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12 once-in-a-lifetime african safari vacations.

Cross this must-do activity off your bucket list.

Top African Safari Vacations

Courtesy of Expert Africa

Safari vacations in Africa are just as diverse as the continent itself, though these types of trips typically require a large sum of money. Whether you want to spend a few days gorilla trekking in Uganda or a couple weeks spotting the "big five" – lions, leopards, African elephants, rhinos and Cape buffalos – in South Africa, you'll find an array of experiences to suit your needs. To help you narrow down your options, U.S. News compiled a list of 12 can't-miss African safari tours. Read on to find your once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Note: Some of the African countries visited by tours in this article may require travelers to get an entry visa and certain vaccinations (particularly yellow fever) in order to visit. Jump to the list of visa and vaccination requirements by country for more information.

&Beyond: Kings of the Jungle Tour

Courtesy of &Beyond

Length: 10 days Starting price: $14,265

Visitors who don't want to sacrifice creature comforts while on safari will appreciate &Beyond's diverse offerings across numerous African destinations. For a classic safari, consider the tour operator's 10-day Kings of the Jungle tour, where travelers will see breathtaking natural wonders like Ngorongo Crater and the Maasai Mara savannah with its elephants and cheetahs. Arguably, the highlight of this journey is its four-night stay at Tanzania's Serengeti National Park .

After watching animals like wildebeest and zebras partake in the great migration while also spotting lions, giraffes and more, vacationers retreat to high-end tents and lodges with private bathrooms. Prices start at $14,265 per person, but are higher around the peak season of June to October.

Wild Rwanda Safaris: Bwindi Gorilla Safari

Courtesy of Wild Rwanda Safaris

Length: Three days Starting price: $1,450 for two people with lowest-cost lodging

Adventurous travelers sticking to a more conservative budget should consider Wild Rwanda Safaris' Bwindi Gorilla Safari. The three-day package features a full day in southwestern Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (a haven for gorillas) and adjacent Batwa Pygmy communities. Wild Rwanda Safaris offers a choice of midrange, luxury and super luxury accommodations, allowing you to keep costs down if necessary.

The company's packages include the $700 permit required to visit the gorilla park. The round-trip journey by safari vehicle to and from Kigali, Rwanda, as well as English-speaking guides are covered in all rates. The tour can begin from Kampala, Uganda, as well, although you'll spend a lot longer on the road to the park. Contact the safari company for pricing information.

Nomad Tanzania: Southern Tanzania

Courtesy of nomad-tanzania.com

Length: Eight days Starting price: $6,055

Sign up for Nomad Tanzania's Southern Tanzania safari and you're bound to get an up-close look at Tanzania's diverse wildlife. Offering eight days of activities, including game drives and boat trips in Ruaha National Park and Nyerere National Park, this safari gives you prime opportunities to spot lions, cheetahs, leopards and elephants, among other species.

You'll get around the parks with the company's custom-built vehicles, ideal for catching a glimpse of that spectacular wildlife. What's more, the package rates include lodging at the company's campsites; select meals; and the short, scenic flights to and from Dar es Salaam as well as to the parks. Prices are only available upon contacting the company; they vary depending on the time of year, and the tour isn't offered in April and May.

Micato Safaris: The Micato Grand Safari

Courtesy of Micato Safaris

Length: 15 days Starting price: $29,500

If you want to explore multiple destinations while on safari with plenty of comfort (but a price tag to match), book the 15-day Micato Grand Safari. This extraordinarily thorough itinerary from Micato Safaris starts with a two-day visit to bustling Nairobi, Kenya, before continuing to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Maasai Mara National Reserve, and the Amboseli and Serengeti national parks. You'll be treated to wildlife-viewing excursions that just might check every animal off your bucket list, from lions and cheetahs to rhinos, hippos and more. During your trip, you'll get to see Mount Kilimanjaro as zebras, gazelles and more roam in the foreground.

The package costs at least $29,500 per person (based on double occupancy rates) and includes activities like a sunrise hot air balloon ride and a camel tour led by members of the Samburu tribe. Lodging at upscale properties like the Serengeti's Four Seasons Safari Lodge and glamorous safari camps with en suite bathrooms is also included. The company also offers various extensions allowing you to explore other parts of Africa, from the island paradise of Zanzibar to the deserts of Namibia.

Rothschild Safaris: Essence of Tanzania

Courtesy of Rothschild Safaris

Length: Nine days Starting price: Contact company for pricing details.

If your ideal safari vacation consists of customizing your trip from start to finish, consider an outing with Rothschild Safaris. The company offers itineraries in locales like Zambia and Ethiopia, but if you're hoping to catch a glimpse of the "big five" animals, the Essence of Tanzania safari is a good bet.

This nine-day experience, which embarks from Arusha, Tanzania, and returns there by plane, includes game-viewing drives spotting animals like ostriches, zebras and impalas in Tarangire National Park, plus accommodations like luxurious tents and farmhouse lodges. You'll also have the opportunity to go on a nighttime safari to spot nocturnal wildlife. If you time your safari right, you may also be able to see the famed wildebeest migration, when more than a million animals move between the Maasai Mara Reserve in Kenya and Tanzania's Serengeti plains.

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Lion World Travel: The Best of Cape Town & Botswana

Courtesy of Lion World Travel

Length: 10 days Starting price: $4,899

As the trip name implies, the 10-day Best of Cape Town & Botswana vacation package from longtime safari operator Lion World Travel combines a few days of sightseeing in Cape Town, South Africa – where you'll visit the iconic Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula – with a classic safari in Botswana. During the latter half of the itinerary, visitors will explore Botswana's Okavango Delta, home to cheetahs, crocodiles, hippos and more; you'll have the option of a helicopter flight to spot wildlife from above for an extra fee. Then, you'll visit Chobe National Park, which is believed to have the world's largest African elephant population.

Prices start at $4,899 per person based on double occupancy. Rates cover game drives; many of your meals; and stays in a four-star hotel in Cape Town as well as luxury tents in Botswana. You'll need to pay an extra charge for the flights within the tour (from Cape Town to Botswana and from Botswana to Johannesburg ).

Discover Africa: Botswana – Chobe, Okavango & Makgadikgadi

Matthys Van Aswegen | Courtesy of Discover Africa

Length: Nine days Starting price: $4,800

For an inside-out trip through the natural wonders of Botswana, Discover Africa's nine-day trip through the country's sprawling game reserves and national parks is a formidable option. You'll start out at a riverside lodge on the Chobe River – a great location for spotting elephants – before moving on to the marshy Okavango Delta, a wildlife-rich area where you can spot a huge range of animals like leopards, rhinos, hippos and more. The safari ends at the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, a good place to admire wildlife such as zebras and buffalo on the savannah as well as the ethereal white salt pans from a former lake.

You'll stay in upscale lodges and camps within close reach of the wilderness. All meals and transport along the tour are included in the price tag (which starts at $4,800 per person and varies by time of year), but international flights to get to Botswana are excluded.

Wild Wings Safaris: 8 Day Battlefields, Bush & Beach Safari

Onne Vegter | Courtesy of Wild Wings Safaris

Length: Eight days Starting price: About $4,160 for self-drive option

If you're looking to have a broader experience that mixes in some local history and beach time, consider Wild Wings Safaris' eight-day Battlefields, Bush & Beach Safari. With an itinerary focused on the east of South Africa, you'll start off visiting some of the country's historic sites from the Boer wars, including locations where local Zulu warriors defeated the British, before moving on to Phinda Private Game Reserve. This park doesn't allow day visitors, so you should be able to look out for the "big five" without too many crowds.

The tour wraps up at Thonga Beach Lodge, where you can snorkel or scuba dive near coral reefs in the Indian Ocean. Kayaking and walks through coastal forests are other activities on offer here. As far as safaris go, this one is a somewhat more affordable option, starting at about $4,160 per person with all meals included as well as a rental car; for the cheapest price, you will need to drive yourself between the destinations, but it's possible to pay an additional fee for a driver to guide you instead.

Cuckoo Safaris: 4-Day Discover Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park and Hwange National Park

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Length: Four days Starting price: $1,015

This tour company kicks off many of its tours from the majestic Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, with a host of safaris that range from three to nine days, across Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana, including some family-friendly choices. For an affordable option, consider the four-day Discover Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park and Hwange National Park safari. It will take you on two full-day tours to Chobe National Park in Botswana and Hwange, Zimbabwe's largest national park, where you should keep your eyes peeled for lions, elephants and more, while also visiting rural villages. This safari includes a wildlife spotting boat cruise on the Chobe River as well.

The price starts at $1,015 per person, which includes the tours plus breakfast, lunch and well-rated lodging in Victoria Falls. Travelers will need to pay for their own travel to Victoria Falls. Dinners aren't included, although you'll be staying in the town of Victoria Falls, with access to restaurants.

Compass Odyssey: 8-Day Namibia Wildlife Safari

Courtesy of Compass Odyssey

Length: Eight days Starting price: Contact company for pricing details.

Explore the savannah and deserts of southwest Africa with Compass Odyssey's eight-day Namibia Wildlife Safari. You'll visit a community-based conservation area in Damaraland – known for its desert-adapted elephants, oryx, giraffes and other wildlife – while staying in the rustic-chic Doro Nawas Camp. Travelers will also spend two days in Etosha National Park, seeking wildlife like giraffes, zebras and elephants at the park's bustling waterholes by day and embarking on an evening game drive with a knowledgeable ranger as well.

The company provides prices on request. The tour includes most meals and all park entry fees, but not flights or the optional "Cheetah Walk." Compass Odyssey allows the tour to be customized on request.

Expert Africa: Big Cat Fly-in Safari

Length: Nine days Starting price: $5,010

Expert Africa offers safaris and other tours in a host of African countries. For a relatively classic tour, consider the Big Cat Fly-in Safari. It offers two different looks at Kenya's stellar wildlife. Firstly, you'll fly north for four nights at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, a sanctuary that channels all its profits into protecting the wildlife in its roughly 100-square-mile reserve. You'll stay in classic tented rooms and enjoy three-course dinners, with the option of going on horse- or camelback safaris for an extra fee.

