The quintessential safari destination, Tanzania is famous for its incomparable year-round game viewing, including the thrilling spectacle of the Great Wildebeest Migration. While it’s true that witnessing the migration is one of the main drawcards for a Tanzania safari, the diversity of landscapes in this incredible corner of Africa is equally rewarding to experience on wildlife tours, stretching from Arusha in the north, the wide-open savannah plains of the Serengeti and the jewel-green slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater, to the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro to the tropical shores of Zanzibar island.  

To take in the best of Tanzania, most safari packages will include the Ngorongoro Crater, a 100 square mile enclosed ecosystem and World Heritage Site which supports around 30,000 animals. This ancient caldera, which is considered the best place in East Africa to view the Big 5, is also home to Tarangire, which boasts the largest elephant population in Tanzania. Beyond the showstopper safari destinations in Tanzania, there are hidden gems to be explored: chimpanzee trekking in Mahale Mountains National Park or Rubondo Island and fly camping in the Selous Game Reserve.   

Of course, one of the greatest things about a Tanzania safari is that you can end your wildlife tour with an island vacation, soaking up the sun on a palm-fringed beach in Zanzibar, Tanzania’s very own Indian Ocean island.  

Best Time to Visit Tanzania:

The best time to visit Tanzania for a safari is typically within the dry season (June through October). It is during this period that the Great Migration reaches the Grumeti River. However, game viewing is generally superb throughout the year, with calving season just after the summer rains between December and February. If you’re interested in a beach trip or diving off the coasts of Zanzibar, then the clearer waters between February and March or between July and August are recommended. 

The original safari destination, Kenya in East Africa stretches from the Indian Ocean coast in the east to Lake Victoria in the west, and borders Tanzania in the south. Encompassing savannah plains, lakelands and acacia forests – and home to the Big 5 (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino), Kenya promises a classic safari experience. There’s a nostalgia here that recalls canvas luxury tents with gin and tonic sunset cocktails. On safari in Kenya, it’s easy to believe you’re in a scene straight from “Out of Africa.”  

Those in the know will tell you that the ultimate luxury Kenya safari includes wildlife viewing and luxury lodges. Witness the Great Migration in the Masai Mara. See the snow-capped vista of Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro from Amboseli National Park, and take part in authentic cultural encounters with local Maasai tribes.   

Of course, it is the Great Wildebeest Migration that is the main drawcard for Kenya safari travelers. The annual event sees some 1.4 million wildebeest and a few hundred thousand zebras travel through Tanzania’s vast Serengeti National Park into the famed Masai Mara, Kenya, in search of new grazing. Beyond the well-known Masai Mara, Kenya is also home to Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for its large herds of antelope and hundreds of colorful bird species, as well as the community driven conservancies of Laikipia in the north (situated close to imposing Mount Kenya). Don’t be surprised, however, if the tall and dignified red-robed Maasai steal the show. These semi-nomadic people are one of the world’s last great warrior cultures and an enduring symbol of traditional Kenyan culture.  

Kenya is a picture-perfect destination for bush-and-beach vacations. When you have had your fill of the wild, head straight to the country’s tropical Indian Ocean coastline, home to the pristine shores of popular island-style destinations such as Diani Beach. Here, the white sandy beaches invite you to go diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, or just to put your feet up, kick back and adjust your body clock to Kenya time. Kenya also combines easily with Tanzania, and Rwanda, allowing you to add gorilla trekking to your combo Kenya safari.  

For honeymooners, a Kenya safari epitomises classic luxury. For families, a Kenya vacation is a more affordable option than other, more remote regions in Africa, with plenty of child-friendly lodges catering to the needs of young adventurers (and adventurers who are young at heart). 

Best Time to Visit Kenya on Safari:

Game viewing on a Kenya safari is at its best during the dry seasons (May to September, and January through February). The safari high season runs from July through November, when the annual Great Wildebeest Migration is in full swing. If you’re a bird-watching enthusiast, visit Kenya between October and April when the migrant species have arrived.  

On a Botswana safari, bigger really is better. The elephants are super-sized, the landscapes vast, and the magnitude of the experiences beyond measure. Home to the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, Botswana truly is one of the greatest safari destinations in Africa. 

The Okavango Delta defines the country’s landscape, cutting through the stark red hues of the Kalahari Desert in a flood of emerald green. During the seasonal rains, the Delta becomes a lush animal habitat. Here, you can explore meandering channels and papyrus-fringed islands by mokoro (a traditional dugout canoe). However, horseback rides, speedboat trips, and guided island walks are available too, and no less exciting! Expect to see an abundance of birdlife, hippos, and crocodiles. And don’t miss the sunsets. Bookend your days with sunset cocktails and marvel at the colours of the Delta as it turns molten gold.

