Five of the Best National Parks for an African Safari

Have you ever thought about going on safari in Africa? It’s a dream trip for many of us, and can also have a positive impact on local conservation efforts. Southern and Eastern Africa in particular boast many green tourism destinations. By choosing to visit their National Parks, you can travel responsibly to natural areas while promoting wildlife conservation, empowering local communities and building environmental and cultural awareness. Not to mention having the trip of a lifetime!

With a guide you can find the “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) and even the Big Six if you count the mountain gorillas! And you’ll not only be immersed in some of the world’s most amazing landscapes for animal viewing; you will also be providing direct financial benefits for conservation efforts, one of eco-tourism’s guiding principles. By going on a safari with local guides and rangers, you are also providing economic incentives that help local people increase their capacity building and protect their cultural heritage - another key pillar of sustainable tourism.

Last but not least, you will be enriching your perspective and understanding of the importance of conserving natural areas with first-hand knowledge. So...get ready for the amazing wilderness that only Africa has to offer on your private African safari!

Five of the Best Places to Go on an African Safari

Known locally as The Mara, this park is located in southwestern Kenya. It is named in honor of the Maasai people, the ancestral inhabitants of the area. It hosts over 95 species of mammals and over 570 recorded species of birds. Along with Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, it’s one of Africa's greatest wildlife reserves and one of the most diverse top safari big game viewing ecosystems.2. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Serengeti National Park was founded in 1951 as Tanzania’s primary national park. You can find more than 500 bird species and over 300 species of mammals. It is situated in northwestern Tanzania and borders Kenya, where it continues into the Masai Mara National Reserve. In the Serengeti, the world’s most spectacular movement of animals occurs: the great wildebeest migration.3. Kruger National Park, South Africa

Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa. Over 2 million hectares of land that stretches from north to south along the Mozambique border features the big five, along with a supporting cast of 137 other mammals and over 500 varieties of birds.4. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

Located in southwestern Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the largest areas in East Africa to see Mountain Gorillas. It covers 32,000 hectares and is known for its extraordinary biodiversity, with more than 160 species of trees and over 100 species of ferns. Many types of birds and butterflies can also be found. It was declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 1994.5. Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park is a National Park in northwestern Rwanda. Without a doubt, Rwanda's largest tourist draw is its population of wild mountain gorillas. Trekking through the misty jungle of Volcanoes National Park, you can encounter these endangered animals; it’s a truly once-in-a-lifetime adventure. You can also visit the Gorilla Guardians Village, which provides a cultural experience beyond wildlife.