All-inclusive African Vacations: Best places, best time on Safari
All-inclusive African Vacations: Africa is a treasure trove of wildlife, and there is no better way to experience it than by watching the animals roam free in their natural habitats. If you’re looking for an unforgettable wildlife experience, 10 African countries should be on your radar: Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Uganda, Mozambique, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Namibia, and Rwanda.
Kenya
In our all-inclusive African Vacations, Kenya is a top destination for wildlife tourism, and for good reason. Not only is it safe and easily accessible, but it also boasts an impressive array of national parks and game reserves. From Nairobi National Park, where you can spot lions and rhinos just an hour away from the city, to the famous Maasai Mara, where you can see elephants, leopards, and lions in their natural habitat, Kenya has something for everyone.
South Africa
South Africa is another must-visit country for wildlife enthusiasts. With 20 national parks to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect spot to see Africa’s “Big Five” game animals: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffaloes. Kruger National Park is perhaps the most famous, but other parks like Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Pilanesberg National Park, and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park are equally impressive.
If you’re looking for a unique wildlife experience, Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa is the place to be. As the largest park in the Eastern Cape and the third-largest in South Africa, it’s renowned for its impressive elephant population. And with October to April being the best time to visit, you can experience the park at its finest.
Uganda
Uganda is renowned for its diverse wildlife and breathtaking landscapes, which can be found in its 10 national parks and 12 game reserves. Seven of the national parks are situated on savannahs, while the other three are located in forests. If you are interested in tracking mountain gorillas, Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are the places for you. Queen Elizabeth National Park is another recommended destination where you can enjoy exciting activities like chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge, watching tree-climbing lions, observing a herd of elephants walking majestically on the plains, and cruising the Kazinga Channel while spotting buffaloes, warthogs, hippos and Nile crocodiles. Kidepo Valley National Park is another must-visit location, with its sweeping plains and valleys overshadowed by Mount Morungole. The mountain is sacred to the Ik tribe, one of the smallest tribes in Uganda. The park is also known for its excellent birding safari experience.
Lake Mburo National Park is a small park but offers great game-drive experiences and is the only national park in Uganda where you can enjoy boat cruises, walking safaris, and horseback riding. It is also the only national park in Uganda with impalas and big-horned Ankole cows.
Rwanda
In Rwanda, Akagera National Park is an essential destination, as it is the last remaining sanctuary for savannah-adapted species in Rwanda. The park is a protected wetland, and visitors can take boat safaris along Lake Ihema, the second-largest lake in Rwanda, for wildlife and birdwatching.
Volcanoes National Park is located in the northern part of Rwanda and is well-known for mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and hiking and mountain climbing. Nyungwe National Park is another destination to explore, located in southwest Rwanda and known for chimpanzees and colobus monkeys. It’s also popular for canopy walks on a suspended bridge that is about 70 meters (230 feet) above the forest floor.
Although the parks can be visited year-round, it is best to avoid April since it is when Rwanda usually receives heavy rainfall.
Botswana
Botswana is a rapidly growing ecotourism destination, with visitors being attracted to the vast elephant herds of Chobe National Park and the unique canoe-based wildlife safaris in the Okavango Delta. Moremi Nature Reserve, Nxai Pan National Park, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, and Central Kalahari Game Reserve are some of the other places where you can see the “Big Five.”
Botswana’s Okavango Delta – Heaven on Earth
Tanzania
In Tanzania, UNESCO-listed Serengeti National Park competes with Kenya for the best wildlife experience on this continent. I went there during the calving season, when the wildebeests and zebras gave birth on their way to Kenya during the Great Migration. Another wonder is the Ngorongoro Crater, which is one of the largest calderas in the world and is considered to be one of the best places to go on safari in Africa.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe’s renowned Hwange National Park is worth a visit, and so is Matobo National Park, which has a wide diversity of fauna and plenty of white rhinos. The area around Matobo Hills is home to the remains of early settlements and the graves of historical figures like Cecil Rhodes. The best time to visit the parks is during the dry season, from June to October, when the bush is thinner, making wildlife easier to spot.
The best time for safaris in Kenya and Tanzania is during the migration season. However, he recommends visiting Zimbabwe and Zambia from July to October. In other parts of the continent, months like February, June and September can be very rewarding too. “The wildlife is fantastic, and there are fewer vehicles around,” he said. “And you can often benefit from a low-season price structure, which of course is always nice.”
South Africa
South Africa is another must-visit country for wildlife enthusiasts. With 20 national parks to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect spot to see Africa’s “Big Five” game animals: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffaloes. Kruger National Park is perhaps the most famous, but other parks like Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Pilanesberg National Park, and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park are equally impressive.
If you’re looking for a unique wildlife experience, Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa is the place to be. As the largest park in the Eastern Cape and the third-largest in South Africa, it’s renowned for its impressive elephant population. And with October to April being the best time to visit, you can experience the park at its finest.
My Solo Trip to South Africa
All-inclusive African vacations in Africa are a wildlife lover’s paradise, and the 10 countries listed above offer some of the most spectacular wildlife experiences in the world. Whether you’re looking for lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, or buffaloes, you’re sure to find them in one of these incredible destinations.
So why wait? Start planning your African wildlife adventure today!
