Experience wild animals up close on the 7 most beautiful safaris in the world

For many people it is an absolute dream and longing goal, others who have already had this experience are usually planning the next one straight away: it's about safaris. What could be nicer than observing animals in the wild in almost untouched nature? Even. We have timesthe most beautiful places for safarisand corresponding animal observations compiled. And it's clear that this is about a photo safari. If you want to hunt big game, this is definitely the wrong place for you.

What you should always pay attention to, however, is the protection of flora, fauna and population. If you are interested in a safari, please make sure that your trip is as sustainable as possibledoes not come to harm. In particular, special places like the ones we present here must be preserved - for the benefit of everyone.

Botswana is one of the least populated countries on earth, which is a big reason why a safari there is so special - it's simply far less crowded than anywhere else. In addition, the South African country has fantastic...and reserves, and one of the most beautiful places is the legendary Okavango Delta. One of the largest and most animal-rich wetlands in Africa, which has been declared a...heard. And rightly so, because the flora and fauna there is simply breathtaking. It's logical that a trip there enables unforgettable wildlife experiences that are hardly possible anywhere else in the world, because it is a retreat for an impressive number (and variety) of wild animals. However, the Okavango Delta is also one of the most exclusive safari destinations in Africa, because the government of Botswana operates according to the motto “Low volume, high value” and sensibly tries to pursue sustainable tourism, which is associated with higher prices. As a result, you only meet a few fellow tourists there, which makes a trip there even more special. The delta is primarily home to luxurious safari lodges and camps, which are best visited on a tour through regions such as Savuti, Moremi, Khwai, the Chobe National Park and the Victoria Falls.

The Masai Mara is a nature reserve of approximately 1,500 square kilometers in Kenya. It is part of the Serengeti and is directly adjacent to the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania in the north. And because it forms a shared ecosystem with the Serengeti National Park, the Masai Mara is one of the most animal-rich natural parks in Kenya. Anyone planning a safari there is very likely to see big cats such as lions and cheetahs there, as their density is particularly high there. The Masai Mara is a great travel destination all year round, but from July to October you can witness a very special natural spectacle there: the great herd migration, during which millions of wildebeest and zebras migrate through the comparatively small Masai Mara in search of new pastures - extremely impressive! The Masai Mara also looks like you would imagine a grass savannah to be - with endless expanses through which herds of elephants walk. However, there are also lush acacia forests where you can also see leopards and...can observe. If you want to get particularly close to the animals, you should book yourself into one of the private concession areas where the guides have special rights - for example, off-road driving when unusual animal sightings occur.

Of course, the classic shouldn't be missed either: The Kruger National Park, South Africa's largest game reserve with around 20,000 square kilometers in the north-east of the country - which is roughly the size of Saxony-Anhalt, but contains significantly fewer disturbing areas. Instead, 147 significantly more intelligent mammal species live in the Kruger National Park, including the so-called “Big Five” (elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo, lion, leopard), which many safari travelers would like to see. Especially if you've never gone on a safari before, Kruger National Park is a perfect place to start because the accommodation there is of a fairly high standard and larger cities are not too far away. However, the classic safari national park is of course also popular, so it can get a little more crowded - especially since tourists are allowed to drive around the public area of ​​the park themselves. If you want something a little quieter, you should book yourself into one of the private concession areas. The Sabi Sand Reserve in particular promises incomparable sightings, especially of the otherwise rather shy leopards. But either way: Kruger National Park is always worth a safari trip.

The Serengeti is 30,000 square kilometers in size - a savannah that stretches from northern Tanzania to southern Kenya. And while the central savannah is almost treeless, in the southeast rises the volcanic Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which has been a World Heritage Site since 1979 and is considered the mother of all African national parks. There is hardly a better place in the world for safaris than the Serengeti, especially since you can combine a trip there with other great places you long for: Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park or the natural wonder of the Ngorongoro Crater. The latter has the highest density of predators in Africa, but many other large mammals can also be found there: zebras, buffaloes, wildebeests, eland as well as Grant and Thomson's gazelles, which are hunted there by lions, spotted hyenas and leopards. Elephants, hippos and the black rhinos, which are unfortunately critically endangered, also live there. Without question one of the most amazing places for a safari.

The Etosha National Park in northern Namibia is considered the country's most important protected area. And if you want to experience Namibia's wildlife in all its glory, you can't avoid a visit there. Apart from crocodiles, hippos and buffaloes, you can find all the animals of southern Africa there: elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, meerkats, various antelopes - an absolute dream! But that's not all that the Etosha National Park has to offer: The national park also includes the legendary Etosha Pan, a salt flat of around 5,000 square meters, a lake in the north of the national park that is sometimes partially filled. The Etosha Pan is also home to countless animal species and the heart of the national park, which is chalky white in many parts. Accommodation can be found primarily in the three main camps within the park, but there are also some slightly more luxurious lodges outside the park. Anyone visiting Etosha National Park should plan their trip so that they can also see other highlights such as the red dunes of Sossusvlei, the sandstone cliffs at Twyfelfontein, the coastal towns of Swakopmund and the impressive Fish River Canyon. A trip you will never forget!

One of the most beautiful and species-rich natural regions in Africa is undoubtedly the great South Luangwa National Park, located in the Luangwa Valley in eastern Zambia. And the nice thing: The park is also one of the most remote and least visited, so you won't be constantly disturbed by other safari travelers when watching animals. Some of the sixty animal species that live there (elephants, buffalo, giraffes, crocodiles, hippos, wildebeest, etc.) are endemic, meaning they only occur in South Luangwa National Park and nowhere else in the world - including, for example, the rare African fish owl. In contrast to most other safaris, the park is known above all for its walking safaris, where you can go hunting with armed and experienced rangers - an unforgettable experience! Most camps are set up near the eponymous Luangwa River because the river guarantees a high animal population. This means you can watch hippos and crocodiles right on your doorstep. And the Luangwa Valley is one of the most likely places in the world to spot a leopard. The best time to travel on a safari (whether on foot or by car) is the dry season between June and October.

The largest national park in Zimbabwe is Hwange National Park and is located in the west of the country in the foothills of the Kalahari on the border with Botswana. It is part of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, a cross-border nature and landscape protection area in southern Africa, which includes the countries of Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe and is intended in particular to enable elephants to move freely in their natural habitat. You can find different vegetation there: desert (Kalahari), savanna and acacia forest. And since Zimbabwe has become more politically stable, the animal populations in the national park have recovered quite well, making Hwange National Park one of the most exciting safari areas in Africa. A trip there is therefore absolutely recommended!