Safari: Nature at its most thrilling, raw and unforgettable

Okaukuejo Camp's large permanent waterhole can attract vast numbers of animals coming to quench their thirst. Black rhinos, zebras, lions and herds of elephant are frequent visitors in the evenings, and guests have stunning opportunities to observe them at close range.

Visitors at Okonjima can usually view big cats at much closer quarters than is possible in most national parks. With most animals on the reserve habituated to humans, this is a good place to end a wildlife safari in Namibia.

Tafika’s excellent guides lead numerous activities, allowing multiple perspectives during a wildlife safari in Zambia. The camp is in the Nsefu Sector of South Luangwa National Park, which is an excellent area for big game including elephant, buffalo, leopard and occasionally wild dog.

Lagoon Camp excels at sightings of the large predators, particularly wild dog, lion and cheetah, making it a good addition to a wildlife safari in Botswana. The best time for dogs is in June/July, the denning season, or within two or three months of that, when the pups are too young to move far.

Nyerere National Park is an excellent game reserve with great populations of big game from elephants and buffalo to lion, leopard and a good population of wild dogs.

Visitors at Okonjima can usually have the chance to view big cats at much closer quarters than is possible in most national parks. With most of the animals habituated to humans, this is a good place to end a wildlife safari in Namibia.

Nkwali camp has first-rate guides, most fully-qualified to lead walking safaris as well as 4WD safaris, and South Luangwa allows night drives, and some off-read driving. These factors make for a superb wildlife safari experience in one of Africa's best game areas.

If you're looking for a wildlife safari in Botswana that focuses on predators, look no further. Kwara Camp’s wildlife and environments are varied, with plenty of antelope and big mammals – as well as the big cats and wild dogs.

A stay at Lake Manze allows you to feel close to the wildlife - a wide variety of game including elephant, impala, hippos and buffalos can be seen from your own tent, or you can go on a game drive or boat safari from here.

Kaingo is in an area of South Luangwa National Park with high densities of more common species, as well as endemics such as Crawshay’s zebra, Cookson’s wildebeest and Thornicroft giraffe, making this an excellent spot for wildlife safaris in Zambia.

On a wide bend of the Luangwa River, where elephants regularly cross, Nsefu is in an area with a high density of game and birdlife – but relatively few visitors. This, along with top-notch guides, results in excellent Zambian wildlife safaris.

The wildlife in this area of Nyerere National Park is usually good, but can be a little elusive at times. There is a permanent population of lions and frequent sightings of more transient wild dogs. Among much other game, there’s usually an abundance of giraffe, wildebeest and the odd buffalo.

Ongava Lodge offers excellent game-viewing opportunities, both within the Ongava Reserve and the neighbouring Etosha National Park. Added bonuses include possibly tracking white rhino on foot and night drives in the reserve, neither of which is allowed in Etosha.

Within the Ongava Reserve, and with Etosha National Park on the doorstep, Ongava Tented Camp offers wonderful wildlife viewing including the opportunity to see black and white rhino, along with elephant, lion, cheetah, leopard and a plethora of plains game.

The game hides at Mwamba camp are one of its main attractions, and they allow you to see some fantastic wildlife. The game-rich area and high-quality guides make this a great camp for wildlife safaris in Zambia.

Mowani Mountain Camp offers guided nature drives into the dry river beds in this area. The game isn’t dense here, but you’ll probably see a good sprinkling of antelope and birds – and have a fairly good chance of spotting the area’s desert-adapted elephants.

Little Vumbura offers some of the best wildlife safaris in Botswana. It's in one of the Okavango's prime game areas, with a real depth and range to the wildlife. In our last few visits here, we have had good sightings of lion, leopard, and wild dog – as well as sable antelope.

You'll find all of the usual big game species in Ruaha, including elephant, large herds of buffalo, wildebeest, lion, leopard, cheetah and even wild dog. Ruaha also has a few species associated with the parks further north, including Grant's gazelle and lesser kudu.

