6 Landscapes and Habitats to Explore on an African Safari

Savannas dominate the African safari, with carpets of grass punctuated by trees and shrubs not profuse enough to form a canopy. They provide a haven for many, creating a broad mix of vegetation that supports an abundance of species. Grassland is dotted with trees or shrubs, with some bunching together to blossom beside a waterway or along an unseen slope that feeds on mountain rains. Savannas are idyllic destinations for walking, horse riding, or bicycle safaris, enabling you to explore the mix of woodland and grassland for a menagerie of surprises.

What to Expect

• Vast, open grasslands offer panoramic views and excellent visibility for spotting wildlife from a distance.
• The classic safari image of acacia-dotted plains, especially during the dramatic sunrises and sunsets.
• Large herds of grazing animals, such as wildebeest, zebra, and buffalo, thrive in this environment.
• Thrilling predator encounters as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas take advantage of the open terrain for hunting.
• A sense of immense space and freedom, whether on a game drive or a hot-air balloon safari over the plains.

Fauna and Flora

• Fauna: Lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, African buffalo
• Flora: Acacia tree, baobab tree, red oat grass, Bermuda grass

Best Places with Savannas

• South Africa
• Tanzania
• Kenya

Witness the quintessential savanna landscape and its famous inhabitants on a Maasai Mara Great Migration Safari.

Pockets of woodland dapple the African landscape, often bounded by flowing rivers and permanent waters. They're the home of browsers and unfussy feeders that don't live in large herds. Dense growth and permanent shade are also desired by predators. Stretches of woodland stand like isolated sentinels across the continent, small patches of fertility on the landscape. The branches tangle in a maze of possibilities, with your senses more alert to the reverberations of distant calls or clues to inhabitants when exploring on an African safari.

What to Expect

• More intimate and surprising wildlife sightings as animals can appear suddenly from behind dense thickets.
• The thrill of tracking as guides use subtle clues to find elusive animals like leopards and wild dogs.
• A cooler, more shaded environment, providing a different atmosphere from the sun-drenched savannas.
• A rich diversity of birdlife, with countless species nesting and feeding in the tree canopy.
• Engage your senses, listening for the snap of a twig or a distant alarm call that signals the presence of wildlife.

Fauna and Flora

• Fauna: Leopard, African wild dog, kudu, bushbuck, nyala, hornbill
• Flora: Mopane tree, leadwood tree, sausage tree, jackalberry tree

Best Places with Woodlands

• Botswana
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

Explore the dense and dynamic woodland habitats of Southern Africa with the Best of Botswana and Zimbabwe Safari.

Tropical forests are the haven of primates and birdlife. They rarely form part of a traditional big-game safari, but create a space for more specialist excursions that dramatically contrast Africa's other habitats. Lush and green, they're supplied by continual rain, with flora creating tangled concoctions of creeping roots and clashing branches. Most forests are unexplored, the stuff of legend that enticed and frightened colonial explorers in equal measure. Open your senses and there's much to enjoy, with the forests offering something vastly different to the plains that surround them on a unique gorilla-trekking safari.

What to Expect

• A once-in-a-lifetime experience of trekking to see mountain gorillas or chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
• A humid, dense, and vibrant green world, alive with the sounds of insects, birds, and primates.
• The expertise of specialist guides and trackers who navigate the challenging terrain to find primate families.
• A variety of unique monkeys, such as the golden monkey and black-and-white colobus, leaping through the canopy.
• A physically demanding but incredibly rewarding adventure that focuses on conservation and close-up encounters.

Fauna and Flora

• Fauna: Mountain gorilla, chimpanzee, golden monkey, colobus monkey, Great Blue Turaco
• Flora: Mahogany tree, ficus trees, lush ferns, hanging vines, orchids

Best Places with Tropical Forests and Jungles

• Uganda
• Rwanda

Embark on an unforgettable primate adventure deep in the jungle on an East Africa Gorilla-Trekking Safari to Rwanda and Uganda.

Nomads wander and herds gather in Africa's semi-desert, the continual battle for survival epitomized by these arid, barren plains. These semi-deserts are vast landscapes dappled with splendor, sometimes barren at first glance, but aerial vistas maximize the impression of their mammoth size and inhospitable nature. An oasis appears from nowhere, the sprouting circle of water that attracts herds and prides. The scale of these landscapes makes game drives almost essential to experience the semi-desert wildlife and wonders of the wilderness.

