African Wildlife Safaris – Visit Animals in Top African Safari Wildlife Parks

Best African Safari Wildlife Parks

Africa is a renowned wildlife safari destination teeming with hundreds and thousands of different animal and bird species inhabiting its richly diverse national parks, game reserves, rivers, lakes, oceans and tropical and equatorial forests. The continent offers the best wildlife viewing safari experiences in the world.

Below are some of the Best African Safari Wildlife Parks you can explore when you visit Africa.

Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)

This famous African Safari Wildlife Park is home to the annual wildebeest migration that is a big attraction of tourists to the vast park. This wildebeest migration is a great natural occurrence involving over 2 million animals including wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, elands among others and predators waiting to prey on the unsuspecting migrants. The migration can be witnessed all year round in Serengeti with the peak being June to September.

Masai Mara National Reserve (Kenya)

The Masai Mara is the most visited African Safari Wildlife Park in Kenya and is also home to the great wildebeest migration. It is part of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem that supports the greatest wildlife show on earth every year. The migration is in Masai Mara in Kenya in the months of July to September, so that’s the best time to visit the park for a chance to witness the migration.

Kruger National Park (South Africa)

One of the largest African Safari Wildlife Parks in Africa and among the best places in Africa to see the iconic Big 5 animals. The vast park has diverse wildlife and a good network of tarred roads making it easily navigable, even on self-drive safaris, nonetheless, a tour guide is needed to help you spot the different wildlife in the park.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda)

One of the few places on earth that you can find the endangered Mountain Gorillas in the wild. Bwindi impenetrable national park is home to more than half of the entire world population of the Mountain Gorillas that can be seen a gorilla trekking experience in the impenetrable forest, a once in a life-time close encounter with the gentle giants. You can also see these incredible ages in Mgahinga Gorilla national park (Uganda), Volcanoes national park (Rwanda) and Virunga national park (Democratic Republic of Congo).

Okavango Delta (Botswana)

Okavango Delta is one of the world’s largest inland deltas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site teeming with a rich diverse animal and bird-life. It is also a good spot for sighting lions, yes.

Hwange National Park (Zimbabwe)

The biggest African Safari Wildlife Park in Zimbabwe is home an impressive population of the African Elephants, the largest land mammal on earth and a rich predator population including lions, hyenas, African wild / painted dogs and leopards.

Ngorongoro Crater (Tanzania)

One of the natural wonders of Africa, the Ngorongoro crater is the largest unbroken volcanic caldera in the world.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to about 30,000 animals in a relatively small area, an impressive collection of wildlife including the Big 5 (elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalos).

Etosha National Park (Namibia)

The most popular African Safari Park in Namibia, Etosha is famous for its salt pans and among the best places in Africa to see the fastest animals on land, the cheetahs and other rare desert species including the gemsbok.

Kibale Forest, Nyungwe Forest and Gombe & Mahale Mountains

For primate enthusiasts, the mentioned national parks are the best destinations to see the endangered common chimpanzees (Eastern chimpanzees). Take on a rewarding chimpanzee trekking experience in any of the parks to come in close encounter with the playful apes.

South Luangwa National Park (Zambia)

This African Safari Wildlife Park Offers the best wildlife walking safaris getting you closer to the flora and fauna of wild Africa. You get the chance to experience the African wilderness during the night on a night game drive.

Other best wildlife destinations include Chobe National Park (Botswana), Virunga National Park (Democratic Republic of Congo), Kidepo Valley National Park (Uganda), Samburu national park (Kenya), Ruaha national park (Tanzania) and Queen Elizabeth national park (Uganda).

The best time for wildlife viewing in Africa is during the dry seasons which vary according to each region.

Top Animals to See in Africa

Africa has a diverse animal life living in its numerous national parks, game reserves and conservation areas. The continent offers the most unforgettable thrilling and rewarding wildlife safaris.

The African Big 5 iconic animals will top this list any day as they are the most sought-after wild animals in Africa by visitors who come on safari to Africa. These animals are the Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino and the Cape Buffalo. They are termed the “Big 5” by the game hunters because back then, they were the most difficult and dangerous animals to hunt on foot, nowadays, they are the “Big 5” because they are the most sought after.

The top animals to see in Africa on your wildlife safari include:

The African Elephant:

This is the largest land mammal in the whole world. African elephants can be found in most habitants in Africa, mostly the savannah grasslands and the forests. There are 2 subspecies of the African Elephants, that is the Savanna Elephants and the Forest Elephants. Best places to see them on an African safari include Tarangire national park in Tanzania, Amboseli national park in Kenya, Damara-land in Namibia, wildlife safari in South Africa and Botswana.