Anton Childs, co-owner of The Emakoko is one of Kenya’s most experienced herpetologists and will happily take guests on escorted reptile and amphibian walks around the lodge. We saw a young python inching across the earth road one evening, just outside the lodge.

Chongwe’s location near the foothills of the Zambezi escarpment allows sightings of species that you may not see elsewhere on your wildlife safari in Zambia. Such species include the Samango monkey (Corcophithecus mitis), and the crested guineafowl (Guttera pucheroni).

Desert-adapted elephant, found only in the north-west of Namibia, can be spotted on game drives from Camp Kipwe, although sometimes the distances can be quite long.

Ruaha has all the usual big game – and the team at Mwagusi take a very enthusiastic approach to finding it for you. There's a tremendous depth of experience at this small, owner-run camp, making it a great choice for wildlife safaris in Tanzania if you're passionate about game-viewing!

Desert Rhino Camp is one of the best places in Africa to see black rhino roaming free, and to track them on foot. If your particular focus is on rhino, it makes a great place for a wildlife safari in Namibia.

With its location on the private Onguma Reserve, and Etosha National Park on its doorstep, Onguma Tented Camp is a fantastic base from which to explore these wildlife-rich areas on any safari in Namibia.

Onguma Bush Camp is in a superb location for venturing into the wildlife rich Etosha National Park and is especially good for those travelling with children who are well catered for here.

The Lower Zambezi is one of the best parks for wildlife safaris in Zambia, and Chiawa is one of very few camps inside the park. Top-notch guides add to the understanding and enjoyment of a safari, and red-filtered spotlights on night drives create less disruption to the wildlife.

All the guides at Camp Hwange are all experienced walking guides with an exciting mix of adventurous spirit and respect for animals and the bush. It's an excellent camp for approaching large animals on foot, and for more general walking safaris in Zimbabwe.

Overlooks the flood-lit King Nehale waterhole, Namutoni gives visitors the opportunity to observe animals and birds at close range. The camp's main attracting are self-drive forays around the park. The Fisher's Pan nearby is often used as the breeding site for flamingoes.

The Chitabe area is renowned for its wild dog population, which has formed the subject of a book by the camp’s owners. Also worth noting are regular sightings of lion, leopard and even the odd cheetah, along with tsessebe, blue wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, reedbuck and steenbok.

Nyerere National Park has a good population of wildlife throughout the year. There is always an abundance of giraffe and impala as well as a number of lion. The fortunate might see leopard, as well as wild dogs that occasionally move through the area around Siwandu.

Nyerere National Park and the area around Sand Rivers has an abundance of game, especially during the dryer months when game is drawn to the river for water. However throughout the year you can expect to see good numbers of giraffe, elephant and maybe even lions and wild dog.

Mundulea’s wildlife diversity includes large herds of eland as well as roan, tsessebe, zebra, giraffe and black-faced impala, though its walking-only policy gives a new dimension to a Namibian safari. It's also a centre for research into Namibia's endemic subspecies.

South Luangwa is one of Africa’s top big-game destinations, and high densities of wildlife make Luangwa River Camp a good option for wildlife safaris in Zambia. Night drives make sightings of lion and leopard particularly common.

Kapani is close to the centre of South Luangwa – around Mfuwe Lagoon – which means very relaxed big game indeed, and usually some excellent sightings. 4WD safaris are organised both day and night, but walking safaris can also be requested. The guiding here is of a high standard.

Sandibe is situated in an excellent area for consistent big-game viewing. A variety of predators are regularly seen, alongside a good number of plains game. This is definitely a camp to consider for those wanting good year-round game viewing.

Olakira Camp is a semi-permanent tented camp that moves twice a year, in order to optimise its location for the Serengeti’s wildebeest migration. With careful planning (talk to us about this), it can be the perfect base from which to witness one of nature's greatest spectacles.

