Where to go on safari (and when): the world’s best destinations

Our unique and precious planet is defined by its flora and fauna—so incredible in its diversity that, for wildlife fans, it can be overwhelming to decide just what to see first. If you’re ready to take that safari adventure of a lifetime for your next vacation—to spot lions and tigers, elephants and crocodiles, peacocks, sloths and giant tortoises—let us share our pick of exactly where to go on safari and when.

East Africa: big cats, gorilla forests, and the Great Migration

When imagining your classic safari vacation, with the sun dipping behind sprawling grasslands, it’s likely a scene of glorious eastern Africa you’re picturing.

Kenya: the Maasai Mara and Amboseli Park

Arguably the gateway destination for most safari-fans, Kenya is alive with animals straight from your childhood dreams. There are Big Five sightings and big cats galore, especially across the panoramic savannah of the Maasai Mara. Elephant herds, tons of birdlife, and picture-perfect scenes abound in Amboseli National Park, with Mount Kilimanjaro looming proudly in the background.

Best time to visit: For rewarding game drives, accessible guided walks and cultural excursions with the Maasai people, the best time to visit is the dry season, from June to October.

Tanzania: the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater

Tanzania is one of the archetypal safari hotspots; the Ngorongoro Crater hosts incredible biodiversity such as flamingos, lions, elephants, rhinos, and leopards. Here you’ll witness the sun rise and set over endless plains, rolling grasslands and acacia-studded canyons. The Great Migration occurs here, across the vast savannah of the Serengeti—where hordes of wildebeest migrate in their thousands in one of the most immense natural spectacles on Earth.

Best time to visit: To catch the Great Migration, timings vary as the herd moves—April to June is when animals cross the Central Serengeti, but July to October is when they make river crossings (this is also the best time for a classic safari in Tanzania).

Rwanda and Uganda: encounters with mountain gorillas

Life-affirming, majestic, breathtaking; there aren’t enough superlatives to describe the experience of tracking wild mountain gorillas. As gorillas inhabit only Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, government conservation efforts have gone to great lengths to retain low visitor numbers, so as not to drastically disturb the gorillas and their habitat. Our local travel experts in Rwanda and Uganda can organize a permit and do all the admin for you. All you’ll have to consider is encountering these stunning primates in leafy, mist-covered surroundings.

Best time to visit: The best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is during the dry seasons, June to September and December to February.

Southern Africa: glorious game reserves and luxury lodges

In the south of Africa, going on safari is truly something special. There is a sense of ancient adventure here that is hard to beat.

Botswana: the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park

Somewhat underrated as a safari destination, Botswana’s natural marvel is the Okavango Delta. Aboard a dugout canoe, visitors can explore the waterways of this vast wetland, teeming with hippos, elephants, buffalo, crocodile and lechwe, as well as wondrous birdlife. On land, Chobe National Park is also excellent, with some of the largest concentrations of elephants in Africa (you can often spot them bathing in the river).

Best time to visit: The dry season in May to October, when many animals congregate along the river.

South Africa: Kruger Park and exclusive game reserves

With excellent infrastructure, delectable local wines and luxurious lodges, South Africa is truly a special safari destination. Kruger National Park is the wildlife big-hitter here, where you can spot the Big Five as well as cheetahs, hippos, wild dogs, honey badgers and more, on either a self-drive safari or locally guided game drive. There are also a glut of wonderful private reserves—Sabi Sands, Madikwe, Thornybush and more—for exclusive lodges immersed in nature, and up-close sightings of your favorite animals.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit is the dry winter months of May to September, when wildlife concentrates around waterholes and animals are easier to see.

Namibia: desert-adapted wildlife and on-the-road adventures

A Namibian safari is always awe-inspiring, but a self-drive tour really unlocks a sense of freedom. As you venture along Namibia’s long, open roads you’ll encounter wildlife that’s adapted to the desert: herds of dusty elephants, mountain zebras, ostriches and lizards are all part of the show, as well as your classic lions, rhino and giraffes. The arid lands scattered with animals make for striking photography, across wildlife reserves such as Etosha National Park, and the iconic red dunes and landscapes of the Namib Desert and Sossusvlei.

Best time to visit: The dry season in May to October is when animals are most visible, as they gather around waterholes rather than spread out.

Zambia and Zimbabwe: walking safaris and Victoria Falls

Zambia and Zimbabwe stand out as safari destinations due to the sensational Victoria Falls. Walking safaris both in Zambia’s South Luangwa and Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools allow you to track wildlife on foot, so you’ll get up close and personal with elephants, lions, hippos and antelopes, just as ancient man once did. There’s also ample birdlife on display, such as African fish eagles, lilac-breasted rollers and carmine bee-eaters, as the waterfalls cast rainbows in the mist.

Best time to visit: The dry season of May to October is when animals congregate around water sources, and the falls are still wonderfully dramatic.

Safari in Asia: tigers, elephants and jungle adventures

Asia is a wonderland for endemic wildlife, and it chirps, roars and swings in both urban and rural settings.

