African Game Reserves

Botswana

Central Kalahari

Spanning an area bigger than Denmark or Switzerland, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve is a 20,773-square-mile game sanctuary that ranks second in the world in size. Giraffes, cheetahs, leopards, lions, warthogs, elands and springboks are just some of the wildlife that can be found roaming this vast, sandy land.

The area for the sanctuary was set aside in 1961 for the San people, also called Bushmen, to allow them to continue their traditional lifestyle of hunting and gathering. While most San have since moved from the reserve, some Botswana safaris offer opportunities to walk with a local San who will demonstrate bush skills.

Chobe

The second largest national park in Botswana, Chobe National Park covers approximately 4,080 square miles of land. Possessing one of the greatest concentrations of game on the African continent, the preserve is recognized for its enormous elephant population, currently estimated at about 60,000.

On a sunset cruise of the Chobe River, which runs along the northern border of the park, you can see elephants wallowing in the water, spot crocodiles lounging and hear the contented grunting of hippos. The area also contains more than 350 species of birds.

Moremi

Located in the eastern part of the Okavango Delta in northwest Botswana, the nearly 1,930-square-mile Moremi Game Reserve was created in 1963 by the Batawana tribe and named after their chief, Moremi.

Widely acknowledged for its variety of diverse habitats that range from forests and woodlands to lagoons and floodplains, the Moremi Game Reserve is also well known for its predator population, which includes leopards, cheetahs, African wild dogs, spotted hyenas and a large resident pride of lions. Large herds of antelopes, zebras, buffalo and elephants can also be seen roaming the land

Kenya

Amboseli

Kenya's Amboseli National Reserve is one of the more popular wildlife parks in Kenya -- only Masai Mara National Reserve and Nakuru National Park receive more visitors each year.

The 1,260-square-mile reserve is famous for its big game, including lions, cheetahs, baboons and large elephant herds that traverse the savannahs in search of watering holes or feeding grounds.

On a game drive here you can also see the magnificent snow-capped peak of Tanzania's majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. Soaring to 19,340 feet, it is the highest mountain in Africa. Habitats in the reserve vary from swamps to withered lakes to semi-arid, vegetated areas.

Lake Nakuru

Lake Nakuru National Park is a relatively small preserve (about 65 square miles) that has been designated as a sanctuary for black rhino. The park has more than 25 rhinos.

The park, which was created in 1961, is also considered to be one of the finest places for bird-watching, and it is most famous for the thousands of flamingos that form a brilliant pink spectacle as they line the banks of the shallow lake.

Cormorants, pelicans and hornbills can also be viewed here. There are more than 400 species of wildlife in and around the park including giraffes, leopards, lions, pythons and waterbucks.

Masai Mara

World-famous Masai Mara National Reserve is the highlight of most Kenya safaris. Widely regarded as the best game-viewing park in the country, it features varied terrain that ranges from rolling savannahs to riverine forests. Zebras, gazelles and impalas roam expansive, golden grasslands punctuated by distinctive flat-topped acacia trees.

The "Big Five" (lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants and rhinos) can also be spotted here. Hippos loll about in the Mara River, while countless bird species flock overhead. More than 1 million wildebeests and zebras migrate annually to Masai Mara from the parched Serengeti plains of neighbouring Tanzania. Some Kenya safaris also visit Masai villages, where guests can interact with local cattle-herders.

Samburu

In Kenya's semi-arid, rugged central region about 215 miles north of Nairobi lies the Samburu Game Reserve, a small oasis that is home to many rare animals, including Grevy’s zebras, long-necked gerenuk antelopes, Somali ostriches, Beisa oryxes and reticulated giraffes. You might also spot lounging crocodiles or elephants bathing in the Uaso Nyiro River, which runs through the reserve.

Established in the 1970s, the reserve is also home to such wildlife as lions, cheetahs, African buffaloes, impalas, waterbucks and more than 350 species of birds. The landscape encompasses lush forests, grassy vegetation, rock outcroppings and dried riverbeds

Namibia

Etosha

One of the largest parks in Africa, Etosha National Park spans almost 14,000 square miles. Located in Namibia's game-rich northwest corner, Etosha, which means "Great White Place," is a spectacular site for rhino tracking, game drives, nature walks and nocturnal wildlife viewing.

Etosha comprises a series of waterholes as well as a huge shallow depression, the Etosha Pan. Though dry for most of the year, the pan fills with water after a heavy rainy season and attracts a variety of game, including elephants, lions and antelope. In all, Etosha is home to 340 bird species, 114 mammal species, 110 reptile species, 16 amphibian species and only one species of fish.

Fish River Canyon

Located in the southern Namibia near the South African border, Fish River Canyon Park is home to the second largest gorge in the world; only the Grand Canyon is larger. The dramatic gorge is a sheer drop from the vast desert plains. The fantastic landscape of the picturesque canyon provides an excellent venue for hiking, which is a popular activity at the park.