Despite the tour name, you're most likely to see elephants, giraffes, zebras and rhinos here. In fact, you're more likely to see big cats at the tour's second stop, when you fly south to the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The tour company reports a high success rate for travelers spotting lions (and a decent chance of spotting leopards or cheetahs too). Here, you'll spend four days in upscale tents and have the option of soaring over the plains in a hot air balloon. The tour starts at $5,010 for eight nights, with all transport within Kenya included – although Expert Africa customizes most of its tours, so you can likely adjust your safari to your preferences.

Volcanoes Safari: 7 Day Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari

Courtesy of Volcanoes Safaris

Length: Seven days Starting price: $8,430

If you're looking to spot some great apes, Volcanoes Safari focuses exclusively on primate tours within Rwanda and Uganda – and with partnerships with the Jane Goodall Institute and Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, they're responsible too. One of its signature tours, this seven-day itinerary kicks off in Uganda, taking travelers to the famed Kyambura Gorge to spot chimpanzee communities, as well as on a trek through the Bwindi Forest to look for gorillas.

But it's not all about monkeys: The tour also includes chances to see lions on the Ugandan plains and to meet locals engaging in cooperative work raising bees and roasting coffee. Along the way, guests stay in stylish lodges with views of Uganda's mountains and forests. The tour starts at $8,430 per person based on double occupancy in the low season, with all meals included.

Vaccination and visa requirements for African countries

Some popular safari destinations may require you to have received certain vaccinations in order to enter the country as a tourist. Although COVID-19 vaccination requirements no longer exist, it's not uncommon for countries to require you to be vaccinated against illnesses such as yellow fever before departing on your trip. Be sure to bring proof of vaccinations with you. If you are transiting through another country en route to your safari tour, you must check that you also meet immunization requirements for the stopover location.

For many destinations, there are a number of other vaccinations that aren't mandatory but are still recommended, such as for cholera or rabies. Consult with a doctor and ensure you're up to date and fully protected before you travel. In addition, many safari locations are prone to malaria; you should consult with your doctor about potentially bringing anti-malaria medication on your trip.

Safari countries have varying visa requirements for travelers from the U.S. – these are detailed below. Depending on your itinerary, you may need a single- or multiple-entry visa, and some visas require you to apply in advance of traveling and/or have a certain number of blank pages in your passport. Regardless of destination, your passport should be valid for at least six months before you leave for your trip.

Here are the vaccine and visa requirements for major safari destinations as of July 2024:

Botswana: If you have recently visited or transited through a country where yellow fever is common, you will need to be vaccinated against this illness. This does not include the U.S. but does include a number of countries in Africa as well as Central and South America. Consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's list of countries with risk of yellow fever transmission, including Kenya and Uganda.

U.S. citizens and nationals can stay in Botswana for 90 days per year without a visa.

Kenya: Kenya is a country where you'll be at risk of yellow fever transmission; it also requires those traveling from other places where yellow fever is endemic to be vaccinated against it. The CDC recommends that you protect yourself against yellow fever before your trip here.

Americans need an eVisa to enter Kenya. You should apply online at the eVisa government website no less than two weeks before your trip, as visas are not available upon arrival in Kenya. See more on the U.S. Department of State's website .

Namibia: Those traveling from a country where yellow fever is common need to be vaccinated against it. No visa is required as long as you're staying for 90 days or less per year.

Rwanda: If you're coming from a country where yellow fever is endemic, a yellow fever vaccination is required before departure.

U.S. citizens and nationals can be issued a 30-day visitor visa on arrival in Rwanda or through the Rwandan Embassy in Washington, D.C. A single-entry visa costs $50 for a single entry or $70 for multiple entries, and it's recommended you bring sufficient cash in U.S. dollars to pay for this (although credit card payment may be accepted at Kigali International Airport). Consult the State Department website for more information.

South Africa: A yellow fever vaccination is required if you're traveling from a country with a risk of transmission, including transits of 12 hours or longer in such countries. No visa is required for stays of 90 days or less.

Tanzania: Yellow fever vaccines are mandatory if you're traveling from a location where yellow fever is present – including if you spend more than 12 hours in transit in such a country. The vaccine should be administered 10 days or more before arrival

Visas are required for tourism in Tanzania. You can apply for a single-entry, 90-day visa online for $50 or a multiple-entry, one-year visa for $100. Be sure to print a copy of the approval (called a "grant notice") to bring with you. The processing period takes up to 10 days. You can also obtain a single-entry visa on arrival in most cases, although the Tanzanian government still recommends the advance online application. Find more Tanzanian visa information on the State Department website .

Uganda: Like Kenya, Uganda is a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. All visitors must show proof of vaccination against yellow fever to enter Uganda, regardless of where you're traveling from.

American visitors to Uganda must apply online for an electronic visa before departure. The processing time is around seven days, but the Ugandan government recommends applying 30 days before you travel; arriving in Uganda without completing this process could result in your detainment. A single-entry visa costs $50. Visit the State Department website to learn more.

Zambia: Yellow fever vaccines are only required if you're coming from an area considered at risk, including long transits (12 hours or more) through such countries. Visas are not required for U.S. citizens visiting Zambia. Check the State Department website for more details.

Zimbabwe: As with other countries on this list, visitors from countries with yellow fever outbreaks require a vaccine against this illness. This includes long transit stopovers of 12 hours or more.

U.S. visitors can obtain a 30-day, single-entry visa upon arrival in Zimbabwe for $30. If you're taking a tour that requires you to leave and reenter Zimbabwe, be sure to get a double-entry visa for $45. You can learn more from the State Department website .

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• Tanzania's Serengeti National Park  - The most famous of Africa's safari destinations, the Serengeti is complemented by Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire game areas where you have the prospect of seeing "Africa’s Big 5": Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Cape Buffalo, and Rhinoceros.
• South Africa's Kruger National Park  - View lions, zebra, and impala as you explore the park by vehicle, on foot, or even by hot air balloon by day, and by night, relax in a comfortable Safari Lodge  by night.
• Botswana's Chobe National Park & the  Okavango Delta  - Surrounding game reserves & concessions are home to  luxurious safari camps & lodges  where you'll search for elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hippo, zebra, impala, and white rhino on a cruise or traditional driving safari.
• Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park  - Experience game drives with giant elephant herds, local village visits, hikes, and a comfortable place to sleep every night at exceptional safari lodges and camps
• Zambia's Kafue National Park   - Africa's second largest national park and home to a variety of wildlife, particularly antelope, red lechwe, and puku, Kafue is known for its bush camps and safari lodges  in addition to the Busanga Plains, a seasonal floodplain and well-known watering site for wildlife.
• Madagascar's Isalo National Park - Natural lakes and Jurassic landscapes are abundant in this area because of its many gorges, steep bluffs, and protruding rock formations. Many rare and endangered animals call Isalo National Park home, including the endemic Madagascar fossa.

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• Tanzania safari  cost.  A 7-day small-group classic Tanzania safari ranges from $2,856 for a mid-range trip to $7,348 for a luxury tour. Visit Lake Manyara , the Serengeti , Ngorongoro Crater , and Tarangire to see the Big 5. This journey covers the Northern Circuit's highlights and maximizes adventure and wildlife watching. Every night, return to your luxury safari resort, such as Arusha Coffee Lodge, Escarpment Lodge, Lemala Ewanjan Tented Camp, or Lemala Ngorongoro Camp.
• Kenya safari  cost  ranges in price from $3,998 for an 11-day tour of the country's attractions to $10,820 for a 10-day luxury trip. Visit Amboseli national park , Samburu national reserve, Lake Nakuru national park, and iconic  Maasai Mara to search for wildlife. 
• South Africa safari costs  range from $3,481 for a 9-day mid-range tour to $10,591 for a luxury tour that includes both the vibrant metropolitan Cape Town and game drives in Kruger National Park .
• Botswana safari cost.  A family safari in Botswana ranges in price from $4,752 for a seven-day excursion to $16,574 for a twelve-day luxury tour that visits the Okavango Delta , Moremi Game Reserve , and Chobe National Park while staying in the finest lodgings in Botswana. Optional safari activities include private C208 aircraft adventures, 4x4 drives, and treks.

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• Expect the unexpected! No two safaris are the same, and that’s part of the adventure. Your guides are experts at tracking the animals in every area, but which animals you see, when, and what they’re up to is as wild as the savanna itself. You might come across lions enjoying a zebra carcass or antelope galloping across the plains. It’s even possible that your best shot at seeing these animals is right around your camp or lodge.   
• What’s a game drive? A safari game drive is when you go out in a vehicle in search of the animals in their most natural habitat. The vehicles are often 4x4 drive open-air vehicles and get as close as safely possible to the animals so that you can see them in all their wild majesty.  
• Game drives are not off-roading adventures – In order to preserve the habitats, the game drives stick to the established trails and routes rather than just crossing the plains at random, but these trails were established by the experts to maximize the opportunities to see wildlife on your game drive. These drives tend to be leisurely, allowing the best chance to take in the surrounding environment and hopefully spot some amazing wildlife.  
• Game drives generally take place in the cool morning or late afternoon – remember, the best way to see the animals of the safari in action is to follow their behavior, and they tend to be most active when the sun isn’t as high in the sky.   
• The length of a game drive is generally around 3 or 4 hours , but this varies based on what your guide feels is the best way to track the animals.  
• Alternatives to game drives on a safari vacation might include an aerial tour in a hot air balloon, mountain biking and horseback riding, hikes, a river cruise to see the animals via the water, or a nighttime game drive that shows off the nocturnal wildlife of Africa.   
• The atmosphere of a safari vacation is relaxed but immersive . Imagine being literally inside your favorite Animal Planet documentary. Your itinerary won’t be jam-packed with things to do, but the marvels of simply looking out your window to a giraffe grazing in a nearby tree or seeing an elephant passing casually by the lodge is an unforgettable experience.   
• The safari experience changes based on the season – in each region, the dry and wet seasons bring with them different wildlife behaviors and habits and even migrations, so if there is an animal you know you want to see, let us know so we can recommend the best time to travel.  
• Safari vacations usually combine multiple wildlife reserves , from national parks to private game concessions. Getting from one camp to the next might include a long drive through the plains or a scenic flight on an 8-passenger propeller plane. 

