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WHERE TO GO
Africa
An overview of where to go and what's on offer in Africa …
The great continent of Africa encompasses game-filled savannahs, lush rainforests, idyllic beaches, vast deserts and remote islands to name a few. In this section we have tried to give you a brief run through of where to go and what to do in each of the “classic” safari countries. Be it paddling through the Okavango Delta, driving across the grasslands of The Serengeti or walking with gorillas in Rwanda, we can help you with your plans!
The best parks & regions in Africa
Where to start in a continent as vast and diverse as Africa? Each of the main safari countries, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia and Botswana have their known favourites and they also all have one or two hidden gems that are rarely spoken about.
For a more in depth view for each country please see the Parks & Regions section on this page but, as always, we would also strongly recommend giving us a call to have a chat through what it is you are after from your trip and we can then put together something more bespoke.
Best time to visit Africa
In general the northern hemisphere months between June and November will fit with any of the main safari destinations in Africa.
Outside of this window it can, very much, depend on what it is you are looking to see or do and so a bit more thought is needed. For example, the January to February window is one of the best times to see the wildebeest migration herds in the southern grasslands of the Serengeti. Alternatively, late April is when the first flood waters arrive into the northern parts of the Okavango Delta.
Do see When to Go on this page.
Safari & safari holidays
As mentioned above, Africa is such a diverse and interesting continent that the range and scope of the options available would take a lifetime to consider.
This being said, for the majority of first time visitors to the continent, a trip that includes some time viewing the animals and then relaxing on a beach is the order of the day. The East African countries of Tanzania and Kenya are particularly well suited to this goal with the land locked countries of Botswana and Zambia still offering the combination with Mozambique but also with a much higher price point.
Do see Best Safaris & Holidays on this page.
Africa Wildlife
As everyone knows, Africa is the home for some of nature’s most strange, specialised and wonderful animals and so is guaranteed to satisfy almost anyone.
Arguably the most famous group of animals are what is known as the “big 5” which include elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo…but these are only the tip of the iceberg as it were! Some of the more unique animals include the feisty honey badger, the serene giraffe, the regal gorilla and many many more. For those that have a specific animal in mind jump to our wildlife page for itineraries that make the most of specific animals.
Don’t miss our Africa Wildlife Guide on this page.
Get help with visiting Africa
As much as AI has changed the way we all approach our lives, there is still no substitute for picking up the phone and having a chat through the options with one of us on +44 1525 840 149
This allows us to completely tailor the property choices, costs and itinerary length to your needs…but we also understand that this is not always possible with the busy lives we all lead.
With this in mind, we have also put together a safari finder tool that should help you to narrow down the initial stages at which point we can jump in to “round off the edges” as it were.
Alternatively please feel free to >send us an email with your timings, group size and rough likes and dislikes and we can get the ball rolling.
Where to Go in Africa
Do visit our full guide to Africa Destination Guide page to take in all that Southern and East Africa has to offer.
What are the best parks & regions in Africa for 2026/27?
Take a look at the below links for more information about the best parks and regions in Africa for 2026/27.
Do also see our full Africa Safari Finder to find the best parks, trips and activities.
What safari & adventure holiday types is Africa recommended for in 2026/27?
With a range of activities on offer across Africa please see a selection of some of the more popular below:
Don't miss our full What to Do in Africa safari guides for full details and ideas.
What are your top safari trips & itineraries to Africa for 2026/27?
1 A Family Treat
Africa, Kenya
Visits : Nairobi, Samburu National Reserve, Southern Beaches, The Laikipia Plateau
The perfect itinerary for those looking for adventure and activity in the midst of a safari. Start the trip with a few days in Samburu National Reserve, a park with highly concentrated… More…
2 Serengeti and mountain gorillas
Africa, Rwanda, Tanzania
Visits : Kigali, Serengeti National Park, Volcanoes National Park
This incredible itinerary takes you to the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda to trek for the majestic mountain gorillas. The experience has been described as humbling, dramatic and simply extraordinary, and when you… More…
3 Great Safari, Great Beach
Africa, Tanzania, Zanzibar
Visits : Nyerere National Park, Southern Tanzania, Stone Town, Zanzibar and islands, Zanzibar beaches
Along with the first itinerary we feature in this section, this itinerary has long been a favourite with safari clients and, with properties like Pongwe Beach hotel, it is now possible to… More…
4 Beach Selous and Zanzibar
Africa, Tanzania, Zanzibar
Visits : Mainland Coast, Nyerere National Park, South of Dar, Southern Tanzania, Zanzibar beaches
A really well paced itinerary, this is a simple but really effective itinerary that gives a couple of days on the beach, on to safari and then to spend the remaining time… More…
5 Selous Ruaha & Zanzibar
Africa, Tanzania, Zanzibar
Visits : Nyerere National Park, Ruaha National Park, Southern Tanzania, Zanzibar beaches
Unbelievably it is actually possible to safari in both the Selous and Ruaha within this budget. For this amount of money, this itinerary offers exceptional value for money and, for those wanting… More…
Don't miss our new Africa Safari Finder to find safari ideas by destination, region and type...
