The Land Cruiser idled at the crest of a dry riverbed in Timbavati. Our guide cut the engine without a word while we watched and waited. He scanned the surroundings with eyes trained to pick out the slightest movement. He pointed below us. A leopard sauntered across the sand, pausing once to glance up before melting into a stand of leadwood trees.
This is one of the many spellbinding encounters you could experience on your first safari. Every destination we recommend is remarkable, but the best safari is the one that matches your dream trip. If this is the only safari you ever take, where should you go?
South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania and Zimbabwe are among the best African safari destinations for first-time visitors, each offering extraordinary wildlife, spectacular landscapes and exceptional lodges. Here’s what makes each one special:
South Africa combines outstanding wildlife with excellent infrastructure, luxury lodges and reliable flight connections. It’s one of the few places where you can pair a world-class safari with Cape Town, the Winelands, beautiful beaches and exceptional food, making it equally popular for families, honeymooners and destination weddings.
The Greater Kruger region, including private reserves like Sabi Sands and Timbavati, are famous for close Big Five sightings. And Leopards, often elusive elsewhere, are seen here with impressive regularity.
South Africa also offers several excellent malaria-free safari reserves for families travelling with younger children.
Frequently asked questions:
Is South Africa a good choice if I only have one week?
Yes. Short flights between Cape Town and the safari reserves make it easy to enjoy both in a week.
Do I need to worry about malaria on safari?
Some safari areas carry a malaria risk, while others are malaria-free. We’ll help you choose the best option for your family and travel plans.
How does South Africa compare on price as a safari destination?
It’s generally the most budget-flexible of these five destinations, with the widest range of accommodation options.
Kenya is the heart of the classic East African safari, with golden plains, acacia trees and wildebeest thundering across rivers where crocodiles lie in wait.
The Great Migration moves between the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara throughout the year; however, July to October usually brings the famous river crossings. In certain areas, human overcrowding and interference can be problematic and if you are intent on visiting, there are important considerations to help you experience the Great Migration responsibly. Outside of the primary migration month in Kenya, the green season offers newborn animals, wildflowers and fewer vehicles.
But the Mara is only part of the story. Amboseli is famous for its vast elephant herds roaming beneath the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro (in neighbouring Tanzania). Ol Pejeta, meanwhile, is home to the last two northern white rhino on Earth and is also a good place to see endangered black rhinos and Kenya’s rescued chimpanzees.
For a more exclusive experience, we often recommend the private conservancies bordering the Mara, where vehicle numbers are limited, walking safaris are possible, and tourism directly supports conservation and Maasai communities.
Frequently asked questions:
When is the best time to see the Great Migration?
River crossings generally happen between July and October, although rainfall influences the exact timing each year.
Is the Maasai Mara crowded?
Some areas can be crowded during migration season. However, staying in a private conservancy creates a much more exclusive experience.
Can I combine Kenya with the beach?
Yes. Lamu Archipelago, Diani or Watamu are excellent choices after your safari.
Read more: Safari Myth Busters: 5 Surprising Truths About Kenya and Tanzania
Tanzania is home to two of Africa’s greatest natural wonders: the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. The Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and houses astonishing concentrations of wildlife.
Unlike Kenya, where the Migration is best known for a particular season, in Tanzania herds move across the ecosystem throughout the year. One of the most unforgettable ways to experience this vast landscape is from a hot air balloon at sunrise, drifting silently above the plains as the first light reveals elephants, giraffes and wildlife scattered below.
The Ngorongoro Highlands also offer experiences beyond the game drive. If you’d like to stretch your legs, you can hike into the Empakaai Crater, where forests give way to a soda lake fringed with flamingos. It’s one of Leopard founder Diana Granoux’s favourite experiences in Tanzania.
“A highlight for me was hiking into the Empakaai Crater. The climb back is challenging because of the altitude, but it’s worth it. The forest and flamingo-filled soda lake are exquisite,” says Diana Granoux.
Frequently asked questions:
Is Tanzania better than Kenya for the Migration?
Neither is better; they simply offer different experiences. Tanzania provides year-round opportunities to follow the herds, while Kenya is famous for its dramatic river crossings.
How long should I spend in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro?
We usually recommend at least five to six nights to experience both properly.
Is Zanzibar worth adding?
Absolutely. It’s one of Africa’s best bush-and-beach combinations.
Zimbabwe remains one of Africa’s most underrated safari destinations.