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• While you are in major cities, you will likely have access to ATMs that work with most major international credit cards (local bank cards will probably not work). You should expect a marginal international transaction fee.  
• Cash can be used for anything you’ll need while on the safari itself, especially in the bush.  
• You can exchange your money most easily at the international airports upon arrival or at a bank with presentation of your passport if necessary.
• Avoid paying with travelers checks. These are not accepted in most places, so it’s safer to just stick with your card.

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• Scenic USA. A   constant recipient of national and worldwide recognition from industry partners for its outstanding product and operations. Sanctuary Sun Boat III  represents the ultimate luxury and relaxation on the Nile , modeled after the opulent era of the 20s and 30s.
• Variety Cruises   allows one to explore the true identity of a destination while enjoying the comforts and excellent benefits of its state-of-the-art SOLAS-certified yachts. The twin-hulled  Pegasos  can moor at small, picturesque islands that are not accessible by land, ideal for  Seychelles sailings.
• Ponant . Embodies the French way of life through exceptional service, a multilingual team, and expertise.  Le Bougainville represents the new generation of ships designed to combine discovery and exploration with luxury, even in the planet's most remote and isolated regions like Seychelles. 
• Emerald Waterways  an award-winning travel operator specializing in deluxe river cruises and luxury yacht cruising. Each of their custom-built starships has a range of stylish innovations. The newly built vessel,  Emerald Azzurra , a modern superyacht, can access ports of call not typically visited by cruise ships in the Adriatic, along the coast of Northern Africa, the Red Sea, and around the islands of Greece.
• AMA Waterways  has constantly been redefining the river cruise experience by building one-of-a-kind ships with added comforts and conveniences. Its price range is considered "mid-tier" among river cruises. The beautiful  Zambezi Queen  was specifically designed for safari river cruising on the Chobe River and offers a sophisticated design to maximize animal sightings.
• CroisiEurope   has developed an affordable cruising concept offering the best value in river cruises at great prices and appealing to every traveler. Designed to explore Southern Africa, the  African Dream  provides an intimate look at nature and animals along the most beautiful bends of the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers.

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Why Travel With Adventure Life

Recognized by.

The world’s best safari companies – African tour operators

Safari. What an adventure!

But only when you do it right .

It’s not just the quality of the guiding and accommodation that makes a difference; it’s where and when you go .

The best safari travel agents provide you access to exclusive, wildlife-rich areas where you can fully connect with your wild side.

Over the last two decades, I’ve witnessed the good, the bad, the very bad, but also the very best safari companies in Africa .

As they say at National Geographic magazine: “in a time when travel dollars are stretched, it’s essential that an outfitter delivers the trip of a lifetime, the first time”.

That is why the tour companies selected below are the best of the best, because they deliver on the first experience .

10 of the Best African Safari Tour Operators

I have based the listing of the best Africa safari companies on my own experiences, along with National Geographic Adventure’s selection of the Best Adventure Travel Companies .

Out of hundreds of safari companies and tour operators surveyed, only the very top were chosen (based on criteria like education , sustainability , quality of service, and spirit of adventure ).

Best Africa Tour Companies

If you’re looking to have an unforgettable safari in Africa, then you better check out some of the best Africa tour companies below.

1. Micato Safaris

“The Travel+Leisure 10-Year Winner.”

Best For : Exclusive, private safaris. This company focuses on Eastern and Southern African countries.

2. Wilderness Safaris

“Creating Life-Changing Journeys.”

Best For : Exceptional safari experiences in Africa’s untouched wilderness.

Wilderness Safaris have around 40 luxury safari camps in over 5 countries , including Botswana , Kenya , and Rwanda.

They are committed to eco-friendly tourism , which is why these luxurious trips help protect biodiversity, conserve wildlife, and give back to local communities.

wilderness-safaris.com

3. andBeyond

“Leaving Our World a Better Place for 30 Years.”

Best For : Luxury safaris, though they do have broader options for families.

andBeyond have a luxury safari experience in 9 different countries in Africa , including South Africa , Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania and Namibia .

andbeyond.com

4. Thomson Safaris

“40 Years of Wildlife Safaris.”

Best For : Safari in Tanzania. Their packages are well suited to every budget, which is why they are known as one of the best Tanzania safari companies.

Destinations include Mount Kilimanjaro , Serengeti , Selous Game Reserve , Olduvai Gorge , Ngorongoro Crater , Tarangire National Park , and Zanzibar .

thomsonsafaris.com

5. Mark Thornton Safaris

“It’s Not Only What You See. It’s How You See It.”

Best For : Tarangire and Serengeti walking safaris in Tanzania . This is one of the best Tanzania safari tour operators on the continent.

thorntonsafaris.com

6. Volcanoes Safaris

“The Number 1 Gorilla Safari Company.”

Best For : Gorilla trekking . Volcanoes Safaris is especially renowned for its gorilla safaris in Uganda and Rwanda .

Volcanoes Safaris also organize trips to the DRC and Tanzania.

volcanoessafaris.com

7. Africa Adventure Consultants

“Safaris for the Discerning Traveler.”

Best For : A tailored multi-destination (multi-country) safari.

Destinations include (East and Southern Africa)  Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda , Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia , Zimbabwe , Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa.

adventuresinafrica.com

8. Gamewatchers Safaris

“Exclusive Safaris in Africa’s Finest Wildlife Areas.”

Best For : Classic safari experiences in East Africa .

9. The Africa Adventure Company

“Your Passport for a Safari Trip to Africa’s Top Wildlife Countries.”

Best For : An East and Southern Africa safari specialist, this is one of the best-rated African safari tour companies for good-value first-time adventures.

africa-adventure.com

10. Africa Dream Safaris

“Experience Your Dreams.”

Best For : Activities concentrated in East Africa, including unique safari activities .

africadreamsafaris.com

More of the Best Africa Safari Companies

The above list is by no means exhaustive .

There are many other top safari companies that will also do a great job, but they do not fall within the top 10.

Abercrombie & Kent

If you are looking for the best luxury safari companies in Africa, then you have found the right one.

Abercrombie & Kent cater to those who want to experience luxurious travel but still rough it out in the African bush .

Norman Carr Safaris

Norman Carr Safaris operates in Zambia, specifically in South Luangwa National Park .

They are one of the original safari operators in this park, and the pioneers of walking safaris to promote eco-safari tourism.

Deeper Africa

As one of the world’s best African safari tour companies, Deeper Africa is an East Africa safari specialist .

Embark with them for an enriching experience guided by African wildlife experts.

African Portfolio

African Portfolio is best for first-time visitors to East and Southern Africa looking for simple safari itineraries .

They also have trips to Morocco and Egypt.

There is no standard route in Africa. After more than a decade of exploring, I still haven’t seen half the continent .

There is always somewhere new to go, and something new to try. So I really encourage you to live out the Africa of your dreams , wherever and whatever that may be.

It can be a little daunting at first. To get started, check out the safari planning pages on Africa Freak.

Once you understand a little about African safari check out these incredible safari deals – you’re sure to find a wildlife adventure like no other.

Used an African safari company’s services before?

Why don’t you share your experience in the comments section.

About The Author

Michael Theys

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19 thoughts on “the world’s best safari companies – african tour operators”.

For that time may be true but nowadays there’s lots of tour companies which offer best services with affordable price. You might also found them in Tanzania including https://luitours.com/ . You should pay another visit soon.

LuiTours & Safaris is Tanzanian Tour Company based in Moshi (Kilimanjaro) and Dar es Salaam, and it offers the most competitive rates on safari tour packages. https://luitours.com/ If you are looking for the ultimate safari experience, day trips or looking to relax on best Indian Ocean beaches of Zanzibar, our team will make sure that your holiday becomes unforgettable.

Elevate your adventure with upcoming safari company, standing out among the top ten best African safari companies. Expert guides guarantee exclusive wildlife encounters, from the Big Five to birdwatching delights in diverse destinations like the Serengeti and the lush Okavango Delta. As you sip sundowners against Africa’s breathtaking sunsets, rest assured that upcoming company is committed to eco-conscious travel and your safety and comfort. Capture every awe-inspiring moment on your camera, making memories that will last a lifetime. For me once used Tanzania Inside and Safari, and everything went well

There are so more amazing companies just like: https://www.sunstripafricasafaris.com/

We had an awesome experience the last time we visited Kenya and Tanzania. Our guides were incredibly nice and patient with us and very informative.

Thank you for having these selections.

Perhaps, there are so more amazing companies just like https://wildtravelsafaris.com . We had an awesome experience the last time we visited Uganda & Rwanda. Our guide Richard was incredibly nice and patient with us for the 2 weeks. He answered almost every question and made sure everything was in order as per the earlier agreement.

When it comes to Uganda or Rwanda Gorilla Trekking, you want to use https://wildtravelsafaris.com and also https://www.ugandatravelsafaris.com as an alternative platforms of them. They offer unforgettable journeys to gorillas. Give them an opportunity, you won’t regret it.

Thank you Michael for the insights.

We had an awesome experience the last time we visited Uganda. Our guide Tony was incredibly nice and patient with us. He answered all the little questions and made sure all was in order as per the earlier agreement.

When it comes to Uganda or Rwanda Gorilla Trekking, you want to use https://silverbackgorillatrekking.com , they offer unforgettable journeys to gorillas.

Give them a shot and you wont regret.

I have see that you point out 10 of the Best African Safari Tour Operators that is Great but there is another company that deserves space in the top 10 – Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris ltd, website https://www.footslopestours.com/ They organize the best private custom safari, honeymoon, Kilimanjaro climbing, hiking and trekking mountain family holidays in Tanzania. They have experienced safari guides and staffs are best in the industry.

