An African safari is a bucket-list experience that will create lasting memories for a lifetime. But, not all safaris are the same. Most are in East or Southern Africa, but where and when you go can affect the type of trip you plan. Most importantly, if you try and coordinate a trip yourself, it can mean you may not get to see what you were hoping to experience. And the cost can vary based on destination, type of accommodation and the company you choose.
According to Go2Africa’s latest State of Safari report for 2024, there are some surprising trends that demonstrate how the continent’s fortunes are improving when it comes to overseas interest. More families are taking multi-generational trips and booking farther in advance and spending more to create the most memorable journey.
This sentiment is something echoed by luxury safari provider Micato Safaris. Owner Dennis Pinto says that customers often mention the “peace of mind” of their trip being the most valuable benefit for multi-generational travelers. His itineraries include everything from tips to internal bush flights and accommodations.
“Seamless stress-free travel is a valued luxury,” says Pinto. Having a dedicated safari director to assure every detail is perfectly executed allows families to spend their time to truly reconnect rather than worry about logistics.”
And in a trend that has continued after the pandemic, those looking to truly splurge are buying out exclusive-use safari villas and camps, like Ol Jogi, Segera Retreat, Arijiju, and Cheetah Plains, all of which offer families total privacy and extraordinary access to wildlife at their leisure.
Relying On The Experts
Recent data from Booking.com shows that interest in African destinations is trending heavily among U.S. travelers. Searches for Kenya are up 40% year over year; Cape Town is up 70%; and Johannesburg is up a whopping 90% compared to this time last year. Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia have also shown major spikes, according to Booking.com in the past year.
Another trend is the increase in multi-destination trips, where travelers seek to combine parks and lodges into one longer visit. Pinto says multi-country safaris are up 21% in the past year, and Rwanda, popular for gorilla trekking, has grown by 18%. Micato sells a popular 17-day safari that visits four countries
Traditionally, July is the busiest travel time for safaris, but the report found that the high season is extending to include June, September and October, too. And the most interest from travelers tends to be to Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa. But, there are other meaningful safari experiences to enjoy.
A common myth is that these summer months are better for animal viewing, but instead, they are considered the high season because they coincide with the northern hemisphere’s school holidays, notes Pinto. He suggests that seasoned travelers would actually do better in the “quieter season,” when rates are lower, but animal viewing is still strong.
“The savannahs are lush and full of life, temperatures are mild, and the skies at sunrise and sunset are breathtakingly vivid,” says Pinto. “It’s also a remarkable time for wildlife: wildebeest, zebra, and antelope are calving, and predators—lion, leopard, and cheetah—are particularly active. Elephants and rhinos are plentiful, and many of our guests are surprised by the sheer variety of birdlife, with everything from dazzling migratory species to iconic African raptors on display.”
Experts like Victoria Boomgarden of Elan Travel caution that with an increase in less experienced providers entering the safari space (as well as anyone that tries to book such a complicated trip on their own), it is possible to travel a long distance and be met with a trip that is not up to your expectations or interests. This is why an expert is key, says Boomgarden, who often recommends Micato to clients.
“Traveling in Africa can be daunting for the uninitiated, where language, customs and cultural norms are distinct from our own,” says Boomgarden, who says this is why an expert planner is key. “And some forego Africa for these reasons.”
According to Micato’s Pinto, East Africa is ideal for first time safari-goers. This region “often reflects the safari of their imaginations and what they envision from popular culture, especially the literary and cinematic versions of ‘Out of Africa.’”
There are some important considerations to keep in mind that can help decide where you want to go. Pinto points out, for example, that walking safaris are a memorable experience that give an entirely new perspective on the destination, but they’re only permitted in private conservancies or concessions, not in national parks. This is the type of detail that is easy to overlook without engaging an expert.
No matter where travelers choose to go, these are some of the can’t miss African safari destinations worth considering.
This is the quintessential starting-point safaris for the wide range of accommodation options, safari providers and ease of flights to reach them.
It is in these two regions where you will experience a wide range of animals as well as some of the most spectacular Great Migration crossings of wildebeest moving between the Serengeti and the Masai Mara.
You can find everything from budget trips with shared safari vehicles where travelers stand and peer through a roof window to spot animals to luxury jeeps, like those that Micato Safaris uses that come stocked with supplies and never have more than 4-6 passengers per vehicle (all with “window” views and part of the same group, never strangers).