Mountain zebra, baboons and ground squirrels are among the wildlife found here, while the unique flora includes the quiver tree and other drought-resistant succulent plants.

South Africa

Kruger

Kruger National Park is a major highlight of South Africa safaris. Covering nearly 7,720 square miles of terrain, Kruger National Park is the largest game reserve in South Africa. Now more than a century old, this preserve was one of the world's first wildlife conservation areas.

Within Kruger's scenic surroundings, you'll be amid roughly 150 species of mammals (including six cat species), more than 500 species of birds and more than 300 species of trees. Mountains, rivers, waterfalls and forests provide a stunning, peaceful backdrop for the animals, including the "Big Five" -- lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffaloes.

Lion Sands

Water and wildlife make the Lion Sands Game Reserve one of the most desirable destinations for a safari in South Africa. Positioned in the southern part of the 160,550-acre Sabi Sand Game Reserve, the private park has exclusive access to the streams of the Sabie River, a major tributary in South Africa that runs about 140 miles in length. The Sadie’s inviting riverbanks draw an abundant amount of wildlife seeking to escape the heat and bask in the river's waters.

Animals that can be seen at the reserve include the "Big Five" -- lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffaloes, along with cheetahs, crocodiles, giraffes, hippopotamuses, hyenas, waterbucks, wildebeests, zebras and a variety of bird species.

Sabi Sabi

Adjacent to renowned Kruger National Park, the Sabi Sabi Game Reserve is a private park that provides a diverse mix of habitats, wildlife and plant life. It was established in 1978. Sabi Sabi affords guests the unique opportunity to experience such wildlife as the "Big Five" -- lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffaloes, along with impalas, spotted hyenas, jackals and zebras that roam the vast woodlands and riverine forests. Smaller animals such as badgers, porcupines, mongooses and squirrels, along with about 350 species of birds, can also be found in the reserve.

Thornybush

Stretching across nearly 25,000 acres of land, Thornybush Game Reserve is located in the eastern Lowveld area, just west of the world-famous Kruger National Park. Like its well-known neighbour, the private game reserve has an abundance of wildlife to behold. The area attracts the "Big Five" -- lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffaloes, along with giraffes, antelope and cheetahs.

Offering day and night safaris, the game reserve allows its visitors to go off-road and be among the wildlife either in an open 4x4 vehicle or on foot accompanied by a ranger.

Tanzania

Arusha

At about 53 square miles, Arusha National Park is considered diminutive when compared to other preserves in Africa, yet it offers safari-goers a broad range of habitats to explore in a short period of time. From forests to lakes to the magnificent Ngurdoto Crater, travellers can experience it all in about a day's time.

If mountains are your thing, Mount Meru, the fifth highest mountain in Africa at 14,990 feet, is located within the park's grounds and provides an excellent venue for hiking. The legendary Mount Kilimanjaro is only about 30 miles away and can be seen in the distance. The park, which is located in northern Tanzania, is home to such wildlife as giraffes, leopards, spotted hyenas and herds of zebra.

Lake Manyara

Positioned in northern Tanzania, Lake Manyara National Park is known for its scenic surroundings. With dense forests, bush plains, cliffs and hot springs, the diverse land gives rise to abundant wildlife. Impalas, elephants, giraffes and the world's largest concentration of baboons inhabit the park, which is also known for its tree-climbing lions. Bird-watchers can gaze upon nearly 400 species, including thousands of pink flamingos and yellow-billed storks.

Game drives, canoeing (when the water levels are high enough), cultural tours, forest walks and mountain bike tours are just some of the activities to partake in while at the park

Ngorongoro Crater

Known as "Africa's Eden," the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is home to the greatest density of wildlife found on any Tanzanian safari. It features the world's largest unbroken caldera -- a crater formed by the collapse of an ancient volcano. The Ngorongoro Crater spans 102 square miles encompassing grasslands, swamps, forests and lakes, and contains approximately 25,000 large animals.

Safari participants descend nearly 2,000 feet into the crater to observe large herds of zebra, wildebeest, gazelle and their predators. You may even see rare black rhinos grazing by the lakes. The area also contains the Olduvai Gorge, where famed archaeologists and anthropologists Mary and Louis Leakey discovered nearly two-million-year-old bones and tools from what some believe were the earliest humans.

Serengeti

An essential destination on Tanzania safaris is Serengeti National Park, the country's largest and most famous reserve. With 5,700 square miles of plains stretching as far as the eye can see, the Serengeti is home to one of the most diverse wild animal populations on Earth.

The park is also one of the best places on the continent to view lion prides. Safari guests traverse the Serengeti in four-wheel-drive vehicles to spot buffaloes, cheetahs, leopards, rhinos and more. For breathtaking sights of the game as they stir at dawn, some tour operators provide the option of an early morning hot-air balloon ride over the plains.

