How to choose where to go on safari

How to choose where to go on safari: compare destinations by wildlife, best months and travel style, with picks for first-timers, families and photographers.

Updated by: Caitlin Middleton - Product Copywriter at Explore Worldwide
Updated: 26 November 2025

You’ve set your heart on a safari for your next adventure – now comes the big question: where to go.

The perfect safari destination depends on your interests, when you’re travelling, who you’re travelling with, and how you like to explore. In this guide, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step approach to choosing the best safari for you, highlight some of our favourite destinations across Africa, and share tips on timing your trip and what to expect along the way. By the end, you’ll have all the inspiration and know-how you need to plan your dream safari.

Before we dive in, let's start off with a few simple questions to help plan your perfect trip:

A step-by-step to choosing the best safari

Planning a safari is an unforgettable experience, and with so many destinations, styles and experiences to choose from, where do you actually start? The key is to narrow it down by asking the right questions. Do you picture yourself in a spacious lodge or wild camping? Would you rather settle in one spot or move between different areas? Before you decide, consider these factors:

When are you going? Dry seasons often mean easier sightings, while some wildlife spectacles, like the Great Migration, are seasonal. Timing can make a huge difference.
What do you want to see? Are you hoping to tick off the Big Five, observe primates, spot desert specialists, or enjoy birdwatching? Each destination offers different wildlife experiences.
Who’s travelling? Families may want malaria-free zones, well-maintained roads, and child-friendly accommodation. Solo travellers or couples might prefer small-group or private lodges.
How do you like to travel? Do you enjoy overland adventures, fly-in safaris, lodge-based stays, or mobile camps? Travel style can shape your experience as much as the destination.
What’s the budget? High-value, low-volume options (like private concessions in Botswana) offer exclusivity and fewer crowds, while more accessible destinations (like Kruger) provide excellent value and easier logistics.

Now, let's dive in to our top safaris...

1. Best for first-timers: the Serengeti

On Tanzania’s well-known northern circuit, the Serengeti is home to all of the Big 5 but is particularly well-known for its large lion population. From November to June, the Great Wildebeest Migration passes through the Serengeti – during this time giant herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle move through northern Tanzania into Kenya’s Masai Mara.

Experiences to expect: Classic game drives across vast open plains, and the option to relax in Zanzibar after your safari.

Best months:
July to October: River crossings during the Great Migration
December to March: Calving season with newborn animals
Apr to May and Nov: Greener landscapes, fewer crowds

See all Serengeti tours

Zebras and wildebeests walk in a large herd across a grassy savanna. Dust fills the air, and sparse bushes are visible in the background, suggesting a dry, open environment.

2. Best for safari buffs: Etosha National Park

If you’ve been on safari before - maybe even several - consider something a bit different for your next wildlife experience. Namibia’s Etosha National Park is a landscape unlike any other in Africa. Meaning ‘the great white area’, Etosha is a vast area of pale grey dried-out clay pans. The waterholes by each of the camps are where concentrations of wildlife, including the endangered black rhino, congregate to drink and bathe.

Experiences to expect: Wildlife viewing at camps’ waterholes, spotting giraffes, antelopes, and other desert-adapted species.

Best months: Dry season (May to October) for predictable wildlife sightings.

See all Etosha tours

Giraffes stand and drink at a small waterhole, while a gazelle also drinks nearby on a vast, arid plain under a clear, expansive sky.

3. Best for families: Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park in South Africa is perfect for families. Malaria-free, easily accessed via Johannesburg, and with well-maintained roads, Kruger offers a safe and comfortable safari experience for younger travellers. Home to the Big Five and a wide range of accommodation, it’s ideal for family-friendly game drives.

Experiences to expect: Spot elephants, lions, black and white rhinos, cheetah, leopards, giraffes and South Africa’s diverse antelope species.

Best months: Dry season (June to October) is ideal, though shoulder months offer fewer crowds.

See all Kruger tours

A child wearing sunglasses leans out of a vehicle window, pointing at an elephant near a tree in a grassy savanna under a partly cloudy sky.

4. Best for birdwatchers: the Cape

South Africa’s Cape is a paradise for birdwatchers, boasting the highest number of endemic bird species on the continent. Explore on our Cycle the Cape tour, riding through Knysna Harkerville Forest and Tsitsikamma National Park, spotting Cape Vultures, Cape Parrots, eagles, cranes and sugarbirds.

Best months: Spring and early summer are particularly rich for bird activity.

See all Cape tours

A vibrant green bird perches atop a yellow flower, surrounded by lush green leaves and branches in a natural outdoor setting.

5. Best for couples: a Botswana Lodge Safari

Our Botswana Lodge Safari is perfect for couples seeking an intimate, luxurious experience. Stay in premium tented camps, explore the Okavango Delta in dugout canoes, and enjoy the Mogotlho Safari Lodge overlooking the River Khwai. Small group sizes (max 8–12 travellers) make for a more personal experience.

Best months: Dry season (June to October) for ideal water levels and wildlife visibility.

See all Botswana tours

A narrow canoe glides through a marsh, steered by a standing person with a pole. Tall grasses surround the waterway under a clear blue sky.

6. Best for solo travellers: the choice is yours!

Solo travellers are very well catered for on Explore safaris, around half of our customers travel alone. Whether it’s Chobe National Park or gorilla trekking in Uganda, small groups let you experience thrilling wildlife adventures while meeting like-minded travellers.

Best months: Depends on the destination, but generally dry season offers the best wildlife viewing.

See all African wildlife tours

Choosing the month for your safari

Now you've got a taste for our safari trips, let's take a look at the best times to travel.

June to October:
Best for classic dry-season viewing across Southern and East Africa – the Okavango Delta at its best.

July to October:
To see the Serengeti-Mara river crossings during the Great Migration.

December to March:
For the Southern Serengeti calving and superb birding.

April to May and November:
The shoulder months offer greener landscapes and fewer crowds, though some areas may have rain-impacted tracks.

Frequently asked questions:

What months are best for an African safari?

Dry season (June to October) is ideal for most regions, but timing depends on the wildlife you want to see, e.g. the Great Migration in July to October or calving in December to March.

Which destinations offer the most reliable big cat sightings?

Where can I see the Great Migration?

Do I need to worry about malaria and vaccinations?

Don't just travel, Explore!

Ready to start planning your safari? Explore all of our wildlife holidays and find the trip that’s right for you.

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