Updated on 29th January 2026:
2026-2027 The best safari country in Africa: Botswana has been voted Africa’s top safari destination. Tanzania finished second, not far behind Botswana, with Namibia taking third place. Safari Bookings conducts an annual survey to identify which country in Africa offers the finest safari experience. It is always a tight race, and this year was no exception. Safari visitors and specialists from all over the world play a significant part in these results. This year, nearly 3,600 of their reviews were analyzed in our thorough investigation.
2026-2027 The best safari country in Africa: Botswana, Africa’s indisputable top safari destination, is an aquatic wonderland as well as a scorching desert. It is a place of tremendous contrasts, huge populations of wildlife, vast stretches of untamed wilderness, and home of the legendary Kalahari black-maned lion. Three lesser-known features are rock art, which serves as a journal of human existence; breathtaking canoe journeys through the Okavango Delta maze; and rare wild dogs, which lucky watchers may sight while on safari.
Sector professionals with years of expertise in the African safari sector contributed to the study, considerably influencing the results. Most of the said professionals are writers particularly guidebooks that often contribute to the tourism industry as rough travel guides which are widely represented on booking platforms and panels.
Why was Botswana Rated as the best safari country?
In 2024, Botswana was widely voted as Africa’s Best Safari Country, even in the previous year of 2023, it had won the same. This country is dominated by vast areas of wildness, which include both desert and delta, each sustaining a diverse range of fauna. Annual floods bring the Okavango Delta’s dry waters to life. All types of creatures become visible, including large cats (cheetah, leopard, and lion) and massive elephants. It truly celebrates nature, with islands, trees, channels, and rivers to explore.
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And there is no larger African cat than the lion. The roar of the black-maned lion will stay with you long after you leave the ancient sands that sweep across the Kalahari Desert.
Botswana Safari Tours and Holidays.
Botswana has some of the best safaris on the African continent; other countries may have developed the safari, but Botswana has refined it. The Okavango Delta boasts epic wildlife populations, Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park, with the world’s largest network of salt pans in Makgadikgadi Pans and desert-specialist wildlife in the Kalahari, provide limitless Botswana safari packages and options. A self-drive 4WD excursion can cover it all, although high-end luxury safaris are more common in Botswana.
What’s the best time to visit Botswana?
Botswana’s most popular parks include the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, and Chobe National Park. The best time to visit is between May and September, during the dry season and winter when temperatures are more reasonable. In addition, the Okavango is inundated from June to October. Wildlife viewing is good all year, however, this varies in every park.
Tanzania was voted the best country for wildlife viewing.
Tanzania finished second overall, but it led in several critical statistics. Tanzania was named as the finest safari country for wildlife by our experts and safari-goers alike which links it to 2026-2027 The best safari country in Africa. And the experts ranked it the greatest for scenic value. If you’ve ever stood on the grasslands of Serengeti National Park, where the horizon meets the sky in every direction, you’d probably agree.
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Tanzania is home to a great migration, which includes millions of wildebeest. The country also has the picturesque wonders of Ngorongoro Crater, as well as the Serengeti’s savannah grasslands and koppies. An extensive Indian Ocean coastline, the traditional savannahs of the north, and the continent’s highest mountains. Tanzania is epic, with its highlands and deep rainforests in the west. When it comes to safaris, these soul-stirring landscapes provide habitat for wildlife on a massive and diverse scale.
Travelers choose Kenya over Tanzania for wildlife viewing.
2026-2027 The best safari country in Africa: Kenya has a fantastic choice of options for an amazing African safari. If we could only consider the examination of safari ratings while neglecting industry expert reviews, you could notify that Kenya was considered the top safari country for wildlife watching above Tanzania. Cordially, the variety and availability of wildlife in the different national parks, position it and make Kenya stand not to be ruled out as a safari destination.
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The Masai Mara National Reserve is located in Kenya, separated from the Serengeti by the Mara River. It is most known for hosting the Great Migration, which, along with the Serengeti in Tanzania, is regarded as the finest natural display on the planet.
Uganda Voted Best Country for Birding in 2024.
Uganda was rated number one in the birding category by both travellers and experts, ensuring its status as Africa’s top birding safari country. A great achievement in this crucial African wildlife category, and no surprise given the country’s very short borders, which are home to over 1,000 bird species. Murchison Falls National Park is one of the country’s greatest birding destinations.
Uganda cannot be overlooked in these studies because it provides unique wildlife encounters on safari, such as gorilla trekking and chimp tracking. In truth, a deeper look at Uganda’s parks, from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and its gorillas to Kibale National Park’s 13 primate species and the variety of animals in Queen Elizabeth National Park, shows that the country has reason to be positive about future surveys.
Mountain gorilla tracking is Uganda’s top attraction for 2026-2027 The best safari country in Africa. Seeing these gentle giants was one of the most incredible wildlife encounters I’ve ever had. With Congo unstable, Rwanda is the only other country that offers this. Aside from gorillas, Uganda’s woodlands are a fantastic site to see a broad range of primates, including the charismatic chimps. Many travellers visit Uganda for a short gorilla encounter after a safari in Kenya or Tanzania, but Uganda is also an excellent savannah safari destination in its own right. Both Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks are ideal places to see lions, elephants, buffalo, and other savannah species.
