Africa’s Top National Parks, as Rated by Safari Travellers

Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park is leading the pack as Africa’s top safari destination for 2024, according to international safari-goers and safari experts who have recently travelled to Africa.

Travel marketplace SafariBookings.com released its list of  50 best safari parks on the continent based on an in-depth analysis of over 2300 reviews.  The reviews are based on trips taken over the last two years, between 2022 and 2024.

The Serengeti National Park’s overall rating of 4.85 out of 5 put this world-renowned wildlife park ahead of 195 other parks and reserves across East and Southern Africa. Among the experts are writers who contribute regularly to Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, Frommer’s, Bradt Guides and Footprint Travel Guides.

Surrounded by Wildlife in the Serengeti

U.S. Travel Writer for Lonely Planet Mary Fitzpatrick, isn’t surprised that the Serengeti is Tanzania’s most visited park. “Almost from the moment you enter the gates, wildlife surrounds you in astounding numbers and variety, together with an incomparable sense of space.”

Fitzpatrick acknowledges that the headline event is the annual wildebeest migration and that witnessing a part of this “takes both planning and luck” for an unforgettable experience.

“The Serengeti is also known for its high density of predators, and the chance to watch lions and other cats – often at very close range – is another treat,” she adds.

Fitzpatrick states she also likes “the Serengeti’s quieter side.”

“Its wealth of birds and its nature-filled stillness. Most shorter safaris concentrate on the well-visited central Serengeti. With more time (and depending on the season), I’d also recommend spending at least part of your Serengeti itinerary in the western corridor around the Grumeti River or in the far north.”

South Africa Dominates Top 50 List of Africa’s Parks

Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve in South Africa reached second place this year, with Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park in third.
Overall, South Africa had a very strong showing, with 10 parks in the Top 50 – meaning that 20% of the Top 50 were South African parks.

South Africa has a lot of parks in the Top 50 because of the number of protected areas in the country and the large number of visitors they receive. The number of parks in the country, compared to other destinations in Africa, creates a high level of competition, and this means that the wildlife-viewing experience is generally of a high standard, according to Safaribookings.com.

South African travel writer for Lonely Planet James Bainbridge states South Africa’s main drawcard is the “accessibility and convenience of its wildlife-watching opportunities.”

“Not only are the Big Five here, in environments from Kruger’s bushveld to Pilanesberg’s extinct volcano crater, but you can see them from a hire car on tarred roads. Many of South Africa’s well-organised national parks also offer one-off guided drives (and walks) – great ways to pick up tracking tips.”

Bainbridge adds that South Africa’s affordability is “another winning factor.”

“With good roads generally leading to the parks’ gates (and sometimes beyond), it’s easy to see wildlife areas by car or a guided day trip, without having to join a long safari or procure a 4WD.  South Africa also has a greater variety of landscapes than most African countries. You can see wildlife with backdrops of Kalahari sands, Drakensberg peaks, Indian Ocean lagoons, riverine forests, baobab-studded plains and Namakwa’s spring wildflowers,” says Bainbridge.

“These diverse environments offer a broad menu of activities, from shark-cage diving to tasting grapes in the Cape Winelands, allowing you to mix safaris with other experiences.”

Below are the ten safari parks in South Africa that feature in our Top 50 and the place they hold:

Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve (2)

Made up of about 20 small but contiguous private reserves, the Sabi Sand area is arguably the most exclusive Big Five game-viewing location in Africa.

Kruger National Park (12)

Kruger National Park is one of South Africa’s most visited wildlife destinations, attracting more than one million visitors annually.

Timbavati Private Nature Reserve (23)

Sharing its eastern border with the central Kruger Park, this expansive private reserve is studded with quality camps and lodges offering all-inclusive guided wildlife-viewing packages.

Balule Private Nature Reserve (24)

One of the largest rivers in the Kruger National Park, the Olifants River, flows through the Balule reserve, and its waters and riverine forests attract high densities of mammals, reptiles, and birdlife.

Madikwe Game Reserve (25)

Situated in the blandly-named low-profile North West Province, Madikwe has grown in popularity in recent years thanks to its family-friendly holiday location in a malaria free-zone with excellent Big 5 viewing.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (26)

The Kgalagadi extends across three of Southern Africa’s most popular countries; Botswana, Namibia and South Africa making it the perfect base from which to explore the natural wonders of these iconic African destinations.

Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve (28)

Sabi Sabi, a private reserve in the Greater Kruger region is well-known for striking the right balance between outstanding wildlife experiences and responsible tourism practices.

Addo Elephant National Park (32)

Addo offers a full experience to see the Big 7, which extends the Big 5 of the Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo and Rhino to include the Southern Right Whales and the Great White Sharks.

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve (40)

As the oldest proclaimed game reserve, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is celebrated for its rich wildlife experiences and conservation programmes.

Pilanesberg Game Reserve (42)

Pilanesberg Game Reserve, like Madikwe,  is situated in the transitional zone to the moist eastern bushveld and the semi-arid Kalahari biome that extends into neighboring Botswana.

Want to explore the incredible national parks dotted across East and Southern Africa? Let us expert travel advisors guide you in finding the right experience for you.