Tarangire

Situated just south of Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park is one of the premiere spots in Africa to view elephants. The 1,005-square-mile park boasts a large elephant population, and it is not uncommon to see herds of 300 or more bull elephants roaming the land. Another park attraction is the numerous baobab trees, including the majestic Poacher's Baobab, which has a diameter of about 33 feet and is believed to be more than 3,000 years old.

Because there are so many trees, tree-climbing is a necessity for some of the park's creatures, including lions, leopards and pythons. Other wildlife that can be seen at the park includes buffaloes, gazelles, giraffes, impalas, wildebeests, zebras and more than 550 species of birds.

Uganda

Bwindi

Located in south-western Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park contains more than 325 square miles of highland and lowland jungle forest. Because the park is one of the richest ecosystems in Africa and exhibits natural importance, it has been designated as a World Heritage Site.

Bwindi is home to chimpanzees, Colobus monkeys and 100 additional mammal species. This includes more than 300 Bwindi gorillas, around half of the world's population of the critically endangered mountain gorilla subspecies. Nearly 350 bird species and numerous plant and reptile species, some of which are endangered, also reside here.

Kibale

Established in 1993, Kibale National Park lies in western Uganda, protecting much of the moist evergreen and semi-deciduous forest that was once logged. Covering an area of more than 750 square miles, the national park's goal is to guard natural plant and primate species while serving as a popular eco-tourism and safari destination.

Apart from common chimpanzees and a dozen other primate species, other large animals include leopards, wild pigs, mongooses, parrots and hornbills. Elephants travel between Kibale and adjoining Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Lake Mburo

Designated in 1982, Lake Mburo National Park has a total size of just 260 square kilometers, making it the smallest of the nation's savannah national parks. The reserve is located in western Uganda and home to zebras, impala, buffaloes and various bird species.

Twenty percent of the park's surface is covered by five lakes (the largest of which is Lake Mburo), which makes for nice bird-watching throughout the entire year.

Despite its small size, a variety of plants and animals can be found among the grassy hills, bushy thickets, swamps and lake shores. Boat trips and nature trail hikes are popular activities, and visitors can stay in campgrounds and permanent tent facilities.

Murchison Falls

Located in north-western Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park spreads inland from the shore of Lake Albert around the Victoria Nile, one of the main tributaries of the Nile. It is known for the powerful, 120-foot Murchison Falls, also known as Kabalega Falls. Habitats range from savannah woodlands to riverine and grassy plains.

The park also houses wildlife that has partly recovered from major poaching back in the 1970s and 1980s. Crocodiles, hippos, and buffalo now thrive, and elephants, giraffe, antelope and other large mammals also frequent the water banks. The park is part of Murchison Falls Conservation Area, along with neighbouring Bugungu Wildlife Refuge and Karuma Wildlife Refuge.

Queen Elizabeth

Sometimes called the "Pearl of Africa," Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda's most-visited national park, established in 1954 and covering an area of 2,000 square miles on the west side of the nation. Protecting nearly 100 mammal and more than 600 bird species, this game reserve is known for its crater lakes, such as Lake Katwe, and other volcanic geographical features. You will also find grassy plains, swamps and tropical forest here, generating one of the highest biodiversity ratings in the world.

Leopards, lions, chimpanzees and hippopotamuses thrive in the park, while elephants roam between Queen Elizabeth National Park and neighbouring Kibale National Park. Other wildlife includes monkeys, buffalo, antelope, warthogs, storks and many other bird species.

Zambia

Lower Zambezi

Comprised of riverbanks, floodplains and woodland areas, this is Zambia's newest park, established in 1983. Situated on the north bank of the Zambezi River, the fourth longest waterway in Africa, its pristine wilderness accommodates a variety of game. Large herds of elephants, sometimes numbering up to 100 or so, often are seen at the river's edge.

Buffaloes, waterbucks, hippos, lions, leopards, antelope and crocodiles also roam along the riverbanks and amid the baobab and acacia trees.

The birdlife is exceptional -- listen for the cry of the fish eagle, a common sight, and keep an eye out for guinea fowl, trumpeter hornbills and Meyer’s parrots.

South Luangwa

Encompassing nearly 3,495 square miles, South Luangwa National Park is distinguished by its vast variety of wildlife. Here, intimate viewings on a game walk or broader observation from a four-wheel-drive vehicle are the best ways to discover the rich array of wildlife in this eastern Zambia Park.

More than 400 bird species and 60 animal species inhabit the mostly wooded and grassy plains of the preserve. Four of the "Big Five" are present -- lions, leopards, elephants and buffaloes. Unfortunately, poaching has eliminated the area's rhino population. South Luangwa is also home to hippos, antelopes, baboons, vervet monkeys, crocodiles, elands, impalas and crowned cranes.