What are the best hotels & lodges in Africa for 2026/27?
We highly recommend the following hotels & lodges for Africa for 2026/27. These are all tried and tested by The Africa Specialists™ so don’t hesitate to call us with any queries over them or to check availability for you to your schedule.
NB. All prices for properties exclude applicable park fees and are guide prices.
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
From $635 per person per night
See the lodge now
Tubu and Little Tubu Tree Camps
The Okavango Concessions
From $2,940 per person per night
See the camp now
Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
From $1,300 per person per night
See the camp now
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
From $1,620 per person per night
See the lodge now
Do also see our full Top Five Hotels & Lodges in Africa guide to the best safari accomodation in Southern and East Africa.
What kind of wildlife highlights should you expect to find across Africa in 2026/27?
For 2026/27, we expect you’ll be able to find the following wildlife in the Africa bearing in mind the quality of guiding, budgets, time of year and duration of stay all affect your chances of finding or seeing any of the following outstanding animals that dwell in Africa…
Please visit our full Africa Wildlife page for a full guide to Africa’s wildlife in and where to go to find it!
Do visit our Best Time to Visit Africa page for a full guide
What to do in Africa in 2026/27
Do visit our What to Do speciality guide pages for Africa for 2026/27. These have all been put together by The Africa Specialists™ for you but don’t hesitate to call us with any queries over the options and ideas seen or to check availability for you to your schedule.
Please visit our What to Do in Africa for our full guides
FAQ’s for Africa safaris in 2026/27
When is the best time to go on safari in Africa?
Generally speaking, if you are looking at any of the Eastern or Southern safari destinations in Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, Zambia, Rwanda or Uganda, then if you look to travel between June and November you will be in the dry season and, as such, will get the most reliable game viewing and the best weather.
For Eastern Africa, it is also possible to travel between December and March while, in Southern Africa, you will tend to fall into the summer rains and, as such, game viewing can be less predictable.
If you are looking to see specific occurences, such as the Great Migration in Tanzania and Kenya, or the floods in the Okavango Delta in Botswana, then you will need to explore in a bit more detail as there are plenty of nuances that then come into play that affect a whole load of elements such as cost, game numbers etc.
Please see our best time to visit section for a more detailed run through or get in touch with one of us and we can help you work it all out.
How much does an Africa safari cost?
This is often the deciding factor in any safari itinerary as the price directly affects where you can travel to and for how long.
With the costs involved in running camps, protecting the wildlife and the fewer destinations to choose from, the cost for safaris have only risen over the years we have been putting trips together.
For those on a budget, there are still a few options to choose from such as Flatdogs in the South Luangwa, or Lake Manze and Mdonya Old River in southern Tanzania being great examples but, still, including park fees, activities and food, you will still need to budget from U$D600 per person per night on average for a decent safari.
With the likes of some of the safari camps around the Okavango Delta in Botswana and the highlands of Rwanda commanding upwards of U$D3,000 per person per night, the price can spiral pretty quickly from there.
Please see a few of our favourite trips in our safari finder to get more of an idea what might suit you.
Which African country is best for a first safari?
For many who choose to go on safari for the first time, it is often with the probability that it will also be the last time and, as such, it is very important to try and isolate what it is you are wanting to take from the trip.
Is it seeing as many of the “big five” safari animals as possible? Is it witnessing a spectacle such as the Great Migration? Or are you keen to experience a safari longside experiencing some of the other things that Africa has to offer?
For many first time safari-goers it is important to realise that up to a week on safari is often enough to experience everything without becoming “saturated” by it all. With this in mind, we would normally recommend starting with somewhere like Kenya or Tanzania where between 3 and 6 nights on safari can be easily combined with a week on the white coral beaches of the Kenya coast or Zanzibar.
South Africa, too, rightly has its place in the debate as, while the safari offerings may not be as “raw” as those elsewhere in Africa, the game parks guarantee the “big 5” sightings and you can then spend time in the winelands around Cape Town or along the rugged coastline of the cape.
As you can tell, there is plenty to consider. Please feel free to use our Safari Finder tool to narrow things down or drop us a line and we will be happy to help.
Why travel with The Africa Specialists™?
1
100% tailormade
2
Expert knowledge
3
We have you covered!
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A trusted service
Please call us any time on USA +1-917-336-2937 or drop us a note via our contact us page.
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Begin Your Journey
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Tell us what inspires you — and we’ll shape an African journey like no other — right down to the smallest detail.
Your Adventure, Tailored to Perfection
From private conservancies to remote luxury lodges, let us help you design your perfect safari adventure.
Please call us any time on USA +1-917-336-2937 or drop us a note via our contact us page.
