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Botswana
Known for its vast, pristine wilderness, Botswana is often hailed as one of the best African safari destinations for pure, unfiltered wildlife encounters. Beyond land safaris, the Okavango Delta – an intricate network of lagoons and channels – invites exploration by mokoro (traditional dugout canoe.) This allows close encounters with smaller creatures and birds, all without the hum of a jeep.
You can expect to see three of the Big Five (elephant, buffalo and lion) relatively easily, as well as hippos, springboks, giraffes, warthogs and more. Sightings of rhinos and leopards (the remaining two of the Big Five) are a bit rarer, as are encounters with cheetahs, hyenas and wild dogs. Botswana’s stringent camp quotas and low-impact tourism model make each wildlife sighting an intimate privilege.
Accommodation options range from luxury lodges to remote camps handpicked for their exceptional experiences. In the Okavango Delta, we recommend Skybeds in the Khwai Private Reserve, where elevated platforms allow you to sleep under the stars with panoramic views. Sitatunga Private Island Camp, with just three luxury suites, offers a completely private camping experience, while Zarafa Camp, nestled in the Selinda Reserve, provides an unspoilt wilderness escape. For high-end stays in the Moremi Wildlife Reserve, Barclay Stenner and Okuti combine comfort with close encounters and nature.
South Africa
South Africa presents a fusion of safari adventure and cosmopolitan flair, making it an ideal choice for travellers seeking variety. In the famed Greater Kruger National Park and its adjacent private reserves, superb game-viewing unfolds across golden savannahs. South Africa is also one of the few safari destinations offering non-malarial reserves, making it particularly appealing for families or those wishing to avoid medication. All members of the Big Five can be seen here, alongside giraffes, cheetahs, impala and meerkats.
Luxury lodges in Sabi Sands, such as Londolozi Varty Camp and Notten’s Bush Camp, offer seamless indoor-outdoor living and exceptional service, where you might sip Champagne on your deck as elephants wander past. Further west, Madikwe Game Reserve offers intimate opulence in Mateya Safari Lodge, while the Leobo Observatory Private Villa in the Waterberg provides exclusive use of a striking retreat complete with an infinity pool, observatory and a dedicated team of staff.
To extend your journey beyond the bush, Cape Town’s Table Mountain vistas and world-class vineyards add a sophisticated counterpoint, making South Africa a superb honeymoon destination that balances romance with discovery.
Kenya
Few countries evoke the spirit of safari quite like Kenya. The sweeping grasslands of the Maasai Mara National Reserve are synonymous with the Great Migration, when millions of wildebeest thunder across the plains in one of nature’s greatest spectacles. Kenya is also home to the Big Five, alongside cheetahs, crocodiles, hippos, hyenas and zebra s– and you can even experience the action on horseback with our sample riding safari itineraries.
Stay in the heart of the Maasai Mara at Amani House, a private villa sleeping up to 14, with a swimming pool, hot tub, verandah and a team of staff; or at Angama Mara, famed for its elevated views across the savannah and Mara River. Further east, Lewa Wilderness offers elegant accommodation set amid breathtaking landscapes, while Laikipia’s private conservancies reveal nocturnal wildlife, such as aardvark and pangolin on night drives. Borana Lodge and Ol Lentille are also wonderful bases in this region.
For families, Kenya’s accessible wildlife sightings, exceptional guiding and glorious camps make it one of the best family safari destinations, combining safety with a mind-expanding experience for younger explorers.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe remains a jewel for travellers seeking low-density, high-intimacy safari experiences. Hwange National Park, home to vast elephant populations and iconic mopane woodland, pairs beautifully with Victoria Falls, one of the world’s largest waterfalls. Further south, Matobo Hills offers a dramatic landscape of balancing rocks, ancient rock art and excellent rhino tracking.
Zimbabwe is home to the Big Five, as well as hyenas, hippos, giraffes, African wild dogs and warthogs, making a safari here both rewarding and memorable. Be inspired by the Goldsmiths’ family safari adventure through Fothergill Island, Hwange National Park and Victoria Falls.
Verney’s Camp, tucked into a remote corner of Hwange National Park, offers an authentic experience led by expert Zimbabwean guides. Near Victoria Falls, Matetsi Lodge has private villas, superb game-viewing and fine dining, while Old Drift Lodge offers riverside accommodation with star-beds and private plunge-pools.
Tanzania
With its sweeping savannah and volcanic landscapes, Tanzania remains one of Africa’s most celebrated safari destinations. In the Serengeti, the Great Migration unfolds as vast herds traverse the plains, pursued by lions and cheetahs. Nearby, the Ngorongoro Crater forms a natural amphitheatre rich in biodiversity, home to black rhinos, lions and hundreds of bird species. Further south, Tarangire’s baobab-dotted plains teem with elephant herds guided by wise matriarchs to hidden water sources.