India: stunning Bengal tigers

The exquisite Bengal tiger is India’s most iconic predator. Around 70% of the world’s wild tigers reside here, so you’re in for magical encounters rarely experienced anywhere else. Tigers move through dry forests, open grasslands and crumbling ancient ruins in Ranthambore National Park, often appearing along dusty tracks or emerging near waterholes. In scenic Bandhavgarh National Park, a tiger might step into a sunlit clearing, while in Kanha National Park, tigers reside in vast meadows edged by forest. It’s certainly memorable to spot the iconic striped coat through tall grasses as you slowly drive past.

Best time to visit: March to May is the best time to spot tigers in India, before monsoon season. It’s hot at this time of year, but tigers are on the prowl in search of water.

Sri Lanka: leopards and elephant gatherings

Sri Lanka’s balmy, luscious forests and humid wetlands are the perfect home for an abundance of wildlife and bird species. Many head here for sightings of majestic leopards and Sri Lankan elephants, as well as water buffalo, sloth bears, and wonderful birds such as peacocks, kingfishers, storks and pelicans. Jeep safaris are the best way to get around Yala, Wilpattu and Udawalawe National Park—allowing for close-up sightings of these animals in wild and rugged surroundings.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit is December to April on the south and west coast, and May to September in the north and east. These are peak wildlife-viewing times as the weather is dry and warm.

Borneo: orangutans in the rainforest

Orangutans are a bucket list favorite for wildlife fans. These lovable endangered primates reside only in Malaysian and Indonesian Borneo, and are elusive to spot in the wild—so it’s a true adventure tracking them down. With the expertise of a local guide, these orange-haired apes may appear in forested areas such as Danum Valley Conservation Area or the Kinabatangan River. Stop at the Sepilok Rehabilitation Center for more accessible, close-up sightings; here, semi-wild orangutans frolic on climbing frames and descend onto feeding platforms.

Indonesian Borneo is somewhat more remote; you’ll head down winding waterways via boat into Tanjung Puting National Park, looking out for orangutans with the help of local guides.

Best time to visit: The dry season from March to October is your best bet for orangutan sightings across Borneo.

Animals of the Americas: in the Pantanal, the Amazon and more

Most think of Africa and Asia when it comes to safari, but the Americas have their own wild treasures waiting to be unlocked.

Brazil’s Pantanal: the world’s best jaguar sightings

If you’re keen on spotting the elusive jaguar, Brazil’s Pantanal is the place to be. As the world’s largest wetland it’s a staggering natural spectacle in itself, with vast marshes, rivers and forests that are also home to capybaras, giant otters, caimans, anacondas, and hundreds of bird species. But it’s jaguar sightings that draw the most awe—and safaris are generally guided boat trips, with high chances of spotting jaguars hunting or lounging near the water.

Best time to visit: July to October is the dry season, with August to September the peak for jaguars, as they come out to hunt on the riverbanks.

Costa Rica: meet the sloths, toucans and butterflies

Costa Rica’s biodiversity is world-renowned—5% of the world’s flora and fauna is squeezed into its tiny, jungle-covered landmass. Wildlife-lovers flock to Costa Rica for its sloths, toucans, butterflies, howler monkeys, turtles, tree frogs; but also for its impressive dedication to protecting these animals and habitats. Safari locations range from the stunning, otherworldly trails of Monteverde Cloud Forest, to the humid, animal-filled tropics of Corcovado and Manuel Antonio National Parks, to the waterways of Tortuguero.

Best time to visit: The dry season in Costa Rica (December to April) means hiking trails are more accessible, weather is more comfortable and animals gather around waterholes; but Costa Rica’s green season (May to November) is also a treat.

The Amazon Basin: an immersive, biodiverse safari

If safari to you means real wilderness immersion, the Amazon Basin truly delivers. This is THE rainforest of the world, tangling its way across the north of South America, dense with flora and fauna. Explorers often head into the Amazon by boat to get into the deepest parts, switching to walking with a local guide to get among the towering canopies.

You might spot pink river dolphins breaking the surface of the river, troops of monkeys swinging overhead, macaws squawking, or sloths tucked away in the trees. Jaguars are here, too—much harder to spot than the former, but you might get lucky.

Best time to visit: June to November is the driest season. Lower water levels make forest trails more accessible, and wildlife is easier to spot.

How to choose your safari destination

Choosing the right safari destination for you really comes down to what you envision for your perfect trip…

• Start with your preferred wildlife: Are you dreaming of big cats on open plains, up-close elephant encounters, or something more adventurous and remote?
• Think about your travel style and budget, whether that’s luxury lodges and private reserves, or something a bit more rustic and low-key.
• Consider the time of year: Dry and wet seasons, hunting or mating season, and migrations can completely change the experience—from where the animals are based to how the landscape looks and feels.
• Chat with a local travel expert: They can take your preferences for animal sightings and safari style, and create a bespoke itinerary at the perfect time; so, fingers crossed, you’ll end up on the safari of your dreams with memories to last a lifetime.

Make it happen

If you’re more than ready to go on the safari of a lifetime, get in touch with one of our local travel experts. They’re based on the ground within the destination, and are equipped with all the local knowledge you’ll need to get the best wildlife sightings at just the right times.