Safari Africa: Top 5 of the best destinations in 2023
An African safari is one of the best ways to travel in 2023 due to the direct impact your trip will have on wildlife protection, habitat conservation, employment in rural communities and the raising children in all of Africa – it is also one of the safest.
The best African safari destinations in 2023 will be the countries that can offer visitors more than just game viewing. Countries like South Africa and Tanzania should be high on the list of places to go on safari in Africa, as they can offer a variety of experiences from spotting incredible wildlife to tasting services. and world-class cuisine, to lazing on exquisite beaches, all without crossing international borders.
In this context, read on to discover these alluring destinations.
?Why is safari a safe style of travel
no crowd
Whether you're sitting down to a delicious dinner, enjoying an exciting game drive, or hopping from camp to camp, social distancing is inherent in the African bush.
Big spaces
Safaris not only put you in the middle of nature and get you away from crowded places, but they also allow you to breathe in the healthiest natural air.
Every detail is taken into account
When your satisfaction and your budget are at stake in a destination with foreign cultures, unusual logistics and a variety of accommodation offers, you need to work with a specialized travel agency, someone who is totally hip and understands the important cultural ins and outs of the continent.
The 5 Best Places to Go on Safari in Africa in 2023
Kenya – The origin of the safari
Kenya is likely to offer some of the best African safaris in 2023. From unforgettable family safaris with child-friendly activities to exclusive hideaways for couples and honeymooners, there's not much that can replace a safari in Kenya.
Service standards are high, and Kenya's top destinations offer luxury accommodation for African safaris, ranging from lavish colonial-style lodges to contemporary boutique hotels and authentic tented camps.
Our favorites Masai Mara
The rolling plains of the Masai Mara are a sanctuary for an abundance of animals such as elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, hyena and the famous big cats of the Mara: lion, leopard and cheetah. The astonishing density of wildlife in the reserve provides a spectacular safari experience whatever time of year you visit, and the vast plains and mild climate mean that the vegetation is never too dense to see the wildlife. animals.
We recommend staying in the private conservatories that are adjacent to the national reserve. These exclusive conservation areas allow game viewing away from the crowds, walking and night game drives, while staying in some of the best luxury African safari lodges in Kenya.
Laikipia
The Laikipia High Plains lie northeast of the Rift Valley and are increasingly recognized as one of Kenya's best kept secrets.
Almost as large as Wales, the Laikipia region is home to some of Kenya's most encouraging conservation success stories, such as the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, a sanctuary for black and white rhinos as well as Grévy's zebra.
This hidden destination sees few visitors and offers excellent family-friendly lodges and safari camps. You won't have to run away from the crowds on your Africa safari in Laikipia in 2023.
South Africa – One World in One Country
When it comes to comprehensive holiday destinations in Africa, South Africa is truly hard to beat. The country offers its visitors a plethora of unique experiences and arguably the best network of tourist infrastructure on the continent. Daily commercial flights connect all major cities in the country, while charter planes provide easy access to safari lodges which have their own airstrips.
From safaris with the Big 5 in luxurious lodges to land-based whale watching, the best in the world, to gastronomic delights amidst beautiful rolling vineyards, South Africa has it all. Plus, you can top off your South Africa safari with some well-earned relaxation along the country's beautiful coastline.
Our favorites The cap
Bathed in over 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, South Africa's oldest city offers visitors a wealth of activities while being immersed in its incredible natural beauty. Table Mountain, stunning beaches and surrounding wine valleys lend an elegant, Mediterranean flair to a South African safari, while culinary excellence can be savored in Cape Town's award-winning restaurants.
If you're visiting Cape Town between July and September, add a stay in Hermanus for the world's best land-based whale watching. And if you're in the mood for a family excursion, consider an unforgettable driving holiday along the Garden Route, one of Africa's most beautiful stretches of coastline.
Madikwe Game Reserve
Although the Kruger is South Africa's most popular destination for wildlife and one of the best places in Africa to see the Big 5, we chose the lesser known Madikwe Game Reserve.
