If you're dreaming of a safari holiday, and you’ve already visited East Africa or you’re contemplating your first safari trip to Southern Africa, you may be wondering which is the best country for your perfect trip – South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe or Botswana. Each of these countries has something to offer above and beyond the opportunity to spot wildlife. I’ve tried to summarize the attractions of each of these destinations, but of course this is no substitute for a conversation. So please do contact me if you’d like to plan a safari holiday to this fabulous part of the world.
South Africa.
Apart from game viewing, South Africa has a treasure trove of other activities. From cosmopolitan Cape Town to the farmsteads and valleys of the Winelands. Learn about the country’s colonial past in the battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal. Watch the annual southern right whale migration off the coast in Hermanus. Drive along the Garden Route enjoying views over the spectacular coast. South Africa boasts a variety of safari destinations, each offering unique experiences. You'll need to choose between 3 different areas of the country. Most well-known is the iconic Kruger National Park - one of Africa’s largest game reserves. The Kruger can get quite crowded, so it’s worth considering a lodge or camp in one of the many private reserves that border the park. Logistically speaking, Pilanesberg National Park is possibly the most accessible safari destination. This vast area promises thrilling big game viewing in a malaria-free environment. Finally, the Eastern Cape has many smaller private game reserves and national parks, including the famous Addo Elephant National Park. While not as expansive as Kruger, this area still offers remarkable wildlife diversity. A safari in the Eastern Cape can be added as a last stop after a tour along the Garden route. I’ve written a blog post on the pros and cons of each area which you can read here.
Namibia
Few countries in Africa can match Namibia's sheer natural beauty. This country ticks so many different boxes - and I think it’s this that make Namibia my favourite safari destination in Southern Africa. There's the wonderfully varied scenery such as the spectacular ochre dunes of Sossusvelei, the other-worldly rocky landscape of Damaraland and the Skeleton Coast. There are the ancient cave drawings at Twyfelfontein, etched into the rock thousands of years ago. And last (but definitely not least) Namibia is one of Southern Africa's best places to watch wildlife, at least in the country's north. With plentiful desert adapted wildlife, great lodges and really welcoming people, it's a great choice as a safari destination. If you’re still waiting to tick rhinoceros off your Big Five list, Namibia’s the place to see them. I saw 19 of these amazing animals when I visited! You can travel around by light aircraft (as I did), or self-drive in a 4x4 is a good value option. I really enjoyed my trip here and highly recommend a visit - I guarantee it will be the trip of a lifetime.
Botswana This is one of the most exclusive and luxury safari destinations thanks to its government’s focus on quality experiences and conservation rather than mass tourism. Most camps and lodges are kept to around 16 guests or fewer, so you’re unlikely to see many other vehicles when out in the bush – which makes a safari in Botswana extra-special. The Okavango Delta is why most people come here – it’s the epitome of untouched nature. And the variety of activities is also a huge draw – including game viewing by mokoro canoe. A light aircraft flight away is Chobe National Park where large numbers of buffalo, impala and kudu graze on the plains, attracting predators such as lion, cheetah and leopard. Or for a huge contrast, you might consider time in the Kalahari with its starkly beautiful landscapes. Although this isn’t the best place for big 5 game viewing there’s wildlife that you won’t see in the Delta – from meerkats to bat-eared foxes. I really recommend combining your trip to Botswana with a few days at Victoria Falls – they really are spectacular – and there’s a wide range of accommodation for some welcome R&R after your time on safari.
Zimbabwe The jewel in Zimbabwe's crown is the magnificent Victoria Falls, but this wonderful country is also a premier destination for safari holidays with the opportunity to view all the Big Five. Hwange is Zimbabwe's Flagship National Park - it's one of the top national parks in Africa in terms of size and diversity and quantity of game. It's home to lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalo as well as some of Africa’s largest elephant herds. But there are also the less-visited parks of Matusadona (with the second largest concentration of lions in Africa) and Mana Pools. Visit Lake Kariba or take a cruise along the mighty Zambezi River, where sunset boat trips get you close to hippo, crocodiles and African fish eagles. And end your safari trip with a stay at the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls – they don’t disappoint!
Zambia The wild heart of Africa, and often overlooked as a safari destination, Zambia is a green oasis of national parks fed by rivers and wetlands that attract a huge variety of animals. Elephant, lion, wild dog and hyena are commonly spotted, and leopard cool off from the sun on the shady branches of trees. And you can combine a safari with a stay in Victoria Falls, half of which lies within the country’s boundaries. Added to its game drives, Zambia pioneered the walking safari, and its guides are among the highest qualified in Africa. They’ll show you how to track animals, identify birds from their calls and discover the hidden world of insects as you walk through the bush. Each park is different, and visiting more than one region gives an excellent overview of what Zambia has to offer. Herds of elephant and buffalo as well as basking crocodiles and hippo can be seen in South Luangwa National Park, impala, waterbuck, and zebra are preyed on by lion, leopard, and wild dog in the Lower Zambezi National Park, while off-the-beaten-track Kafue National Park promises exploration and discovery in a region that’s little visited by others.
Get in touch and let's start planning that trip of a lifetime!
Comments