A safari holiday with Travelisto is tailor-made around you: the lodges or tented camps you stay in, game drives with expert local guides, the internal flights or road transfers between parks, and your flights from the UK, all in one ATOL-protected booking.
The first choice is where in Africa to go. East Africa, in Kenya and Tanzania, is classic safari country: big open plains, the Big Five and the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra. Southern Africa, in South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe, offers private reserves with close-up game viewing, malaria-free options for families, and water safaris by boat and canoe.
You can keep it simple with a lodge stay, join a small-group escorted safari tour, add a beach stay on Zanzibar or Mauritius, or go further with gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda. Tell us what you would like to see and a Travel Designer will plan your tailor-made holiday.
Where to go on safari: the best safari in Africa
There is no single best safari in Africa: it depends on what you want to see, when you can travel and who is coming. Here is how the main safari countries compare.
Kenya and the Masai Mara
Big cats all year and the Great Migration’s river crossings in the Masai Mara, plus Amboseli’s elephants below Kilimanjaro and the private conservancies.
Tanzania and the Serengeti
The Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire on the northern circuit, with the beaches of Zanzibar a short flight away.
Botswana and the Okavango Delta
Water safaris by mokoro in the Okavango Delta, big elephant herds in Chobe and small, remote camps.
South Africa, Kruger and Sabi Sands
The Big Five in Kruger and private reserves such as Sabi Sands, easy to pair with Cape Town, with malaria-free reserves for families.
Zambia
The home of the walking safari in South Luangwa, canoeing on the Lower Zambezi and Victoria Falls.
Namibia
Etosha’s busy waterholes, the red dunes of Sossusvlei and wide desert landscapes, by self-drive or small-group tour.
Rwanda and Uganda for gorillas
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Uganda’s Bwindi forest, with chimpanzees and savannah safaris in Uganda too.
Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls, the elephants of Hwange and canoe safaris in Mana Pools.
More reading: Botswana safari tours, Namibia tours compared, gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda and our Uganda holidays.
Safari and beach holidays
End your safari with a few days on the sand. These are our most popular pairings, and each can be changed to suit you.
Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar
Big-game drives in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, then the white sands of Zanzibar.
Kenya Safari & Diani Beach
The Masai Mara or Amboseli, then Diani Beach on Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast.
Cape Town & Kruger Safari
Cape Town, Table Mountain and the Winelands, then a Kruger safari lodge.
Kruger Safari & Mauritius
A Kruger safari, then a beach resort in Mauritius, a short flight away.
More ideas in our guide to safari and beach holidays, or browse all multi-centre holidays.
Escorted safari tours
Small-group safaris with a guide throughout, from a week in Kruger to two weeks across East Africa. Tap a tour for the full itinerary and dates.
East Africa Highlights: Maasai Mara to Ngorongoro
A 10-day small-group safari through Kenya and Tanzania: a Maasai village visit, the Maasai Mara, Lake Victoria, game drives in the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Hadzabe of Lake Eyasi.
East Africa Safari & Zanzibar: Maasai Mara to Nungwi
A 13-day small-group safari and beach trip: the Maasai Mara, Lake Victoria, the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, the Hadzabe of Lake Eyasi, then Stone Town and the beaches of Nungwi on Zanzibar.
Grand Tour of Kenya with Flights
A 12-day escorted safari in Kenya with flights: Lake Naivasha and Crescent Island, three nights in the Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and three nights in Buffalo Springs Reserve, with up to thirteen game drives.
Kenya Grand Safari & 4-Night Mombasa Beach Stay with Flights
A 13-day small-group Kenya safari with flights, ending with four all-inclusive nights on the beach near Mombasa: the Ark in the Aberdares, Samburu, Lake Nakuru, the Maasai Mara and a night at Nairobi's Fairmont Norfolk.
Kilimanjaro Lemosho Trek & Safari
A 13-day trip that climbs Kilimanjaro by the Lemosho Route and then goes on safari: Lake Manyara, a full day in the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire, with lodge nights in Moshi and Karatu.
