Find Your Safari Soulmate: The Best Safari Destination for Every Traveler

South Africa: Best for first-timers, families & the safari-curious

South Africa is often the ideal starting point for a first safari. With easy flight connections, excellent infrastructure, malaria-free options, dreamy lodges, and the ability to combine your game drives with Cape Town or the Winelands, it’s incredibly accessible and diverse. If you’re not ready to commit to an extended safari, you can easily combine three to six nights at one to two game reserves with visits to Cape Town and the Winelands for top-notch cuisine, world-class wines, stunning coastal scenery, and the penguin colonies at Boulders Beach. Further east, along the coast, take part in a marine safari featuring whale-watching, seals, dolphins, and—for the extremely brave—cage-diving with sharks.

South Africa is one of the best places to reliably see all Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino)—often in just a few days. Leopard sightings are particularly exceptional in Sabi Sands, with some of the most relaxed leopards on the continent. On my recent trip, we were treated to a sighting of a mama leopard with her four-week-old cubs, a treat that filled even our experienced guide with awe.

While some camps are adults-only, others offer outstanding kids camps and educational programming. Also, some regions like Madikwe are malaria-free, making South Africa a great choice for families or travelers who prefer not to take medication.

My favorite lodges: Thornybush Game Lodge, Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge, and Lion Sands River Lodge.

Botswana: Best for luxury, honeymooners & water safaris

Botswana is the perfect destination for travelers who want to immerse themselves in pristine wilderness without the crowds. With a strong commitment to conservation and a “low-volume, high-value” tourism model, Botswana delivers an incredibly exclusive safari experience—ideal for honeymooners, photographers, and seasoned safari-goers who want top-tier guiding and remote, soul-stirring landscapes.

Most safaris here are fly-in only, which means higher prices but also unmatched privacy. Camps set in private concessions are small and often allow off-roading, night drives, and walking safaris. Botswana’s star attraction is the Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that becomes a water wonderland perfect for dugout canoe safaris and boat excursions from June to September.You’ll glide silently as elephants wade nearby and colorful kingfishers dart across the water. On land, you’ll track lions, wild dogs, and leopards in game-rich reserves like Moremi, Khwai, and the Linyanti.

While Botswana is one of Africa’s more expensive safari destinations, the intimate camps, expert guides, and unspoiled wilderness make it worth every penny.

My favorite lodges: Jao Camp and &Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp.

Kenya: Best for classic safaris, cultural encounters & the Great Migration

Kenya is the quintessential safari destination—where the savannah meets vibrant culture and awe-inspiring wildlife. For travelers dreaming of iconic African landscapes, thrilling predator-prey drama, and a rich cultural tapestry, Kenya delivers in spades.

Home to the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya offers some of the most dramatic wildlife viewing on the continent—especially during the Great Migration, when millions of wildebeest and zebra thunder across the plains and brave the Mara River crossings.

Another thing that sets Kenya apart is its deep connection to local communities. Many lodges partner with Maasai and Samburu tribes, offering travelers authentic cultural experiences alongside their wildlife adventures.

Kenya’s well-developed tourism infrastructure makes it accessible and comfortable for all types of travelers—whether you prefer luxury tented camps, family-friendly lodges, or adventurous mobile safaris. And with international airports in Nairobi and Mombasa, it’s easy to combine your safari with beach time on the Kenyan coast or a city stay in Nairobi.

My favorite lodges: Rekero Camp and Olonana.

Tanzania: Best for epic wildlife spectacles & untamed wilderness

Tanzania is a safari lover’s paradise, offering some of the most iconic and varied wildlife experiences on the continent. From the endless plains of the Serengeti to the towering peaks of Kilimanjaro and the vast wetlands of the Selous, Tanzania’s landscapes are as diverse as its abundant wildlife.

The crown jewel is the Serengeti National Park, world-famous for the annual Great Migration. Depending on the time of year, you can witness river crossings packed with crocodiles, predator chases, or the calving season, when hundreds of thousands of newborns bring a frenzy of activity to the southern plains. Beyond the Serengeti, Tanzania boasts other incredible safari destinations like Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a permanent concentration of wildlife in a breathtaking volcanic caldera.

What sets Tanzania apart is its sense of vastness and untamed beauty. Many parks are less crowded than their Kenyan counterparts, giving you space to explore at your own pace. Whether you prefer classic game drives, walking safaris, or hot-air balloon rides over the Serengeti, Tanzania offers a wide range of ways to connect with nature.

With a variety of lodges ranging from ultra-luxury to rustic charm, plus excellent access via Kilimanjaro and Arusha airports, Tanzania offers a truly unforgettable safari for first-timers and seasoned adventurers alike.

My favorite lodges: &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Sayari Camp, and Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti.

Zambia: Best for adventure, walking safaris & experienced safari-goers

Zambia is a hidden gem for those seeking a wilder, more immersive safari experience. Less polished than its more famous neighbors, Zambia offers some of the most authentic safari encounters in Africa.

This is the birthplace of the walking safari. In South Luangwa National Park, highly trained guides lead you through riverine woodlands and along dry riverbeds as you track animals by scent and sound. It’s one thing to see a lion from a vehicle, but it’s quite another to come across fresh tracks on foot and know you’re walking in its shadow. Along the Lower Zambezi, the safari becomes even more diverse, with canoeing, boating, and fishing on the Zambezi River alongside game drives. Wildlife is plentiful, especially during the dry season, and Zambia is known for thrilling predator sightings, large herds of elephant and buffalo, and vibrant bird life.

At the camps, expect warm, knowledgeable hosts, dinners by lantern light, and the feeling of being deeply connected to the wilderness around you. While Zambia’s infrastructure is less developed and some areas require more effort to reach, the payoff is well worth it for those who value solitude, untouched wilderness, and adventure over conventional luxury.

My favorite lodges: Time + Tide Chinzombo and Chiawa Camp.

No matter the time of year, type of trip, or composition of your traveling party, there is a safari destination for you. I’d love to work with you to find the best fit and design an unforgettable adventure!

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Africa page.