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If you were to take the Africa continent and wrap it around the moon, almost 80% of the lunar surface area would be covered! With this much land, it’s no wonder there is so much variety on offer at each of Africa’s many national parks and reserves. But such diversity can also make it hard to select exactly which safari destination is the right one for you.

This is made even more complex when you consider that a safari can encompass anything from an excursion by private plane over the Okavango Delta to a hike through the highlands of Uganda. You could stay in an air-conditioned suite with a private pool or sleep in a tent with large wild creatures very audibly close at hand.

The general idea of a safari is undeniably romantic, but it’s important to decide exactly where and what kind of experience you want before you book. To help make the decision a little easier for anyone contemplating an African safari vacation, Michael McCall, Director of Sales Australia, New Zealand & Asia at luxury travel operator and safari expert, Sanctuary Retreats, nominates his top safari destinations and the unique offering each one brings to the table.

Bwindi National Park, Uganda

A UNESCO World Heritage site, this awe-inspiring landscape combines volcanoes, jagged valleys, waterfalls, lakes and dramatic mountain ranges. The area is home to over 200 species of butterflies, 350 species of birds, as well as chimpanzees, various monkeys, antelope and elephants. However, the Bwindi National Park’s main draw card, are its awe-inspiring, mysterious mountain gorillas.

Best for: Gorillas, bird-watching

Stay: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, http://www.sanctuaryretreats.com/uganda-camps-gorilla-forest

Chobe National Park, Botswana

Home to the largest population of elephants, Chobe National Park also has one of the greatest concentrations of game found anywhere in Africa. A leisurely boat safari along the Chobe River is the perfect way to explore the area and enjoy incredible, year round sightings of elephants.

Best for: Elephants, boat safaris

Stay: Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero, http://www.sanctuaryretreats.com/botswana-lodges-chobe-chilwero

 

Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa

One of South Africa’s premier game-viewing destinations, the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve is home to Africa’s ‘Big Five’, as well as the rare African wild dog, cheetah, giraffe, hyena and over 360 bird species. The widely varying terrain includes rocky peaks, open grasslands, and verdant valleys, providing visitors with an unforgettable safari experience.

Best for: Wild dogs, Big Five, private reserve

Stay: Sanctuary Makanyane Safari Lodge, http://www.sanctuaryretreats.com/luxury-safari-south-africa-makanyane

Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Ever changing and diverse, the lush green plains and rolling savannah of the Mara support an immense variety of wildlife. From big game, big cats, and the great wildebeest migration, to sweeping horizons, beautiful landscapes and a rich cultural heritage – the Mara offers an unsurpassed African safari experience.

Best for: Big cats, wildebeest migration, traditional Maasai culture

Stay: Sanctuary Olonana, http://www.sanctuaryretreats.com/kenya-camps-olonana

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Zambia

The Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is well-known for its exciting array of birds and numerous antelope, zebra, buffalo, giraffe, warthog, hippo and crocodile. With few predators, the park offers a relaxed atmosphere for the impressive array of wildlife set against the dramatic backdrop of the mighty Victoria Falls.

Best for: Victoria Falls, walking safaris, Big Five

Stay: Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma, http://www.sanctuaryretreats.com/zambia-lodges-sussi-chuma

Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, Tanzania

A breath-taking natural wonder, this volcanic crater is home to large herds of zebra, wildebeest, elephant, hippo, gazelle, eland and waterbuck, as well as many leopard, lion and cheetah. For safari adventurers, the Ngorongoro Crater – known as “Africa’s Garden of Eden” – is one of the most interesting and prolific wildlife preserves in the world.

Best for: Classic safaris, abundant wildlife, ‘Big Five’

Stay: Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp, http://www.sanctuaryretreats.com/tanzania-camps-ngorongoro-crater-camp

Okavango Delta, Botswana

The vast sponge into which the swollen Okavango River disappears each year creates the largest inland delta in the world – the Okavango Delta. Best explored by traditional mokoro canoe along its many waterways, the Okavango Delta is one of the world’s most diverse wildlife habitats, home to over 200,000 large mammals, 400 bird species and 70 species of fish. It’s not surprising then, that the Delta is widely regarded as one of the premium destinations for a dynamic safari experience. Within the Delta, the world-renowned Moremi Game Reserve is known as the ‘predator capital of Africa’ and offers a peaceful haven where animals have been protected for decades.

Best for: Big Five, crocodiles, hippo, water based activities

Stay: Sanctuary Baines’ Camp, http://www.sanctuaryretreats.com/botswana-camps-baines; Sanctuary Chief’s Camp, http://www.sanctuaryretreats.com/botswana-camps-chiefs; Sanctuary Stanley’s Camp, http://www.sanctuaryretreats.com/botswana-camps-stanleys

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Meaning ‘the endless plains’ in Maasai, the Serengeti National Park is one of the world’s largest wildlife sanctuaries. It is home to a remarkable range of wildlife and also plays host to the great wildebeest migration each year. The Southern Serengeti is also one of the world’s last remaining stronghold for the iconic cheetah, and one of the few places where it is possible to observe them in their natural habitat.

Best for: Big cats, wildebeest migration

Stay: Sanctuary Kusini, http://www.sanctuaryretreats.com/tanzania-camps-kusini; Sanctuary Kichakani Serengeti Camp, https://www.sanctuaryretreats.com/tanzania-camps-kichakani-serengeti-camp

Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

The Tarangire National Park is well known for its varied habitats and constant supply of water – making it the perfect place to host a diversity of wildlife for much of the year. The area is especially famous for its large population of elephants, where vast herds of up to 600 can be seen at any one time. The park is also home to lion, leopard, wildebeest, zebra, waterbuck, hartebeest, giraffe, kudu and oryx with their fantastic lengthy horns.

Best for: Elephants, classic safari

Stay: Sanctuary Swala Camp, http://www.sanctuaryretreats.com/tanzania-camps-swala

Extended stay offer

Of course, each of Africa’s national parks, reserves and conservancies have their own unique charm, and the way to get the most from your safari experience is to combine two or three different destinations.

And there has never been a better time to do this and enjoy a little extra on your  safari getaway than right now with Sanctuary Retreats extended stay offer, when you stay at one or more of its luxurious African safari camps or lodges, for 4 nights or more.

  • Stay 4 – 6 nights and save up to 30%.
  • Stay 7+ nights and save up to 40%.

Terms and conditions apply.