Our Essential Guide to Southern Africa Safaris

South Africa is a safari with incredible diversity. From the legendary Kruger National Park to the private reserves of Sabi Sand, Kwandwe and Madikwe, it offers exceptional Big Five encounters and luxurious lodges that set the benchmark for style and service. Beyond the bush, travellers can pair their safari with the buzz of Cape Town and the Winelands, or the coastal beauty of the Garden Route. With superb infrastructure, malaria-free options, and a blend of wildlife, culture, and cuisine, South Africa is the ultimate all-round safari destination.

Highlights:

• With an abundance of wildlife, including thriving populations of the Big Five in many reserves across the country, South Africa makes for a great “first time” safari experience, with high chances of seeing animals consistently throughout daily game drives. 
• As well as popular national parks, South Africa is home to a number of fantastic private reserves. Here, you will find strictly monitored numbers of vehicles at wildlife encounters and high awareness around ensuring a safari experience is pleasant for animals and travellers.
• There is a huge variety of accommodation available in South Africa, both in style and experience, and cost. With lodges ranging from more rustic camps to renowned ultra-lux lodges, there really is something for everyone.
• When it comes to dual-centre trips or combining a safari with a wider itinerary, it is hard to beat South Africa as a destination. From the Garden Route, Cape Town and the Cape Winelands, to the historic Battlefields in KwaZulu-Natal and dramatic Drakensburg Mountains, take your pick.

Points to note:

• Some national parks and reserves can be busier than others, and with limited off-road driving allowed, wildlife sightings can get crowded. We would recommend staying in one of the many private reserves for this reason.
• While traditionally, safaris in the Eastern Cape and reserves beyond the Greater Kruger were seen to be less wildlife-rich, that is no longer the case. We do have our favourites; reserves that stand out for their wildlife conservation and reintroduction, so do get in touch to hear more.

Namibia provides a safari surrounded by surreal beauty. Its vast deserts, shimmering salt pans, and sculpted dunes create a landscape like nowhere else in Africa. Etosha National Park teems with wildlife around its waterholes, while Damaraland and the Skeleton Coast offer hauntingly beautiful wildernesses where desert-adapted elephants and rhinos roam. Namibia promises a safari that is as much about scenery and solitude as it is about wildlife.

Highlights:

• Namibia offers one of Africa’s most distinctive safari experiences, thanks to its vast, otherworldly landscapes and desert-adapted wildlife that cannot be found elsewhere. From the rolling dunes of Sossusvlei to the rugged escarpments of Damaraland and the salt pans of Etosha, it is hard to comprehend the country’s unique natural beauty.
• A key draw is the self-drive safari experience, which is rare in much of Southern Africa. Thanks to well-maintained roads, clear signage, and excellent infrastructure, you can explore independently and at your own pace, ideal for those looking for a true adventure.
• Many regions in Namibia feel remote and untouched, with vast open spaces, dramatic silence, and star-filled skies, ensuring a safari that really feels like a journey through the wilderness.
• For photographers, Namibia is a dream. The interplay of light and shadow across its deserts and the striking contrast of wildlife against ochre dunes make it one of the most photogenic destinations in Africa.

Points to note:

• Distances between destinations can be long, and travel times are often underestimated. We recommend allowing plenty of time for each part of your journey to fully appreciate the country.
• While Namibia offers remarkable wildlife encounters, including elephants, lions, and rhinos adapted to arid environments, animals are not as densely concentrated as in some other African countries. The focus here is as much on scenery and the unique adaptations of its species as it is on the number of sightings.

Botswana is often thought of as safari in its purest form. The Okavango Delta, a labyrinth of waterways and islands, hosts an extraordinary diversity of wildlife, best explored by mokoro canoe or scenic flight. Chobe National Park’s elephant herds are among the largest on the continent, while the Kalahari and Linyanti regions reveal a wilder, more remote side of Africa. With its low-impact, high-quality tourism model, Botswana offers exclusive camps, pristine wilderness, and some of the most rewarding game viewing anywhere on earth.

Highlights:

• Botswana offers one of Africa’s most exclusive and authentic safari experiences, thanks to its sense of wilderness and lack of crowds. Visitor numbers are carefully managed, with a select number of camps allowed, ensuring that every game drive or river excursion feels private and unspoiled.
• The diverse array of safari experiences sets it apart. You can explore on land by 4x4, glide through reed-lined channels of the Okavango Delta in a traditional mokoro, take in aerial views on a scenic helicopter flight, or experience horseback safaris across the open plains.
• Botswana’s landscapes are remarkably varied and dramatic, from the shimmering waterways of the Delta to the vast, otherworldly Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. Each region is an incredibly beautiful backdrop to wildlife sightings.
• Talking of wildlife sightings, Botswana has an impressive diversity of wildlife and birdlife. From large herds of elephants, zebra and wildebeest to thriving populations of big cats, hyena, meerkats and wild dog, you can expect impressive wildlife experiences.