Hwange National Park, the country’s largest reserve, is famous for its huge elephant herds and thriving lion population. Leopards and rhinos are harder to spot than in South Africa’s Kruger, but Hwange is one of the best places to see rare animals like sable and roan antelope. Leopard founder Diana Granoux remembers tracking a leopard on foot in Hwange:
“Watching our tracker follow fresh leopard footprints through the bush was seriously impressive. The excitement built when we came across the leopard’s tail print in the sand. We knew she’d stopped to rest, which meant we were getting closer.”
Mana Pools offers an entirely different experience, with exceptional walking safaris that allow you to explore the bush on foot with some of Africa’s most highly trained guides. You may also see an elephant standing on its hind legs to reach the nutritious seed pods high in the canopy of winterthorn trees.
Complete your trip with two or three nights at the astounding Victoria Falls, and if you can, take a helicopter flight over the falls.
Frequently asked questions:
What makes Zimbabwe’s guides so highly regarded?
Zimbabwe has one of Africa’s most demanding guide-training programmes, which is why walking safaris here are world-renowned.
Can I combine my South African safari with Victoria Falls?
Yes, and it’s one of the most popular add-ons we arrange…a short flight connects Johannesburg to Victoria Falls (or Kruger to Zimbabwe’s Hwange), making it an easy two- or three-night extension either side of your safari.
If your dream safari involves vast watery wilderness and very few other vehicles, Botswana is hard to beat.
The country has built its tourism around low-volume, high-quality travel, protecting its wilderness while creating remarkably exclusive safari experiences.
The Okavango Delta is the centrepiece: a seasonal wetland where your safari unfolds by aircraft, vehicle, boat and mokoro (the traditional dugout canoe).
Flying over the delta in a small plane and gliding silently through papyrus-lined channels offers a completely different perspective on the African bush from a more traditional safari, yet you can experience the best of both. If you are determined to see the Big 5, however, we suggest pairing this with a trip to the Greater Kruger, as the Okavango Delta doesn’t have rhino.
Nearby, Chobe National Park is home to one of Africa’s largest elephant populations, making it another complement to the Delta.
Watch or listen to: Leopard Podcast Season 2: Okavango Delta Life on the Water’s Edge.
Frequently asked questions:
What makes the Okavango Delta unique?
It’s one of the few places where you experience safari on both land and water, from game drives to peaceful mokoro excursions.
Why is Botswana more expensive for safaris?
Remote camps, charter flights and strict limits on guest numbers make Botswana one of Africa’s most exclusive safari destinations.
Can I visit all year?
Yes. The flood season (roughly May to October) is ideal for water-based safaris, while the green season brings lush landscapes, excellent birdlife and fewer visitors.
Which safari is right for you?
Every one of these destinations offers something extraordinary.
South Africa is ideal for flexibility, superb Big Five sightings, and the chance to combine your safari with Cape Town, world-class wine estates and beautiful beaches. Choose Kenya if you’ve always dreamed of the classic East African safari. Tanzania is perfect for vast wilderness and the perfect bush-and-beach holiday. Choose Zimbabwe for exceptional guiding, Victoria Falls and a more authentic feel. Botswana is ideal if exclusivity and untouched wilderness are at the top of your wish list.
We’d be delighted to answer any questions you have about designing your dream African safari.
Happy travelling,
The Leopard Team
Sign up for more newsletters like this here: https://mailchi.mp/2e4afa50d15f/leopard
We are totally independent and not affiliated to any group of lodges, so you know that you’re getting the best itinerary and choice of accommodation on offer.
Crafting your ideal holiday can be a time consuming exercise, especially if you don’t know the region well, or you’re travelling in a group (like a multi-generation family holiday, or for a special celebration). We take your requirements and then distill and simplify all the travel info into a perfect itinerary for you. You’re welcome to be involved in the planning process as much, or as little, as you like.
Leopard is a small “human-sized” business offering personal touches. We want you to feel like you’re dealing with a real person who gives you the attention you deserve.
We specialise in curating itineraries that apply sustainable travel principles. One of our core company values is to support the conservation of biodiversity through travel. We recommend longer stays in each destination, supporting local small businesses and visiting off the beaten track attractions.
Our meticulous planning ensures our clients have a completely seamless experience, but in those instances where something goes wrong, we are available 24/7 to solve any problems.
We are true Africa experts. “My team and I visit almost every hotel and update our ‘little black books’ with hidden gems, so I can recommend the perfect stay for every client,” says Diana Granoux, Leopard’s founder and director.
We curate each journey for you. Every itinerary is handcrafted to ensure that it matches perfectly with your wishes. We tailor each itinerary so every detail feels perfect. From breathtaking beaches to adventurous safaris, spectacular views, hotels and knowledgeable guides.
