FROM MAASAI TO KRUGER: 10 OF AFRICA’S NATIONAL PARKS

At Select Travel Holidays, we’ve been crafting tailor-made holidays since 1999, and few experiences captivate the imagination quite like an African safari. I’ve been lucky enough to travel extensively across the continent, from South Africa to Tanzania, and there’s truly nothing quite like that first glimpse of a lion or elephant in the wild – it stays with you forever.

Drawing on over two decades of experience and first-hand knowledge, we’ve helped many of our clients turn their safari dreams into unforgettable adventures. Whether it’s finding the right lodge,  researching an African cruise, planning the perfect time to witness the Great Migration, or recommending lesser-known parks for more intimate wildlife encounters, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

By Amy, Blogger-in-Chief at Select Travel Holidays | Master CLIA Cruise Agent

Last updated 12 August 2025

Top Ten Africa Safari National Parks

 A safari holiday is a memorable travel experience like no other; the anticipation, the excitement, the humbling moments of spotting beautiful animals in their natural habitat. Hearing that dawn chorus, watching the exhilarating spectacle of the Great Migration, trekking for gorillas, heading out on a mokoro to get closer to wildlife on the river, ticking off sightings of the iconic Big Five, spotting a herd of elephants by the watering hole, and enjoying a relaxing sun downer to finish the day, so many memories will be created on a safari holiday.

Wildlife Experiences in Africa

Africa offers so many different wildlife experiences, each as unique and diverse as the countries and National Parks that you can explore. We’ve picked ten of the best National Parks to be discovered in Africa, from the great salt pan of Namibia’s Etosha National Park, the incredible elephant population of Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, the unique mokoro experiences of Botswana’s Chobe National Park, and South Africa’s famous Kruger National Park, to the gorillas of Rwanda’s Parc National des Volcanoes, the tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda, and – of course – the Maasai Mara in Kenya, the birthplace of safari.

If you cannot decide on what park to visit, read our accompanying travel article Ultimate African Safari Calendar: Best Time To See Wildlife Month By Month for further inspiration!

Maasai Mara, Kenya

Perhaps the most famous and iconic safari destination of all,  Maasai Mara  is often considered the birthplace of safaris. Situated along the Tanzanian border in south-western Kenya, and covering 580 square miles, the Maasai Mara’s grassy plains and rolling hills are home to the sought-after ‘Big Five’, along with over 300 species of birds, and plays host to the annual migration of zebra, Thomson’s gazelle, and wildebeest to and from the Serengeti, as they cross the Mara river.

The opportunity to take to the skies above the vast plains in a hot air balloon (followed by a bubbly breakfast) should not be missed, providing a bird’s eye view as the wildlife stirs at dawn. As well as its incredible wildlife, the Maasai Mara offers unique cultural encounters, and the reserve takes part of its name from the Maasai people, an ancient pastoralist culture famous for their warriors, who were once expected to prove their strength and manhood by killing a lion.

Following their cattle herds, and moving their settlements in search of water sources and new pastureland, the Maasai are easily recognisable by their red robes and beaded jewellery.

View all our holidays to Kenya

Etosha National Park, Namibia

Namibia may take its name from the Namib Desert and be renowned for its stunning and iconic sand dunes, but it also boasts an impressive abundance of wildlife, including a significant population of cheetahs that thrive in its diverse ecosystems.

Situated in the northern region of the country, Etosha National Park’s biggest claim to fame is perhaps its expansive salt pan, which astonishingly covers 23% of the total area of the park. Stretching over an impressive 1,840 square miles, this vast salt pan is so expansive that it can be viewed from space, highlighting its remarkable scale and unique features.

This salt pan serves as a major draw for various game species, including black and white rhinos, as well as majestic giraffes. Furthermore, during the summer months when it intermittently fills with water, it becomes a breathtakingly vibrant scene that particularly attracts large flocks of pelicans and flamingos, making it a photographer's paradise and a must-visit destination for wildlife enthusiasts.

Rachel, Owner of Select Travel Holidays, has recently travelled to Namibia  and Southern Africa. Read all about her first-hand experiences on her Southern Africa Adventure Safari Holiday review and article.

View all our holidays to Namibia

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s largest national park, Hwange National Park, is situated just an hour's drive to the south of the country’s most iconic attraction, the majestic Victoria Falls.

Spanning an impressive 5,657 square miles, the sheer enormity of Hwange allows for a remarkable variety of landscapes to flourish. Visitors can explore deep Kalahari sands in the southern regions, which gradually transition into expansive open savanna woodlands, dense teak woodlands, and mopane woodlands.

