TOP TIPS FOR WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
3 January 2025
ULTIMATE SAFARI PACKING LIST
8 January 2025TOP TIPS FOR WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
3 January 2025ULTIMATE SAFARI PACKING LIST
8 January 2025AFRICA'S TOP 5 NATIONAL PARKS
For Unforgettable safari and wildlife experiences
Africa is home to some of the most spectacular safari destinations in the world, it is afterall the "home" of safari. With vast landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and unparalleled opportunities to witness nature at its fines! However, choosing the best national parks for a safari can be just a little overwhelming. So, Here are our top five African national parks, that all promise an extraordinary and unique safari experience.
The Makuleke - Kruger National Park
1. Serengeti National Park - Tanzania
The Serengeti National Park is one of the most iconic safari destinations in Africa, known for its breathtaking landscapes and abundant wildlife. This wonderful national park has been named the "Best Safari Destination" many, many times and is home to the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles traverse the plains in search of fresh grazing lands. Expect to see abundant big cats such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards, as well as elephants, giraffes, and hippos, making it a must-visit safari location.
We recommend a visit between June and October if you would love to experience the Great Migration and predator action. Between January and March, the southern reaches of the Serengeti are incredible for the migration calving season!
2. Masai Mara National Park and The Mara Triangle - Kenya
Neighbouring the Serengeti, The Masai Mara, on the eastern side of the Mara river and the more exclusive Mara Triangle, on the western side of the Mara River, offer an equally impressive safari experience. Known for its high density of predators, this reserve is one of the best places to see big cats in action, especially lions! The annual Great Migration also passes through the Masai Mara and Mara Triangle between July and October, offering some of the best opportunities to see the famous river crossings. Visitors can also enjoy cultural interactions with the Maasai people, adding a unique human element to the safari adventure.
If it is the Great Migration you are hoping to witness, then we recommend a visit between July and October. However, any time of year is excellent for general wildlife vieiwing!
We have our very own camp, Enkishui Wild Eye Mara Camp, on the banks of the Mara River in the Mara Triangle - which proves time and time again to be an excellent safari experience.
3. Kruger National Park - South Africa
The Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s largest and most well-managed safari parks. It offers an unbeatable combination of accessibility, diverse landscapes, and incredible wildlife. It is one of the best places to see the entire Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo). This incredible national park also has an extensive network of roads, making it ideal for both guided and self-drive safaris.
THE GREATER KRUGER AREA
Beyond the main park, the Greater Kruger consists of a collection of private game reserves that share unfenced borders with Kruger National Park. These reserves, including Sabi Sands, Timbavati, and MalaMala, offer one of the most exclusive and intimate safari experience on the continent. Visitors can enjoy off-road safari drives for up-close wildlife encounters and awesome walking safari experiences. The Greater Kruger is renowned for luxury lodges, expert-guided safaris, and excellent predator sightings, making it a top choice for discerning safari-goers.
To get the most out this stunning safari destination, we recommend a visit between May and September. This is because the "bush" gets drier during these winter months, meaning the wildlife tends to frequent water sources and is easier to find.
4. Okavango Delta - Botswana
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Okavango Delta is one of the most unique safari destination on the continent where water-based wildlife encounters take center stage. Over-and-above traditional safari drives, visitors explore the delta’s intricate waterways on mokoros (dugout canoe), boats and even helicopters! The delta is home to a variety of wildlife, including lions, leopard, cheetah, elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and rare antelope species such as the sitatunga. Many areas of the delta are considered to have the very best wildlife veiwing possible. This makes for an unforgettable safari experience which is unlike any other.
June - October tends to offer the best safari experience as the water levels are high, allowing for amazing experiences and excellent wildlife viewing.
5. South Luangwa National Park - Zambia
Dubbed the birthplace of walking safaris, South Luangwa National Park offers an intimate and immersive safari experience. It is particularly renowned for its large population of leopards and elephants, as well as its beautiful riverine landscapes. The absence of mass tourism makes this park a hidden gem for safari enthusiasts seeking exclusivity.
Peak wildlife viewing times are generally between July and October, this is because as the dry winter months set in, animals are forced to move closer to the river. This produces stunning levels of wildlife.
Each of these national parks offers something unique, from predator action in the Serengeti and Masai Mara to the water-based safaris of the Okavango Delta. Whether you’re looking for a self-drive safari adventure in Kruger or an intimate walking safari in South Luangwa, Africa has a safari experience to suit every traveler.
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