In essence it’s a tough pick for the best safari companies as best is relative and times change. Moreover, companies evolve for better and unfortunately others for worse. There are also local based companies that have competence and overall good service.

Check out https://www.alphadeantoursandsafaris.com/ as well as https://www.africamagicalsafaris.com/index.php

It would also be nice to consider Kenya-based safari companies like Explorer Kenya Tours and Travel for honeymooners safaris, photography safaris and Kenya wildlife safaris. See them on http://www.explorerkenya.com .

This is not a definitive, or updated list of the world’s ”best” safari companies. I think A&K should surely make the proper list, along with & Beyond. But someone has rightfully pointed out that these companies are quite expensive. A few years ago, I enjoyed a fabulous African Safari in Kenya with Shoor Safaris ( http://www.shoortravel.com/ ) at much cheaper rates using the same properties I was being offered by a top US operator. So do shop around and book wisely.

Thanks for your comment Carol. Sure, it’s not a “definitive” list. At the end of the day, it all depends on what YOU’re looking for. Choose wisely and “safari njema”! 😉

Based on the dates you posted the article, that was true but now things have really changed. Those tour companies that are not keeping up with the advancement of technology especially online marketing are being overtaken by smaller operators who have invested heavily in online marketing.

Most of the companies listed above are very expensive. I found a newer tour operator based in the US that runs their trips out of an office in Tanzania. They where almost half the price of the quote I got from Micato and 35% less than Thomsons. Our trip was great. I guess that the others charge more because they have a name. Anyway, check them out and see if they can do your trip cheaper http://www.etripafrica.com .

Good Safari.

I have gone through the list of safari companies listed and while it is true that they do offer great services, I am not sure that they are the top 10. There are a number of companies operating regionally and internationally that offer just as good or better services.

Another thing is there are some good companies who have had their names sullied by one disgruntled client over the most minor issue. Tour guides are humans and something like a flat tire is something that is sometimes unavoidable. However, some clients since they book these tours way in advance a few things could have happened in the months leading up to the safari making them wish they hadn’t booked. Take the world economic crisis, a client books his safari one or two years in advance only to lose a job. So reviews by clients should be taken in totality not from one disgruntled client.

Hello Michael.

I have seen the list of the top 10 safari companies doing safaris in Africa. In Uganda you have listed Volcanoes only. There is another company that deserves space in the top 10 – Advantage Safaris ltd, website http://www.advantage-safaris.com . They organize the best birdwatching, gorilla tracking, chimpanzee tracking and family holidays in both Uganda and Rwanda. The guides and safari drivers employed by Advantage Safaris ltd are the best in the industry.

All safari goers should be a little wary of the ‘group style’ safaris on offer. Remember that you are trying to get close to wildlife and be sensitive as well as be educated. Larger groups, of say 16 people or more, in numerous vehicles can find this a little difficult. Large groups are often led by ‘an expert’ with driver/guides in the other vehicles. Whilst this keeps the cost per head down some the overall ‘life time experience ‘ can get a little diluted by sharing one so called ‘expert’ between 16-20 group members.

Tanzania is a wonderful safari destination but you cannot beat a small group of up to 8 visitors being guided by two excellent guides in two well equipped vehicles. Guides that know the back roads and want to explore.

Camp in remote locations, don’t be surrounded by cement in a lodge. It costs more but these basic rules can get a visitor closer to that dream vacation.

I agree that it is impossible to limit the world’s best safari companies down to a list of 10, especially when each safari company is focused on a different region and/or type of trip (adventure, family, honeymoon, luxury, etc.). In many cases it’s like comparing apples and oranges.

Thanks for the feedback, you definitely have a point here. Of course, they can't possibly make a "real" top 10 out of the thousands of safari companies out there. But then again, how would you do it? Did you check out their methodology? Basically, it is based on surveys that follow specific categories: education, sustainability, quality of service and spirit of adventure.

About the "trip of a lifetime" experience. This goal should always be on top of the list, totally agree with you. The question is: are they all going for it? I don't think so. I have read a few stories where people were really not well catered for. In my opinion, there are always companies out there that are looking for a quick buck no matter what… even if it has to be at the expense of their clients.

Not quite sure what you're trying to imply about the recession bit. Did you read that? Possible but am not aware of it.

Hello Michael,

Interesting topic that is being discussed here. I must say though that the premise of NG a bit of an awkward one is. 'Delivering a trip of a lifetime the first time'?? In my opinion a safari outfitter should ALWAYS try to achieve this goal the first time. Now NG suggests that there are a number of operators out there that are not doing their utmost to accommodate clients the first time and that they will only do so in times of recession.

I therefore dare to say that this survey is absolute nonsense, as NG will not have the possibility to survey 100's of operators. Why? Because they have other things to do than being a consumer watchdog on safaris. I am not implying that the mentioned companies are no good, I am just saying that out of all the thousands of companies selling safaris, you can not just make a list of 10.

What do you think yourself Michael?

Cheers from Holland.

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Since 2008, Zicasso safari specialists have planned over 10,000 African safaris. From Kruger National Park in South Africa to the Serengeti in Tanzania, Botswana’s Okavango Delta to Kenya’s Maasai Mara, an African safari embodies the spirit of adventure within the beauty of the natural world. Search for elusive wildlife, explore vast landscapes, and participate in age-old traditions of local communities. Use these sample trips for inspiration and plan your dream African safari vacation with one of our safari specialists.

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Travel Tips for Your African Safari

When is the best time to go on an african safari.

The best time to go on safari in Africa is from May to September during the southern hemisphere’s dry winter season and early spring. In the dry season, it is easier to spot wildlife as they search for water and clear skies improve visibility.

Africa’s dry season weather is generally cooler than in the Southern Hemisphere’s summer from December to February. While temperatures can vary across countries from East to Southern Africa, the averages fall around 64°F. Most days boast clear skies with plenty of sunlight, perfect for game drives, bush walks, and more African safari experiences .

Outside of the dry season months May to September, the months of October through April offer their own advantages. Part of the Great Migration takes place in October and November, and migratory birds take to the skies from December to March. Even in the wet season, rain showers rarely interfere with your wildlife viewing.

To find the season or right month for your trip, explore more in our guide on the best time to go on an African safari .

How many days should I spend in Africa on safari?

Whether you want to visit exclusive reserves in Southern Africa or explore the jungles and coastlines of East Africa , we recommend spending at least 12 days on your safari tour in Africa.

With 12 days, you can explore two or more safari destinations within one country or multiple countries, as well as enjoy various safari activities, from thrilling game drives to adventurous bush walks, serene boat trips to scenic aerial safari flights. You can track the elusive wild dogs in Kruger National Park , witness the Great Migration in the Serengeti and Masai Mara , or combine a safari and beach vacation for the ultimate relaxation in paradise.

Fewer days are possible for your safari but the longer you stay, the more chances you have to spot the incredible birdlife and the famous Big Five . The choice is yours, and we are here to help you plan your dream safari trip.

Where should I go on a safari in Africa?

Whether new to wilderness adventures or a seasoned safari-goer, Africa’s best places for safaris reveal the continent’s wild beauty and refined elegance found at top luxury lodges. Here are some of our favorite destinations to consider for your safari tour in Africa:

• Serengeti National Park: Incredible grasslands, an impressive selection of migratory and endemic birds, and a combination of the Big Five in view of luxury accommodations add to the alluring reputation of the Serengeti, Tanzania .
• Masai Mara National Park: As the most famous national park in Kenya that stretches into Tanzania the safari experience includes vast savannas and ravines but also stretches into the forests and along the riverbanks.
• Kruger National Park: As one of the largest protected safari areas in Africa, South Africa’s Kruger National Park is a fantastic place to view the Big Five, search for quieter wildlife experiences, and find connections to impressive luxury accommodations.
• Okavango Delta : From glassy waters to the sprawling desert border, active elephant herds, and charming lodges with impressive views, the Okavango Delta is not just one of Botswana’s top safari spots, it’s one of the most celebrated safari destinations in the world.

What are the best safari experiences in Africa?

Safari is not just about morning and afternoon game drives. Whether cycling through open plains or following rangers through the bush, here are some unforgettable African safari experiences :

• Enjoy a classic Big Five game drive on a 4x4 vehicle with a trained safari guide as you look for lions, leopards, elephants, cape buffalo, rhinoceros, and more.
• Experience the thrill of a guided water safari in the Okavango Delta as you look for signs of local wildlife, large and small, while floating on the branches of the iconic waterway
• Travel into the forestlands for an up-close-and-personal gorilla-trekking experience , spending time with a gorilla troop playing in the canopy or watching chimpanzees snack in the trees.

What should I pack for an African safari?

Over and above your usual clothing and travel essentials, be sure to create a packing list for your African safari that caters to the unique needs of a wilderness adventure. Here are some additional things to consider bringing on your African safari tour :

• Clothing that blends in with the natural surroundings
• Water-resistant raincoat
• Shoes or boots that are comfortable and suitable for hiking
• Backpack to carry your essentials
• Camera with a zoom lens, extra batteries, and memory cards
• Insect repellant
• Items to protect yourself from the sun, such as sunscreen, hats, lip balm, and sunglasses

How safe are African safaris?

Lodges and safari sites are very safe, with rangers, scouts, and guides trained to protect visitors and the wildlife. To further ensure your safety, listen to your guide’s advice, pay attention to the rules, and understand any present restrictions were put in place to safeguard you and the animals you want to see.

What else should I know about how to plan an African safari?

Explore more information in our frequently asked questions about planning an African safari and inspiration in our African safari travel guide .

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The 10 Best Places for African Safari Tours

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Created by William Cornwallis Harris during the Victorian era and popularized by authors such as Jules Verne ( Five Weeks in a Balloon ) and Ernest Hemingway ( The Snows of Kilimanjaro ), African safaris tours have existed in some form or fashion for nearly 200 years now.  

Safari, meaning journey in Swahili, have evolved over time.