As one travels north through the park, the terrain transforms into rugged, hilly country that adds to the park's diverse topography. Hwange is a haven for wildlife, boasting over 100 species of mammals and nearly 400 bird species that thrive in its grasslands and woodlands. Among these inhabitants are iconic species such as lion, leopard, African wild dogs, cheetah, rhinoceros, buffalo, impala, zebra, baboon, and warthog.

However, Hwange is perhaps most renowned for its remarkable elephant population, which is considered one of the largest in the world. With over 35,000 elephants roaming the park, these magnificent creatures take over all the water points in the afternoons during the dry season, creating an awe-inspiring sight that captivates visitors from around the globe.

View all our holidays to Zimbabwe

Kruger National Park, South Africa

Spanning nearly 2 million hectares, Kruger National Park is undoubtedly one of the largest and most prominent national parks on the entire African continent. With several private reserves lining the park’s western border, and the absence of fences, wildlife is free to roam extensively across this diverse ecosystem.

The park itself has earned an outstanding reputation for its self-drive safaris, allowing visitors to explore its vast landscapes at their own pace. Within its boundaries, you can find a staggering population of approximately 1,500 lions, 17,000 elephants, 48,000 buffalo, and around 1,000 leopards, which provide ample opportunities to encounter some of the most iconic wildlife figures of the African safari experience.

However, Kruger is not just about its famous large animals; it is also home to an astonishing variety of creatures, including 147 species of mammals—making it the park with the largest number of mammals found anywhere in Africa—507 species of birds, 114 species of reptiles, 49 species of fish, and 34 species of amphibians.

For those with interests beyond wildlife, Kruger also offers a rich tapestry of history and archaeology. Within its picturesque landscapes, you can discover intriguing Bushman rock paintings hidden in the southwestern foothills, particularly accessible through the captivating Bushman Walking Trail near Berg-en-Dal, inviting exploration into both the natural and cultural heritage of this remarkable destination.

Pair Kruger National Park with a stay in Cape Town & Port Elizabeth.  Read more in our related Africa travel article - Harleys, Sundowners and Safari in South Africa

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Chobe National Park, Botswana

A safari in Chobe National Park is a truly unique and unmissable experience, boasting one of the densest concentrations of game found on the entire continent, with a stunning array of wildlife drawn to the lush wetlands of the Chobe River. As visitors explore this remarkable ecosystem, they will encounter an impressive diversity of mammals congregating around the river, creating vibrant scenes of nature in action.

Chobe National Park is particularly renowned for its enormous elephants, which can often be spotted in massive herds numbering in the hundreds, meandering through the landscape and showcasing their majestic presence. However, it’s not just the elephants that capture the imagination; the park is also fantastic for spotting big cats, with lions, cheetahs, and leopards all prowling across the expansive plains in search of prey. For an authentic experience that offers an unforgettable opportunity to get even closer to the wildlife, consider taking to the water in a mokoro, the traditional Botswanan canoe.

As you glide silently past the buffaloes, hippos, and elegant giraffes relaxing on the banks, you’ll feel a deep connection to the remarkable natural world that surrounds you in this extraordinary national park.

View all our holidays to Botswana

Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

Uganda may be renowned for its incredible gorillas, and while it is certainly a fantastic place to search for chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, and colobus monkeys in the lush, verdant rainforest of Queen Elizabeth National Park’s famous Valley of the Apes, the park actually boasts such a remarkable variety of wildlife that it’s truly worth visiting for much more than just its prized primates.

Water remains an abiding feature throughout the expansive landscape of the Park, whether it’s the winding Kyambura River – where you’re bound to spot elegant flamingos, striking pink-backed pelicans, and the elusive shoebill storks – or the dramatic and picturesque Lake George and Lake Edward. Moreover, the Kazinga Channel, which seamlessly links both lakes, serves as a thriving habitat for submerged hippos, roaming buffalo, and majestic African fish eagles, which can often be seen diving gracefully to catch their prey from the water’s surface.

The larger mammals can be found wandering in the Ishasha sector, located in the southern reaches of the Park, and this area is particularly famous for providing opportunities to spot the rare and fascinating tree-climbing lions that have become synonymous with the region's unique wildlife.

For birdwatching enthusiasts and ornithologists, Queen Elizabeth National Park is nothing short of a must-do destination, as it boasts an impressive total of 619 bird species, making it the sixth highest of any park in the world and a true paradise for those who appreciate avian diversity.

