Wildlife Wonders: Best Safari Destinations in Southern Africa and Where to Stay

Southern Africa is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking safari experiences, with diverse landscapes ranging from vast savannahs and lush deltas to rugged deserts and towering mountains. Whether you’re looking for the Big Five, rare species, or dramatic landscapes, these 10 top safari destinations offer unforgettable encounters with wildlife.

To enhance your journey, I’ve paired each safari location with a boutique lodge or luxury camp, ensuring an authentic and comfortable experience in the wild.

1. Kruger National Park, South Africa – The Ultimate Safari Experience

As one of Africa’s largest and most iconic game reserves, Kruger National Park is a must-visit for wildlife enthusiasts. Covering over 19,000 square kilometers, the park is home to the Big Five (lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and Cape buffalos), as well as cheetahs, wild dogs, and over 500 bird species.

Beyond traditional game drives, Kruger offers walking safaris, night drives, and photography safaris. The park is divided into public areas and exclusive private reserves such as Sabi Sands and Timbavati, where game viewing is even more intimate.

Stay: Lion Sands Ivory Lodge (View on Trip.com)

A luxury safari lodge in Sabi Sands Game Reserve, offering private villas with plunge pools, panoramic river views, and personalized game drives.

2. Okavango Delta, Botswana – The Jewel of the Kalahari

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Okavango Delta is one of the most unique safari destinations in the world. This vast inland delta transforms with seasonal flooding, creating a maze of waterways, islands, and grasslands teeming with wildlife.

Expect to see elephants, hippos, crocodiles, leopards, and rare antelope species. Unlike traditional jeep safaris, here you can explore by mokoro (traditional canoe), motorboat, or walking safari.

Stay: Sanctuary Chief’s Camp (View on Trip.com)

A luxury tented camp on Chief’s Island, one of the best areas for predator sightings and Big Five encounters.

3. Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe – The Land of Elephants

Zimbabwe’s largest national park is famous for its massive elephant herds, often gathering at waterholes in groups of over 100 individuals. Hwange also has one of Africa’s highest populations of wild dogs, along with lions, cheetahs, and unique desert-adapted species.

A safari here offers diverse landscapes, from dense woodlands to open savannah, and fewer crowds compared to other safari destinations.

Stay: Linkwasha Camp (View on Trip.com)

A stylish, eco-friendly lodge with excellent game viewing right from your suite, especially during the dry season.

4. Etosha National Park, Namibia – The Salt Pan Safari

Centered around the vast Etosha Salt Pan, this stunningly unique park is a haven for black rhinos, elephants, lions, and giraffes. Unlike other safari parks, much of the game viewing happens around waterholes, where animals gather in large numbers, especially during the dry season.

Etosha is also known for stunning night safaris, where nocturnal predators like hyenas and leopards become more active.

Stay: Onguma The Fort.

A luxurious lodge with Moroccan and Indian-inspired design, offering unmatched sunset views over the salt pan.

5. South Luangwa National Park, Zambia – The Home of Walking Safaris

South Luangwa is often called “The Valley of the Leopard” due to its high density of these elusive big cats. It’s also the birthplace of walking safaris, offering an intimate and thrilling way to experience the African bush.

Expect exceptional predator sightings, huge hippo pods, and over 400 bird species.

Stay: Chinzombo Camp

A luxury tented camp featuring private decks, plunge pools, and direct access to the Luangwa River.

6. Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa – The Best Leopard Viewing

Bordering Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands is famous for its high concentration of leopards and off-road game viewing, allowing you to get incredibly close to predators.

It’s one of the best places in Africa for exclusive luxury safaris, offering world-class lodges, expert guides, and intimate wildlife encounters.

Stay: Singita Ebony Lodge (View on Trip.com)

A stunning safari lodge featuring private pools, exceptional cuisine, and breathtaking views of the Sand River.

7. Chobe National Park, Botswana – The Elephant Capital of Africa

Chobe is home to one of the largest elephant populations in Africa, with herds often numbering in the thousands. Boat safaris on the Chobe River offer incredible wildlife viewing, from elephants swimming across the river to hippos, crocodiles, and rare birds.

Stay: Chobe Game Lodge (View on Trip.com)

The only permanent lodge inside Chobe National Park, offering luxury accommodations and boat safaris led by an all-female guiding team.

8. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa & Botswana – The Land of the Black-Maned Lion

Unlike lush safari destinations, Kgalagadi is a stark desert wilderness, known for its red dunes and dramatic predator-prey interactions. The park is famous for black-maned lions, cheetahs, and massive herds of springbok and oryx.

Stay: !Xaus Lodge (View on Trip.com)

A community-owned desert lodge, offering guided bush walks, game drives, and cultural experiences with the San people.

9. Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe – The Best Canoe Safari Destination

Mana Pools is one of the few places in Africa where visitors can explore on foot and by canoe, offering incredible close encounters with elephants, lions, and hippos. The park’s remote location makes it one of the most untouched wilderness areas in Africa.

Stay: Ruckomechi Camp

A luxury riverside camp, offering stunning Zambezi River views and guided canoe safaris.

10. Nyika National Park, Malawi – A High-Altitude Safari Adventure

Unlike any other safari park, Nyika’s rolling grasslands and pine forests are home to zebras, roan antelope, and large leopard populations. The cool mountain climate and unique landscapes make it a hidden gem for wildlife lovers.

Stay: Chelinda Lodge

A highland lodge with cozy fireplaces and panoramic views over Nyika’s misty plains.

Final Thoughts

These 10 safari destinations offer something for every kind of traveler, from luxurious Big Five lodges to remote wilderness camps. By choosing the right boutique safari lodge, you can make your African adventure truly unforgettable.

Which of these incredible safaris is on your bucket list? 😊