What to Expect

• Starkly beautiful and dramatic landscapes, from towering red sand dunes to gravel plains and rocky outcrops.
• Specially adapted wildlife, such as the desert-adapted elephant and oryx, that have evolved to survive in arid conditions.
• A profound sense of solitude and immense space under brilliant, star-filled night skies.
• Stunning photographs as the changing light creates dramatic shadows and intense colors across the landscape.
• Fascinating details of survival in a harsh environment, from tracking elusive predators to finding hidden water sources.

Fauna and Flora

• Fauna: Desert-adapted elephant, oryx (gemsbok), springbok, brown hyena, meerkat
• Flora: Welwitschia mirabilis, quiver tree (kokerboom), camel thorn tree

Best Places with Semi-Deserts

• Namibia

Discover the stark beauty and resilient wildlife of these arid plains on a Namibia Guided Tour and Safari.

Wetlands showcase Africa's bounty. The habitat is dominated by lavish colors and the untethered excess of natural exuberance. Rivers snake through the continent, spurting forests and growth as they weave across parks and reserves. The showcase of nature's riches attracts wildlife from thousands of miles around and transforms the landscape into a labyrinth of colors. Wetlands are never quiet, with a natural soundtrack accompanying their color and showcasing the increase in wildlife, whether explored by Jeep or boat, from the Okavango Delta to wetlands that divide the Serengeti and Masai Mara.

What to Expect

• Dugout canoe trips and motorboat safaris for a different perspective of the landscape.
• An incredible concentration of wildlife, as animals flock to the permanent water, especially during the dry season.
• Exceptional and diverse birdwatching, from majestic fish eagles to vibrant kingfishers.
• The constant song of nature, including the iconic grunts of hippos and the chorus of reed frogs.
• Lush, green scenery of papyrus-lined channels and palm-fringed islands, a stark contrast to drier inland areas.

Fauna and Flora

• Fauna: Hippopotamus, Nile crocodile, elephant, lechwe, sitatunga, African fish eagle
• Flora: Papyrus reeds, water lilies, fever tree, sycamore fig, real fan palm

Best Places with Wetlands and Waterways

• Okavango Delta
• Serengeti
• Maasai Mara

Glide through serene channels and explore lush islands teeming with life on a Bucket-List Botswana: Victoria Falls, Chobe, Moremi, and Central Kalahari safari.

Africa's iconic mountains are sporadically dotted with wildlife, yet invite safari goers to embrace the breathtaking natural beauty of the rugged landscape. The Great Rift Valley cuts a dramatic scar north to south through the continent, hiding wildlife within its multiple folds. Then a bubbling belt of volcanic history runs east to west, offering resplendent conical peaks, while Central Africa’s volcanic mountains seem to define lush jungle terrain. You can explore the summits that rise intermittently across Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, or Namibia's desert, which is also punctuated by the surreal peaks of Damaraland. For contrast, there’s the Table Mountain chain that runs to the tip of southwestern Africa.

What to Expect

• Active adventures, from gentle high-altitude walks to challenging summit climbs like Mount Kilimanjaro.
• Breathtaking panoramic views of the savannas, valleys, and plains that unfold below the dramatic peaks.
• Unique and specialized flora and fauna that change with elevation, creating distinct ecological zones.
• Cooler, refreshing climates that offer a welcome respite from the heat of the lower-lying plains.
• Dramatic scenery and unique ecosystems as the focus shifts from big game.

Fauna and Flora

• Fauna: Mountain gorilla (Virunga Mountains), klipspringer, rock hyrax, lammergeier (bearded vulture)
• Flora: Giant groundsel, giant lobelia (Afro-alpine zones), protea, fynbos (South Africa)

Best Places with Mountains

• Kenya and Tanzania
• South Africa

Combine an epic high-altitude challenge with classic big-game viewing on a Kilimanjaro Climb and Wildlife Safari Tour.

The landscapes and habitats of an African safari can be fluid, with each park presenting its own unique combination of color, waterways, trees, sands, and plains. With each new African safari, you can sense the changes in the setting through sight, sound, and smell for a deeper understanding of how the landscape and its inhabitants shape the character.

With a captivating combination of unique experiences and plentiful options, you can find more information for your trip with our African safari travel guide. Further inspiration can be found in our African safari tours and vacations.