My Guide African Safaris - Tips From A Safari Specialist

If someone asked me where they should go on safari in Africa, my honest answer would be that there isn't a single best destination. After years of travelling across Africa and helping hundreds of travellers plan safaris, I've learned that the best safari depends entirely on the experience you're looking for.

Some people dream of seeing the Great Migration in the Serengeti. Others want luxury camps overlooking the Okavango Delta. Some want to self-drive through Namibia, while others simply want the best possible chance of seeing the Big Five.

The mistake I see most often is travellers focusing on destinations before they understand what type of safari experience they actually want.

Having planned safaris across Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Uganda, one thing I've learned is that the safari destination people think they want is not always the destination that will give them the best experience. The right destination depends on your budget, travel style, interests, expectations and what you hope to remember when you return home.

This guide is designed to help you make that decision.

What is the best safari destination in Africa?

For most first-time safari travellers, my recommendation is usually Kenya or Tanzania.

For luxury and exclusivity, I typically recommend Botswana.

For value for money, South Africa is difficult to beat.

For adventurous self-drive holidays, Namibia is exceptional.

For walking safaris, Zambia or Zimbabwe remain two of Africa's finest destinations.

Priority My Recommendation
First safari Kenya
Great Migration Tanzania
Luxury safari Botswana
Best value South Africa
Self-drive safari Namibia
Safari and beach Tanzania
Walking safari Zambia or Zimbabwe
Big Five safari South Africa or Kenya
Photography safari Tanzania
Wilderness safari Botswana
Family safari South Africa or Kenya

The reality is that there is no perfect safari destination. There is only the destination that best matches the experience you want.

How to choose the right safari

Before looking at countries, I always encourage clients to think about what they actually want from the trip.

Ask yourself:

  • Is wildlife the sole priority?

  • Do you want to see the Great Migration?

  • Is seeing the Big Five important?

  • Do you want luxury or value?

  • Are you interested in photography?

  • Do you want to combine safari with a beach holiday?

  • Do you prefer remote wilderness or easy travel logistics?

  • Are you travelling as a couple, family or solo traveller?

Once you answer those questions, the destination usually becomes much clearer.

For travellers still deciding, I normally suggest reading:

  • African Safaris

  • Safari Destinations

  • What Safari Is Right For Me?

  • First-Time Safari Guide

Kenya: the classic first safari destination

If somebody is planning their first safari, Kenya is often where I start the conversation.

The country combines exceptional wildlife, excellent guiding, strong tourism infrastructure, beautiful landscapes and a wide variety of safari styles.

One thing that has always stood out to me about Kenya is the flexibility that conservancies create. Many travellers don't realise that conservancies offer a very different safari experience compared to traditional national parks.

In many conservancies you can enjoy:

  • Walking safaris

  • Night drives

  • Off-road wildlife viewing

  • Smaller vehicle numbers

  • Greater exclusivity

If I were planning a Kenya safari for myself, I would almost always combine a conservancy stay with time in the Masai Mara itself.

Related guides:

  • Kenya Safaris

  • Kenya Safari Best Time

  • Kenya Safari Cost

  • Kenya Safari Lodges

  • Kenya vs Tanzania Safari

Tanzania: my favourite safari and beach destination

If I had to recommend one destination for travellers wanting both incredible wildlife and beautiful beaches, Tanzania would be my choice.

I've arranged countless Tanzania safari and beach itineraries over the years, and one of the reasons I love recommending it is because the logistics genuinely work.

You can leave the Serengeti in the morning and be sitting on a white-sand beach in Zanzibar by lunchtime.

That's remarkably difficult to replicate elsewhere in Africa.

One of my favourite Tanzania combinations is to pair the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in the north with Ruaha National Park in southern Tanzania.

I've arranged this combination many times and it creates a fascinating contrast. You move from some of Africa's most famous wildlife destinations into an area that feels genuinely wild, remote and largely untouched by mass tourism.

For travellers seeking iconic wildlife without feeling like they're following everyone else's itinerary, it's one of my favourite recommendations.

Tanzania's highlights include:

  • Serengeti National Park

  • Ngorongoro Crater

  • Tarangire National Park

  • Ruaha National Park

  • Zanzibar

  • Mafia Island

  • Pemba Island

As a wildlife photographer, some of my favourite conditions in Africa are actually found during Tanzania's green season. While many travellers focus exclusively on peak season, the green months often bring dramatic skies, lush landscapes, fewer vehicles and exceptional photographic opportunities.

Related guides:

  • Tanzania Safaris

  • Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar

  • Tanzania Safari Best Time

  • Tanzania Safari Cost

  • Is Tanzania Worth Visiting?

  • Best Time to Visit Zanzibar

Botswana: Africa's ultimate wilderness safari

Botswana is not the cheapest safari destination in Africa.

In fact, it is often one of the most expensive.