Essential Kruger Safari: Five Nights at Hazyview
A 7-day small-group safari from Johannesburg: five nights at a boutique hotel in Hazyview, game drives and a full-day safari in Kruger National Park, a bush walk with trackers and the Panorama Route.
Kruger Safari & the Garden Route with Flights
A 15-day escorted tour of South Africa with flights: Johannesburg, the Panorama Route, a tented safari lodge near Kruger, the Cape Winelands, Arniston and Cape Agulhas, Knysna and Tsitsikamma, the Cango Caves and Cape Town.
Family South Africa Safari & Beach Adventure
A 13-day family adventure in South Africa for children aged seven and over: the Panorama Route, a safari lodge in Timbavati, game drives in Kruger, Mlilwane in Eswatini, the beaches of Kosi Bay and St Lucia.
Kruger Safari & Mozambique Beach with Flights
A 13-day escorted safari and beach holiday with flights: Johannesburg, six nights at a tented camp near Kruger with three safaris, the Panorama Route, then three nights at a beach resort on Mozambique's Machangulo Peninsula.
Namibia Adventure with Flights: Sossusvlei to Etosha
A 12-day escorted Namibia tour with flights: Windhoek, the Namib Desert and a picnic at Deadvlei, Swakopmund and a Walvis Bay cruise, Damaraland, a Himba village and Etosha.
Zambezi Canoe Safari: Lower Zambezi & Mana Pools
An 8-day small-group canoe safari from Lusaka: three days paddling the Zambezi past hippos, elephants and crocodiles with wild camps on river islands, a fly camp facing Mana Pools, a night game drive and a ranger-led walk in Lower Zambezi National Park.
See all our escorted tours.
Types of safari
Luxury lodge safaris
Private reserves and conservancies, small camps with a handful of rooms, open vehicles with no more than a few guests, and plunge pools looking out over the bush. Sabi Sands in South Africa, the Okavango Delta and the Masai Mara conservancies are the classic choices. Read our guide to luxury safari holidays.
Family safaris
South Africa is the easiest place to start, with malaria-free reserves such as Madikwe and the Eastern Cape, short transfers and family rooms. Many lodges set minimum ages for game drives, often between 6 and 12, and some offer private vehicles for families. Our family South Africa safari and beach tour is for children aged seven and over. For older children, see our adventure holidays for teenagers.
Honeymoon safaris
A few nights in a romantic tented camp or lodge, followed by a beach in Zanzibar, Mauritius or the Seychelles, is one of the most popular ideas for honeymoon holidays.
Walking and canoe safaris
Zambia’s South Luangwa is famous for walking safaris with an armed guide, and the Lower Zambezi and Mana Pools are best seen from a canoe. Try our Zambezi canoe safari.
Gorilla trekking
An hour with mountain gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda is one of the great wildlife experiences. Permits are limited, so book well ahead, and trekkers must be at least 15. Compare the two in our guide to gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda.
Travel guides for Safari
Our hand-picked guides to help you choose: compare the best hotels by style, budget and who you’re travelling with.
Zimbabwe Holiday Guide: Victoria Falls, Hwange, Mana Pools and More
Where to go in Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe or Zambia side?), Hwange, Mana Pools, Kariba and Matobo. Seasons, routes, safety, currency and…
Namibia Holiday Guide: Sossusvlei, the Skeleton Coast and Etosha
Where to go in Namibia: Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, the Skeleton Coast, Damaraland and Etosha. Classic routes, when to go, visa rules and self-drive…
Botswana Holiday Guide: Okavango Delta, Salt Pans and When to Go
Where to go in Botswana: the Okavango Delta, Chobe, Moremi and the Makgadikgadi salt pans. How the flood works, when to go,…
Tanzania Holiday Guide: The Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar and When to Go
Where to go in Tanzania: the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Kilimanjaro, the southern parks and the islands. Migration by month, routes and when…
Zanzibar Holiday Guide: Stone Town, Beaches and Safari Combos
Where to stay on Zanzibar: Stone Town, Nungwi, Kendwa, Paje and Matemwe. Tides, snorkelling, spice tours, the best months and how to…
Kenya Holiday Guide: Where to Go, Safari Routes and the Coast
Where to go in Kenya: the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Nairobi and the coast at Diani, Watamu and Lamu. Classic…
South Africa Holiday Guide: Where to Go, Routes and Safari Choices
Where to go in South Africa: Cape Town, the Winelands, the Garden Route, Addo and Kruger. Classic 12–18 day routes, malaria-free safaris…
Uganda or Rwanda for Gorilla Trekking? An Honest Comparison, Mud and All
Gorilla trekking Uganda or Rwanda? Our tours trek in Uganda's Bwindi, with Rwanda for golden monkeys and history. Every gorilla tour compared.