Where once safaris in Africa largely involved hunting and “roughing it” in the wilderness, these days they’re mostly about watching and photographing wildlife .

African safaris come in every level of luxury and budget you can imagine, with dozens of countries offering incredible African safari holidays.

And while wildlife safaris have become a global phenomenon (see: Galapagos Islands Animals , Alaskan Animals , Costa Rica Animals , and Indian Animals ), Africa remains among the best continents for nature and wildlife lovers to explore.

Here’s a look at 10 of the best places for African safari tours, from iconic East African countries such as Kenya and Tanzania to up-and-coming ecotourism hotspots like Malawi, Namibia, and Rwanda.

READ MORE: 20 Endangered African Animals You Can See On A Safari

Best Places for African Safari Tours Guide

( listed alphabetically )

• South Africa
• Tanzania 

READ MORE:  The 15 Best National Parks in the World for Wildlife Watching

1. BOTSWANA

People seem surprised when we tell them that Botswana is currently #1 on our African safari bucket list.

But the country’s aggressively forward-thinking approach to wildlife conservation and its unique array of national parks and game reserves make it a haven for nature lovers.

The country’s anti-poaching methods are among the strictest in all of Africa. Botswana banned commercial hunting entirely in 2014, and environmental minister Tshekedi Khama launched an unofficial shoot-to-kill policy for poachers.  

Anti-poaching units are overseen by the government-funded Botswana Defense Force, which means they have more training, weapons, and other resources than APUs in other countries.

And since wildlife management is largely left in the hands of local communities (which provides an alternative source of revenue to poaching), poachers are widely treated as enemies of the people.  

As a result, Botswana has emerged in recent years as one of Africa’s hottest ecotourism destinations. The vast elephant herds of Chobe National Park and canoe-based wildlife safaris in the Okavango Delta are among the nation’s world-renowned tourist attractions.

But there are also traditional Big five animal safaris at Moremi Nature Reserve (Botswana’s first protected area) and uncrowded gems such as Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Nxai Pan National Park, and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.  

READ MORE: The 20 Safest Countries in Africa to Visit

As African safaris go, it’s difficult to beat a tour of Kenya’s national parks and conservancies.

Even if you don’t visit during Africa’s Great Migration– when millions of wildebeests, zebras, and other herbivores follow the rain north from Tanzania’s Serengeti– Kenya’s stunning natural beauty and dizzying array of wildlife defies adequate description.  

Kenya offers 25 national parks , 16 national reserves, six marine parks and reserves, and countless private conservancies for visitors to explore.

The country boasts approximately 390 species of mammals (including 20 primates, 37 carnivores, and 43 ungulates), 1100 species of birds (eight of which are endemic ), 280 reptile species, and 115 amphibians.  

The most popular of Kenya’s national parks include 151-square mile Amboseli , a UNESCO World Heritage Site near the Tanzanian border that’s known for its massive elephant population, 400+ bird species, and spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro .

And of course the Masai Mara National Reserve needs no introduction as the northern stop of the Great Migration route.  

But the 583-square mile reserve is just a part of the Greater Mara Ecosystem, which includes neighboring, owned by the Maasai people , the private Massasi Mara conservancies and conservation areas.

The Greater Mara area is home to about 25% of Kenya’s wildlife, including an exceptional population of Big Cats (cheetahs, East African lions, and leopards) as well as their prey.  

READ MORE: Animals in Kenya: A Guide to 40 Species of Kenyan Wildlife

Most people would be hard-pressed to locate Malawai on a map (hint: it’s south of Tanzania and Zambia, north of Mozambique), let alone explain why the country is considered an up-and-coming ecotourism destination to watch.

The country is tiny (45,747 square miles), relatively undeveloped, with most of the population rural and impoverished.  

So why visit? The #1 reason is Lake Malawi National Park, which takes up approximately one-third of the country.

It’s one of the most biodiverse lake regions in the world, providing a fertile home for around 200 mammal species (including big cats, elephants, hippos, monkeys, and more), 650 species of birds , and more than 5,500 plants.  

But Malawi also has four other national parks (Kasungu, Lengwe, Liwonde, and Nyika), four wildlife reserves (Majete, Mwabvi, Nkhotakota, and Vwaza Marsh), and two biosphere reserves (Lake Chilwa and Mulanje Mountain Forest Reserve), some of which are developing a reputation as off-the-beaten-path havens for birdwatchers .  

READ MORE: 20 Largest Lakes in the World by Continent (For Your World Travel Bucket List)

Located on the continent’s southwestern coast, Namibia is utterly unlike any other nation in Africa .

With just two million people living in an area of over 300,000 square miles, it’s one of the least populated countries on the planet.

The land in-between the cities– most of which is dominated by the Kalahari and Namib Deserts – is wild and relatively unspoiled by any sort of development.  

But don’t let the stark images of the ghost trees of the Deadvlei and the striking red dunes of Sossusvlei fool you: Namibia is positively teeming with life.

With 12 national parks as well as numerous other reserves and protected areas, the country has plenty of wildlife-rich areas to explore.  

Etosha National Park, which is home to four of Africa’s Big five animals (no Cape buffaloes), is so dry that you can usually find animals gathered around its watering holes.

Bwabwata National Park, located on the narrow strip of land near Zambia and Zimbabwe, has wetlands that make it a great place to spot elephants and birds .

The remote wilderness of Khaudum National Park is home to loads of lions, cheetahs, hyenas, Roan antelope, and elephant herds.

But the country’s most unique protected area may be the Cape Cross Seal Reserve. It’s home to one of the largest Cape fur seal colonies in the world, with a population that can exceed 500,000 animals!

READ MORE: The 25 Best National Parks in Africa for Wildlife Safaris

Talk about this landlocked East African nation and the first thing that usually springs to most people’s minds is Hotel Rwanda and the mass Rwanda genocide of nearly a million people back in 1994.

But the last 29 years have brought a lot of infrastructure investment in Rwanda, and the result is one of Africa’s most impressive (and fastest growing) ecotourism destinations.  

Most people are familiar with Rwanda’s mountain gorillas , whose plight for survival was made famous by National Geographic and the late Dian Fossey in the 1970s and 80s.

Thanks to conservation initiatives created by Fossey and still executed today by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fun d , the latest census shows that the population in the Virunga Mountains continues to grow.

A few years ago, the total number of Rwandan Mountain Gorilla’s exceeded 1,000 for the first time in decades.  

There are 10 habituated gorilla families in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, with groups of 8 trekkers allowed to visit them for one hour each day.

Spending time with these gentle giants ranks easily among the best African safari experiences. But it’s far from the only awesome activity for nature lovers in Rwanda.  

From trekking to see habituated chimpanzees and numerous other primate species in southern Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park to a more traditional Big five safari in eastern Rwanda’s Akagera National Park, this country remains a relatively uncrowded gem for wildlife watchers.  

READ MORE: 50 Interesting Facts About Gorillas

6. SOUTH AFRICA

Apartheid ended in 1994, and in the ensuing years South Africa has emerged as one of the most popular destinations for African safari vacations.

Its location makes it convenient and cheaper for U.S. residents to fly to, while the well-developed infrastructure of its major cities (including Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg ) makes it easier for luxury travelers to find the creature comforts they love.  

With nearly one million annual visitors, Kruger National Park is the country’s biggest attraction for nature/wildlife lovers.

Part of the UNESCO-protected Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Reserve , the park encompasses around 7,500 square miles in the northeastern Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces.

On the positive side, Kruger boasts impressive biodiversity and is the rare national park where visitors can self-drive themselves and still have a superb safari.

Spend a few days there and you’re virtually guaranteed to see the Big five animals , as well as rare species such as African wild dogs and cheetahs.

On the downside, the park has grown so popular that overtourism is an issue: Major sightings during peak season will find dozens of vehicles angling to get a peek, and not everyone obeys the rules.

To experience more intimate and luxury African safari tours, visit any of the major private game reserves located in the Greater Kruger area.

KwaZulu-Natal, in southeastern South Africa, also offers excellent safari opportunities in Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park, the wetlands of iSimangaliso Wetland Park (a UNESCO site), and numerous private reserves.

READ MORE:  My Life Changing Experience in South Africa

7. TANZANIA

As the starting point for the world-renowned wildebeest migration, this East African hotspot ranks second only to Kenya among the continent’s most popular safari destinations.

And with good reason: The 16 Tanzania national parks , three game reserves, and two marine reserves offer an extraordinary wealth of wildlife and other natural wonders.  

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is arguably the most fascinating of Tanzania’s protected areas.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site is centered around the world’s largest inactive, intact, and unfilled volcanic caldera , whose 100 square miles are packed with approximately 25,000 large animals at any given time.  

Serengeti National Park , where the Great Migration begins, may be Tanzania’s most famous.

But lesser-known gems such as Gombe Stream National Park (where Jane Goodall conducted her famous chimpanzee research), Tarangire National Park (home to a sizable population of  endangered elephants in East Africa ), and Lake Manyara National Park are all equally exceptional in their own right.  

Most people don’t think of Tanzania as a birdwatching destination. But the country is home to some 1100 different bird species.

Of these, 43 are rare, 36 are listed as threatened by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and 23 are endemic.

READ MORE: Embracing the Culture of the Maasai People in Tanzania

Winston Churchill once called Uganda “the Pearl of Africa ,” and the country’s natural attractions have helped it move up in the rankings of the best safari destinations in recent years.  

In addition to its impressive array of wildlife (around 365 species of mammals and nearly 1100 species of birds ), Uganda is also home to African’s highest mountain range as well as the world’s largest free-standing volcano, second-largest freshwater lake, and the headwaters of the world’s longest river.  

The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest , which is home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population, is the most well-known of Uganda’s protected areas.

But the 93,065-square-mile country boasts nearly 30 other national parks, wildlife reserves, and sanctuaries that are equally worthy a visit for lovers of nature and wildlife.

Visitors to Queen Elizabeth National Park can enjoy tracking chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge and looking for the unusual tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha sector.