From the U.S., Kenya Airways has nonstop flights from New York JFK to Nairobi, and all three major alliances can connect travelers from major U.S. airports to East Africa via a European or Middle Eastern hub in one stop.
Miles and points collectors will find these two destinations easier than some smaller countries when it comes to redeeming for a free flight. Marriott Bonvoy members also have two safari camps where they can earn and redeem points: JW Marriott Masai Mara and the JW Marriott Serengeti Lodge, set to open in 2026.
Great Plains has several of its luxury Relais & Chateaux-rated lodges in the reserve, too. This includes Mara Plains Camp, which offers access to 40,000 hectares of private conservancy land on top of the Masai Mara Reserve. Opened in 2024, the 100% solar-powered Mara Toto Tree Camp has four perfectly positioned tree canopy tented suites.
Families might also be interested in the youth programs available at many safari lodges. For example, Great Plains offers a young explorer’s program in Kenya, Botswana and Zimbabwe that pairs families with special guides and gives kids explorer packs with activity books with stickers and hints to help spot animal tracks. Some lodges even offer pizza making and cookie baking classes.
This is the go-to spot for watching elephant herds, often congregating near the Chobe River, especially during the dry season between May and October. It is home to the largest elephant population in the world. Water levels can be low, which makes it easier to spot other animals, too, like crocodiles, hippos and buffalo.
While Botswana is hugely popular with safaris, it is common within many private reserves to rarely see another game drive vehicle. Zarafa Camp, part of Great Plains, is one of those accommodations where the game drives cover terrain between Chope National Park and the Okavango Delta. Guests in the four tented suites can even travel on the property’s own pontoon to discover the floating islands in front of the camp.
Micato safari director Steven Lake recommends some destinations over others for those that want a more relaxing drive through the bush. Botswana, for example has bumpier roads and is less ideal for families than Kruger National Park. He suggests that Botswana is a more active destination for travelers, especially when compared to the traditional East African trip.
Kasane’s airport in northeast Botswana (at the confluence of four countries: Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe) is the gateway to this park.
This park in northwestern South Africa is one of the most visited parks for a safari because of it is easy to access from Johannesburg and has numerous accommodation options and price points. It is also a hit with families or older travelers because the driving through the park is less bumpy.
A common criticism, however, is that some parts of the park are close to suburban areas, and it is possible to see things like fences or even power lines in the district. This is not ideal for those hoping to take that perfect Instagram shot.
The private reserve of Sabi Sands is a particular favorite of Boomgarden who says that Singita Boulders has spectacular cottage suites, ideal for families. She also suggests Singita Lebombo Lodge saying that it is “fabulous for honeymooners as it is the only private concession in a remote and tranquil corner of the park and amazing game viewing.”
The Kruger National Park is also very popular for family safaris, as there are numerous game lodges that cater to younger kids without long journey times to reach it once in the country.
Nonstop flights to Johannesburg and Cape Town are available on Delta and United from the U.S. Protea Hotels, one of Marriott Bonvoy’s brands, has a hotel just outside the park’s gates that offers wallet-friendly rates, even when paying with points.
For those that have done a traditional safari, the delta offers a unique experience that focuses on being on the water. The marshy surroundings of where the Okavango River seasonally floods the plains to create a lush landscape is unlike what you will experience elsewhere.
Popular experiences involve traveling by speed boat or using traditional dugout canoes, known as mokoros, to paddle through the wetlands and spot everything from elephants and crocodiles to birds and hippos. The best time to visit is in late summer and early fall when the flood waters rise.
This is best for those that have had other safari experiences because it does not involve the game drives that have become synonymous with most safaris. There is also the Moremi Game Reserve in the same area where antelope and lions are easy to spot during the high season. These still use the traditional game drive vehicle, but the size and quality varies based on the safari operator.
Great Plains’ private reserve includes some incredible luxury camps like Sitatunga Private Island, which has only a handful of thatched villas and a two-bedroom suite. The design of this property blends modern style with African chic and will appeal to younger, design-conscious travelers.
Another perk is that this property, like many others within the Great Plains portfolio, is a Relais & Chateaux approved destination, where the culinary training is rigorous. Guests will find it comparable to a Parisian restaurant, but with the impressive service of locals who may have never had a glass of wine, dined on western cuisine or even laid a formal table before. This level of detail is a favorite of foodie travelers who seek out Great Plains camps and lodges for this reason.
