Which Country Has the Best Big Game Safari?

Whenever wildlife guides and tourists talk about the big five they don’t actually refer to the biggest five wild animals as most individuals think. They usually refer to ones most difficult to hunt on foot. The term was coined by hunters but safari tour operators adopted the name and they have been an attraction ever since.

The big five include the lion, the cape buffalo, the rhino, the leopard and the elephant – these animals all together are usually found within some of the best national parks in Africa. But don’t limit yourself to the Big 5 – there are other “big” animals to be found in Africa: hippos, crocodiles, wildebeests etc. Here are some of the best national parks in Africa to go looking for the big game.

The South Luangwa National Park in Zambia

Centered around the Luangwa river, the South Luangwa National Park is the home to one of the largest hippo and crocodile populations and is famous for its walking safaris whereby visitors are able to walk on foot as they explore and track animals with a trained guide. The dry season is the best time to find a wide variety of these animals and it’s from April to October. If you’re planning to visit the South Luangwa National Park, one excellent place to stay is the Marula Lodge. It’s very near the park entrance, is really nice and cozy and has several different room options depending on your budget and preference. They also organize drives and walks into the park as well as to a small local village for some authentic local culture experience.

The Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana

Covering a third of the Okavango Delta the Moremi Game is an amazing reserve that is diverse whereby the delta and the desert meet. It comprises of lagoons forests, floodplains, woodlands, and pans. The delta encompasses a full spectrum of birdlife and game that includes cheetahs, crocodiles, and hippos. The best time to visit this region is in July to October when it is dry and the wild animals congregate at the water sources.

Amboseli National Park in Kenya

Situated at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro which is Africa’s largest mountain and the world’s second largest mountain, the Amboseli national park is one of the most visited parks in Kenya. This small park hosts one of the most magnificent displays of wild game in a very serene and beautiful environment that has a unique African touch that cannot be felt elsewhere in the continent.

The Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe

A home to herds of buffaloes, zebras, and elephants the Hwange National Park has one of the largest population of giraffes in Africa. It is located in the western region of Zimbabwe adjacent to the main road lying next to the world famous Victoria Falls.

Etosha National Park in Namibia

Centered around an Avast salt pan the Etosha National Park is one of Namibia’s, most famous places to visit. Usually, it is a very dry area but water fills up during the summer stimulation the growth of blue green algae that lures thousands of flamingos. There is also a large population of zebras, antelopes, and wildebeests. The park is bordered by three established parks that providing a great self-drive safari.