Murchison Falls National Park allows visitors to take a wildlife-watching cruise along the Nile River : The area is home to approximately 450 species of birds and over 75 species of mammals.

And the forests of Kibale National Park, which is next to Queen Elizabeth, is home to chimpanzees and 12 other primate species.  

READ MORE:  How Gorilla Trekking in Uganda & Rwanda Funds Gorilla Conservation

Though not nearly as popular as the traditional African safari destinations (Kenya and Tanzania), Zambia– like Botswana– is widely considered the continent’s next big thing.

The President is keen on conservation, the nation’s economy and infrastructure growing quickly, and there are 20 national parks within its 290,587-square mile area.  

The most famous of these is Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, which is named after the Lozi language phrase for the legendary Victoria Falls, “ The Smoke Which Thunders .”

The park borders the Zambezi River and is mirrored on the other side by Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls National Park.

The wildlife section of the park is home to animals such as African elephants , Angolan giraffe, Burchell’s zebra, Cape buffalo, crocodiles, hippos, impala, sable antelope, and more.  

But there are numerous other noteworthy national parks in Zambia. The Lower Zambezi National Park offers a rare opportunity for a safari by canoe, with animals such as hyena, leopards and lions occasionally seen stalking impala, waterbuck, and other ungulates near the water’s edge.

The 3,400 square mile South Luangwa National Park offers world-class African safaris, including the rare Thornicraft’s giraffe and around 14,000 elephants.

And the privately managed Kasanka National Park, located along the Lake Bangweulu basin, is a haven for birdwatchers, with over 400 different avian species.  

READ MORE: 50 Fascinating Facts About Giraffes

10. ZIMBABWE

Zimbabwe’s reputation was tarnished for years, due in part to the iron-fisted rule of dictator Robert Mugabe and in part to the controversial killing of the world-renowned Cecil the Lion.

But since Mugabe was ousted by a coup that forced his resignation in 2017, both the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and the local tourism industry seem determined to make the country a premiere place for African safaris.  

Inbound tourism to Zimbabwe hit record highs within a few months of Mugabe’s resignation. Interest in the country is surging rapidly as the new administration works to develop infrastructure that will help it meet consumer expectations.  

The 354-foot tall Victoria Falls is its most popular attraction. White water rafting , bungee jumping, and wildlife safaris in the neighboring (and much larger) Zambezi National Park are among the many activities on offer in the area.

But irresponsible tourism practices, including walking with lions and elephant riding tours , still abound.

But there are other great safari options in the country. Hwangwe National Park is the largest and most famous, as this is where Cecil was killed in 2015.

It’s home to more than 100 species of mammals (including a large population of endangered Cape wild dogs) and 400 species of birds.  

Mana Pools National Park, part of the lower Zambezi region where the flood plain boasts an array of lakes, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that attracts a remarkable array of wildlife during the dry season.   –Bret Love; lead photo of Elephants in Maasai Mara National Park by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

About the Author

Green Global Travel is the world's #1 independently owned ecotourism website encouraging others to embrace sustainable travel, wildlife conservation, cultural preservation, and going green tips for more sustainable living.

We've been spotlighted in major media outlets such as the BBC, Chicago Tribune, Forbes, The Guardian, Lonely Planet, National Geographic, Travel Channel, Washington Post and others.

Owned by Bret Love (a veteran journalist/photographer) and Mary Gabbett (business manager/videographer), USA Today named us one of the world's Top 5 Travel Blogging Couples. We were also featured in the 2017 National Geographic book, Ultimate Journeys for Two, for which we contributed a chapter on our adventures in Rwanda. Other awards we've won include Best Feature from both the Caribbean Tourism Organization and the Magazine Association of the Southeast.

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The 25 Best Safari Guides

Safari guides hold it in their hands to make or break dreams, yet finding a good one can be vexing for the uninitiated. As a native Zimbabwean, Graham Boynton has spent decades on safari, and, most recently, 18 months traveling through the bush with guides in 6 countries to come up with this list of his 25 top safari guides. The guides listed with an asterisk (*) are affiliated with safari camps and may be requested as personal guides if you're staying at that particular camp (there's usually no additional fee involved, though generous tips would be expected). The other guides all work independently, and though some may be able to arrange your entire safari, it's usually simpler to book your trip—and the guide—through a tour operator (see "Your Guide to the Guides"). Rates below represent the cost per person per day.

15 Legendary Guides

1. *keraetswe bosigo (madala k).

Little Vumbura Camp, Botswana

Bosigo's nickname is Madala K, which, translated, means Old K. He arrived in the Okavango Delta by mokoro , a type of canoe, with his grandfather as a 15-year-old, and started out as a tracker for a hunting company before breaking away to guide photography safaris. Now in his mid-50s, he's acquired vast experience in the Okavango's Vumbura area. A Wilderness Safaris guide for almost 20 years, he is dry, laconic, and dead smart . He's also very involved in training the next generation of Botswanan guides ([email protected]; $450).

2. Gregg Hughes

SAFARI FOOTPRINTS, BOTSWANA

A biology graduate and former Wilderness Safaris guide, Hughes now freelances mainly in Botswana. He is a superb walking guide, a fact this author can testify to as he once saved my life and that of my daughter's when we were caught up in the aforementioned elephant stampede in the middle of an open plain. He combines academic expertise with immense charm , and although he often guides out of luxury camps such as Jao and Mombo, he enjoys trips closer to the soil. As proof, he's recently completed a three-month motorbike safari through southern Africa ([email protected]; $650).

3. *James "007" Pisetu

DUBA PLAINS, BOTSWANA

Pisetu began guiding at Duba Plains as the camp's first and only guide in 1996. He did all the game drives, nature walks, mokoro trips, and village tours, which gave him a unique and comprehensive knowledge of the area and its inhabitants, both wild and human. When new safari companies took over the camp—first Wilderness Safaris, then Great Plains—Pisetu served as mediator between the local communities and the companies. Perhaps his greatest skill is knowing the habits and behavior of Duba's large lion prides and buffalo herds , the dramatic, operatic interactions of which are the main reason for coming here ([email protected]; $550).

4. Paul Kiprono Kirui

MASAI MARA, KENYA

Probably Kenya's most distinguished guide, Kirui is chairman of the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association (KPSGA), and one of only ten Gold standard guides (the highest ranking) in the country, not to mention a witty and cosmopolitan companion in the bush. He grew up in the Mara as a Masai herder and knows the ecosystem, flora, and fauna intimately . With the travel company CC Africa (now &Beyond), he established East Africa's first guiding school in the Serengeti. He remains an active Mara guide and is a major activist on vulture conservation ([email protected]; $200 plus shared $290 vehicle cost).

5. Saigilu "Jackson" Ole Looseyia

ReKERO NABOISHO CAMP, KENYA

Thanks to his appearances as a presenter on the British television wildlife program Big Cat Diary, Jackson is Kenya's best-known guide, and his charm and easygoing nature are underpinned by an intimate knowledge of his Masai homeland. As a boy, he hunted animals here with his father, a hunter-gatherer, and by the 1980s he was working as a spotter for his mentor, the safari operator/conservationist Ron Beaton. Now in his mid-40s, Jackson is a partner with the Beaton family in Masai Mara safaris, and remains an active and compelling guide ([email protected]; $500).

6. Bill Winter

Bill Winter Safaris, Kenya

A charming, urbane man, Winter grew up in Kenya and was educated in the United Kingdom and at university in South Africa. He specializes in mobile tented safaris in Ol Pejeta and the Masai Mara and is now taking clients into southern Africa. He says there is nothing better than parking his vehicle in a remote piece of wilderness, brewing up a pot of tea, "and just absorbing the smells and sights of what's going on around you . That's wilderness." ([email protected]; $1,650, including accommodations)

7. Christiaan Bakkes

PALMWAG CONSERVANCY, NAMIBIA

Bakkes is an author, novelist, and guide extraordinaire who, as a game ranger in Kruger National Park, lost his left arm when he was attacked by two crocodiles. He has a biologist's knowledge of the flora and fauna, and a poet's eye for the landscape (one of the highlights of a safari with him is his recitals of epic poems around the campfire). He is passionate about this remote desert wilderness, and although he's now the warden of Palmwag conservancy and not a day-to-day guide, he's always looking for excuses to take guests into the wilderness ([email protected]; $450).

One of the great pleasures of a safari is an early-morning game drive followed by a breakfast feast in the bush. Here, a picnic on Masai land in southeastern Kenya.

8. Pokkie Benadie

SAMARA GAME RESERVE, KAROO, SOUTH AFRICA

One of South Africa's three Master Trackers, Benadie is a Khoi (bushman) who grew up in the Great Karoo, joined South African National Parks at the age of 14, and helped in the creation of Karoo National Park. What he lacks in formal education he more than makes up for with his personal knowledge of this particular ecosystem and the wildlife. Mentored by Louis Liebenberg, the godfather of the science of tracking, Benadie became a Master Tracker at the age of 40. He is not a registered guide, but visitors to South Africa's Samara Game Reserve can sign up for a half-day training session at the Tracker Academy (just three miles from the lodge), where Benadie teaches city folk the art of animal tracking. His lessons are a rare and precious treat ([email protected]; donation based).

9. *Wilson Masiye and Juan Pinto

ROYAL MALEWANE LODGE, KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH AFRICA

Masiye is another of the three surviving Master Trackers in South Africa. He's from the Shangaan tribe and speaks little English, so he works, almost telepathically, in tandem with Pinto, the erudite, multilingual, highly qualified head ranger at Royal Malewane, safari lodge to the stars. The couple have guided the likes of Elton John, Paul Allen, and Nicholas Sarkozy; Elton John in particular is a repeat guest. Pinto has also been active in fighting the current rhino poaching scourge ([email protected]; $1,245, including accommodations).

10. Richard Knocker

NOMAD SAFARIS, TANZANIA

Kenyan-born, British-educated Knocker is the first Gold-rated KPSGA guide in Tanzania. He's a founder of Nomad Safaris and guides primarily around Lamai Serengeti, his remote camp in the granite kopjes of northwest Serengeti. As with all the veteran guides, his fireside stories would work as great fiction, only they're all true, and his dry wit adds to the experience. A great walking guide—his preferred mode of safari transportation—he is also a formidable animal biologist and an activist in community conservation projects ([email protected]; $460).