South Luangwa, Zambia, is a top safari spot with abundant wildlife. Lion and leopard sightings are common on night drives. During our dry season drive from Mchenja Bushcamp, we saw various antelope, mongoose, genet, and bushbaby before an exciting hour following three hunting lions.

The Chitabe concession has regular lion and leopard sightings but reasonably constant wild dog sightings over the last few years have really been the highlight. There are also good levels of plains game here.

This is a very game-rich area, with excellent big-cat viewing (resident leopards near camp), a major elephant corridor in the northwest of the conservancy and the biggest giraffe population in the Mara. Moreover, there are very few other tourist vehicles using the conservancy.

On a bend of the Luangwa River at the confluence of the Luwi River, where elephants regularly congregate, Kakuli Bushcamp is in an area with a high density of game and bird life. Combine this with great guiding, and the result a superb wildlife safari experience.

Nomad Serengeti Safari Camp is a mobile camp that moves several times a year to follow Tanzania’s wildebeest migration. Though the movements of the migration can be unpredictable, the camp tries hard to predict where the main herds will be.

Ikuka is located in one of the best game-viewing areas in Ruaha, making it a great choice for wildlife safaris in Tanzania. The park is known for its particularly good numbers of lion and elephant and guests staying for several nights can expect some excellent wildlife sightings.

For a wildlife safari in Botswana, Camp Kalahari is pretty unusual. Visiting one of the families of habituated meerkats is an exceptional experience. Lion, brown hyena and other predators frequent this area, and during the rainy season, zebra can sometimes be seen here in their thousands, along with many wildebeest.

You'll find all of the usual big game species in Ruaha, including elephant, large herds of buffalo, wildebeest, lion, leopard, occasional cheetah and wild dog. Ruaha also has a few species associated with the parks further north, including Grant's gazelle and lesser kudu.

Simply the best place for watching chimps and other primates in the forests of central Africa.

Mana Pools is one of Africa's top wildlife destinations. Vundu Camp has some of the best guides in the park so come here on your Zimbabwe safari for one of the best wildlife experiences going!

Namiri Plains is in a remote part of the central-eastern Serengeti, and is an excellent camp from which to see great numbers of big cats, specifically cheetah and lion.

The Matobo Hills is an excellent and relatively easy place to track white rhino on foot, making it very appealing for a wildlife safari in Zimbabwe. The open terrain and experienced guides give guests at Amalinda a good chance to find and then approach these giants.

Sausage Tree Camp is located in the heart of the Lower Zambezi National Park itself – in an area considered to be one of the most productive in the park for wildlife viewing. The location is complemented by superb guides, making this one of the best camps for a Zambian wildlife safari.

Elephant Bedroom is located in the heart of Samburu National Reserve, which is famed for interesting northern and desert species that include the gerenuk, oryx and Grevy’s zebra.

Onguma The Fort is blessed with a prime location on the Onguma Private Reserve overlooking Fischer’s Pan, and is adjacent to the wildlife rich Etosha National Park, so game viewing from here is of the highest order.

Guided drives along the Hoanib riverbed and the floodplains beyond offer an intriguing prospect for a wildlife safari in Namibia. Visitors to Hoanib Camp have a pretty decent chance of spotting the area’s desert-adapted elephants, as well as Cape fur seals by the coast.

Within easy access of Etosha National Park, the small, intimate Onguma Camp Kala is a lovely place to stay for a good safari experience.

Lamai Serengeti is in a great location for the wildebeest migration, which is typically from around July to October in this area. Outside of these months, it still offers great game viewing, with the bonus of very few people!

Laikipia Wilderness and Steve Carey are known for wild dog tracking. Two packs den nearby, with frequent cub and hunt sightings. The area's dense dik-dik population supports wild dogs and high leopard numbers, and the camp's black leopards have become a famous attraction.