Contact us for holidays to Uganda

Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa

South Africa’s third largest National Park, Addo Elephant National Park, can be found near the vibrant city of Port Elizabeth. Established in 1931 through the dedicated efforts of renowned South African naturalist Sydney Skaife, the park was created to provide a much-needed sanctuary for the mere 11 remaining elephants that were struggling to survive in the area at the time.

Fast forward to today, and Addo has transformed into a thriving ecosystem, now home to over 600 elephants, showcasing the incredible success of conservation efforts. In addition to these magnificent giants, the park boasts a diverse array of mammals, including various species of antelope, lions, and buffalo.

Furthermore, it harbors the largest remaining population of the unique flightless dung beetle, which plays a crucial role in the park’s ecosystem.

The Park also features the notable Bird Island, a vital habitat where visitors can observe the world’s largest breeding colony of gannets, with an impressive population of about 120,000 birds. Additionally, it is home to the second largest breeding colony of African penguins, making it a remarkable destination for birdwatching and wildlife enthusiasts alike.

View all our holidays to South Africa

Parc National Des Volcans, Rwanda

High up in the mist, the dark green, dense vegetation of Rwanda’s Parc National Des Volcans serves as a vital sanctuary for the rare and endangered mountain gorillas, and it is here that an impressive one third of the world’s mountain gorilla population can be found thriving in their natural habitat.

First established in 1925 with the noble intention of protecting these gentle giants from the devastating threat of poachers, the Parc National des Volcans holds the distinction of being the very first National Park to be set up in Africa, boasting a rich and storied history of conservation. This legacy has been significantly shaped by the passionate efforts of the renowned naturalist Dian Fossey, whose groundbreaking work laid the foundation for modern conservation practices in the region.

Today, the Park remains at the forefront of mountain gorilla conservation efforts, continuing to champion the survival of these magnificent creatures. With permits limited to just 80 people a day allowed to venture into the heart of the mountainous forests in search of gorillas, visitors can truly immerse themselves in an intimate wildlife encounter, spending an unforgettable hour observing these incredible animals in their natural surroundings.

Beyond the gorillas, the Park also plays host to the elusive Golden Monkey, while the diverse ecosystem allows for sightings of elephants, giant hogs, and spotted hyenas as they navigate through the thick vegetation. Birders can take great delight in this haven, searching for some 178 bird species that call this lush environment home, thirteen of which are endemic to the magnificent Virunga Mountains—an extraordinary mountain range that features five impressive volcanoes, one of which still remains active, adding to the Park’s allure.

View all our holidays to Rwanda

Kafue National Park, Zambia

Taking its name from the river Kafue, which gracefully winds its way north to south through the heart of the Park, the legendary British conservationist Norman Carr established Kafue National Park in the 1950s as part of his vision for wildlife conservation in Zambia. Not only is Kafue Zambia’s oldest National Park, but it is also the country’s largest, covering an impressive and sprawling area of 8,648 square miles—an expanse that's a bit larger than Wales!

Despite its vast size and significant ecological value, the Park remains relatively unknown and largely unexplored, offering intrepid travellers an authentic and off-the-beaten-path safari experience.

Here, you can immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the landscape, where vast tracts of virgin bush remain untouched by human activity, and an astounding abundance of wildlife can be spotted in their natural habitats, truly showcasing the rich biodiversity of this remarkable region.

View all our holidays to Zambia

Amboseli National Park, Kenya

Covering just 151 square miles and gracefully wrapped around the eponymous Lake Amboseli, this Kenyan National Park may be small in size, but it boasts an incredibly rich and diverse range of landscapes that include enchanting acacia woodlands, expansive open grasslands, tranquil swamps, and vibrant marshes.

Most spectacularly,  Amboseli National Park offers unforgettable wildlife encounters set against the breathtaking backdrop of the world’s highest free-standing mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. This unique combination of natural beauty and wildlife makes Amboseli one of the most picturesque National Parks in all of Kenya.

Renowned globally for its remarkable big game, Amboseli National Park is particularly celebrated for its magnificent herds of elephants, which roam majestically across the terrain. Additionally, the park provides an ideal haven for birdwatchers, being home to an impressive array of 400 species, ranging from the towering ostrich to the striking flamingo, and including an astonishing 47 different types of raptor.

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How to book an Africa Safari Park holiday

For more information about holidays to South Africa, South Africa cruises or to speak to one of the team, call us on 01234 326 778,

email us sales@selecttravelholidays.co.uk or use our online contact us form.