Across Africa, every safari destination offers remarkable wildlife experiences. From classic Big Five game drives on the open savannas of Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa to intimate walking safaris in Zambia and Zimbabwe; there are boundless opportunities for unforgettable wildlife encounters.

Kenya

Kenya’s famed wildlife experiences are nothing short of extraordinary. Journey from the Masai Mara to Samburu, Amboseli, and Tsavo, and witness the awe-inspiring Great Migration along the way. Expect to see:

The Big Five: lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, rhinos, and Cape buffalo
Giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, hyenas, wildebeest, and various antelope species.
Samburu “Special” Five: Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx, and gerenuk, found in northern Kenya.
Extensive birdlife, with over 1,100 species throughout the country’s parks and reserves.

Tanzania

Tanzania is also renowned for its wildlife viewing, especially in its famous parks like the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Taragire. Expect to see:

The Big Five particularly in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.

Elephants are abundant in Tarangire, where you may encounter hundreds during the dry season.
Wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, and buffalo feature prominently in the Serengeti’s migration.
Large giraffe populations, antelope species (eland, impala, kudu), and predators like cheetahs, wild dogs, hyenas.
Birding opportunities: martial eagle, bateleur, and lappet-faced vulture are notable raptors.

South Africa

Not only does South Africa boast top safari destinations like Kruger National Park, Madikwe and Sabi Sands, but it offers a variety of ecosystems, enhancing any safari viewing experience. You’ll be please to see:

The Big Five are reliably found in Kruger and nearby reserves.

Giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, warthogs, baboons, and various antelope species (kudu, gemsbok, bushbuck) are common.
Predator diversity such ascCheetah, hyena, wild dogs, and aardwolf.
Unique events like the annual Sardine Run showcase South Africa’s rich coastal and marine life: sharks, dolphins, and seabirds.
Excellent burding year-round.
Reptiles such as crocodiles and various lizards.

Namibia

Namibia offers unique desert-adapted wildlife with the the backdrop of dramatic landscapes. Plan to see:

Desert‑adapted elephants and lions, black rhino, giraffe, zebra, hyena, jackal, and big cats like leopard and cheetah in key areas such as Etosha, Damaraland, and the Skeleton Coast.

Abundant antelope (oryx/gemsbok, springbok, kudu, hartebeest), plus meerkat, warthog, and prolific birdlife including flamingos on the Etosha pan.
An abundance of wildlife such as Cape fur seals, birdlife and even whales and dolphins along the Skeleton Coast.

Zambia

Zambia is phenomenal for classic, uncrowded game viewing and walking safaris. Expect to see:

Big Five: elephants, lions, leopards (especially strong in South Luangwa), buffalo, and rhino in selected areas.
Large hippo and crocodile populations on the rivers.
Excellent sightings of wild dog, spotted hyena, various antelope (puku, lechwe, kudu, impala), giraffe, and zebra.
Birdlife is spectacular as Zambia is home to hundreds of species.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is renowned for high‑quality guiding, predators, and signature big mammals. Look forward to seeing:

Large elephant herds, lion, leopard, buffalo, and (in a few conservancies) white and black rhino, along with giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, and many antelope species.
Outstanding predator action in Mana Pools and Hwange (lion, wild dog, hyena), plus hippo and crocodile along the Zambezi.
Zimbabwe is superb for birding, with roughly 500–650 bird species; expect everything from fish eagles, kingfishers and bee-eaters along water, to raptors, hornbills and a variety of woodland and grassland specials in the interior.
Along rivers and Lake Kariba you can expect hippo and Nile crocodile.

Rwanda

Rwanda offers on-foot encounters in lush montane forests rather than classic savanna safaris. Expect to see:

Mountain gorillas are the headline species in Volcanoes National Park, along with golden monkeys, forest elephants and buffalo, plus high-altitude forest birds.
Nyungwe Forest National Park hosts chimpanzee and many other primate species, forest antelope, and some of Africa’s best Albertine Rift forest birding.
Akagera National Park is home to Big Five, plains game, hippos and crocs on lakes, and prolific birdlife

Uganda

Uganda is a mix of classic savannah big game, great apes, and exceptional birdlife, so guests can expect a very diverse safari such as:

Mountain gorillas in Bwindi, plus chimpanzees in Kibale and several other reserves, along with colobus and other monkeys.
In Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, and other savanna parks you can see lion (including tree‑climbing lions in Ishasha), elephant, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, giraffe (in the north), various antelope, and excellent bird diversity along the Nile and Kazinga Channel.
In Murchison Falls expect to see Rothschild’s giraffe
Excellent birding as Uganda is a top birding destination with over 1,000 recorded species

Botswana

Botswana has some of the richest and most varied wildlife in Africa. Expect to see:

Flagship animals like the Big Five. You can usually see several of the Big Five: lion, leopard, buffalo, and both black and white rhino in select areas (particularly in the Okavango/Moremi and certain private reserves).
Botswana holds Africa’s largest elephant population, with huge herds especially in Chobe, Moremi, and the Okavango Delta.
Hippo and Nile crocodile are common along rivers and in the Delta channels, providing classic water-based sightings.
African wild dogs which roam across the Okavango Delta, the Moremi Game Reserve, Khwai, Linyanti/Kwando, Selinda and parts of Chobe.

Whatever you hope to see, Next Adventure will craft a personalized itinerary for you that promises amazing wildlife encounters.

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