11. Robin Pope

LIUWA PLAIN AND LUANGWA, ZAMBIA

Do not be deceived by his bespectacled, accountant-like appearance: Pope is a real man of the bush, and his knowledge of birds, animals, and flora makes him the best guide in his native Zambia . Honing his craft since the 1980s, he is a legendary walking guide who operates from four camps—Nsefu, Tena Tena, Nkwali, and Luangwa River Camp. He has single-handedly put Zambian safaris on the map, and although he's now based in the capital, Lusaka, he still leads walking safaris with the same passion as he did as a young guide. He's a great birder too ([email protected]; $675, including accommodations).

12. Andrew "Stretch" Ferreira

MANA POOLS, ZIMBABWE

Also known as the Elephant Whisperer of Mana Pools, Ferreira can be seen on many YouTube clips standing calmly in front of charging elephants. A tall, bearded, easygoing man of the bush, Ferreira is a former hunter who has lost the desire to kill animals but retains the hunter's bush instincts. Now he runs his own small tented-safari operation, Goliath Safaris, on the banks the Zambezi River, an area he knows so well that he can easily identify individual lions and elephants. Like Pope and Knocker, he too prefers walking safaris ([email protected]; $610, including accommodations).

13. Benson Siyawareva

NGOKO SAFARIS, ZIMBABWE AND BOTSWANA

A fully licensed guide in both countries, Siyawareva has run some of the region's most significant camps (Little Makololo in Hwange, Savuti in Botswana), in addition to helming his own guiding operation for ten years. He reads the bush brilliantly and is thus an expert tracker. His humor and bonhomie are a delight, but he takes community conservation seriously and believes that the education of African children is key to the salvation of the wilderness. He's based in Victoria Falls, where he is helping to build an orphanage ([email protected]; $400).

14. John Stevens

ZIMBABWE, BUT GUIDES IN KENYA AND TANZANIA

One of the standard-bearers of Zimbabwean guiding, Stevens is a former warden of Mana Pools National Park who led anti-poaching efforts throughout the region. He's most at home in the Zambezi Valley, and prefers walking and canoeing to traveling in a vehicle. Stevens has brilliant tracking skills and is noted for his boyish enthusiasm and unaffected, sweet disposition ([email protected]; $1,250).

15. Garth Thompson

Back in 1983, when Thompson gained his license, there were only eight such guides in the country. Today, he's widely regarded as the best African guide —he's certainly one of the most successful—due in large part to his high energy, boundless enthusiasm, and great storytelling. Though based in Zimbabwe, Thompson guides clients throughout seven countries in Africa, including the Central African Republic. He's currently taking bookings for the 2015 season ([email protected]; $1,000).

Botswana's wildlife-rich Vumbura Plains.

10 Next Generation Guides

1. simon byron.

Byron is one of the Safari Footprints triumvirate (with Gregg Hughes and Matt Copham). Born and raised in Botswana, he's another guide who knew his calling from childhood. He's earned a master of science degree in environmental science and is a passionate conservationist who has set up a conservation and education trust in his homeland. During his university days, he guided for Wilderness Safaris during holidays, so he knows their Botswana camps intimately. He's charming and friendly and wears his intellect lightly (info@safarifootprints .com; $450).

2. *Florence Kagiso

KWETSANI CAMP OKAVANGO, BOTSWANA

Kagiso graduated from the Botswana Wildlife Institute at the top of her class--she was also the only woman in her class. Soft-spoken and knowledgeable, she developed a love of wildlife in early childhood (she resisted her parents' urging to pursue a career in fashion design). Her understanding of the mammals of the delta is outstanding, and she can identify every bird that flits past as she drives her boat through waterways of the Jao Concession ([email protected]; $450).

3. *Kitso Lademo

LITTLE VUMBURA, OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA

One of the youngest qualified guides working in the delta, 26-year-old Lademo has spent the past few years guiding at Little Vumbura, an area he knows like the back of his hand. Like many Botswana guides, he is a keen birder, not to mention a quietly impassioned conservationist who passes the message on at local schools ([email protected]; $450).

4. *Charity Jemutai Cheruiyot

KICHWa TEMBo/BATeLEUR CAMP, MASAI MARA, KENYA

Jemutai is one of just four female guides in the Masai Mara. A member of the Kalenjin tribe, she grew up in the Rift Valley wanting to be a travel consultant but was offered the opportunity to train at &Beyond's guide camp in Tanzania. Her passion for wildlife, she says, was learned from Paul Karui (see above). Jemutai reads voraciously and has a fine grasp of animal biology. Her favorite time in the Mara is in the months after the Great Migration when it is quiet and the grasslands are recovering ([email protected]; $600, including accommodations).

5. *Wilson ole Kasaine

PORINI AMBOSELI CAMP, KENYA

Kasaine has a very traditional Masai background: He's one of 24 children, and his father is a distinguished tribal elder who killed lions and leopards to protect his family and property. Sadly, economic circumstances prevented Kasaine from going to university, but his first love was the bush, and today he guides guests in an area that is barely ten miles from village where he was raised. His eyesight, hearing, and tracking ability are second to none —even among his fellow Masai (wilson.kasaine [email protected]; $310, including accommodations).

6. *Johnson Ping'ua ole Nkukuu (Ping)

MARA PLAINS CAMP, KENYA

Ping, who grew up in the Mara herding his father's cattle, has been guiding for 15 years and is head guide at the Mara Plains Camp—a dream come true. As amiable as he is knowledgeable, he has a great affection for hyenas, which he claims are misunderstood and demonized, and rates the Olare Orok Conservancy, where he guides, as the best cat viewing in the Masai Mara. His favorite quote is a line from William Wordsworth: "Nature does not betray the heart that loveth." ([email protected]; $385)

7. Humphrey Gumpo

Widely considered one of Zimbabwe's top young guides, Gumpo grew up in the Kariba area, trained under the brilliant Spike Williamson, and cites Williamson and Garth Thompson (see above) as his inspirations. Gumpo, who passed the exacting Zimbabwe guiding exams with flying colors, also has his river guiding license and led Wilderness Safaris' canoe trails at Mana pools for four years. Listening more carefully to the bush, he says, has made him a better guide (humphrey@ humphreygumpo.com; $600).

8. Paul Hubbard

MATOPOS, ZIMBABWE

Because Hubbard's area of specialty extends far beyond wildlife, he's quite possibly the most left-field inclusion in this listing. The 31-year-old is a polymath who grew up in rural Zimbabwe and graduated with a master of science degree in archaeology. He's immensely knowledgeable in a number of subjects, from the Matabele War and the local architectural history to the San rock art and the archaeology of the spectacular Matopos Hills. This last, a World Heritage Site, is well worth visiting for its dramatic landscape but even more so for the privilege of being guided by this brilliant young man ([email protected]; $300).

9. Ant Kashula

PRIVATE GUIDED SAFARIS, ZIMBABWE

Academic, tracker, and engaging companion, Kashula scored the highest marks ever in Zimbabwe's exacting guiding exams. He holds a master's degree in environmental and geographical science, and believes that getting out in the bush on foot is the best way to embrace the wilderness. He will guide anywhere—his small safari company operates in 12 African countries—but his area of preference is the Zimbabwean lowveld. Kashula is an academic with unique people skills, making him one of the most impressive guides I've traveled with in recent years (ant@private guidedsafaris.com; $400).

10. Beks Ndlovu

HWANGE AND MANA POOLS, ZIMBABWE

Born near Hwange and educated at an elite private school, Ndlovu went straight into guiding as soon as he could. He guided and ran camps for Wilderness Safaris for years both in Botswana and Zimbabwe, and has won many guiding awards, including the full Professional Guides License in 1998. Now the owner of luxury tented camps in Hwange and Mana Pools, he still guides select groups at his camps and is one of the most informed wildlife guides you'll find on the continent. Ndlovu is internationally traveled, yet his soul is still in the bushveld ([email protected]; $1,000).

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• World's Best

Our Readers' Favorite 10 Safari Outfitters in 2020

This year’s World’s Best Awards survey closed on March 2, just before widespread stay-at-home orders were implemented as a result of COVID-19. The results reflect our readers’ experiences before the pandemic, but we hope that this year’s honorees will inspire your trips to come — whenever they may be.

For many travelers, a safari is a bucket-list experience — a trip they fantasize about, save up for, and, in many cases, use to mark a wedding or milestone birthday.

T+L readers want their dream trips to be, well, dreamy, so they have high standards when sharing their opinions on the world’s best safari outfitters. While these experts can’t control the weather or the wildlife, they can pair you with the most keen-eyed and knowledgeable guides to ensure that you have the optimal viewing experiences. They can choose the lodges that best suit your needs, tastes, and budget — and then take it up a notch by arranging for special surprise experiences and indulgences.

Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey , T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated tour operators and safari outfitters based on their staff and guides, itineraries and destinations, activities, accommodations, food, and overall value.

Related : The World's Best Awards 2020

The top-ranked safari companies have a few things in common: they tend to be small but well-connected, and their staffers get to know clients intimately so they can plan trips that will delight at every stage. In the case of this year’s No. 2, Roar Africa, specifics are key. “They take the time to understand what your goals are and to ensure that your experience is all that you dreamed of and more,” said one reader.

Roar’s CEO and founder, Deborah Calmeyer, hasn’t just traveled extensively in Africa; she grew up there — as did the heads of several other safari companies on the list. Sunit Sanghrajka of Alluring Africa (No. 4) was raised in Kenya, where Elizabeth Gordon, cofounder of Extraordinary Journeys (No. 7), was born. They bring to their work a deep connection to and understanding of the continent and its challenges and wonders. “Africa can be intimidating but Deb and her team make it so easy to plan a very personal experience,” said one T+L reader of Roar Africa. She noted how carefully her accommodations had been selected: “They were each so different from one another but equally spectacular.”