Somalisa is in an area rich in wildlife, with healthy populations of elephant, buffalo and lion. These and other animals can be seen on walks and drives, as well as at the waterholes in front of camp, making for a varied wildlife safari in Zimbabwe.

As Lemala Ngorongoro is inside the park gate to the Ngorongoro Crater, you can be among the first visitors of the day on the crater floor – one of Africa's greatest wildlife sanctuaries and a superb location for a wildlife safari in Tanzania.

Tubu Tree Camp offers the biggest diversity of game viewing within the Jao concession, with access to both land- and water-based activities. There are good numbers of elephant and other game on the island, plus hippo in the deeper channels nearby.

The Kgalagadi gets relatively few visitors, making it perfect for those who want to avoid the masses. Springbok, gemsbok, blue wildebeest, eland and red hartebeest can be found here, whilst meerkats, giraffe, leopards, and black-maned lions are also regularly seen.

Palmwag is one of the last wilderness areas in the world outside of a national park. You can see a variety of game including, with a bit of luck, free-roaming black rhino, desert-adapted elephant and lion, all in the most spectacular landscape far off the normal tourist routes.

Savute Safari Lodge enjoys a prime location directly on the Savute Channel, which is absolutely pumping with elephant, giraffe, hyena and other game during the dry season – ideal for a wildlife safari in Botswana. Wildlife also concentrates at the camp’s two pumped waterholes.

Hermanus is one of the best places in the world to watch whales, either from the shore or by boat. The southern right whale can usually be seen between June and November. Humpback whales, African penguins, dolphins, great white sharks and Cape fur seals can also be viewed here.

Camp Xakanaxa is right in the middle of the Xakanaxa area of the Moremi Game Reserve, one of the best areas for wildlife safaris in Botswana. With excellent densities of animal and birdlife, the only drawback is that you are often likely to share game sightings with other vehicles.

Fly-camping always gets you closer to the wildlife, and you won't find better guides with whom to explore it than at Beho Beho.

With access to both the Khwai Community Concession and Moremi Game Reserve, Khwai Tented Camp is arguably in one of Botswana's greatest wildlife areas (though it can get busy). Sightings are good year round, with lion, leopard and wild dog seen regularly, as well as elephant and many other species.

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is just outside the Volcanoes National Park and makes a great base for trekking to see the world-famous gorillas in Rwanda, without sacrificing creature comforts.

Chada camp is a very serious safari camp in one of Africa's most remote national parks. It's particularly noted for its sense of wilderness, and for large herds of buffalo hunted by big prides of lion!

With a scattering of loop roads, plenty of wildlife, top guiding and few visitors, Hwange Bush Camp has much to offer on a wildlife safari in Zimbabwe, both from a 4WD vehicle and on foot.

The Majete Reserve now boasts the Big Five, with lion, leopard and buffalo as well as elephant, zebra, sable, waterbuck and eland. Currently they have around 11 black rhino and cheetah are also occasionally seen.

Rekero was the camp where Jackson Looseyia (of Big Cat Diary fame) first earned his spurs as a spotter and outstanding guide. More recently its first-class lion, leopard and cheetah viewing made it ideal as a base for much of the filming of Disney's African Cats documentary.

Great Fish River Lodge is a comfortable, elegant base from where to explore the Kwandwe Reserve, which hosts a good range of large mammals including the famous ‘big five’. Guiding standards are very high in Kwandwe, partly thanks to the reserve’s own training programmes.

Ubuntu moves throughout the year roughly following the movements of the wildebeest migration, therefore at most time of year this should be an excellent base to catch site of this phenomenon.

Although wildlife densities at Jack's Camp are generally low, visitors can get exceptionally close to habituated meerkats – which for many is one of the best safari experiences in Botswana. This, along with the zebra and wildebeest migration and glimpses of black-maned lion, brown hyena and other desert species, makes the wildlife here pretty special.

