Where to Go Based on Your Safari Experience: From Novice to Enthusiast

As a first-time safari-goer, you will generally plan your adventure around a specific region, like southern or East Africa. This will give you a taste of the safari experience. During short wildlife encounters in national parks and game reserves, you may glimpse wildlife that piques your curiosity, leaving you with a sense of joy at having embarked on a must-do experience. With a selection of lodges or tented accommodations, easing right into this unique and unforgettable experience is comfortable and exciting.

The key focus of this trip does not revolve around a safari, but rather embraces the idea of combining bustling cities, beckoning scenery, and a beach escape with a bush adventure. As a first-time safari-goer, you will find yourself switching city lights for brilliant night skies, the sound of vehicles a distant memory as the call of the wild lulls you to sleep.

Suggested Safari Destinations for First-Timers:

Kruger National Park, South Africa: With easy access from major cities such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Nelspruit, incorporating a safari to one of South Africa’s iconic game parks into your itinerary will be a logistical breeze.

Welgevonden Game Reserve, South Africa: Only three hours from Johannesburg, as a first-time safari-goer you can rest assured there will be time to fit in this experience without having to take a flight to your safari destination.

Chobe Game Reserve, Botswana: This well-loved game park is home to huge herds of elephants and makes for a surprising and exciting encounter for first-time visitors, its proximity to the famous Victoria Falls luring those looking for a short safari in Southern Africa.

Maasai Mara, Kenya: As one of Africa’s most famous safari destinations, Kenya’s Maasai Mara can be reached easily from Nairobi and nearby Tanzania. It offers an array of accommodation types and outstanding game viewing, giving you, the first-time safari-goer, the opportunity to dive right into the thrill of a safari adventure.

Once first-time safari-goers get a taste of the bush, they quickly develop a love for all things wildlife. With the knowledge of what to expect when on a safari, repeat wildlife adventurers seek to “branch out” and focus a little more on safari-rich destinations, or dedicate more time to the safari side of their African adventure.

Diving deeper into the diverse landscapes and vast array of wildlife that roam the plains of intriguing conservation areas and sanctuaries, you will consider visiting more than one safari destination within a specific country or region. With previous experience in Africa, you will have an understanding of rich heritage and warm culture, embracing the opportunity to spend time with local communities, where tales of Swahili traditions or Zulu battles are regaled. You may look to add a beach escape or city break to your safari adventure.

Suggested Safari Destinations for Repeat Wildlife Adventurers:

Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa: Step into a safari playground filled with classic wildlife and open savannas that’s close to key airports and airstrips which connect you between cities, famous sites like Victoria Falls, and the bush.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania: A highlight on any Tanzania Northern Circuit safari, the Serengeti demands numerous nights to fully explore the park and fits in perfectly at the beginning or end of a week-long itinerary.

Amboseli National Park, Kenya: With easy access between the two, the Amboseli National Park is an ideal addition to a Kenyan safari itinerary that includes the Maasai Mara. The terrain is diverse, but features the same incredible game viewing you will have enjoyed in the Mara. The views of Mount Kilimanjaro elevate your safari from fantastic to simply marvelous.

Okavango Delta, Botswana: Having experienced the bustling wildlife circuit in South Africa and the elephant-rich Chobe Game Reserve in Botswana, elevating your safari to include the majestic Okavango Delta makes perfect sense. Spend more time on safari as you maneuver through channels in a mokoro and embark on 4x4 safaris.

Having explored famous parks and reserves throughout Africa, as an avid safari enthusiast you will be keen to experience new territory and methods of exploration throughout Africa. Often revisiting the idea of embarking on a safari after a long time, you will endeavor to reach more remote safari destinations, spending extra time in specific locations with the sole purpose of safari.

Switching up your safari adventure, you will add variety to your experience. You may wish to climb aboard a hot-air balloon and soar over the savannah and winding rivers or engage in walking safaris that highlight the smaller creatures and flora and fauna. Brilliant birdlife can be seen from a mokoro and a safari is taken to the next level with a gorilla or monkey trek. A highlight as a seasoned safari enthusiast is creating the opportunity to be on the frontline to witness the Great Migration between Kenya and Tanzania.

Each safari experience deepens your understanding of the intricate ecosystems, animal behaviors, and conservation efforts in the regions you visit. During a gorilla trek in Uganda, you may gain insights into the complex social structures and conservation challenges faced by the primates. A walking safari in Zambia's Luangwa Valley can offer a wealth of new knowledge about the smaller creatures and plant life that often go unnoticed from a vehicle, allowing you to appreciate the interconnectedness of the ecosystem in an intimate way.

Suggested Safari Destinations for a more Elaborate Safari Experience:

South Luangwa, Zambia: Embrace the thrill of a walking safari when venturing into the South Luangwa National Park, the birthplace of walking safaris. Embrace large concentrations of game, especially along the Luangwa River and lagoons. Exploring on foot takes your safari to the next level.

Tsavo East or West, Kenya: Home to the “red elephants”, named due to the red dust on their bodies after they have rolled in the dirt, visiting the parks of Tsavo East or West is a thrill. As an avid safari-goer, traveling to Kenya’s southeastern region opens you up to a world of game-viewing wonder. With its proximity to Mombasa and the eastern coastline, it is perfect for a beach-and-bush experience.

Bwindi Forest, Uganda: For a safari of a different kind, wander through the impenetrable Bwindi Forest in search of gorillas. Having experienced the open plains and riverines of famous or popular game reserves in Africa, it makes sense to step up to the next level of safari experiences, gorilla trekking.

Skeleton Coast, Namibia: Imagine looking down over rustic sand dunes, majestic elephants scattered across the landscape and the shadow of your hot-air balloon providing temporary shade for resident wildlife. Here, you can enjoy this and the stillness and privacy of an exclusive safari destination.

Our Zicasso safari specialists have a wealth of knowledge and a passion for unique experiences that can bring your safari adventure to life.

For more inspiration, find unique ideas before planning your trip with our best African safaris, or find more information on the best time to go, where to visit, and more with our African safari travel guide.