Though the Big Five (lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, and Cape buffalo) are what come to mind when most people think of safaris, the experience can go far beyond that (tracking mountain gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda, for example). Wildlife lovers don’t even have to limit themselves to Africa: many of the experts on this list also plan trips to Costa Rica, India, Australia, Bhutan, and other awe-inspiring destinations.

With such spectacular sights, it’s little wonder that many clients end up taking multiple “once-in-a-lifetime” trips. Find out what set readers’ No. 1, Rothschild Safaris, apart — and who else joins them on this year’s list of the best safari companies.

1. Rothschild Safaris

Score: 99.26

More information: rothschildsafaris.com

“I credit them with providing me some of the best memories of my life,” wrote one of many satisfied Rothschild clients — some of whom said they traveled with the company a half-dozen times. Since 1998, the outfitter has been planning safari experiences that are flawless from arrival to departure, with special surprises sprinkled throughout. “At each camp, we had an exclusive or memorable experience different from the other camp visitors,” said one T+L reader. “Behind-the-scenes access to sanctuaries, up close experiences with rare animals, or exclusive outdoor dining with private chefs and staffing.”

2. Roar Africa

More information: roarafrica.com

3. Deeper Africa

Score: 98.88

More information: deeperafrica.com

4. Alluring Africa

Score: 98.66

More information: alluringafrica.com

The Top 10 Safari Lodges in Africa

5. micato safaris.

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 98.44

More information: micato.com

6. Africa Adventure Consultants

Score: 98.40

More information: adventuresinafrica.com

7. Extraordinary Journeys

Score: 98.23

More information: extraordinaryjourneys.com

8. Go2Africa

Score: 98.05

More information: go2africa.com

9. African Travel Inc.

Score: 96.89

More information: africantravelinc.com

10. Wilderness Safaris

Score: 96.30

More information: wilderness-safaris.com

See all of our readers' favorite hotels, cities, airlines, cruise lines, and more in the World's Best Awards for 2020 .

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4 of the best safari trips that support local communities

Safari trips don’t necessarily need to be limited to wildlife-watching — they can provide the opportunity to support local people and community projects, too.

1. Explore a unique botanical kingdom in South Africa

Most safaris focus on wild animals, but Grootbos Private Nature Reserve bucks the trend. Yes, there’s wildlife to be seen in this sublime corner of the Western Cape — black-backed jackals, for example, or if you’re exceptionally lucky, a Cape leopard, found only in the Cape Fold Mountains. But in a rare turnabout, it’s the plants that are the stars here.

A couple of hours’ drive south east of Cape Town, Grootbos lies within the Cape Floral Kingdom, noted for its heath-like fynbos vegetation. Biodiversity-wise, it’s extraordinary. The kingdom is home to over 9,000 vascular plant species, and Grootbos’s botanists have recorded over 800. Arrive in the South African winter or spring (June to November) and you’ll see stunning proteas in full bloom. If forest bathing among ancient milkwoods is more your style, any month will do.

Behind the scenes, the Grootbos Foundation works closely with disadvantaged local communities, training young adults in horticulture, creating sustainable livelihoods through small business development and running a football team as an exercise in empowerment. To find out more, book a Progressive Tourism Tour to experience these projects first-hand.

How to do it: Grootbos Private Nature Reserve offers double rooms from 20,400 ZAR (£844), full board.

2. Learn about trade beads and textile traditions in Ghana

A safari destination to watch, Ghana is a gregarious nation with sandy beaches, lush rainforests and refreshingly little-visited national parks. Two of these count among the best nature destinations in West Africa: Kakum National Park, where butterflies flit through the forest and there’s a spectacular 1,000ft-long canopy walkway to cross, and Mole National Park in the north west, home to elephants, hippos and monkeys.

It’s Ghana’s colourful traditions and community projects, however, that make this nation special. On a cultural tour of social enterprises, you can discover how cacao is grown, how richly patterned adinkra cloth is printed and how kente cloth, traditionally worn by Ghanaian royalty, is woven. Visit a Krobo bead factory to meet artisans who recycle glass bottles to create vibrant, hand-painted beads with symbolic significance, using techniques handed down through generations. Trashy Bags Africa in Accra also welcomes visitors. The project makes fun, eco-friendly bags and other items from plastic waste and colourful fabric offcuts. As well as collecting millions of plastic bags from Ghana’s streets, it creates training opportunities and jobs for locals.

How to do it: Go Ahead Tours offers a 12-day group tour of southern Ghana, including cultural and nature experiences, from £3,760, excluding flights.

3. Support a local school in Uganda

Often associated with its thriving gorilla population — thanks to stringent conservation efforts, there are thought to be around 459 gorillas living in the dense Ugandan forests — as well as the opportunity to witness troops of chimps up to 100-strong swinging through the treetops, Uganda is increasingly becoming known for its welcoming and warmhearted culture.

Spending time at — and supporting — a local school is a great way to interact meaningfully with the people of this African nation. Engaging with children through activities like reading and playing sports or participating in a music and dance lesson provides a first-hand understanding of their daily lives, as well as some of the educational challenges that Uganda faces. Underprivileged families lack the financial resources to access quality education, struggling to cover the associated costs, such as school fees, uniforms and textbooks, and literacy rates in the country currently stand at 80%, lower than neighbouring Kenya and Tanzania where they’re around 82%.

How to do it: Tribe Travel takes 50 people twice a year to Uganda, where the itinerary features community volunteering, building and renovating the One Love Project school and orphanage. £2,495 for 10 days.

4. See The Great Migration through the eyes of the Maasai in Kenya

Each year, thousands of wildebeest and zebras wend their way into Kenya’s Maasai Mara in search of fresh pastures. A community-friendly way to experience this spectacle is to stay on a conservancy where safari operators pay rent to local landowners. This helps maintain the livelihoods and traditions of Maasai pastoralists who, due to climate change, are struggling to keep their livestock fed and watered.

Isaaten Conservancy is a shining example. Home to an awardwinning luxury tented camp, Mara Bushtops, it’s run for the benefit of both wildlife and herders. Some of the latter work in the camp, so don’t be surprised if your guide is resplendent in a scarlet shuka (Maasai blanket) instead of regulation khaki.

Mara Bushtops supports the nearby Nkoilale School, where sponsorship money from guests has helped educate hundreds of children. Bushtops has also funded staff training in food hygiene and gender equality, along with infrastructure projects such as building a new computer lab. Finally, by planting trees, setting up an environmental club and offering local kids nature drives, Bushtops is nurturing a new generation of nature guardians.

How to do it: Kuoni offers an eight-day safari in the Samburu National Reserve and the Maasai Mara, including a stay at Mara Bushtops, from £6,715, including flights.

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Africa Tours & Trips

• Choose from 9,000+ Africa tours
• 30,400+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
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10 best Africa tour packages

Compiled by

Nadine Africa travel expert at TourRadar

Magic of Egypt (with free All inclusive upgrade hurghada hotel) 12 Days

Egypt explorer - felucca cruise & red sea, best of egypt - 5* cruise, pharaohs nile cruise adventure - return flights included, queen cleopatra - 7 days, cheap egypt holiday to cairo-luxor-aswan-abu simbel 11 days with sleeping train,sightseeing & tour guided, footsteps of the pharaohs - included internal flights, goddess hathor - 8 days (5 stars), agatha christie egypt ultra-luxury journey /abu simbel & domestic flights included/small group, premium trip to discover cairo - luxor - aswan - abu simble 9 days with flights.

• Christmas & New Year
• Explore the Great Pyramids and Sphinx
• See the Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple
• Cruise the Nile and visit Karnak Temple

“We were met and greeted at every point of the journey, everything run to clock work and there was no delays in pick ups.”

• Go sightseeing in Cairo and experience the open market
• Explore the stunning Aswan and the West Bank of Luxor
• Enjoy the scenery as you sail along the Nile on felucca

“We loved every moment of the trip and our group was amazing as well. Such an amazing trip.”

• Sightseeing
• Discover artifacts and dating from over 4000 years ago
• Be amazed by the Great Pyramids and Sphinx of Giza
• Visit the final resting place of the pharaohs

“It exceeded my expectations and was everything I could have asked for. My favorite part of the trip was The Valley of the Kings.”

• Cruise along the Nile and admire the beautiful scenery
• Visit the Pyramids of Giza and see the mythical Sphinx
• Tour the Karnak Temple Complex and the Edfu Temple

“Great sights, nice accommodations, good food, attentive staff.”

• Join our intimate small group tour, designed to offer exceptional value. Enjoy a seamless travel experience with numerous inclusions, all at an accessible price point.
• Rest assured in 4-5 star comfort, ensuring your utmost relaxation after each day of exploration.
• Embark on a captivating journey through Egypt’s rich history as you explore renowned sites.

• In-depth Cultural
• Cairo round trip, including airport transfers.
• Guided tours of Aswan and Luxor attractions.
• Enjoy Egyptian cuisine onboard the cruise.

“The accommodations were excellent much better than I expected.”

• River Cruise
• Discover the ancient pyramids of Giza and the enigmatic Sphinx
• Explore Alexandria and its remarkable relics and ruins
• Sail along the Nile and visit the famous Luxor Temple

“The support staff responded quickly and explained everything well, regardless of how minor the question may have been.”

• Rest assured in 5 star comfort, ensuring your utmost relaxation after each day of exploration.

“The things you see are truly amazing. It's a holiday that you'll never forget for all the right reasons.”

• Visit the colorful Temple of Hatshepsut
• Explore the interior of the Great Pyramid
• Dine by the pyramids at sunset

“From start to finish, the trip was meticulously planned and executed. The food was outstanding, with a huge array of choice.”

• Accommodation: 4 nights in Cairo; 4 nights on Nile cruise.
• Cairo round trip, airport transfers included.
• Private Egyptologist guides.

“The staff was friendly and helpful, and we explored the noble tombs near the pyramids which were not really popular among tourists, providing a unique experience.”

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