You’re up for a dose of Africa’s wildlife but you’re not quite sure which country you should be visiting, or which park you should be entering to get the best game-viewing experience. Here are our top 5 best national parks for safaris in Africa, to help you decide.

1. Namib-Naukluft National Park (Namibia)

Namibia’s Namib-Naukluft National Park. Okay, so you’re wondering how on earth anything but tumble weeds survive in this arid desert famous for its orange dunes and ‘Dead Vlei’. Don’t worry. So am I. Earning its place in the Top 5 Best National Parks in Africa, this national park is actually the largest in Africa and is filled to the brim with a startling amount of fauna that scuttle, slither, lumber and pounce. Hyena, jackal and gemsbok are to be seen alongside rare desert-dwelling crawly insects and loads of interesting bird species making it great for safaris in Africa. True story.

Safaris in Africa which include a trip to Namib-Naukluft National Park:

Self Drive Tour: Namibia

2. Chobe National Park (Botswana)

Chobe National Park has one of the highest concentrations of game in Africa! Brimming with migratory herds, the park is packed with game… and the hungry predators that follow. Naturally.

Chobe has strong roots in conservation and an uber elephant population. Set in Botswana, the park offers four different eco-systems that make for great settings for hikes and game drives. You can enjoy horse-back safaris or cruise over the grasslands in a hot air balloon. Super cool safaris in Africa.

Safaris in Africa which include a trip to Chobe National Park:

Central Africa Loop

Botswana Adventure

Okavango Delta to Johannesburg

3. Kruger National Park (South Africa)

If you have your heart set on seeing the Big Five and want to journey along the beaten track in an extremely well managed and maintained national park, the Kruger National Park is where you want to be raising those binoculars on a safari in Africa.

The main highlights of the park include endless stretches of unspoiled landscapes, game scattered throughout, plus bushman rock paintings and the archaeological sites of Thulamela and Masorini. The park offers loads of different accommodation options: from budget accommodation to butler-with-towel-draped-over-forearm 5 star accommodation. Something for every type of traveller.

Watch the video below as nature takes its course in the wild when three lions take down a buffalo in the Kruger National Park. Kerri Bowie and her mother, Glynis took the video 400 m from the main gate of the Skukuza Rest Camp.

Safaris in Africa which include a trip to Kruger National Park:

Kruger Lodge Safari

Kruger Treehouse Experience

Kruger and Swaziland Lodge Safari

4. Etosha National Park (Namibia)

Etosha National Park is where the endangered species of the Northern Black Rhino are camping out. Yes sir, the park has worked extremely hard at keeping its wildlife within the park safe and, well, alive! That’s why they are proud to say that hyena, silver-backed jackal, lion, cheetah and leopard prowl the desert land within the park. Gemsbok, curly horned kudu, giraffe, elephant and even endangered black-faced impala can be spotted roaming the plains, not to mention the 360 species of birdlife.

Safaris in Africa which include a trip to Etosha National Park:

Namibian Discoverer

Namib Desert Explorer

Namibia Dash

5. Addo Elephant National Park (South Africa)

Brimming with wildlife greatness, the Addo Elephant National Park is one of the only places in the world where you can see the Big Seven (representing marine life, the Great White shark and seasonal Southern Right whale add the extra two to the crew)! The park’s wealth of wildlife and marine species span across seven different biomes while massive herds of elephant, rich African culture, malaria-free safaris and awesome photographic opportunities offer themselves for enjoyment.

Safaris in Africa which include a trip to Addo Elephant National Park:

Cape Town and Garden Route

Best of South Africa

Short Garden Route Safari

Game viewing and tracking, a slice of culture, sinking sunsets and 100% African flavour are all on offer in our Top 5 best national parks for safaris in Africa. So pack your terrible ‘African safari’ button-up shirt, with the dark green pockets, and go explore.

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Tags: african safaris, national parks, safaris, top 5, wildlife