10 Best Bucket-List Safaris in Africa

Duba Plains, Botswana

Duba Plains is a permanent island inside the Okavango Delta in Botswana, and it's one of the best places in the world to see lions in the wild. The lions that live here hunt during the day—perfect for game-drive viewings. (Most lions in other areas tend to hunt at night.) A large buffalo herd also lives on the island—you may actually be able to watch the lions hunt the buffalo.

Make It Happen: Stay at Duba Plains Camp, a private 77,000-acre reserve. A safari at the camp features game drives in the early morning, late afternoon, and early evening, as well as boating (when in season).

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, and Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Nature is a powerful force, and nowhere is this more evident than during the annual wildebeest migration in Tanzania's Serengeti National Park. From July through October, around 1.5 million wildebeests make their way from the Serengeti National Park to Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. During this mass movement, the wildebeests have to navigate through the crocodile-infested Mara River and deal with predators such as lions and hyenas.

Make It Happen: The Serengeti Under Canvas experience from luxury-travel outfitter &Beyond is a mobile camp that moves around the Serengeti to follow wildlife during the migration. Being mobile doesn't mean losing out on creature comforts—the camps have private butlers, hot bucket showers, and flush toilets.

Chobe National Park, Botswana

For a good chance of seeing a wide variety of animals, head to Chobe National Park in Botswana, which has the densest game concentration in Africa (including a migratory population of more than 40,000 elephants). The park is also home to the blue Chobe River—so think safaris on boats rather than in 4x4s.

Make It Happen: The Chobe Game Lodge overlooks the Chobe River and is fully equipped with a gym, library, beauty salon, cigar bar, and swimming pool. Sunset cruises along the river, as well as game-viewing boat excursions, are available to guests.

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

There are only around 880 mountain gorillas left in the world—but fortunately, due to conservation efforts, this number is increasing. In Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, you can take tours that guarantee a gorilla encounter in the wild. These aren't sightings from a distance—you'll be in the gorillas' habitat, and they can come right up to you.

Make It Happen: A three-day gorilla safari with Africa Adventure Safaris includes gorilla trekking and a visit to the Karisoke Tomb of the famous researcher Dian Fossey, as well as optional golden monkey trekking.

Kruger National Park, South Africa

Kruger National Park is so big (more than six million acres) that it contains 16 different eco-zones, each with a unique landscape and climate. You'll find plenty of wildlife here, including more than 500 bird species and 147 mammal species (including lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo). There are also archaeological sites within the park to explore, such as a Stone Age village and historical sites from European explorers.

Make It Happen: Take a two-day educational safari with Jock Safari Lodge and stay in a private camp in a remote area inside the national park—an area with a high density of the "Big Five" animals (lions, elephants, buffalo, leopard, and rhinos).

Etosha National Park, Namibia

Etosha means "Great White Place." It's called that because of the white clay pan—so large it can be seen from space—that covers almost 25 percent of the park's surface and provides an amazing backdrop for photos. The pan can flood in the rainy season, drawing thousands of flamingos to feed. The watering holes and natural springs attract the Big Five. The park is also home to Africa's tallest elephants.

Make It Happen: Hate traveling in groups? Make it a real adventure with a self-drive safari, bookable through Etosha National Park.

Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe

Feeling brave? Ditch the safety of a vehicle for an on-foot safari like the one offered in Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. About 120 lions live in the park, and you can get within 60 feet of them on a tour. Dramatic cliffs, floodplains, and a river that's home to Nile crocodiles round out the experience.

Make It Happen: Sign up with Mana Pools National Park for a three-day, staff-led hike.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania

It's easy to see why Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The area's main attraction is the Ngorongoro Crater, which is the largest inactive, intact, and unfilled volcanic caldera in the world. Inside the crater, you'll find a wide variety of animals, from lions to gazelles to zebras. The amazing display of flora and fauna has earned this spot the nickname "Africa's Eden."

Make It Happen: Stay at the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, which is perched on the southwestern rim of the crater. Here, you can take guided walking safaris around the rim of the crater and participate in game drives into the crater.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to almost half of the world's mountain gorilla population, as well as a number of native butterfly populations and more than 347 species of forest birds. The landscape here lends to the dramatic feeling of the park—everything is covered in mist as a result of the high altitude.

Make It Happen: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp is situated deep inside the forest, and gorillas often visit the remote camp. The camp offers gorilla-tracking tours, on which only eight visitors per day are allowed to view the gorillas.

Ulusaba Private Game Reserve, South Africa

For a real bucket-list vacation, treat yourself to a trip to Ulusaba, owned by Sir Richard Branson (you may remember him as the founder of Virgin Group). This private retreat borders Kruger National Park and has just 21 rooms and suites. Although extremely pricey, a stay at the reserve includes all meals and drinks (including fine champagnes), twice-daily game drives, and a daily safari walk. Go for the Cliff Lodge, which has a private pool.

Make It Happen: Rooms start at close to $600 per night. You can book online here.

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