African safaris

In some African countries, mainly those in southeastern Africa, you can see the Big Five: elephants, leopards, rhinoceros, lions and buffalo. But on a single game drive it’s possible to encounter dozens of species, big and small, predator and prey. Some animals, such as African wild dogs or mountain gorillas, conservation success stories, have also achieved TV fame.

Generally, though, it’s best not to come looking for one specific animal and instead enjoy the experience of never knowing what will come next. Your guides are immensely knowledgeable about lions, giraffes and elephants, but also about less-known wildlife. And nowhere is that better demonstrated than on a walking safari, which gives you an entirely different perspective on life in the bush.

There’s an enormous amount of choice when it comes to African safaris, which we wanted to demonstrate when producing our own top ten. So you’ll find in there icons like Kenya, which is vastly experienced in the safari business and perfect for first-timers; the Maasai Mara, where you might witness the incredible Great Migration; and South Africa’s legendary Kruger National Park.

But we’ve also included some really special trips, like trekking to see mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and spending time with conservationists in South African nature reserves where, besides the Big Five, you might also encounter African wild dogs and even rare white lions. There are some great combination safaris, too – Namibia and Botswana are a classic partnership, and you can also pair a safari with time on the beach somewhere such as Zanzibar.

Our small group African safaris are all about camaraderie. A typical group size is up to 16 people, and you’ll quickly bond sharing tales of sightings, and sundowner cocktails around the campfire. If you’re on a budget camping safari or an overland trip, then you’ll also get to know each other by sharing tasks like cooking and washing up. Small group trips can save you time, money and also hassle, as all the logistics are sorted for you, and they hit all the must-see locations. Plus they’re a fab solution for solo travellers with a passion for wildlife.

Tailor made trips are ideal if you prefer doing your own thing, with private, bespoke itineraries that you can shape as you please. Too crowded around a particular waterhole? You don’t have to stick around. This type of African safari holiday will also commonly feature more remote lodges, with the scope to fly in and out.