Best Countries for Safari: African Safari

The Big 5 are the superstars of Africa and seeing them in the world's best safari destinations is one of life's greatest thrills. But what exactly are the Big 5? The term was coined in the 19th century by big game hunters, who listed the African elephant, African lion, Cape buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros as the most dangerous creatures to hunt on foot in Africa. Fortunately, these incredible animals are now widely protected in national parks and game reserves.

While there are no guarantees of spotting wildlife on safari (especially the elusive leopard and the endangered rhino), there are some destinations in Africa that are famous for their Big 5 populations. If you're ready to cross an African safari off your bucket list, look no further than these safari destinations to spot the Big 5.

1. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Serengeti National Park is an icon of Africa and one of the best safari destinations in the world to spot the Big 5 and more. Located in northern Tanzania, this UNESCO-listed national park is one of the oldest ecosystems on the planet. It is full of plants and animals that have barely changed in the last million years.

The park is an epic expanse of plains and grasslands, dotted with the Big 5 and other safari favorites such as giraffes, zebras, hyenas, cheetahs and the rare African wild dog.

The Serengeti is also famous for being home to "The Greatest Show on Earth": the Great Migration. More than two million wildebeest, zebra, impala and gazelle cross the Mara River in a thunderous mass each year in search of greener pastures. The migration leaves every year towards the Masai Mara, in Kenya, around the month of July. The herd travels the 1,000 km back to Tanzania around October or November, when the rains arrive.

The wildebeest must avoid lurking predators such as lions and leopards on their journey, while huge clouds of migratory birds fly over the place. It is the largest migration of land mammals in the world and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.

2. Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Venture across the Serengeti border to Kenya's Maasai Mara National Park, the other half of the mighty Mara-Serengeti ecosystem. As one of the world's best safari destinations, the Maasai Mara offers extraordinary game viewing, including the Big Five.

You're also likely to see giraffes, hippos and crocodiles lurking in the rivers, along with more than two million wildebeest, zebra and gazelles arriving in a thunderous mass during the Great Migration.

In addition to the incredible wildlife, the Maasai Mara is famous for its rich culture. You will be able to visit a traditional Maasai village where you will meet the Maasai and witness their colorful traditions.

3. Kruger National Park, South Africa

Kruger National Park is the oldest and most iconic national park in South Africa. It is also one of the most important experiences on the entire continent. Covering two million hectares (the size of Israel or Slovenia), you'll have plenty of chances to see the famous Big 5, the unique Little 5, and everything in between.

There are also reliable sightings and high densities of animals in the private reserves surrounding Kruger National Park. One of our favorite areas is the Karongwe Private Game Reserve. Here you can spot all the Big 5 and learn about the local traditions and delicacies of the Shangaan people in a local village.

4. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, one of the seven natural wonders of Africa, is one of the best safari spots on the continent. Located in the Crater Highlands of northern Tanzania, Ngorongoro is a 260 square kilometer ancient volcanic crater. The crater is surrounded by a 600 meter high wall, and is the largest intact and unfilled caldera in the world.

It is home to over 25,000 big game animals, including the Big 5. The conservation area protects Tanzania's last population of endangered black rhinos. You can also spot cheetahs, zebras, wildebeests, gazelles, spotted hyenas and the endangered African wild dog. The crater is also dotted with foaming soda lakes where you can see hippos and huge flocks of pink flamingos.

The Ngorongoro has also been home to humans for about three million years and has been occupied by pastoralist tribes, such as the Maasai, for the last 2,000 years. You can visit a Maasai village and even see rubbings of fossilized footprints found in the Olduvai Gorge. These famous footprints prove that humans walked on two legs at least 3.7 million years ago.

5. Etosha National Park, Namibia

Etosha is Namibia's largest national park, famous for its stunning desert landscapes and abundant wildlife. You will have the opportunity to spot four of the Big Five, as there are no buffaloes in Etosha, although you will be able to see them on the nearby Waterberg Plateau and the Caprivi Strip. Meanwhile, the huge populations of lions and elephants make up for it.

Etosha is also one of the best places in Africa to see the critically endangered white rhino and black rhino. These precious creatures have been poached to near extinction on the mainland, but can still be found around the ponds of Etosha.

The watering holes are also an ideal place to spot lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas on the prowl. You can also see herds of elephants coming to drink and bathe in the water. With its unique desert-adapted animals, Etosha is undoubtedly one of the best safari destinations in the world.

6. Chobe National Park, Botswana

Chobe is all about elephants, and this national park is one of the best safari destinations in the world to see these majestic creatures. There are about 120,000 elephants in the park and we love seeing them on a Chobe River cruise.

You will have the opportunity to see elephants, buffaloes, lions and leopards come to the riverbank to drink, while birds such as kingfishers hover above the water. The best time to see the huge herds of elephants is the dry season, from May to October. The best time to see wildlife is from August to October.

Unfortunately, rhinos are extremely rare to see in Chobe after their population has been decimated over the years. The good news is that little by little they are being reintroduced into private areas of the park.

7. Samburu National Reserve, Kenya

Delve into the wild bushlands of the Samburu National Reserve, on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River. Here you will have the opportunity to spot a unique type of Big 5: the "Samburu Special 5". These five rare animals can only be found in the Samburu ecosystem and include the reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, beisa oryx, Somali ostrich and gerenuk.

You may even get to see some of these animals on a special guided nature walk. You will be accompanied by an expert naturalist, who will share with you his knowledge about the plants and animals of the area.

Along with the Samburu Special 5, you will also have the opportunity to see more famous animals, including elephants and lions like Elsa, the lion cub made famous in the award-winning book and movie "Born Free." Samburu National Reserve was one of two areas where conservationists George and Joy Adamson raised the lion cub.

You can learn more about conservation and anti-poaching efforts at the nearby Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa.

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▷ Conclusion: Go out, travel and live your life to the fullest.

This year, treat yourself to a break from the ordinary and seek an adventure abroad. You'll come back refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to bore all your friends with travel stories.

Any time of year is a good time to travel. Discover the best places to travel by month:

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