The best places to visit in Africa

Africa is still seen by many as a distant or even intimidating destination, often overlooked due to lingering fears or misconceptions. Yet the continent offers a rare combination: vast, untouched natural beauty and a growing network of traveler-friendly infrastructure, including national parks, roads, and comfortable lodges. It’s the perfect time to experience it for yourself.

We’ve put together a curated list of the most fascinating places in Africa to visit — not a strict ranking, but a handpicked selection of stunning locations in different countries. Here you’ll find ten of the continent’s best safari parks. Explore our guide to the safest countries in Africa, choose the destinations that speak to you, and start planning an unforgettable adventure.

Traveling to Africa is, above all, about the safari experience: driving across endless savannahs in a 4x4, encountering the Big Five, witnessing the Great Wildebeest Migration, observing lion hunts at sunrise, spending the night in tented camps under the stars, and snapping that timeless photo in a safari hat with binoculars in hand.

Of course, a safari tour is far from all that Africa has to amaze travelers. Many come to the continent to see wonders like Mount Kilimanjaro, Victoria Falls, the ancient Egyptian pyramids, the Sahara Desert, and shipwreck remains on the Skeleton Coast. Moreover, Africa is still home to peoples who have preserved ancient hunter-gatherer lifestyles, such as the Bushmen or Hadza. The most curious travelers want to see how these people live with their own eyes.

In addition, Africa offers countless other activities to travelers. These include diving into the underwater world of the Red Sea, observing mountain gorillas, and beach vacations in Zanzibar or the Seychelles. But if your goal is to experience the emotions of a true safari, then include the following places in your plan.

Serengeti, Tanzania

Serengeti National Park has been named Africa’s Leading National Park at the prestigious World Travel Awards for six years in a row. Add to that its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the awe-inspiring Great Migration, and the steady stream of visitors from around the world, and it’s no surprise that the Serengeti is one of the most popular destinations in Africa.

Serengeti is located in East Africa, in northern Tanzania – one of the very best countries to visit in Africa for first-time travelers. Nowhere else on the continent can you find such an abundance of wildebeest and zebras as in this national park. Lions and hyenas, leopards and crocodiles hunt these ungulates. Here you can see many African animals: elephants, giraffes, rhinos, and others. You can observe them not only from a safari vehicle but also from a hot air balloon basket.

Established in 1940, this national park still retains the spirit of a true safari. It allows guests to immerse themselves in the world of wild Africa, fully justifying its Maasai name — "siringet" means "endless plains." With an area of 15,000 km² (5,791 mi²), there's plenty of space to find a secluded spot for wildlife observation even during peak season.

Maasai Mara, Kenya

The Maasai Mara Reserve is located next to the Serengeti, albeit across the border in Kenya. Both protected areas create a single ecosystem and are a shared home for millions of ungulates participating in the awe-inspiring Great Migration. From 2013 to 2018, before Serengeti's dominance, it was Maasai Mara that won the title of Africa's leading national park. It's no wonder this reserve is considered Kenya's most popular safari destination.

Surprisingly, Maasai Mara receives about the same number of visitors as Serengeti — around 300,000 people annually — even though the Kenyan reserve is ten times smaller than the Tanzanian park. But Maasai Mara is definitely worth a visit. You can "collect" the entire Big Five in one day, easily spot elusive leopards and cheetahs, and many other animals. This is the advantage of compact protected areas.

Kruger National Park, South Africa

Kruger Park is considered one of the most visited in South Africa and across Africa. It welcomes about 1.5 million people annually, making it one of the top places to visit in Africa. The reasons for its popularity lie in its extensive infrastructure and affordable prices. The park encourages mass tourism, including budget travel. It is accessible via excellent roads, several nearby airports, numerous roads within the park, including paved ones, and hosts two dozen public campsites and many lodges. Traveling through the park is a pleasure.

Kruger National Park spans vast territories covering almost 20,000 km² (7,722 mi²). The density of animal distribution here is quite high — you'll see many wildlife species in a short period. One of the most popular tourism formats in South Africa is self-driving. If you enjoy driving and personally planning your journey, then Kruger National Park is for you.

Etosha, Namibia

Etosha National Park is a major attraction for travelers in Namibia and southwestern Africa in general. People come here to see black rhinos and take striking photos against the backdrop of the white salt pan. Etosha is home to one of the largest populations of black rhinos in all of Africa. The white Etosha salt pan is what gave the park its name and became its symbol. In the local language, this means "great white place." And it truly is. The salt pan is a vast dried-up lake. During the rainy season, it partially fills with water, attracting flamingos.

Etosha National Park offers the chance to see a wide variety of fascinating wildlife. Mountain zebras, known for their climbing skills, roam the area, and among the smaller, big-eared mammals you might spot are scrub hares, Cape foxes, and the charming bat-eared fox. In addition to the well-known spotted hyena, Etosha is one of the best places to encounter the rarer brown hyena. The park is full of surprises, and with its vast expanse of 22,000 km² (8,494 mi²), there’s more than enough room for unforgettable safari adventures. It’s no wonder Etosha ranks among the largest national parks in Africa.

Ngorongoro, Tanzania

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of East Africa’s most popular safari destinations — and for good reason. Located near the equator, it offers an incredible concentration of wildlife in a relatively compact area. One of its greatest advantages is how easy it is to see animals without spending hours driving through the savannah. Lions often lounge right beside the road, and many other iconic species can be spotted nearby, all set against the dramatic backdrop of the Ngorongoro Crater.

