Five safari destinations for first-time travellers

You've seen the documentaries of African deserts, waterfalls and wildlife. However, nothing compares to being there in person. Safaris promise unique cultural encounters, captivating wildlife adventure and spectacular scenery. Here are five of the best safari destinations for first-time travellers.

Kenya

Kenya is a co-host to the great wildebeest migration, one of the ‘seven natural wonders of the world’. The Masai Mara in Kenya, together with the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, provide a magical stage from July to November as over two million wildebeest and other wildlife migrate from the Serengeti to the Mara.

It is captivating to watch the shifting columns of herds attempt to cross the Mara River that is infested with Nile crocodiles. Termed the greatest show on earth, it is an exhilarating drama on a truly phenomenal scale. A Kenya safari is something not to be missed.

Tanzania

Apart from co-hosting the greatest wildebeest migration, Tanzania is home to one of the largest concentrations of animals in Africa as well as the game-rich Serengeti National Park.

With vast landscapes hosting diverse animals and a calm and stable atmosphere, you'll feel connected to the land from the moment you first arrive.

It is also one of the few places where you can see chimpanzees up close in their habitat near Lake Tanganyika.

South Africa

South Africa is a dream safari destination largely in part because of Kruger National Park. It is one of the world's greatest national parks with unspoiled beauty, filled with all the iconic safari species and a great diversity of flora.

Get ready to experience nearly two million hectares of bush plains filled with striking landscapes and wildlife that cause the frozen images in magazines to spring to life.

Botswana

Botswana is home to the Okavango Delta, the world's largest inland delta, which hosts the world's largest animal migration – the zebra migration.

The wealth of wildlife that you can see in Botswana is incomprehensible – massive herds of elephant, numerous lion prides and it’s also home to all the members of the Big Five species.

If you’re looking for a reliable safari destination – then Botswana is the one for you.

Namibia

Namibia is home to a quarter of the global cheetah population and the last free-roaming black rhinos in the world. Black rhinos are gentle herbivore giants that are non-violent and are critically endangered.

Watching them traverse the African Savannah uprooting shrubs and chewing cud is a quintessential experience. Etosha National Park is another location filled with sheer wonder and a wealth of attractions. The abundance of game, dramatic landscapes and diverse bird species make it a magical place to visit.