Okavango, Chobe and Victoria Falls: Botswana Safari Tours Compared
Botswana safari tours compared: camping for 18 to 35s, houseboats, luxury lodges, family safaris and tours with flights, Okavango to Victoria Falls.
Luxury Safari Holidays: Where to Go, the Best Lodges & When to Travel
Plan luxury safari holidays in Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and Namibia: the best lodges and camps, when to go and…
Safari and Beach in One Holiday: Kenya, Tanzania or Kruger and Mozambique?
Safari and beach holidays compared: Kenya and Mombasa, the Serengeti and Zanzibar, Kruger and Mozambique, and South Africa with Mauritius.
When to go on safari
The dry season is usually the best time for game viewing, as animals gather at water and the bush is thinner. Swipe the table sideways on a phone.
| Country | Best months | Also good |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya | Jul–Oct (migration crossings) | Jan–Feb |
| Tanzania | Jun–Oct | Dec–Mar (calving in the south Serengeti) |
| Botswana | May–Oct | Jun–Aug in the Okavango |
| South Africa (Kruger) | May–Sep | All year in private reserves |
| Zambia | May–Oct | Jun–Nov for walking safaris |
| Namibia | May–Oct | All year for the desert |
| Rwanda and Uganda | Jun–Sep | Dec–Feb |
| Zimbabwe | May–Oct | Feb–Jul for Victoria Falls in full flow |
The Great Migration: the wildebeest calve in the southern Serengeti from about December to March, then move north, with the famous Mara River crossings in northern Tanzania and Kenya’s Masai Mara from about July to October.
Safari holiday FAQs
What is the best safari in Africa for first-timers?
For classic savannah and lots of big game, Kenya’s Masai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater are hard to beat. For a shorter, easier first safari, South Africa’s Kruger and the private reserves next to it work well, and pair easily with Cape Town.
How much time do I need for a safari?
Allow at least three or four nights on safari, ideally split between two areas, so most safari holidays are seven to ten days. Add a few nights on the beach and 12 to 14 days is typical. Our escorted safari tours run from 7 to 15 days.
Is a safari suitable for children?
Yes, with the right choice of lodge. Many lodges and game drives have minimum ages, often between 6 and 12, so check before you book. Malaria-free reserves in South Africa, such as Madikwe and the Eastern Cape, are popular with younger children, and our family South Africa tour is for children aged seven and over.
Do I need malaria tablets for a safari?
Most safari areas in East and southern Africa carry a malaria risk, so anti-malarial tablets are usually advised. Speak to your GP or a travel clinic well before you go, ideally six to eight weeks ahead. A few reserves, mainly in South Africa, are malaria free.
What is the difference between a lodge and a tented camp?
A safari lodge has permanent rooms, often with a pool and a main building. A tented camp has canvas walls but proper beds and en-suite bathrooms, and puts you closer to the sounds of the bush. Mobile camps move during the year to follow the wildlife.
Can I add a beach stay to my safari?
Yes, and many people do. Zanzibar pairs with a Tanzania safari, Diani Beach with Kenya, and Mozambique or Mauritius with Kruger. See our safari and beach trips above, or ask a Travel Designer to build your own.
More holiday ideas
Plan your safari holiday
Tell a Travelisto Travel Designer what you would like to see, when you can travel and who is coming. We will suggest the right country, lodges and route, with live prices, ATOL protected.