The Ngorongoro Crater itself is recognized as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa — and it truly lives up to that title. This vast, ancient volcanic caldera supports an astonishing range of wildlife, where predators and herbivores coexist in a self-contained ecosystem that has evolved over thousands of years. Seeing it in person is a must for any safari-goer. The only major animals missing are giraffes, which can’t descend the steep crater walls. The good news? Ngorongoro is just a two-hour drive from the Serengeti, making these two legendary locations a perfect pairing for any safari adventure.

Bwindi, Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a rare gem for those who dream of experiencing Africa’s lush mountain jungles. While it’s somewhat off the beaten tourist path, it remains a favorite among adventure-seekers and trekking enthusiasts. The park is covered almost entirely in dense, mountainous rainforest, with no roads for cars — safaris here are done on foot and require a decent level of physical endurance. The word "Impenetrable" in its name is well-earned: the terrain is challenging, with thick vegetation on steep mountain slopes, deep valleys, and numerous rivers. Even when you're able to navigate between towering trees, the way is often blocked by thick bamboo or ferns.

The main reason people visit Bwindi is to see mountain gorillas in the wild — more than half of the global population of these endangered primates lives here. But gorillas aren’t the only residents. You might also spot black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, vervets, and many other species. Tropical birds, reptiles, and smaller mammals add to the diversity. What truly sets Bwindi apart — and earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list — is its rich flora. Among East Africa’s forests, Bwindi boasts some of the most diverse tree species, along with butterflies and lesser-known forest creatures. It’s a paradise for those who love not just big wildlife but the intricate details of tropical ecosystems.

Hwange, Zimbabwe

Hwange National Park is the largest in Zimbabwe and one of the most fascinating ecosystems in southern Africa. Situated between the Kalahari Desert and fertile woodlands, it offers a stunning variety — from open savannahs to sandy dunes and forested hills. The park is home to some of Africa’s largest lion prides. Elephants are especially abundant here, with hundreds gathering around waterholes during the dry season. These moments provide a rare glimpse into the social life of elephants, which often remain hidden in forested areas of most other parks.

Many travelers come here hoping to see the beautiful African wild dog, an endangered species whose numbers are declining across the continent. Hwange is one of the best places to spot them. Another major advantage of Zimbabwe’s top national park is that despite its popularity, it’s far less crowded than better-known parks elsewhere in Africa — giving you a sense of wilderness and solitude.

South Luangwa, Zambia

South Luangwa National Park lies in Zambia, near the border with Malawi. It’s fed by the large Luangwa River, which attracts incredible numbers of animals. The area is particularly known for its high concentrations of crocodiles and hippos. Much like Hwange, South Luangwa is free from large tourist crowds, allowing for a more intimate, nature-focused experience — something increasingly valued by modern safari-goers.

In addition to its river valley, the park includes open plains, forests rich in predators, and lakes where many bird species nest. Although only around 60 species of large mammals are found here, it’s still possible to spot nearly the entire Big Five, with the exception of rhinos, whose local populations have been wiped out by poaching.

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

This is one of the best places to go in Africa to observe mountain gorillas up close. But why are they so fascinating? Alongside orangutans and chimpanzees, gorillas are our closest biological relatives. Watching them helps scientists understand human social evolution — and provides everyday visitors with a deeply moving encounter. Gorilla research here began in the 1960s, and tourism has steadily grown since. Yet the park still doesn’t feel overcrowded.

The Rwandan park consists of forest-covered volcanoes — five in total. In addition to rainforests, you’ll find alpine meadows and scenic lakes. Volcanoes National Park is part of the Virunga ecosystem, one of the most breathtaking regions in Africa. Apart from gorillas, visitors can also see rare golden monkeys, buffalo, antelopes, and many birds. But for most travelers, the highlight is trekking through bamboo forests to reach the gorillas’ habitat.

Ruaha, Tanzania

Tanzania offers safari lovers an incredible variety of landscapes and travel formats, making it a top safari destination. In addition to its popular northern parks, the country is also home to remote reserves scattered across its vast territory. One standout is Ruaha National Park, located in central Tanzania. Encompassing 20,000 km² (7,722 mi²), it provides sanctuary for large populations of lions and thousands of elephants.

Ruaha is the essence of wild Africa — endless savannahs, classic landscapes dotted with acacias and baobabs, and the mighty Great Ruaha River teeming with crocodiles and hippos. You can drive for days across ever-changing scenery and never feel like you’ve left the park. Ruaha is ideal for those who want a quieter safari, away from crowds. It’s one of the continent’s last hidden gems, still offering classic safari adventures in a truly untamed environment.

Lastly, it’s worth remembering that Africa isn’t just a vast and beautiful continent — it’s also home to some remarkable islands. The most famous is Madagascar, known for its astonishing biodiversity, with around 80% of its plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth. Then there are the island nations of Seychelles and Mauritius, both among the wealthiest nations in Africa and renowned for their luxurious beach holidays. While these African vacation spots are well known, Tanzania’s Zanzibar Archipelago is a hidden gem that deserves attention. With its pristine beaches and vibrant culture, Zanzibar beaches are an ideal choice for those seeking a tropical escape.

Africa is endlessly diverse and full of surprises. What we’ve shared here is just a starting point — an introduction to some of the continent’s most captivating places. So keep exploring, stay curious, and don’t put off your African adventure!

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