On dry land, Chobe National Park is famous for its herds of elephant and buffalo. During the winter months, the animals converge on the Chobe River. As a result, wildlife sightings are particularly rewarding at this time. Furthermore, on a Botswana safari, you can enjoy almost guaranteed encounters with Africa’s star players: the Big Five.

With its wealth of world-class accommodation, Botswana is renowned as one of Africa’s top luxury travel destinations. Sumptuous safari lodges and intimate tented camps give you a front-row seat to the fabulous wildlife spectacles. With unlimited elbow room and the wildlife pretty much all to yourself, you can expect an utterly exclusive safari experience, unmatched anywhere else in Africa.

Best Time to Visit Botswana:

In Botswana as in most African safari destinations, animals will converge at water sources during the dry season to slake their thirst. As a result, Botswana game viewing at the Okavango Delta and in the reserves of Chobe and Moremi is at its peak between May and October.

South Africa is a world in one country. Beaches, bushveld, mountains, semi-deserts, high rise cities, and sprawling neighbourhoods… Mzansi (as the locals call it) has something for everyone. You can go from a Big Five safari to seaside cocktails within just a few hours; from a traditional meal at a local shebeen to shopping on the high street in only a matter of minutes.

Consistently voted as one of the top destinations around the world, South Africa is home to three tourism juggernauts: Cape Town, the country’s Mother City melting pot and wine capital nestled in the shadow of Table Mountain; the Garden Route, a road-trip stretch of forested coastline; and the Kruger National Park, the gem in South Africa’s wildlife crown.

In between these popular destinations is a patchwork of lesser-known treasures. Explore the unspoiled Whale Coast, experience the wild Eastern Cape and discover the quirky heart of the country in the semi-desert flatlands of the Karoo.

And then there are the people. Archbishop Desmond Tutu was spot on when he nicknamed South Africa “the Rainbow Nation.” Indeed, it is a colourful country of diversity and contrast – in its cultures, landscapes, and languages. A visit here would not be complete without delving into South Africa’s history. Whether it’s a private tour of Robben Island or a Cape Malay food safari, you’ll discover that despite its heart-wrenching past, South Africa’s pride and positivity are forces of nature.

Best Time to Visit South Africa:

Most visitors arrive during summer (November to March) when the weather ranges from warm to hot. The ideal season for wildlife viewing is between May and September when the weather is dry, and there’s a higher likelihood of seeing big game.

Rwanda is a tiny land-locked country situated deep in the heart of East Africa, but don’t be fooled by its small size. Widely known as the Land of a Thousand Hills, as well as the birthplace of modern gorilla trekking, Rwanda is larger than life, offering a diverse range of landscapes, activities and experiences for every type of traveller. 

Most well known as being the home of famed Volcanoes National Park, which was the home for many years to the late primatologist Dian Fossey, Rwanda’s gorilla trekking tourism operations continue to be sustainable, animal-centered and considerate of the people who live in and around the park. Other than the endangered mountain gorilla, the park is also home to a variety of other primates, such as the golden, blue, and vervet monkeys, various antelope species and indeed, a few forest elephants! 

Rwanda’s spectacular landscapes include the Albertine Rift, which is a branch of the Great Rift Valley that so marks East Africa – home to a number of endemic species – as well as Nyungwe and Akagera National Parks, which are well-known as offering some of the most spectacular bird-watching in Rwanda. Nyungwe in fact, is incredibly biodiverse, and its habitats are filled with chimpanzees, brightly-colored butterflies and a host of other wildlife. 

Adventurous travellers will certainly enjoy a trip to Rwanda to experience an authentic gorilla and chimpanzee trek in the parks, but cultural buffs will also find enjoyment here.  Regular displays of cultural dance and dress can be enjoyed in the capital city, while the Rwandan Art Museum in Kanombe is just a few kilometers from Kigali International Airport, displaying contemporary artworks from local and international artists. If you are spending time in Kigali, it is worth visiting the Kigali Genocide Museum, which spotlights the enormous tragedy that once blighted this otherwise bright country’s landscape. 

Best Time to Visit Rwanda:

The drier period between June and September is the best time to visit Rwanda.  If you are interested in gorilla trekking, the dry season offers the best time when trekking through the normally otherwise wet rainforest. March to November is generally the rainier season, but is considered the ideal time for chimp trekking.