For first-timers looking for a safari adventure, we’ve handpicked the best five safari holiday destinations for you here
Whether you want to channel your enthusiasm for wildlife by exploring the African bush on foot or spotting animals from the comfort of a hot air balloon, a safari holiday is a trip of a lifetime for many. This is why choosing an excellent safari specialist like Somak Holidays, who has a team of local guides with unparalleled knowledge, is important. Only the best specialists can help you create your ideal safari holiday that suits your interests and budget.
Kenya – Masai Mara
Perhaps the best-known safari destination in the world, the Masai Mara is a protected wildlife sanctuary where its open grassland plains are home to a mammoth concentration of wildlife. Visitors come here to spot the Big Five (elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo, lion and leopard), along with cheetahs, hippos and zebra – you’ll be spoilt for choice in this fauna-rich park.
For something truly spectacular, visit between July and October when over a million migratory wildebeest thunder across the lush plains. Position yourself by the Mara River and watch the wildebeest cross the water en masse, while opportunistic crocodiles lurk in the depths of the water waiting to grab their dinner.
Wildebeest migration across riverKA Photography KEVM111 / shutterstock
Tanzania – Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti is divided into three main ecosystems, the Serengeti plains, the Western corridor and the Northern Serengeti, with each region offering a different wildlife experience. Boasting one the largest lion populations in Africa, the Serengeti is a favourite safari holiday destination among big cat lovers. As well as lions, you’ll also be able to see elephants, rhinoceros, hyenas, zebra, and giraffes, to name a few. Birders will also be in their element here, as there are over 500 species to spot.
The great wildebeest migration actually starts from Serengeti – the animals graze on the lush Serengeti plains from December to March (and breed in February). And when the plains are depleted by April, the wildebeest and zebras start their migratory journey west towards Masai Mara.
South Africa – Kruger National Park
Kruger is one of the 10 largest National Parks in the world, covering an area of 19,633 km², and a real jewel in South Africa’s crown. Home to the Big Five, over 500 species of birds and 114 species of reptiles, Kruger National Park is a premier game-watching destination. The park is also divided into 16 macro ecozones and boasts four golf courses that are best played in winter.
The best time to visit Kruger is during the dry season, between May and September, when temperatures are cooler and wildlife congregates around watering holes.
Leopard walking towards camera in Kruger National ParkSimon Eeman / shutterstock
Botswana – Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta is one of the most unique delta systems in the world; the water does not flow into a sea or ocean, it is evaporated and transpired instead. Because of this, it is home to a great range of wildlife, including the Big Five, 450 bird species and 89 species of fish. The best way to see this abundance of fauna is from a boat.
The dry season, between May and October, is the best time to head out on a boat safari, as the water in the delta is high (rather paradoxically for a ‘dry’ season). Animals flock to the delta giving you the best opportunity to get up close and personal with them. The wet season, from November to April, sees the arrival of migratory birds and newborn animals, providing a completely different safari experience.
Rwanda – Parc National des Volcans
For a safari experience that is off the beaten track, Rwanda’s Parc National des Volcans is a great option. As its name suggests, this national park is home to five striking volcanoes, providing an epic backdrop to your safari adventure. The biggest draw to the park is the mountain gorilla population that live deep in the forest. These gentle giants can be found during a gorilla trekking trip where you’ll have the chance to observe them in their natural habitat – a truly humbling experience.
The best time to visit the Volcano National Park is during the dry season, between December to March and June to September. At this time, there is less rain so trails and roads within the park are safer to use, ensuring that you get the most out of your safari holiday.
Two gorillas in a tree in Parc National des VolcansAttila JANDI / shutterstock