The Lion:

Famously known as the “King of the Jungle”, the African Lion is the most sought-after big cat on the African continent. Lions are known to be social animals living in groups called prides, which is not a trait for other cats. Places to see the lions in Africa include Kruger national park in South Africa, South Luangwa national park in Zambia, Masai Mara national reserve in Kenya, Serengeti national park in Tanzania and Chobe national park (Okavango Delta) in Botswana.  There are populations of tree climbing lions in Africa and these can be seen on a game drive in Queen Elizabeth national park (Ishasha sector) in Uganda and Lake Manyara national park in Tanzania.

Cape Buffalo:

These large herbivores can be seen in most of the national parks in the sub-Sahara Africa. They are very aggressive and short-tempered animals. They live in herds of more than 400 members and are always near water bodies. Places where you can easily spot the cape buffalos include Addo national park, Serengeti national park, Kruger national park, Hluhluwe game reserve among others.

Leopard:

Leopards have a wide distribution across the African continent, they are very solitary cats and are very elusive, making them hard to spot. Best places to spot the leopards include South Luangwa national park in Namibia, Serengeti national park in Tanzania, Masai Mara national reserve in Kenya,

Rhinos (Black and White):

The black and white Rhinos are both endangered species with the black rhinos critically endangered in Africa. Their populations have suffered at the hands of poachers because of the illegal trade of their horns. The white rhinos can best be seen in the wild in Kruger national park in South Africa, Lake Nakuru national park in Kenya and for the black Rhino, visit Etosha national park in Namibia, Ngorongoro crater in Tanzania. Other places to see the black and white rhinos in Africa include conservancies like Ol Pejeta and Lewa conservancies in Kenya, Mkhaya game reserve in Eswatini, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Uganda.

Other notable top animals to see in Africa include:

• Cheetahs (the fastest land animal)
• Giraffes: The tallest animals on earth are a sight to see on African safaris.
• Zebras: There are 3 species, that is the Grevy’s zebras, mountain zebras and the plains zebras, the latter being the most commonly seen.
• Hippopotamus: These are very aggressive animals and many human deaths caused by hippos have been recorded in Africa.
• Mountain Gorillas: These endangered great apes can be seen in the wild in only Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. With the biggest population located in Uganda in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga Gorilla national park in South Western Uganda.
• Chimpanzees: These are the closest primates to human beings in relation. They are also an endangered species. To see chimpanzees in the wild in Africa, visit the Central-East African region and the Western region of Africa.
• Other primate species including the colobus monkeys, olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, golden monkeys (endangered), blue monkeys, vervet monkeys (common),
• Wildebeests, best seen during the great wildebeest migration in Serengeti national park and Masai Mara national park in Tanzania and Kenya respectively.
• Eland: the largest antelope in Africa and in the world
• Gerenuk: A beautiful long necked antelope
• Thompson’s and Grant’s gazelles
• Other antelope species to see in Africa include: Impalas, topis, hartebeests, kudus, oryx, klipspringers, bushbuck, waterbuck among others.
• Nile crocodiles: These are spread across Africa’s water bodies.
• African Wild Dog: Also known as painted dogs are very social animals
• Hyenas: They are spread in most game parks in the Sub-Saharan Africa. The most commonly seen species are the Spotted hyenas. The others include the Stripped hyenas and the brown hyenas.
• Warthogs

Kruger National Park Animals

Kruger national park is the most popular national park in South Africa and one of the biggest in Africa. Its vastness is home to a rich and diverse animal life spread out in its different habitants. The park is easily accessed and has a good network of proper roads for a smooth safari game drive and wildlife viewing experience.

Home to the Big 5 animals:

While in Kruger national park, expect to encounter the most sought-after African animals while on your game drive.

• Lion
• Leopard
• Elephant
• Buffalo
• Rhinos (black and white)

Predators of Kruger national park:

• Cheetahs
• Hyenas
• African wild dogs
• Honey baggers
• Aardwolf
• Black-backed Jackals
• African wildcats
• Spotted Genets
• African Civets
• Caracal

Most of the smaller predators / cats are hardly seen during the day as they are mostly nocturnal.

