Africa is home to some diverse and beautiful landscapes, with the majority of the continent’s great nature reserves being located in the eastern regions. The Rift Valley lake system and the Serengeti plains extend across Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, while the country of South Africa also features some incredibly varied natural landscapes and wild mammal and bird populations. Botswana is home to some of the continent’s more costly reserves and Uganda shelters a vast populace of primates.
Kruger National Park, South Africa Africa’s oldest wildlife park features some of the best scenery and opportunities to spot wildlife on the continent. Located quite close to Johannesburg, the park is home to all of the big five and boasts roads of excellent quality, world class lodges and a range of decent restaurants and gift shops.
Tembe National African Elephant Park, South Africa Situated alongside the border to Mozambique in KwaZulu Natal, Tembe Elephant Park is home to some of the world’s largest African elephants as well as a fine population of rhino, leopard and buffalo and some incredible birdlife.
Chobe National Park, Botswana Located in the incredible Okavango Delta and covering four distinctive eco-systems, Chobe offers affordable safaris with some of the most elevated concentrations of wildlife in Africa. Slicing through the Kalahari Desert, the Okavango River gives the region its diverse variety of mammals and birds.
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe Situated close to the great Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park is home to more than 100 mammal species including one of the largest wild dog populations in Africa. It features comfortable and reasonably priced lodges.
Lake Malawi Marine Park, Malawi Lying at the southern end of the beautiful Lake Malawi, Lake Malawi Marine Park was established in order to protect the tropical marine life, some of which can be found nowhere else in the world. Africa’s most significant freshwater fish sanctuary is home to the famed mbuna chichlids as well as a huge variety of other animals, birds and plants.
Rubondo Island, Tanzania Stretching between Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, the vast Lake Victoria is home to the valuable fish breeding grounds around Rubondo Island and the nine smaller islands surrounding it. Pristine beaches are framed by virgin forest and the islands are home to otters, parrots and an array of incredible fish and birds.
Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania Inhabited by leopard, buffalo, antelope and elephants, Africa’s highest summit lures climbers, hikers and nature lovers alike. At 2,700m lies the national park boundary, where green forest turns into moorland swathed in heather.
Kibale, Uganda Featuring an astonishing 13 species of primate, Kibale is Uganda’s most accessible major rainforest area. Delighted visitors have the opportunity to track habituated chimps while forest trails provide shelter for a multitude of wild birds and butterflies.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Uganda Africa’s tallest mountain range features distinctive glacial peaks, while the lower inclines shelter diverse vegetation and large mammals. Monkeys and birds cavort in the rainforest while giant lobelias convene below imposing black rock in the high altitude moorland zone.
South Luangwa National Parks, Zambia Nestled in the lush Luangwa Valley is one of Africa’s greatest areas of wildlife. Home to four national parks, the region boasts varied habitats prolific in wildlife, from wooded areas to a steadily rehabilitating river.