For something more remote, head west to Mahale Mountains and Katavi National Parks. Mahale’s forested slopes meet the shores of Lake Tanganyika and shelter one of Africa’s largest protected chimpanzee populations, while Katavi is renowned for its vast hippo pods and crocodile-filled rivers.
We recommend Singita Sasakwa Lodge on the Grumeti Reserve for its hilltop villas with infinity pools overlooking the Serengeti, while The Highlands in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area offers striking dome accommodation with exclusive crater access.
For romantic inspiration, our sample bush and beach honeymoon itinerary in southern Tanzania combines Ras Kutani, the Selous Game Reserve, Ruaha National Park and Fanjove Island on the Songo Songo Archipelago for a seamless blend of safari and seclusion.
Zambia
Known as the birthplace of the walking safari, Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park offers a deeply immersive connection with the land. On foot, expert trackers reveal leopard cubs curled in fig trees and sitatunga emerging from lagoons. Night drives uncover civets and bush babies, while boat trips along the Luangwa or Zambezi rivers bring encounters with hippos and fish eagles.
Chinzombo Safari Camp offers elegant, colonial-style villas with plunge pools overlooking the river, while Anabezi Camp, Sausage Tree Camp, Chula Island Camp and Kutali Camp each provide distinctive ways to experience Zambia’s Lower Zambezi Valley.
Madagascar
Madagascar offers an entirely different safari narrative – part island, part living museum. It is an otherwordly place where baobabs tower over red laterite roads and tamarind forests shelter lemurs, chameleons and rare birdlife. In the spiny thickets of the south, guided nature walks reveal ring-tailed lemurs bounding between rock outcrops, while offshore, theturquoise waters around Nosy Be teem with whale sharks and sea turtles.
While you will not see the Big Five here, Madagascar delivers extraordinary wildlife encounters. In terms of where to stay in Madagascar, we recommend Constance Tsarabanjina Private Island for barefoot luxury on the Mitsio Archipelago; and Manafiafy Beach & Rainforest Lodge, in the south, tucked away within lush jungle and providing a perfect base for exploring the area’s rich biodiversity.
Namibia
Namibia’s sculptural landscapes create a safari experience unlike any other. Rust-hued dunes rise against cobalt skies, while Etosha’s shimmering saltpan draws herds of springbok, oryx and black rhinos. Along the Skeleton Coast, shipwrecks and seal colonies create a haunting contrast to the inland wilderness, home to elephants, lions and giraffes.
Shipwreck Lodge on the Skeleton Coast offers striking suites inspired by the coastline’s maritime past. Further south and a little more inland, Sossusvlei Desert Lodge gives you access to a private desert reserve’s star dunes, ancient rock formations and extraordinary night skies.
Rwanda
In the mist-shrouded forests of Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda offers one of the most exclusive wildlife experiences on Earth: intimate encounters with mountain gorillas. Each trek, limited by permit to ensure minimal impact, culminates in a privileged encounter, whether meeting a silverback’s inquisitive gaze or watching playful youngsters tumble through the undergrowth. Beyond gorillas, Rwanda’s forest trails are home to golden monkeys, exotic birds and verdant orchids clinging to mossy branches.
When it comes to your Rwandan base, we recommend Bisate Lodge, perched on a volcanic ridge just outside the park boundary. Its six forest villas, clad in local bamboo and stone, open onto private terraces with crater views and the communal firepit offers evenings of rum cocktails and storytelling. Alternatively, Singita Kwitonda Lodge’s contemporary design honours Rwandan craftsmanship, with its glass-fronted suites overlooking rolling hills where gorillas roam.
Uganda
Often hailed as the ‘Pearl of Africa’, Uganda combines primate encounters with classic savannah safaris. In Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, you wind through misty valleys to meet mountain gorilla families, while Queen Elizabeth National Park’s sprawling wetlands and plains are home tree-climbing lions, hippo pods and flamingo-lined lagoons. Off-the-beaten-path Kidepo Valley National Park is a remote, rugged alternative rich in wildlife; and chimpanzee tracking is possible in Kibale, Kyambura Gorge and Budongo Forest.
With regards to where to stay in Uganda, we recommend Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for immersive gorilla experiences. In Murchison Falls National Park, Murchison River Lodge offers a laid-back and charming base to explore Uganda’s largest park. Lemala Wildwaters Lodge is another c+l favourite, with itscomfortable and eco-friendly safari tents set on a private island in the River Nile.
Book your safari trip with cazenove+loyd
At cazenove+loyd, we do not just plan safaris, we create exceptional journeys tailored precisely to you. With decades of experience, deep local knowledge and a passion for the extraordinary, our specialists curate every detail. Whether you are seeking a romantic bush-and-beach honeymoon, a family holiday or an off-the-beaten-path adventure, we willmake it seamless and unforgettable. Contact us today to begin planning your ultimate safari escape.