Notable/common animals in Kruger national park:

• Giraffes
• Plains zebras
• Hippopotamus
• Chacma baboon
• Vervet monkeys
• Warthogs
• Impalas
• Elands
• Common Duikers
• Steenbok
• Sable antelope
• Hartebeest
• Blue wildebeests
• Nyala
• Common reedbuck
• Bushbuck
• Waterbuck
• Klipspringers
• Kudus
• Porcupines

On top of a diverse animal life, Kruger national park is home to over 500 different bird species. With an experienced guide, you could see a number of these beautiful birds while on your wildlife safari in Kruger.

Best Time to Carry out Game Drives in Africa

In many African safari destinations (national parks, game reserves, conservation areas), the dry season is typically the best time for game drives. During the dry season, water sources become scarce, and animals tend to gather around remaining waterholes, making them easier to spot. These dry seasons vary by each African region.

The best time to carry out the game drives in Africa is;

During the cool hours of the day when the animals in the wild are more active as opposed to when the sun is out hot and the animals hide away to take shade from the heat of the afternoon.

Early morning game drives in Africa give you a chance to watch the sunrise and bring the park to life as you watch the animals get started with their day. These game drives start as early as 6:00am in the morning with a wake-up call and a hot cup of coffee or tea and a light snack to get you started.

Late afternoon and evening hours are also a good time to go on a game drive in Africa. The sun is not hot and the animals are up and about. Great sightings of the animals at water sources quenching their thirst and cooling their bodies, some predator-prey action as the day winds down and watching a beautiful sunset over the wilderness.

Night time is a whole different African game drive experience as you get the chance to see the nocturnal wildlife of the African wilderness by the aid of a spotlight.

Tips for the best game drive experience in Africa:

• Take on early morning game drives before sunrise to be able to sneak in on some early morning predator and prey action.
• Take your camera with you to capture the wild moments mother nature will avail to you and a pair of binoculars.
• Stay in your safari car at all times during the game drive
• Keep it as quiet as you possibly can to avoid scaring the animals so that you can enjoy viewing them in their natural behavioral patterns.
• Keep a safe distance from the wild animals for your own safety.
• Take on night game drives for a whole different African wilderness experience. These are available in a selected few national parks, so be sure to make advance inquiries and bookings.
• Combine your game drive with a walking safari for a full wilderness experience.
• Lastly, remember to live in the moment and have fun.

Best Time for Game Viewing in Africa

The best time for game viewing in Africa can vary depending on the specific African region you are planning to visit and the type of wildlife you are interested in seeing.

Africa experiences distinct seasons, and each season offers different advantages for safari enthusiasts.

Dry Season

Southern Africa (May – October)

This is considered the best time for game viewing in countries like South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia. The vegetation is sparse, and animals gather around water sources, making them easier to spot. Migratory birds are also present during this time.

East Africa (June – September)

Countries like Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda experience their dry season during these months. These are the best for game viewing in East Africa and for primate safaris including mountain gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking, both are worth the jungle experience. The Great Wildebeest / Wildlife Migration occurs in the Serengeti and Masai Mara during this period, providing exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities.

Safaris in Africa during the dry season should be booked in advance and do expect tourist crowds especially in the popular national parks and also high rates apply during the dry season as it is also the peak season.

Wet Season

Southern Africa (November – April):

While the vegetation is lush and the landscapes are beautiful, the increased foliage can make wildlife spotting more challenging as there is less visibility. However, this is the birthing season for many animal species and who wouldn’t wish to see cute wildebeest calves, baby zebras and other antelope calves dotting the African wilderness and birdwatching is excellent during these months too.

East Africa (March – May and October – December):

The wet seasons in East Africa can vary by region. The months of April and May are the rainiest months in East Africa and should be avoided if possible. The heavy rains make some of the national park tracks very muddy and slippery and the trekking trails can be hard to navigate.

However, the Great Wildebeest Migration is in its calving season from late December to February in the southern Serengeti national park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area short grass plains which are the best places to be around this time if you wish to witness hundreds of wildebeests being born almost at the same time. Expect some good predator sightings waiting to prey on the unsuspecting newborns. The wet season in East Africa also offers excellent birdwatching safaris.

Planning on visiting Africa during the dry season which is also the peak season, be ready to book for your game viewing safari in advance, high rates, crowded popular / famous national parks, dusty game drives and the heat. That is a perfect wilderness safari.

Useful links:

• https://www.awf.org/wildlife-conservation/all
• https://www.animalspot.net/african-animals
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fauna_of_Africa