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The Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch is an excellent site to view white rhinos on foot. The wildlife watching may not be on par with Kenya and Tanzania, but the breathtaking environment makes up for it. One of the highlights is a boat excursion down the Nile to the base of Murchison Falls, where water rushes through a narrow opening in the Rift Valley escarpment. Tourist numbers are substantially smaller, and the sector does not appear to be as developed as in surrounding nations, but if you can deal with a few snags, that may be part of the charm. Uganda is an excellent birding destination, with over 1,000 bird species; even non-birders will appreciate viewing unusual birds such as the prehistoric-looking shoebill.
Top Things to Pack for Your African Safari in 2026-2027
You’ve been waiting months for your safari to arrive. Now you must determine what to pack for your safari. Kisoro Tours Uganda is here to help. Here are a few of our tips.
- Passport, itinerary, travel insurance documents, and e-tickets.
It may seem apparent, but we would be negligent if we did not include this at the top of the list of must-pack items for your safari.
- Prescription medications.
Remember to keep your prescription pills in your hand luggage (in case your checked-in bag gets missing… it happens!) Make sure you have enough of each type to endure the full safari.
- Camera, video, and binoculars.
While most individuals remember to bring a camera and/or video (or use their cell phone), not everyone believes they need binoculars! Binoculars are required for optimal wildlife viewing on safari (a good pair of binoculars will make a significant difference in your safari).
Do not miss out. Purchase a camera if you do not already have one.
- Clothing and Toiletries.
Of course, you won’t forget your clothes! Are you dressing appropriately and adhering to the weight constraints advised by your travel agent for light aircraft flights? Most international airlines will limit your check-in luggage to 20 to 30 kilograms (55 pounds). However, if your safari schedule includes any small aircraft flights, this can be as low as 12 to 15 kgs (sometimes including hand luggage!).
Do not panic! Remember that most safari camps and lodges provide same-day laundry service. This means you don’t need to change your clothes every day while on safari! The exception will be for mobile tented safaris, where it is generally difficult, because of the mobility, to give a laundry service. It may also be feasible to leave a bag with the charter company or someone who will meet you for the length of the safari. When in doubt, consult your travel agency.
Casual but comfortable.
Casual, comfortable clothes are appropriate for safari trips all year. While you may choose to begin a whole new safari ‘wardrobe’, it is not required to look like an extra on the set of Out of Africa! Apart from choosing somewhat neutral or ‘non-bright’ coloured clothing, safari wear is generally casual and utilitarian. Make sure you bring clothes that you feel comfortable in, especially your walking/hiking boots. The newest quick-drying materials, shirts with ventilation, and pants that transform into shorts are all worthwhile options.
Layering is key.
Wearing garments in layers is the most practical approach to dealing with changing day/night temps and cool evenings on safari. As the weather heats up, you can remove another layer. Then, as the weather cools toward dusk, you can put them back on. Here are the “must-haves” to pack on a safari:
- A) Long sleeves and collars on a t-shirt, shirt, or blouse provide sun and insect protection. B) Warm jacket or fleece.
- C) Safari trousers with knee zips are ideal. D) Comfortable walking shoes or boots and socks.
- E) Hat
- F) Bandanna, cotton scarf, and sarong (kanga, pareo, kikoi).
- G) Bring open sports sandals for daytime use in warmer months.
Check the weather.
Ask your travel agent (or check online) what the weather will be like where you are going. You might not need any severe cold weather clothing at all (which will help with the luggage limit!). This is amplified by the huge wind-chill impact that you will experience while riding in the rear of an open game-drive vehicle.
- Phone, music, tablet or laptop.
What you must bring for your safari is your phone, music, tablet, or laptop, as well as their chargers and country-specific adaptor plugs.
- Preventive Pharmaceuticals
This is simply a fancy way of saying meds – things you need in case the worst happens: diarrhoea, headaches, heartburn, insect repellent, hand sanitiser, bites (antihistamine), indigestion, sore throat (lozenges), eye drops, and, most importantly, anti-malarial tablets.
- Odds and ends
A decent torch (flashlight) is essential. It can be completely dark in the bush or your tent in the middle of the night. A rechargeable flashlight is desirable, although a tiny battery-powered torch may suffice. The new LED miner’s lights that fit on your head (and leave your hands free) are also an excellent choice. A smaller (pencil) torch for emergencies or viewing star maps is also worth considering. Most sites will provide a torch or bring you back to your tent, if necessary, but being self-sufficient is generally recommended.
A good book. It never hurts to bring along an interesting book when travelling. You never know when you’ll be delayed at the airport or caught up in African time! We recommend keeping a trip diary or journal. On safari, you will see and experience so much in such a short period that writing it down is the only way to keep track of it all. It requires discipline, but it will provide an essential record of your safari journey.
- Hand luggage.
For starters, try to limit your hand luggage to one item, if only because having more than one item makes travel more difficult. And yes, a purse counts as a second item! That one item should be the size that airlines accept as carry-on luggage. If you are a photographer, this means you must have enough room in your camera bag for travel documents, prescription medication, glasses, binoculars, and even a change of clothes.
- Finally, don’t forget your sense of humour, patience, and common sense!
It is not recommended to wear any apparel that could be regarded as “camouflage”. This refers to any sort of brown/green “combat” colouring. Even if it’s the latest fashion statement, your 14-year-old is wearing it, and it’s only a cap. Be minimalist or take only those everyday clothes that you usually wear, like your wedding band, and inexpensive earrings.
If your bag does not have a locking mechanism, we strongly recommend using one or more combination locks to attach zippers. Unfortunately, luggage tampering occurs at airports. Luggage straps that wrap over your suitcase can also be a deterrent, and some airports offer shrink-wrapping services.
