10 Unforgettable Safari Destinations in Africa | Go-Elective Safaris

Explore the best wildlife experiences on the continent through curated, immersive adventures with Go-Elective Safaris:

Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Kenya’s iconic Maasai Mara offers one of the most spectacular safari experiences in the world. This expansive reserve is home to the legendary Great Migration, where over a million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles cross from Tanzania into Kenya between July and October.

Game drives through the Mara’s golden savannahs give you the chance to spot the Big Five—lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and buffalo—as well as cheetahs, hyenas, and jackals. Wildlife sightings are nearly guaranteed.

Located just a 45-minute flight from Nairobi, the Mara is accessible yet wild. Whether you choose a luxury camp like Mara Serena or a more rustic tented camp, this reserve delivers an authentic and unforgettable African safari.

Join a Go Elective Safari through the Mara and combine wildlife encounters with visits to Maasai cultural villages for a deeper understanding of this unique ecosystem and heritage.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Stretching across 12,000 square miles, the Serengeti is the crown jewel of Tanzania’s safari circuit. Its name means “endless plains,” and the region lives up to its name—offering expansive views and unrivaled game drives.

The Serengeti is a key part of the Great Migration and a prime location for spotting predators like lions, leopards, and cheetahs in action. You’ll also encounter massive herds of wildebeest, giraffes, antelope, and elephants.

Visitors can explore on 4x4 game drives, walking safaris, or even balloon safaris at sunrise. Many of Go Elective’s Tanzania safari itineraries combine the Serengeti with the Ngorongoro Crater and cultural immersions in nearby communities for a rich, multi-dimensional experience.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

For a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with mountain gorillas, head to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. This dense rainforest is home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas and offers guided treks that bring you face-to-face with these gentle giants.

Gorilla permits are limited to protect the species and their habitat, but those who secure one are rewarded with an hour observing a habituated family in the wild. July to October is the prime season for tracking due to drier weather.

Beyond gorilla trekking, Bwindi offers excellent birdwatching, forest hikes, and opportunities to connect with local Batwa communities. Go Elective can arrange customized gorilla add-ons for travelers seeking both adventure and conservation-focused tourism.

Kruger National Park, South Africa

South Africa’s Kruger National Park is one of the most well-established and accessible safari destinations on the continent. With excellent infrastructure, diverse lodging options, and high-density wildlife, it’s ideal for both first-time safari-goers and seasoned travelers.

Covering nearly 20,000 square kilometers, Kruger offers self-drive options, guided safaris, and luxury private reserves. You can expect to see elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, hippos, and more—especially during early morning and late afternoon drives.

Kruger’s proximity to Johannesburg makes it a convenient safari destination, and its affordability makes it appealing to travelers on a range of budgets.

Okavango Delta, Botswana

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Okavango Delta is one of Africa’s most unique safari ecosystems. Unlike traditional savannahs, this inland delta floods seasonally, creating a lush oasis teeming with wildlife.

Explore the delta by traditional mokoro canoe, guided walks, or vehicle. You may encounter elephants wading through the water, hippos surfacing beside your boat, and leopards lounging in nearby trees.

Go Elective offers custom trips to the Delta that focus on sustainability and low-impact tourism. For travelers interested in off-the-grid experiences, this is one of the most serene and wildlife-rich safaris available.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania

Formed from a collapsed volcanic crater, the Ngorongoro Crater is home to a self-contained ecosystem that supports some of the highest densities of wildlife in Africa.

The 10-mile-wide crater floor includes lakes, grasslands, and forests, and is an excellent place to spot black rhinos, lions, elephants, and flamingos. It's also one of the best places to witness predator-prey interactions up close.

The crater is easily combined with a Serengeti safari through Go Elective, allowing you to experience both open plains and dramatic highlands on a single trip.

Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe

Mana Pools is a hidden gem known for its walking and canoeing safaris along the Zambezi River. This park is ideal for those seeking a more intimate, off-the-beaten-path experience.

You’ll likely encounter elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and various antelope species. The absence of large crowds makes wildlife viewing especially personal, with opportunities to track animals on foot under the guidance of expert rangers.

For adventurous travelers, Mana Pools is one of the most rewarding wilderness areas in Africa—and Go Elective Safaris can help you explore it safely and affordably.

Etosha National Park, Namibia

Etosha is known for its salt pans, stark landscapes, and dramatic wildlife photography opportunities. Wildlife gathers around natural and manmade waterholes, making it one of the best parks for easy game viewing.

With fewer visitors than better-known parks, Etosha offers a tranquil safari experience where you can see elephants, giraffes, lions, zebras, and over 300 bird species.

Camping under the stars or staying at one of the park’s rest camps is part of the appeal. Go Elective can arrange custom safaris to Etosha with expert guides who know where to find the park’s elusive predators and migratory birds.

Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa

Only a few hours from Johannesburg, Pilanesberg offers an accessible safari experience with Big Five sightings and volcanic landscapes.

This park is malaria-free and family-friendly, making it perfect for short getaways or add-ons to South African itineraries. Rhinos, giraffes, hippos, and over 360 bird species call Pilanesberg home.

It’s also ideal for travelers interested in conservation—Go Elective can connect guests with wildlife monitoring teams and conservation educators during select trips.

Aberdare National Park, Kenya

Nestled in the misty Aberdare Ranges, this park offers a cool-climate alternative to traditional savannah safaris. It's known for dense forests, waterfalls, and sightings of forest elephants, leopards, and rare bongo antelope.

Treetop lodges like The Ark offer night-time wildlife viewing at salt licks and waterholes, creating a magical and unique safari experience. Aberdare is often combined with trips to Lake Nakuru or Mount Kenya for a diverse itinerary.

Go Elective offers custom routes through Aberdare with a focus on photography, hiking, and biodiversity.

Why Book with Go Elective Safaris?

At Go Elective Safaris, we believe travel should be more than just sightseeing—it should be immersive, ethical, and transformative. Our safaris are crafted for travelers, students, and adventurers seeking:

Hands-on cultural and wildlife immersion
Small-group experiences led by local experts
Affordable pricing without compromising comfort or safety

Whether you’re interested in a classic safari or a meaningful travel experience that supports conservation and community, we’ll help you design the journey of a lifetime.

Explore our safari options at goelective.com/safaris or contact us via hello@goelective.com to start building your custom itinerary.