Great wildlife safaris to Africa
Africa’s animal-filled plains and forests live on. The vast wilderness areas are home to the earth’s biggest concentrations of large mammals, from elephants and giraffes to hippos and zebras, to lions, leopards and cheetahs.
The safari countries of East and southern Africa are among the only regions in the world where you can still experience life on Earth as it was before the humans took over. Many wildlife areas are truly realms apart, tangibly different from our familiar, constructed environments.
As a first-time visitor, no amount of Attenborough TV can prepare you for the sight and sound of braying wildebeests thundering past your vehicle, for the strategic calculations of a lion pride setting up a hunt, or for the colossal bulk and earthy smell of a silverback gorilla. At Expert Africa, every country we specialise in has outstanding, and sometimes unique wildlife areas and experiences. Give us a call and ask us about our own special wildlife experiences.
The choices are all yours. Go on foot to track wild dogs in Zimbabwe or black rhinos in Kenya. Take a boat trip on the Rufiji River or through the waterways of the Okavango Delta. Or simply set off in your safari vehicle at dawn, to see what the night left behind and what the day ahead will bring.
Broaden your animal horizons
Here are some of our ideas for great holidays focussed on wildlife in Africa.
Aardwolf Safari
5 days • 2 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT
Two sister-camps within private concessions bordering Moremi Game Reserve offer access to excellent game, varied landscapes and a range of land and water-based safari activities. A great-value safari in one of Botswana’s best wildlife regions.
US$5,220 - US$9,290 per person
African Finfoot Fly-in Safari
7 days • 3 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
After a unique start in Nairobi National Park, classic, luxurious camps combine for a high-end and exclusive safari in fantastic wildlife destinations.
US$9,900 - US$16,050 per person
African Hawk-Eagle Fly-in Safari
7 days • 2 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
Two luxurious camps provide relatively quiet game-viewing within Laikipia and the Mara ecosystem. Situated on private conservancies, both Lewa Wilderness and Naboisho offer the chance to sight all of the "Big 5" and to enjoy a range of safari activities.
US$7,780 - US$12,800 per person
African Jacana Safari
7 days • 3 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT
An adventurous introduction to Botswana blending prolific wildlife, incredible landscapes and varied activities staying at relaxed camps in the Chobe Enclave, a community-owned reserve bordering the Moremi, and Makgadikgadi Pans.
US$7,770 - US$12,280 per person
Anantara Beach Holiday
6 days • 1 locations
VILANCULOS AIRPORT TO VILANCULOS AIRPORT
Enjoy a range of land and water-based activities from Anantara Bazaruto Beach Resort and Spa. A great destination for families, it offers something to keep all ages entertained as well as ample opportunity for utter relaxation.
US$2,670 - US$5,660 per person
Avocet Fly-in Safari
7 days • 3 locations
KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT
This luxurious safari explores three iconic African reserves from exclusive lodges in unbeatable locations. A very high standard of food, care and guiding ensure that you can focus on this amazing experience.
US$9,280 - US$14,680 per person
Azura Beach Holiday
6 days • 1 locations
VILANCULOS AIRPORT TO VILANCULOS AIRPORT
Stay in a stunning location on the western coastline of Benguerra Island. Elegant accommodation, a highly personalised level of care and a wide range of land and water-based activities make Azura a fantastic destination for travellers.
US$5,250 - US$6,880 per person
Bat Hawk Safari
7 days • 2 locations
HARARE AIRPORT TO JOHANNESBURG AIRPORT
Explore two areas revered by safari enthusiasts with some of Africa’s best walking and some superb guiding – even by Zimbabwe’s high standards – for a varied and wonderfully immersive wilderness experience.
US$7,880 - US$9,130 per person
Bat-eared Fox Fly-in Safari
3 days • 1 locations
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT
This is an ideal first-time safari and is the perfect add-on to a holiday in Zanzibar. Nyerere National Park is one of Africa’s biggest wildlife areas and is home to an abundance of animals.
US$2,430 - US$3,030 per person
Bateleur Fly-in Safari
7 days • 4 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
Classic fly-in Namibian safari staying at excellent camps. Explore Sossusvlei’s dunes and track Damaraland’s desert elephants before a safari in Etosha. Incredible scenery, good wildlife viewing and authentic cultural experiences.
US$5,680 - US$8,970 per person
Africa's top camps for wildlife safaris
The map shows wildlife sightings made from our lodges & camps. It's based on 81,394 reports from our travellers since March 2018.