But after travelling extensively across Africa, I still believe Botswana delivers some of the finest wilderness experiences available anywhere on the continent.

The country's low-volume tourism model creates a level of exclusivity that is increasingly difficult to find elsewhere.

What I particularly like about Botswana is that wildlife viewing rarely feels crowded.

You are unlikely to find yourself in long vehicle queues around sightings.

Instead, the experience feels more personal, more immersive and more connected to the wilderness around you.

Highlights include:

  • Okavango Delta

  • Chobe National Park

  • Central Kalahari Game Reserve

  • Moremi Game Reserve

  • Makgadikgadi Pans

Botswana tends to work best for honeymooners, luxury travellers, photographers and experienced safari-goers who prioritise quality over quantity.

Related guides:

  • Botswana Safaris

  • Botswana Safari Best Time

  • Botswana Safari Cost

  • Is Botswana Worth the Cost?

South Africa: the best value safari destination

For travellers seeking the strongest combination of wildlife, accommodation, accessibility and value, South Africa is often my recommendation.

The country combines:

  • Big Five wildlife

  • Excellent roads

  • Outstanding accommodation

  • Family-friendly lodges

  • Cape Town

  • World-class food and wine

One advantage South Africa has over many other safari destinations is the ability to combine safari with a broader holiday experience.

For many travellers, especially families and first-time visitors to Africa, that flexibility is extremely appealing.

Related guides:

  • South Africa Safaris

  • Cape Town and Safari

  • Safari Near Cape Town

  • South Africa Safari Cost

Namibia: the ultimate self-drive adventure

Namibia offers something completely different.

This is not a destination where wildlife is the only attraction.

Namibia is about landscapes, freedom and adventure.

Some of Africa's most spectacular scenery can be found here:

  • Sossusvlei

  • Skeleton Coast

  • Damaraland

  • Etosha National Park

For confident travellers who enjoy road trips and independent travel, Namibia is one of the most rewarding countries in Africa.

Related guides:

  • Namibia Safaris

  • Namibia Self-Drive Safari

  • Namibia Road Trip

  • Is Namibia Worth Self-Driving?

Some of my most memorable safari experiences

One thing I've become increasingly aware of over the years is that the moments people remember most aren't always the ones they expected.

Some of the safari experiences that have stayed with me include:

  • Watching cheetahs scan the Serengeti plains from termite mounds before beginning a hunt.

  • Seeing huge wildebeest herds stretching across the southern Serengeti during calving season.

  • Experiencing the silence of remote wilderness areas in southern Tanzania.

  • Exploring the eastern Serengeti, an area that remained closed to tourism for many years and still feels remarkably wild.

  • Seeing first-hand how dramatically Zanzibar's tidal patterns can change from one week to the next.

  • Helping travellers experience the Great Migration in quieter parts of the Serengeti rather than following the crowds.

What all these experiences have in common isn't luxury.

It's the feeling of being somewhere genuinely wild.

That's what keeps drawing me back to Africa.

Is an African safari worth the money?

Yes.

A well-planned safari is one of the most rewarding travel experiences available anywhere in the world.

I've worked with travellers celebrating honeymoons, milestone birthdays, retirements and family adventures. Years later, many still tell me their safari remains the best trip they've ever taken.

The key is not simply spending more money.

It's choosing the right destination, season and itinerary for your priorities.

For many people, that matters far more than staying at the most expensive lodge.

Related guides:

  • Is a Safari Worth the Money?

  • African Safari Cost Guide

  • How Much Does an African Safari Cost?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best country for a first safari?

For most first-time safari travellers, I recommend Kenya or Tanzania because they combine exceptional wildlife, excellent infrastructure and a wide variety of safari experiences.

What is the cheapest safari destination?

South Africa generally offers the strongest value for money, while Namibia can also be surprisingly affordable for self-drive travellers.

Which safari destination has the best wildlife?

Kenya and Tanzania are probably the strongest all-round wildlife destinations, particularly for predators, Big Five safaris and the Great Migration.

Which country is best for safari and beach holidays?

Tanzania is my recommendation. The logistics are straightforward and destinations such as Zanzibar, Mafia Island and Pemba Island pair exceptionally well with safari itineraries.

How many days do you need for a safari?

For most travellers, I recommend a minimum of 7–10 days. Less than that often feels rushed, particularly if you're travelling long distances to get there.

Where should you go next?

If you're still deciding where to travel, I would start with:

  • African Safaris

  • Safari Destinations

  • Best Time for Safari

  • Safari Costs

  • Safari Comparisons

  • Safari Expert Recommendations

Those guides will help you narrow down the destinations, seasons and safari styles that best match the experience you're looking for.

Helpful Safari Planning Guides

If you're still deciding where to go on safari, these guides may help.

Planning Your First Safari

Destination Guides

Safari Costs and Budgeting

Safari Comparisons

Wildlife and Photography

Safari and Beach Holidays

My Personal Recommendations