From the family-friendly Ecca Lodge you can go on 4WD wildlife safaris and guided walks in the Kwandwe Game Reserve. You have a good chance of seeing rhino, as well as lion and cheetah. Even small children can participate in spoor tracking or drives to see hazard-free wildlife.

Within the Ongava Reserve, and with Etosha National Park on the doorstep, Ongava Tented Camp offers wonderful wildlife viewing including the opportunity to see black and white rhino, elephant, lion, cheetah, leopard and a plethora of plains game.

Immersed in nature, this temporary mobile walking camp offers the ultimate in a truly remote safari – a time to connect with the bush and the wildlife in one of Africa’s top safari areas, by simply walking around with an expert guide and naturalist.

Ichingo's motor-boat trips along the Chobe and Zambezi rivers are excellent for birdlife and general river-based wildlife – and relaxed big game is also often seen from the waterfront of Chobe National Park.

The waterhole in front of Little Makalolo is a real focus for game, including elephants for much of the day and night. Makalolo's private area within Hwange has strong populations of big game, too, with lion and leopard seen regularly, and cheetah – although scarce – also present.

The major attraction in Nyungwe Forest National Park are the primates. Here you can see chimpanzees, L'Hoest's monkey, grey managabe, amongst others. There are also over 275 different species of birds and 75 different species of mammals in these lush surroundings.

During the dry season, the Mopane Tongue area of the Moremi Game Reserve has some of the densest game viewing in Botswana that we have seen. Big cats, such as leopard and lion, are common, and elephant, hippo and giraffe are prolific.

Lewa Conservancy stands out for having 10% of Kenya’s black rhino population, plus a healthy number of white rhinos, and a very high population of the finely marked Grevy’s zebra – and a scattering of other big game.

During the dry season, increasingly high densities of wildlife are drawn to the Chobe River's permanent waters, making Chobe Under Canvas a good choice for wildlife safaris in Botswana. By September/October the numbers of elephant are astounding.

Anabezi is in an area with one of the highest densities of game and birdlife in the Lower Zambezi, making it a great spot for wildlife safaris in Zambia. Wildlife viewing during activities and from camp are both excellent.

Intimate and elegant, Duba Explorers Camp promises a firm safari focus in a remote corner of the Okavango, led by a team who value the highest guiding and hosting standards.

Potato Bush is one of the few camps in the game-rich Lower Zambezi National Park itself. This location, combined with excellent guides and a variety of activities, makes Potato Bush one of the best camps for a wildlife safari in Zambia.

The small Busanga Bushcamp stands beside the amazing Busanga Plains and is one of the only area in Zambia where cheetah are regularly seen. The wildlife here includes unusual species such as serval, oribi, Lichtenstein's hartebeest and Defassa waterbuck.

As part of a wildlife safari in Botswana, Mapula Lodge offers plenty of plains game, including zebra, buffalo, lechwe and giraffe, as well as elephant, and predators such as lion, leopard and wild dogs.

Duba Plains, historically famous for its lion and buffalo interaction, which can be very exciting to say the least! Staying a few nights here will give you the best chance of seeing this spectacle.

Home to a spectacular array of marine wildlife the waters around Azure Quilalea offer some of the best diving in Mozambique. Furthermore, humpback's visit these warm, sheltered waters to raise their young, providing superb whale watching (Jul-Nov).

Being owned and managed by the former BBC Big Cat Diary presenter, Jackson Looseiya, gives Tangulia extra cachet to add to a very good location which seems to dominate this wildlife-rich corner of the Mara ecosystem.

Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is well placed to experience the diversity of animals within Lake Manyara National Park, and the possibility of night drives here makes it one of our top tips for an extensive and relatively exclusive wildlife safari in Tanzania.

The exclusive Okonjima Villa has the added bonus of a location within the main reserve. For a great end to a safari in Namibia, keep watch at the waterhole, and expect to be able to view big cats at close quarters.

