasai in Kenya and tracking rhino in Namibia.

Small group safaris are ideal for solo travellers, placing you with a bunch of like-minded people to share your savannah tales with over sundowners. Couples, too, will enjoy the peace of mind and expertise of the group leaders, enjoying experiences that would be hard to organise alone. Children will love making new friends, leaving their parents to relax and enjoy the holiday.

From the moment you’re met at the airport by your guide, tailor made safaris make sure you’re completely looked after and get a stress-free trip that works with your needs. They’re perfect for people with specific interests, such birdwatching in Rwanda, or photography in the savannah, or for travellers who would prefer to spend a longer time in a specific place. Let our partners know what you want and they’ll take care of all the planning.

See wildlife at your own pace, with time out when you want, and get the opportunity to beat the crowds by touring the parks at less popular times of day. While the lack of infrastructure and hire cars makes self drive safaris difficult in many destinations, certain countries are well set up. You can self drive in South Africa, or why not Namibia, or Malawi? With our partners taking care of all the logistics and maps, all you have to do is remember your driving licence.