Best chances to see
Good chances to see
Some sightings
No sightings yet
Lion
81%
Quick facts about Lion
Scientific name:
Panthera leo
Habitat:
Savanna & woodland
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
120–225kg
Leopard
47%
Quick facts about Leopard
Scientific name:
Panthera pardus
Habitat:
Savanna, woodland, forest, mountains
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
30–90kg
Cheetah
33%
Quick facts about Cheetah
Scientific name:
Acinonyx jubatus
Habitat:
Grassland & woodland
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
50–70kg
Wild dog
31%
Quick facts about Wild dog
Scientific name:
Lycaon pictus
Habitat:
Savannah & woodland
IUCN status:
Endangered
Adult weight:
20–36kg
Mountain Gorilla
100%
Quick facts about Mountain Gorilla
Scientific name:
Gorilla beringei beringei
Habitat:
Montane cloud forest
IUCN status:
Endangered
Adult weight:
100–190kg
Chimpanzee
100%
Quick facts about Chimpanzee
Scientific name:
Pan troglodytes
Habitat:
Tropical forest & wooded savanna
IUCN status:
Endangered
Adult weight:
28–70kg
Aardvark
2%
Quick facts about Aardvark
Scientific name:
Orycteropus afer
Habitat:
Grassland & woodland
IUCN status:
Least Concern
Adult weight:
60–80kg
Black Rhino
31%
Quick facts about Black Rhino
Scientific name:
Diceros bicornis
Habitat:
Scrub & open woodland
IUCN status:
Critically Endangered
Adult weight:
800–1,400kg
Brown Hyena
16%
Quick facts about Brown Hyena
Scientific name:
Parahyaena brunnea
Habitat:
Semi-desert & savannah
IUCN status:
Near Threatened
Adult weight:
37–43kg
Buffalo
83%
Quick facts about Buffalo
Scientific name:
Syncerus caffer
Habitat:
Floodplains, mixed bush & moist grasslands
IUCN status:
Near-threatened
Adult weight:
500–950kg
Eland
49%
Quick facts about Eland
Scientific name:
Taurotragus oryx
Habitat:
Open savanna & grasslands
IUCN status:
Least concern
Adult weight:
340–940kg
Elephant
91%
Quick facts about Elephant
Scientific name:
Loxodonta africana
Habitat:
Woodland and savanna
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
2,500–6,500kg
Gerenuk
76%
Quick facts about Gerenuk
Scientific name:
Litocranius walleri
Habitat:
Flat, dry thornbush
IUCN status:
Near Threatened
Adult weight:
28–52kg
Giraffe
86%
Quick facts about Giraffe
Scientific name:
Giraffa camelopardalis
Habitat:
Woodland savanna
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
800–1,200kg
Hippo
89%
Quick facts about Hippo
Scientific name:
Hippopotamus amphibius
Habitat:
Freshwater rivers & wetlands
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
1,300–2,600kg
Oryx
70%
Quick facts about Oryx
Scientific name:
Oryx beisa and Oryx gazella
Habitat:
Arid savannah
IUCN status:
Endangered (O.b) /Least Concern (O.g)
Adult weight:
120–210kg (O.b) /180–240kg (O.g)
Meerkat
22%
Quick facts about Meerkat
Scientific name:
Suricata suricatta
Habitat:
Semi-arid desert
IUCN Status:
Least Concern
Weight:
650g
Pangolin
2%
Quick facts about Pangolin
Scientific name:
Smutsia temminkii
Habitat:
Savannah woodland
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
5–27kg
Roan antelope
23%
Quick facts about Roan antelope
Scientific name:
Hippotragus equinus
Habitat:
Savannah woodland
IUCN status:
Least Concern
Adult weight:
180–300kg
Sable antelope
22%
Quick facts about Sable antelope
Scientific name:
Hippotragus niger
Habitat:
Savannah woodland
IUCN status:
Least Concern
Adult weight:
220–235kg
Sitatunga
19%
Quick facts about Sitatunga
Scientific name:
Tragelaphus spekeii
Habitat:
Swamps and swamp forest
IUCN status:
Least Concern
Adult weight:
24–119kg
Spotted Hyena
55%
Quick facts about Spotted Hyena
Scientific name:
Crocuta crocuta
Habitat:
Semi-desert, forest, savannah
IUCN status:
Least Concern
Adult weight:
40–80kg
Striped Hyena
14%
Quick facts about Striped Hyena
Scientific name:
Hyaena hyaena
Habitat:
Semi-desert, savannah
IUCN status:
Near Threatened
Adult weight:
22–55kg
White Rhino
44%
Quick facts about White Rhino
Scientific name:
Ceratotherium simum
Habitat:
Woodland savannah
IUCN status:
Near Threatened
Adult weight:
1,800–2,700kg
Wildebeest
68%
Quick facts about Wildebeest
Scientific name:
Connochaetes sp.
Habitat:
Open savannah & grasslands
IUCN status:
Least concern
Adult weight:
250–290kg
Zebra
84%
Quick facts about Zebra
Scientific name:
Equus quagga
Habitat:
Woodland and savannah
IUCN status:
Near Threatened
Adult weight:
155–322kg
Best Chance to See
Use our Best Chance to See wildlife tool to explore Tanzania for lions, Zambia for leopards, Botswana for sable antelopes or Namibia for desert elephants. Choose your country and species to find where Expert Africa clients have been seeing wildlife.
Megafauna on the Map
Africa's national parks, game reserves, wildlife conservancies and other faunal sanctuaries provide critical breathing space and breeding grounds to endangered species from mountain gorillas to black rhinos.
Every country offered by Expert Africa has its own wildlife and conservation organisations, both private and governmental. Your overnight visits and park fees contribute enormously to the costs of conservation.
Ask your Expert Africa country planning specialist about particular species and sighting tips. We've lugged our lenses and bruised our backsides to bring you what we hope is the best wildlife safari information available.
Wildlife by country
To understand more about the the wildlife in our other key destinations in Africa, click on the countries below.