Azura Benguerra offers some of the best marine wildlife encounters in Mozambique, be it diving and snorkelling with a multitude of fish, finding Dugong in the mainland's mangroves or getting up close with the largest fish in the sea, the whale shark.

The Chobe River is a magnet for elephant and buffalo during the dry season. From its location within Chobe National Park, Chobe Game Lodge offers the opportunity to steal a march on the crowds and to explore quiet sections of the river during a wildlife safari in Botswana.

These days the number of visitors to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is increasing, especially from South Africa. However, they are still relatively low, especially in comparison to places like Kruger – making it a fantastic place for game viewing without the crowds.

Ta Shebube Rooiputs' proximity to the Nossob’s dry riverbed offers arguably some of the best wildlife safaris in South Africa. Expect dry-country antelope and predators like black-maned Kalahari lion, leopard, wildcat and cheetah – for which the park is particularly well known.

Ndutu Safari Lodge is a great base for wildlife safaris in Tanzania. It is ideally located for the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti, especially during the wildebeest migration and the northern side of the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area.

Luangwa Safari House comes with a private 4WD safari vehicle and an expert guide. With night drives and some off-road driving also allowed in the park, Luangwa Safari House offers a really superb wildlife safari experience in one of the best areas of the South Luangwa.

Though not the most obvious place for a wildlife safari in South Africa, in season Grootbos is a superb base for observing southern right whales from the shore as well as from boats. You may also spot dolphins, great white sharks, Cape fur seals and African penguins.

Shumba stands in the middle of the vast Busanga Plains, which is one of the only area in Zambia where cheetah are regularly seen. The wildlife here includes unusual species such as serval, oribi, Lichtenstein's hartebeest and Defassa waterbuck.

Nyerere National Park is an excellent game reserve, and these walks offer a great chance to explore - and covering the ground on foot, and fly-camping out, is a superb way to really experience Nyerere National Park.

At the heart of a vast protected area, Mombo is one of the best areas for wildlife safaris in the Okavango Delta, and indeed in Africa. Its animal densities are high and its landscapes are very open, which provides for some world-class game viewing.

It is possible to go on night game-drives and day bush walks from Klein's. The lodge is also on the route for the Serengeti's great migration and the best time to see this in the Klein's area is generally between mid-October and end-November.

You'll find most of the East African megafauna in Ruaha, including elephant, large herds of buffalo, wildebeest, lion, leopard, cheetah and even wild dog. Ruaha also has a few species associated with the parks further north, including Grant's gazelle and lesser kudu.

Robin's House comes with a private 4WD and an expert guide, fully-qualified to lead walking safaris as well as 4WD safaris – and the park rules allow night drives and some off-read driving. Hence Robin's House offers a really superb wildlife safari experience.

Grootbos has its own water-based ‘Big 5’ which can be observed either by boat or from the shore. You may see African penguins, dolphins, Cape fur seals, right southern whales and even great white sharks.

Kuthengo Camp is located on the banks of the wide Shire River in the Liwonde National Park and is home numerous elephant, hippo and crcodiles. On land see waterbuck, reedbuck and sable. Recent translocations means that lion and cheetah are also present.

The Bangweulu area boasts diverse wildlife, including 50,000 endemic black lechwe, often in large herds, plus oribi, tsessebe, and sitatunga. Buffalo graze while jackal and hyena roam. In 2020, cheetahs were reintroduced after 100 years, offering visitors exciting tracking opportunities.

The over 60 mammal species reported in the KTP include good populations of predators and antelope. Spotlit night game drives to the private concession’s waterhole might allow you to see elusive nocturnal species like leopard or aardvark.

A short drive from Grumeti River Camp, is a patch of riverine woodland where a few troops of the shy and beautiful black-and-white colobus monkeys reside. Not only are they striking but they are interesting in that, unlike other monkeys, they do not have thumbs.