Madikwe is an excellent choice for families with children, as it is in a malaria-free region. Easily accessible from Johannesburg by road or plane, this private reserve is a sanctuary for the “Magnificent 7”: elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, lions, leopards, cheetahs and rare wild dogs. It is also home to some of South Africa's best luxury African safari lodges, all of which have access to Madikwe's 75,000 hectares of wilderness without any of the traffic restrictions found in other game reserves in private hunting.
Marataba
Marataba is a special place and a rising star of South Africa in 2023. This game-rich, privately run section of Marakele National Park offers a rare safari experience in Africa: conservation-focused activities that allow visitors to have a hands-on approach to wildlife management and ecological conservation – creating a travel experience with purpose.
Guests can participate in enriching activities such as telemetry tracking walks with cheetahs, compiling individual identities for elephants and notching rhinos. With only four lodges in the entire Marataba, you won't see other vehicles on game drives, giving your luxury South Africa safari experience a completely private and authentic feel.
Tanzania – The ultimate bush-to-beach destination
In Tanzania, safaris are everywhere. It's been a way of life for decades. Few destinations in Africa can match Tanzania's diverse wildlife and landscapes . From the endless savannah of the Serengeti to the beaches and coral reefs of the tropical island of Zanzibar, a safari in Tanzania offers a fascinating and unforgettable experience.
Our favorites Ruaha National Park
Ruaha is Tanzania's largest national park. Despite its size, it is home to only a handful of lodges and camps. This has cemented Ruaha's reputation as the country's best-kept secret, especially when it comes to game viewing – the diversity of animals in the park is matched only by their colossal numbers. It is home to the largest herds of elephants in East Africa and offers the opportunity to observe predators such as lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog, a highly endangered species. Ruaha will offer some of the best African safaris in 2023 for intrepid travelers looking for wonderfully wild and off-the-beaten-path experiences.
Nyerere National Park (Selous)
Along with Ruaha, Nyerere (Selous) National Park is part of the lesser known region of southern Tanzania. Remote, huge (almost 1.5 times the size of Switzerland!) and packed with wildlife, Nyerere is nothing like Tanzania's iconic safari destinations such as the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. It remains relatively unknown to most travelers and offers an incredibly diverse African safari experience all in one place. The great Rufiji River is the lifeblood and main feature of Nyerere. Forming a series of interconnected lakes and palm-fringed canals, the Rufiji is home to large numbers of Jurassic-sized hippos and crocodiles, and supports large herds of elephants as well as impressive numbers of birds.
Nyerere offers unique safari activities like boat cruises, and since it is not subject to the restrictions that govern Tanzania's national parks, you can also enjoy guided walking safaris and adventurous air camping trips. .
Zanzibar
Safari days can be long, dusty and action-packed. That's why we always recommend capping off your trip with some well-deserved relaxation on a tropical island like Zanzibar : the perfect finale to your Tanzania safari.
Easily accessible from the mainland, the island of Zanzibar is a magical place where sandy beaches are lined with swaying palm trees and lapped by the warm, clear waters of the Indian Ocean.
Lazy days in the sun and fabulously fresh seafood are the norm in Zanzibar, but if you're feeling a bit more active there are always the incredible snorkeling and scuba diving conditions to relish. .
Uganda – More than gorillas
There are only around 900 mountain gorillas left on Earth and hiking in their native forests is the only way to see these critically endangered primates, as they cannot survive in captivity. No other contact with wildlife can compete with sitting with endangered gorillas in their natural habitat and observing the fascinating family dynamics of our ancient relatives.
Uganda's emerald rainforests are incredible destinations for gorilla treks – the continent's strongest wildlife experience – and the country's trekking permits are among the most affordable in Africa.
Additionally, Uganda offers the opportunity to complement your gorilla trekking experience with unique chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park, as well as fantastic game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park. If you're looking for one of the most diverse African safaris in 2023, look no further than Uganda.
