Top 10 African Safari Experiences

Witness the resilience and instinctive prowess of thousands of zebra, their movements dictated by seasonal rains, as they embark on the world’s second-largest land migration. Botswana plays host to this massive annual movement, with the herds moving from the Chobe River flood plains to the Nxai Pan National Park in search of fresh water and grazing. Join an expert guide to learn more about this natural spectacle during a tour of Botswana's top wildlife destinations.

Stay at one of Nairobi’s most popular hotels and enjoy your morning coffee with a twist. Visit Giraffe Manor and be delighted as giraffes pop their heads through dining room windows to see what’s on offer (top tip: you’ll find a pot of dried grass pellets on each table). This unique activity is reserved for guests at Giraffe Manor. During your stay, you can learn more about local conservation efforts at the nearby AFEW Giraffe Centre.

Trek into the misty bamboo forests of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park for one of the world’s most unforgettable wildlife experiences. Led by an expert guide, you’ll trek to find a group of mountain gorillas. The opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, so closely mirroring our own humanity, is a truly moving wildlife-centered experience.

Participate in a privately guided research and monitoring experience in search of the elusive pangolin at Phinda Private Game Reserve. Poached for their scales, pangolins are highly threatened. Join a specialist conservation team on their pioneering project to reintroduce pangolins to the reserve, which sees them gathering critical research that is key to the long-term survival of these intriguing creatures.

Head off the beaten track to Mahale Mountains National Park in western Tanzania to track chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Joined by an expert tracker guide, trek through mist-shrouded forests to find the troop you’ll observe. Delight in the charming and curious nature of these inquisitive creatures.

Follow in the footsteps of Sir David Attenborough in Mana Pools in Zimbabwe. Featured in Attenborough’s ‘Dynasties’ series, this national park is home to packs of wild dogs, also known as painted wolves. Join an expert safari guide for a bush walk in Mana Pools. With the right timing and a little bit of luck you’ll see wild dogs basking under the African sun, joyfully playing with their pups or, excitingly, on the hunt as these creatures are considered Africa’s most effective hunters.

Experience the magic of wildlife conservation on a heartwarming adventure to Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in northern Kenya. This Samburu community-owned and run wildlife sanctuary takes in orphaned and abandoned elephant calves to rehabilitate them for release back in the wild. A visit to the sanctuary allows you to have first-hand insight into the expanding grassroots movement of community-driven conservation across northern Kenya. Elevate your visit (literally) by traveling in a helicopter. Combine this visit with a stay at the simple-yet-elegant Lewa House in Laikipia for access to even more incredible wildlife viewing, plus insight into their conservation programs.

Immerse yourself in an eco-retreat that offers a gateway to the Marine Big 5 – whales, sharks, dolphins, seals, and penguins. All of these incredible marine species can be seen off the coast of the Western Cape and our Travel Specialists have uncovered a remarkable, 5-star base from which to explore this stunning region. The award-winning Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is where luxury and conservation meet. Nestled in the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom, the luxury lodge overlooks Walker Bay with sweeping views of the ocean. Embark on journeys of discovery both on land, on guided nature walks and drives, and on the water where you’ll have many chances to spot the Marine Big 5.

Journey to Namibia’s ethereal Skeleton Coast where the rolling dunes meet the crashing waves of the Atlantic. Stay in the remote Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp to enjoy a luxurious stay surrounded by the dramatic rugged scenery. Join an experienced guide on a 4X4 exploration of the area; race across the desert landscape in search of Africa’s largest population of desert-adapted elephant and lion as well as black rhino, hyenas and colonies of Cape fur seals.

Take your African adventures to the water with an ocean safari. During a stay at the illustrious Belmond Mount Nelson in Cape Town, you’ll have the opportunity to be a marine biologist for the day and join an expert shark scientist to discover what lives beyond Cape Town’s magnificent shoreline. Embark on a marine safari by boat and admire the views both above and below the surface. Plunge in and snorkel among the Cape Kelp Forests, seeing octopus gardens and sea caves as you swim. Keep an eye out for other ocean creatures including starfish, dolphins, seals, penguins and more. This is available for children aged 8+ and offers an unparalleled chance to get up close with South Africa’s incredible marine life.