Open-sided 4x4 safari vehicles and well-qualified guides are the standout features of game drives at Porini Lion Camp, and you rarely see other vehicles. Night drives are also popular and they use a red light to avoid causing stress to the wildlife.

Edo's Camp is one of the only places in Botswana where you can see rhino at an economical price. The rhino can be seen whilst on a 4WD safari drive or tracked on foot during a guided walk.

At Offbeat Ndoto in the Mara North Conservancy, wildlife safaris in Kenya are exceptionally personal. Discover the famed big cats of the Mara on day and night drives and safari walks, with no more than four people to a vehicle.

Chongwe River House comes with a private expert safari guide who is fully qualified to lead walking safaris, boat trips and 4WD safaris. Hence you can expect a first-class wildlife safari experience in one of the best areas of the Lower Zambezi Valley.

Renowned as one of Botswana's premier game-viewing destinations, Chief's Island boasts a wide variety of wildlife – including the country's few rhino (although these are rarely seen).

Overlooking a waterhole in a private reserve, Skybeds is a superb place for a wildlife safari in Botswana. Watching wildlife from on high – even from your bed – or at eye-level from a sunken hide for a wholly different perspective makes this a special place to stay.

Visitors on a Namibia wildlife safari at Okonjima Bush Suite have the opportunity to find out about the work of AfriCat, and will have a private guide to see at close quarters the big cats they fight to protect.

Perched on the cliff top overlooking Walker Bay in Hermanus, where southern right whales come to breed between July and October, The Marine is the perfect base for whale watching in South Africa.

Samara doesn’t have the highest game densities for a wildlife safari in South Africa. However, Samara does have a high density of aardvarks – giving this reserve an enviable record for sightings of these very elusive, nocturnal mammals.

The Mombo area of Moremi is probably the best place for wildlife safaris in Botswana. It has excellent populations of the big predators, herds of buffalo and elephant, both white and black rhino, spotted hyena, and a very wide range of plains game.

Sala’s Camp is one of the most southerly camps in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, making it the first to see the migrating herds heading north from the Serengeti. The surrounding open plains make this an ideal spot from which to view this great spectacle.

At River Bend you can choose between wildlife safaris in the lodge’s private concession, tailored to guests’ interests and schedules, and self-drives in South Africa’s Addo Park. This has a high density of elephants and many kudu, warthog, Burchell’s zebra and eland.

Somalisa Acacia is in a wildlife rich area, with healthy populations of elephant, buffalo and lion. These and other species can be seen on walks and drives, as well as at the waterhole in front of camp, making for a varied wildlife safari in Zimbabwe.

Addo Main Camp offers both guided 4WD safaris and a self-drive base. Its biggest attraction are the park’s very relaxed elephants, whilst other game includes endless zebra, kudu and warthog. It’s good, but don’t expect the most game-rich wildlife safari in South Africa.

The luxurious tented Gorah Camp in South Africa’s Eastern Cape is ideally located for watching elephants: directly opposite a waterhole. In the adjacent Addo National Park you can go on guided 4WD wildlife safaris or self-drive through the wildlife area.

Mbalageti is great place to stay between May and July, when the great wildebeest and zebra migration is passing through this area of the Serengeti. It's then a short drive to see the game crossing the often-dry Mbalagati and Grumeti rivers.

Cascade's motor-boat trips along the Chobe and Zambezi rivers are excellent for birdlife, and spotting hippos and crocodiles. Relaxed big game from herds of elephants to massive congregations of buffalo are also often seen – especially during Botswana's dry season.

Chelinda Lodge, on the remote Nyika Plateau, is a lovely spot to view plains game such as eland, roan, zebra, reedbuck and bushbuck. You may also see warthog, spotted hyena and side striped jackal and the occasional leopard. Nyika is also home to around 400 different bird species.

