Out of Africa
Okay. It’s finally time to plan that safari you’ve been dreaming about ever since you bought a leather-bound straw hat from that overpriced milliner three summers ago. You’ve got the gear, so all that’s left is deciphering which country to visit, where to stay, what to do, and when to go…which is…let’s just say luckily for you we’ve got it all figured out! So grab your hat and pack your (33 lb soft sided duffle) bags, it’s time to go to Africa!
Singita Lebombo
South Africa
Safari aside, South Africa is one of those destinations we’ll never tire of visiting. Culture-rich Cape Town, the inimitable winelands, the staggering beauty of the Cape Coast – there is so much to say about South Africa before we even start thinking about the animals, which is why we recommend it for all first-timers. The most well-rounded safari destination on this list, South Africa can’t be beat, whether it’s your first or fortieth time on the continent.
Pros
Well rounded destination with so much more than safari
Cons
Not as game-rich as destinations in East Africa, top luxury lodges criticized for being in-authentic
Best Time to Visit
South Africa is a year-round destination, but game viewing tends to be better during the dry winter (April-October), when animals congregate around watering holes and lack of vegetation makes them easier to spot.
Traveler Type
First time safari goers, honeymooners, families, people who can’t live without air-conditioning, those who want to pair their safari with urban, viticultural, and/or coastal components
Favorite Properties
The Silo, Ellerman House, La Residence, Birkenhead House, Tswalu Kalahari, Royal Malewane, Londolozi Private Game Reserve, Singita Ebony, Singita Sweni, Singita Lebombo
Mwiba
Tanzania
Home to some of the best safari lodges in Africa, Tanzania offers a five star safari experience is some of East Africa’s most game-rich regions. Travelers who’ve gotten a taste of the safari life in South Africa will be blown away by Tanzania’s Out of Africa landscapes, incomparable game viewing, and exceptional lodging. Tanzania also offers one-stop shopping for adventurers and beach bums – climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro or relaxing on the white sands of Zanzibar make excellent safari add-ons.
Pros
Some of East Africa’s best game viewing paired with top-tier safari lodges, Mt Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar are excellent safari add-ons
Cons
Lacks the infrastructure of South Africa, many accommodations are tented and don’t have air-conditioning so you’ll need your bug spray and maybe a personal fan
Best Time to Visit
June-October is generally considered the best time to visit Tanzania’s major national parks, including Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Ruaha, and Tarangire. This dry winter season is when game viewing is at its best. For a truly spectacular experience, visit during the annual Great Migration, when thousands of wildebeest make their way from Tanzania to Kenya.
Traveler Type
Second time safari goers, honeymooners, families, those seeking a top-tier tented experience
Favorite Properties
Chem Chem, Greystoke Mahale, Legendary Lodge, Gibb’s Farm, Mwiba, Singita Sabora, Singita Sasakwa
Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp
Kenya
The birthplace of safari, Kenya is probably what comes to mind when most people envision “Africa.” Considered by many experts as the linchpin of a safari education, Kenya is required reading for travelers looking to understand the historic significance of safari and its ongoing impact on conservation, tourism, and local life. It’s also evaded the “South Africanization” of safari, and is home to charming, quirky, family-owned lodges that focus more on the cultural components of the safari experience.
Pros
The birthplace of safari, known for its authentic culture and character
Cons
The lodge experience is not as “luxurious” in terms of aesthetics or amenities. In Kenya, luxury is derived from connecting with the people who make the safari experience special (lodge owners, staff, and guides).
Best Time to Visit
Except for the months of March-May, when many lodges and camps close for the heavy rains, Kenya is generally considered a year-round destination. June-October is peak wildlife viewing season, though November-February can also be stellar, though travelers can expect short, intense showers in the afternoons. The wildebeest migration – which is best seen in Tanzania between June-July – takes place in Kenya between July-October.
Traveler Type
Travelers who want to connect with local people and delight in the homespun charms of family-owned safari lodges
Favorite Properties
Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservancy, Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp, Angama Mara, Ol Malo Lodge, Segera Retreat
Rwanda
The most explosively popular African destination to hit the safari circuit in decades, Rwanda is unlike anywhere else on the continent. Rwanda’s exceptional gorilla trekking opportunities paired with its haunting recent history and astounding progress in politics, economics, and technology make it one of the world’s most fascinating places to visit.
Pros
A truly unique safari experience unlike anywhere else in Africa
Cons
Expensive and difficult to get around – they don’t call it Land of a Thousand Hills for nothing!
Best Time to Visit
The vast majority of Rwandan itineraries include gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. The best season for this is the dry months between June and September. Trekking is possible year-round, and scheduled treks will still depart in heavy rain, but forest trails can become slippery and challenging to navigate in wet weather.
Traveler Type
Travelers who’ve checked the Big 5 off their list
Favorite Properties
Been There, Done That, Now What?
Once you catch the bug, there’s no turning back. If safari has ruined you for all other types of travel, fear not! Africa offers endless opportunities for discovery.
Mombo Camp
Botswana
A beacon of responsible tourism, Botswana is one of Africa’s most pristine wildlife habitats. Nearly 40% of Botswana’s land mass is divided between national parks and private concessions, and the government’s stern dedication to conservation means the wildlife experience here is unparalleled. Combine that with the Okavango Delta’s otherworldly flood plain scenery, and you’ve got a safari experience unlike anywhere else on earth.
Favorite Properties
Singita Pamushana
Zimbabwe
In 1994, the not-for-profit Malilangwe Trust was established as a result of the largest ever single donor investment in Zimbabwe, in order to purchase, protect, and manage the extraordinary wilderness area next to the Gonarezhou National Park in southeastern Zimbabwe. Today. The Malilangwe Reserve boasts one of the highest concentrations of the endangered black rhino in the world, making it an exceptional place for game-viewing. Zimbabwe stands on its own as a multi-faceted destination (visit Victoria Falls on the border of Zambia before or after a stay on the Malilangwe Reserve) but also makes a nice addition to a larger Southern Africa itinerary.
Favorite Properties
andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge
Namibia
Sometimes referred to as “the Land God Made in Anger,” Namibia is defined by its strikingly untamed wilderness and rare beauty. Home to the world’s oldest desert, a wild coastline, and all kinds of unfathomable landscapes, Namibia is certainly a sight for the eyes. While game-viewing in Namibia isn’t of the same caliber of Botswana or South Africa in terms of wildlife density, the country’s otherworldly scenery sets it apart from its neighbors – think reflective salt pans flooded with flamingos or herds of springbok climbing crimson-colored sand dunes.