Our favorites Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Bwindi is a World Heritage Site made up of montane and lowland forests: a verdant habitat for around 350 species of birds, 220 species of butterflies, 120 species of mammals and many other reptiles and amphibians. Thanks to income generated by tourism, the number of the park's mountain gorillas, threatened with extinction, has increased to around half of the world's population.
There are fantastic accommodation options in and near the forest to complete your unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda's premier game viewing destination and most accessible savannah reserve. The park is home to large animals like elephant, buffalo, leopard and the famous climbing lions of Ishasha plains.
It is one of the most biologically diverse parks in the world, not least thanks to its impressive list of 610 bird species, more than the whole of the British Isles! Don't miss a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel to spot hippos, crocodiles and a plethora of feathered creatures.
Zambia – Birthplace of the African Walking Safari
Although a visit to the world-famous Victoria Falls should be on any Zambia safari itinerary, it is the country's hidden gems that are among Africa's most overlooked safari destinations.
Zambia is home to an enticing network of national parks that are often less visited than their counterparts in South Africa, Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania. The country has some of the wildest and most remote corners of Africa, but you'll be far from rough on a Zambia safari.
You will be able to view the big game in a sensational way, accompanied by some of the best safari guides in the sector, while staying in luxury African safari lodges and camps.
Long preferred by African safari enthusiasts, Zambia doesn't attract the crowds that crowd around Africa's best-known parks. The raw and untouched beauty of Zambia will undoubtedly be the scene of some of the best African safaris in 2023.
Our favorites South Luangwa National Park
Few parks in Africa can match the phenomenal density of game that congregates around the lakes and rivers of South Luangwa. Huge numbers of elephants, buffaloes and giraffes quench their thirst under the watchful gaze of Nile crocodiles and mighty prides of lions.
South Luangwa is famous for its guided walking safaris, which can range from a gentle morning walk to a multi-day trek between camps. Africa takes on a new dimension when you discover it on foot, as the first explorers did. A bush walk is a unique physical, mental and spiritual adventure in nature.
Discovering the sights, smells and sounds of the bush with expert and passionate guides is among the best safari experiences in Africa. And nowhere is it better than in southern Luangwa.
Lower Zambezi National Park
Unlike the rest of Africa, some of Zambia's national parks are protected for private use only, so you won't see tourist buses or self-driving drivers in these areas.
Only licensed operators can run game drives in these parks, and only the few lodges in these areas can run boat or canoe safaris, subject to strict rules regarding the number of boats allowed on the water.
The Lower Zambezi is one such area and visitors to this park are guaranteed to see very little human activity and enjoy some serious game viewing. The Lower Zambezi National Park, which offers one of the finest wildlife experiences in Africa, offers a diverse range of African safari activities: day and night game drives, guided nature walks, river cruises, river and fishing expeditions.
Africa Safari FAQs
?When is the best time to go on safari
In most countries of southern and eastern Africa, the dry season extends from June to October. The benefit of the dry season is that wildlife tends to congregate around waterholes and foliage is sparser, making animals easier to see. This period is generally considered the best for travelling. But the rainy season can be better for landscape photography and birdwatching (with migratory birds found in the south), as well as being calmer and generally less expensive.
?What should I take on a safari
Bring comfortable clothes in relatively neutral tones (very bright colors can scare animals away) and several layers of clothing. Mornings and evenings can be chilly enough to wear a hat and gloves, but 10 am is t-shirt time. Plan strong and closed shoes if you walk, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Photographers will want their longest lens, but many people are content with their smartphones. Binoculars are very useful, but guides usually have pairs to share.
?Do I need a guide on a safari
A good guide will undoubtedly enhance your safari experience - and in many places you will need one. Places like Kruger lend themselves very well to self-driving (even without a 4x4) and the wildlife is prolific enough to be discovered without the help of a professional. On the other hand, for hiking or night driving, you will always need a qualified guide.
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