The Kgalagadi NP is inhabited by a large variety of antelope including hartebeest, gemsbok and eland. Wildebeest, lion and African wild cat can be found and if you are lucky leopard, brown and spotted hyena. This is also a good place to see the endearing meerkat.

Singita Mara River Tented Camp is perfectly located to view wildebeest crossing the Mara River in July, August and September. Often guests won’t even need to leave camp to see some of the action!

Serengeti Migration Camp is tucked into a rocky outcrop in the northern Serengeti near to the Lobo area. The immediate landscape is really interesting surrounded by kopjes and the Grumeti River.

Located in a good game area that’s exceedingly wild, with wild dogs and other large predators known to hunt in the area and elephants congregating in large numbers during the dry season.

Wildlife around Faru Faru is good throughout the year, with plenty of resident game. The lodge is also on the migratory route for the thousands of animals that make their way north across the Serenegti during June – August. The water hole also attracts game in view of the lodge.

Abu Camp is renowned for its Abu elephant herd, which used to be an habituated herd but now mingles with other wild elephants.

At Camp Fig Tree in South Africa, choose between self-driving into Addo, guided 4WD wildlife safaris to the park, or walks on the camp’s private concession. The wildlife on the concession is limited, but the vegetation is lovely.

Sabora Tented Camp sits within Singita Grumeti Reserve, a private concession to the west of the Serengeti. This safari area is quiet and remote so you won't see many other vehicles here, even from July to August – when it throngs with wildebeest as the migration passes through.

Mokete offers some of the best wildlife safaris in Botswana during the dry season, with a huge focus on herds of buffalo that regularly exceed a thousand individuals, and the lion encounters that ensue. In the shoulder and green season, wildlife will be a little tricker to spot.

At the private villa Melton Manor in South Africa you can tailor your wildlife safaris completely around your interests, as it comes fully staffed, including a private guide, and with a 4WD vehicle. Kwandwe Game Reserve is notable for high-quality guiding and large mammals.

South Africa’s Kwandwe Reserve has good wildlife densities and excellent guiding. Here the historic Uplands Homestead is a private home which now includes modern amenities. A private 4WD and safari guide enables wildlife safaris to be tailored to your wishes.

Located on the border of Volcanoes National Park, Kwitonda is a great base for trekking on a wildlife safari to see Rwanda’s mountain gorillas.

The Hoarusib River valley, in which Leylandsdrift Camp is situated, is a great place to track desert-adapted elephants. The riverine vegetation and natural springs act as magnets for these animals, as well as for other desert-dwelling species.

Located in the northern Serengeti, Mara Mara is in one of Tanzania’s best wildlife areas. You’ll see plenty of big cats and antelope throughout the year, and between July and October the camp is ideally located for the wildebeest migration.

Chelinda Camp, on the remote Nyika Plateau, is a lovely spot to view plains game such as eland, roan, zebra, reedbuck and bushbuck. You may also see warthog, spotted hyena and side striped jackal and the occasional leopard. Nyika is also home to around 400 different bird species.

Between May and July, the Western Corridor teems with the great wildebeest migration that is heading north across the Serengeti plains and the Grumeti River; Kirawira Camp is then a good base for exploring. At other times of year, there is some resident game in the area.

Ruaha is one of Tanzania's hidden gems: far from the bustling northern parks, this region offers a vast area of stunning wilderness. Explore Ruaha with your private guide to discover large herds of elephants and prides of lions with barely a vehicle in sight.

North Island Okavango is in an area is renowned for its predator interactions, especially wild dogs and leopard with very good general game viewing.

In addition to big cats, elephants and (if you are lucky) wild dogs, visitors to Samburu will have the chance to sight the ‘Northern Five’. These include the Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, and gerenuk.

Situated in a reliably good concession on the south-eastern side of the Okavango Delta, Qorokwe is in one of Botswana’s great wildlife-viewing destinations, particularly in the dry season between July and October when the grasses are lower.