9 Unforgettable African Safari Experiences to Book in 2025

Safari travel has changed—and honestly, that’s a good thing. Today, they’re more about your experience than just game drives and wildlife checklists. It’s also about how you get to experience it all: from a lodge with a view, on foot, by balloon, or by canoe.

We bring you the top safari experiences that show just how many ways there are to go wild in Africa in 2025.

The Great Migration in Tanzania and Kenya

This one’s a classic for a reason. Every year, huge herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles cross the Serengeti and Masai Mara in search of greener grass and water. Along the way, they face croc-filled rivers and prowling predators. Expect drama, yes, but also moments of total stillness on the savanna. This trip covers the big hitters: Serengeti, Maasai Mara, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire.

Sabi Sand Leopard Safari in South Africa

If big cats are your thing, Sabi Sand is your spot. Bordering Kruger National Park, this private reserve gives you the best shot at seeing leopards up close, often lounging in trees or slinking through the grass. Off-road drives and guided bush walks let you explore beyond the usual tracks.

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Forest

Hiking through thick forest to meet a mountain gorilla family isn’t your average wildlife encounter. It’s quiet, humbling, and pretty unforgettable. Small group treks make it feel personal, and you’ll have time to just watch, not rush. Bonus stops include a chimp sanctuary on Ngamba Island and a chance to spot rare shoebills in Mabamba Swamp.

Victoria Falls and Zambezi Safari in Zimbabwe

If you’re short on time, this three-day adventure makes the most of it. Start with a stay at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, dinner at The Boma Drum Show, and a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. For thrill-seekers, don’t miss out on microlight flights and bungee jumps. This is a good add-on if you’ve been on safari in Botswana or South Africa.

Hot-Air Balloon Over the Masai Mara

Flying over the Mara at sunrise in a hot-air balloon is an extraordinary way to take in Kenya’s famed landscape. This four-day safari also includes game drives, bush walks with Maasai guides, and stays in tented camps near the Mara River. To add to the thrill, this place is home to crocodiles, hippos, and the big cats that hunt them.

Okavango Delta Canoe Safari in Botswana

The Okavango Delta is all water channels and hidden islands. But here comes the interesting part: The best way to explore it is with a mokoro, which is basically a canoe carved from a tree. Glide past elephants, watch for birds, and sleep in small camps far from anywhere. Walking safaris give you another way to get into the wild.

Kruger and Sabi Sand Fly-in Combo

This five-day fly-in safari splits your time between Kruger’s southern section and the private Sabi Sand reserve. At Lukimbi Safari Lodge and Idube Safari Lodge, daily game drives and bush walks create unbeatable opportunities to photograph leopards, elephants, and more. It’s an efficient and luxurious way to explore two prime wildlife areas.

Botswana’s Chobe and Kruger-Victoria Falls Combo

Chobe’s elephant herds and big cats are a major highlight. In just seven days, this itinerary moves across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. You’ll sleep on a stationary train over a river in Kruger, cruise the Zambezi at sunset, and go on a day-long river and land safari in Chobe.

Luxury Kenya-Tanzania Fly-in Safari

With legs by bush plane, balloon, and on foot, this ten-day safari spans the Masai Mara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro. There’s also time for cultural visits with Maasai communities and a crater rim walk. You’ll finish in Nairobi with a head full of stories and memory cards full of close-up wildlife shots.

Lake Manyara and Tree-Climbing Lions

Lions in trees? Yep, that’s what Lake Manyara is known for. They climb fig trees to escape bugs or just get a better view of the world. But there’s more here too: elephants strolling through forests, flocks of flamingos on the lake, and quiet corners where it’s just you and the birds.

Kruger National Park Classic Safari

There’s a reason Kruger’s a go-to. It’s easy to get to, packed with wildlife, and works whether you want to self-drive or go with a guide. One day you’re watching a leopard in the shade, the next you’re tracking rhinos through the bush. With solid roads and plenty of stay options, it’s as flexible as it is rewarding.

Cape Town and Sanbona Safari Add-On

Just three hours from Cape Town, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve offers a quick safari extension without flights. Stay at Dwyka Tented Lodge for Big Five sightings, then return to Cape Town for city and peninsula tours. It’s ideal for those short on time who still want a complete safari-and-city experience.

Serengeti Under Canvas Mobile Camp

This landscape is where luxury tents meet a wild setting. These mobile camps follow the migration, meaning you’re right where the action is, without the crowds. You’ll fall asleep to the sounds of the plains (maybe wildebeest, maybe lions), wake up with coffee by the campfire, and head out into open grasslands that feel like another planet.

Zanzibar Extension After Safari

After days on game drives, ending with beach time in Zanzibar is a welcome shift. The island’s white sands, spice markets, and coral reefs provide a slower pace, with options for snorkeling, sailing, or just decompressing. It’s often added after Tanzania safaris through the Serengeti and Ngorongoro.

South Luangwa Walking Safari in Zambia

South Luangwa is the birthplace of walking safaris. Guides lead small groups through open terrain, pointing out animal tracks, plants, and subtle movements in the bush. It’s less about ticking off big game and more about tuning into the park’s rhythm, though elephants, giraffes, and big cats are often close by.