Africa is one of the most exotic and exciting places on this planet, home to some of the world’s greatest natural wonders and a wealth of cultural diversity. Africa has some of the best game reserves in the world, where you can see the continent’s iconic elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, and more. There are endless opportunities for adventure here, too many for just one post. But here are ten destinations while on African safari that everyone should experience at least once in their life!

Victoria Falls- Zambia

This majestic waterfall is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Known by the local Kololo tribe as Mosi oa Tunya or “the smoke that thunders,” Victoria Falls is Africa’s largest and most powerful waterfall. Over a mile wide, Victoria Falls dumps nearly 146 million gallons of water – every minute – into the Zambezi River – over 300 feet below. The mist from this waterfall can be seen up to 20 miles away!

Okavango Delta- Botswana

The Okavango Delta, also known as “Africa’s Last Eden,” is one of the finest safari destinations in Africa. Between June and August is the best time to go. This is typically when the annual flood occurs, limiting animals to the islands, making them easier to see. The Okavango Delta is home to around 200,000 large animals during the dry season, and it’s home to many fish and plant species throughout the year.

Grumeti Reserve – Serengeti National Park

Grumeti is located in the western corridor of Serengeti National Park, which is home to all of the “Big Five” game animals and is an integral part of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, the home of the Great Migration.

Grumeti Game Reserve was recently named one of Africa’s premier safari destinations by Conde Nast Traveler and continues to be an award-winning estate dedicated to conservation. The reserve has three unique camps, each designed with its own unique style to match its surroundings.

Mt. Kilimanjaro- Tanzania

Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, is a snow-capped, dormant volcano standing 19,341 feet tall. Kilimanjaro is Africa’s tallest peak and the world’s tallest free-standing mountain, meaning that it is not a part of a mountain range. It was formed by three volcanic cores and is home to Africa’s largest tropical glaciers. Clouds resting on its peaks give it a mystical appearance that has attracted visitors from around the world for decades.

Maasai Mara- Kenya

The Maasai Mara National Reserve is one of Africa’s most famous game reserves and is known for being the setting of Disney’s “The Lion King.” The savannah grasslands are home to Africa’s “Big Five” animals – buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion, and rhino.

Every year between July and October, over a million wildebeests make their way across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem in search of fertile grazing land on what has become famously called the Great Migration. This large-scale movement also brings an impressive number of predators, including lions, cheetahs, and crocodiles, who prey upon these herds as they migrate from Tanzania into Kenya. It truly makes this area Africa’s most incredible animal show!

Amboseli National Park- Tanzania

Located in the shadow of Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, and near Kenya’s border with Tanzania is Africa’s most famous elephant reserve.

Amboseli National Park is known for its amazing views of Africa’s largest peaks, including Africa’s iconic “smoking” volcano – Kibo Peak on Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,341 feet) and Africa’s second tallest peak- Mawenzi Peak (16,893 feet). 

Serengeti National Park- Tanzania

Named for the Maasai word siringet, which translates roughly as “the place where the land runs on forever,” this world heritage site in northern Tanzania is one of Africa’s most famous game reserves. It covers over 14,750 square kilometers or about three times the size of Yellowstone National Park in America!

The Serengeti National Park is home to Africa’s greatest terrestrial mammal migration. The annual movement spans over a million wildebeests, 200,000 zebras, and thousands of gazelles, making this one of the most impressive wildlife spectacles on earth!

Lake Manyara National Park- Tanzania

Lake Manyara National Park features dense acacia woodland, open grasslands dotted with soda lakes, swamps, and waterfalls. The region has amazing biodiversity, including hippos, baboons, and many other wildlife species that inhabit this area!

Over 350 species of birds inhabit the wetlands, including migratory species, making Lake Manyara a must-visit for birdwatchers. The lake itself attracts hundreds of pink-hued greater and lesser flamingos on their perennial migration, as well as other aquatic creatures.

Ngorongoro Crater- Tanzania

Located near Arusha in Tanzania, Ngorongoro Crater is an immense volcanic caldera measuring 12 miles across and filled with lush greenery. This nearly extinct crater measures about 900 feet deep! And just below its rim lies Africa’s largest concentration of wildlife, including zebras, wildebeests, elephants, hippos, and more!

The Crater is home to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA), which works diligently with local communities to ensure that wildlife and natural resources are protected for generations to come! If you want a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience, visiting this area would be at the top of your list – it doesn’t get more authentic than this!

Mana Pools National Park – Zimbabwe

Located in Zimbabwe, this park was formed when two rivers – Runde and Save – converged to create Africa’s second-largest river delta region. This UNESCO World Heritage Site extends over 1630 square kilometers of pristine African wetlands teeming with wildlife including elephants, giraffes, crocodiles, among many other species making this one of Africa’s most diverse regions.

These are just a few of the endless magical destinations on the African continent.  I could go on and on about all of the fantastic adventures that await you in Africa! From African safaris to exploring ancient ruins, there is an adventure waiting for everyone here. If you want a little help planning your trip or if this list has sparked some wanderlust (or both!), we can help with that too! Book your next vacation today and discover what makes this continent so special.