Points to note:

• Botswana is one of the most luxurious safari experiences, with many lodges and camps offering an intimate, high-end experience and a price that can reflect this. 
• With small, often remote camps that fill quickly, particularly in the Delta, early booking is essential to secure preferred lodges and travel dates.

Zambia is safari at its most authentic. The birthplace of the walking safari, it invites travellers to experience the wild up close, whether it is on foot in South Luangwa, by canoe on the Zambezi, or on night drives under vast starry skies. Victoria Falls thunders on its southern border, while remote parks like Kafue and Lower Zambezi offer pristine wilderness and incredible diversity. Untamed and unspoiled, Zambia captures the spirit of old Africa.

Highlights:

• Zambia offers an exceptional safari experience known for its strong focus on water-based activities. The mighty Zambezi River and its tributaries provide opportunities for boat safaris, canoeing, and fishing. Elephants crossing the water, hippos basking in the shallows, and sunsets over the river are all part of the magic.
• The country is also celebrated as the birthplace of the walking safari. Led by expert guides and trackers, walking safaris allow you to explore the bush on foot, discovering the smaller details, from animal tracks to bird calls, that are often missed from a vehicle.
• Zambia retains a raw and untamed wilderness feel, with vast, unfenced landscapes and camps that blend seamlessly into their surroundings. It’s ideal for a truly wild, authentic safari far from the crowds.

Points to note:

• Many of Zambia’s camps are seasonal, operating primarily during the dry season (May to October) when wildlife viewing is at its best and access roads are open.
• While the country overall feels remote, some of the more famous parks, such as South Luangwa, can become busier during peak months, so it is worth making sure you stay in a more remote part of the park.

Zimbabwe is a safari with heart and heritage. Renowned for its expert guides and unspoiled parks, it offers world-class wildlife viewing in Hwange’s vast plains and Mana Pools’ riverine forests. Zimbabwe’s warmth, resilience, and spectacular natural beauty make it one of Africa’s most rewarding and memorable safari destinations.

Highlights:

• Zimbabwe is one of Southern Africa’s hidden gems, offering an authentic safari experience thanks to exceptional conservation efforts. Many of its parks are success stories in wildlife protection and community-led initiatives, resulting in thriving populations of elephants, predators, and diverse birdlife.
• Hwange National Park, the country’s leading reserve, is sustained by a unique network of man-made waterholes, ensuring a steady water supply year-round. This attracts large herds of animals, particularly during the dry season, making for consistently rewarding game viewing.
• Zimbabwe is renowned for the quality of its guiding. Many of Africa’s top professional guides train here, and their deep knowledge of the bush, animal behaviour, and conservation means every safari is both educational and enriching.
• The country is a paradise for keen birdwatchers. The mix of riverine, woodland, and grassland habitats supports over 600 bird species. Summer months (November to March) bring colourful migratory species.

Points to note:

• Domestic travel can be challenging, with long distances between key parks. Internal flights are well worth the additional cost to maximise time on safari and avoid long road transfers.
• There are fewer camps and lodges compared to neighbouring countries, so availability can be limited and there is less choice when it comes to accommodation. 

Malawi is small, welcoming, and full of charm, offering a more intimate experience than its larger neighbours. Majete and Liwonde National Parks are conservation success stories, where the Big Five have returned and wildlife now thrives. With its friendly people, tranquil atmosphere, and seamless blend of land and lake, Malawi offers a relaxed and personal safari.

Highlights:

• Malawi offers a unique safari experience that combines classic wildlife viewing with an incredible variety of landscapes and activities. From lush highlands and riverine forests to the shimmering shores of Lake Malawi, the country offers more than your average safari destination.
• Still relatively undiscovered, Malawi retains a sense of authenticity. Visitor numbers remain low, giving every safari a personal and unhurried feel. It’s the kind of destination where you can connect deeply with local culture as well as the wilderness.
• The country is also emerging as a conservation success story. In recent years, major wildlife reintroduction projects have seen elephant, lion, cheetah, and even black rhino populations thrive once more in protected reserves such as Liwonde and Majete.

Points to note:

• Malawi’s reserves are smaller and more contained than those in neighbouring countries, and while wildlife viewing can be incredibly rewarding, it is less predictable, making it better suited to experienced safari travellers rather than first-timers.
• Guiding quality can vary depending on location and camp, so it’s worth selecting properties known for strong training and expertise to ensure the best experience.