Guests of any Great Plains property can participate in its conservation efforts, which span environmental and humane projects. One that families may find most interesting is how they help support and fund anti-poaching programs and rescue endangered rhinos from vulnerable areas to relocate them to safer ground.
Getting to the delta is harder with the closest airport being Maun, Botswana. It is possible to drive the five hours from the airport or take a bush flight and helicopter or travel by boat. The journey is interesting nonetheless as the area is home to more than 500 bird species alone.
The world’s largest continuous sheet of water plummets from the heights of the Zambezi River into the curving canyons below. This is one of the most dramatic sights in Africa and known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, which means “the smoke that thunders” in the local Lozi language.
The river and falls divide Zimbabwe and Zambia with a bridge between them. The Zimbabwean side requires a visa on arrival fee for American travelers, but is also home to the larger swatch of the falls. The Zambian side is visa-free for Americans and features several up-close sections of the falls. One of the most famous places to stay is The Royal Livingstone, part of the Anantara group and Minor family of hospitality brands, which gives guests private access to the falls before the park officially opens and after it closes.
Giraffe and baboons roam the grounds of this luxury hotel that also features a riverfront spa and swimming pool. Many travelers find this to be an ideal way to break up a safari experience with a few days of rest and relaxation.
On the Zimbabwean side, the recently overhauled Mpala Jena camp (and opening in August, Mpala Jena Private Villas) is a short boat ride upstream away from the falls. It offers both land-based and boat-led safaris to spot different types of wildlife.
Livingstone, Zambia and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe each has their own airport, and they are connected to many major African cities as well as Nelspruit in Kruger National Park. This adds convenience that those that want to visit multiple parks.
If you want to see elephants, this is the place to come, especially during the northern summer and early fall months. Walking safaris are also available here as well as within Mana Pools National Park, where expert guides lead you safely through the bush for a completely different perspective than going by vehicle.
This park is not visited by as many tourists as other parks, which makes it better for those that want to secure excellent photos of animals without other vehicles in shot.
The best gifts to bring home is photography, and many local brands help guests to improve their own skills. For example, Great Plains Conservation provides high-tech cameras in each accommodation of their luxury lodges that they can take out and use each day.
Micato Safaris even hosts an annual contest that awards exciting prizes to customers that submit their safari photos.
The salt pan that stretches across the park and is famous for its water holes that attract animals is stunning. All of the traditional animals are here, too, like elephants, lions and rhinos. For those that have traveled on safari before, many appreciate the fact that you can self-drive through the park, which is not allowed in other destinations.
The best time to visit is between May and October for the most active wildlife. Not far from here are the sand dunes at Sossusvlei within the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Here, you will experience a different type of animal sighting, including oryx, springbok, desert elephants and a variety of bird life.
Helping Those In Need Along TheWay
Another key trend that safari brands like Micato say is becoming more important is supporting those in need. Micato, which sells both set or personalized itineraries, has its own nonprofit, AmericaShare, which supports women and children in need as well as improving their environment. For every safari it sells, they send a child all the way through school.
Pinto says that many customers traveling to less fortunate parts of the world have a deep desire to give back. And some clients even go a step further by joining the school sponsorship program to fund a student’s education through high school and, in some cases, all the way through university.
Dereck Joubert, CEO of Great Plains, is particularly proud of his organization’s anti-poaching efforts that have helped reduce crime and help slow the number of endangered species in the area. He says that he is particularly proud of his female rangers that are leading the charge to protect wildlife in places like Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Choosing Where To Go
The top safari across Africa will depend on what wildlife you hope to see, when you can go and your budget. This not the kind of trip to plan yourself without the expertise of a travel advisor or safari expert if you want to maximize your time and comfort.
And it is important to know that the “big five” sightings (lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and African buffalo) are never a guarantee. The same goes for the Great Migration, which typically refers to the wildebeest moving in large herds between the Serengeti and Masai Mara. There are plenty of other animals to explore, and animals are constantly migrating based on the season and weather.
Boomgarden says, “whether visiting a Masai village or tracking elusive wildlife seen nowhere else in the world, Africa constantly presents itself as an exotic and wondrous destination. You and your family will remember it forever.”
When asked what is something not to miss when on safari, Pinto says that it is staying in a luxury safari tented camp, something his curated trips offer at least once along the way.
After all, he adds, “glamping wasn’t just perfected in Africa, it was invented here.”