From Savannah to Jungle: The Best National Parks in Africa

Whether you’re a wide-eyed first-timer or an old safari hand, Africa never fails to get under your skin. Understandably so, as our magnificent continent has few peers when it comes to natural beauty or wildlife. As we all like to say: “There is something special about Africa that touches the soul.” Much of the magic happens within the national parks, where there’s a breathtaking mix of thrilling wildlife encounters, magnificent scenery and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Each of the following national parks is unique and offers something different to the next, whether it’s canoeing past crocodiles, gorilla treks or leopard sightings. I suppose the only real question is: which one are you going to go to? Here is a list of the best national parks in Africa, compiled by our Travel Experts at Rhino Africa.

The Best National Parks in Africa

1. Etosha National Park, Namibia

One of the largest national parks in the world, Etosha lies in the north of Namibia and has a 5,000 km² pan that was once an ancient inland sea. Undoubtedly, the protected area is one of Africa's most unique national parks. The strikingly beautiful setting of Etosha is ideal for spotting wildlife at watering holes, given the open and arid landscape.

Etosha is home to some rare and unusual wild animals, as well as the Big 5, boasting the tallest elephants on the continent. The national park is home to hundreds of species of mammals, birds and reptiles, including several threatened and endangered species such as the black rhinoceros. Winter (April to October) is the ideal time to go game viewing, as the vegetation is sparse, animals congregate at the watering holes, and the weather is more accommodating.

2. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Stretching across 1.5 million hectares of land, the Serengeti National Park is famous for its astounding amount of wildlife, endless plains and, of course, the annual Great Wildebeest Migration.

The name “Serengeti” comes from the word used by the Maasai to describe the area, siringet, which means “the place where the land runs on forever.” The endless plains of the Serengeti National Park happen to boast the oldest ecosystem on the planet.

The Serengeti is an ideal big cat country. Lions are everywhere, as the Serengeti is considered to have Africa’s largest population. Cheetahs are also very common on the southeastern plains, while leopards can often be found lazing in one of the big trees along the Seronera River.

Much action can be seen near rivers and waterholes where the wildlife assembles. As well as being home to countless hippo pods and crocodiles, the water’s edge is the prime position from which to watch nature unfold – whether it’s simply to see elephants escaping the midday heat or lions and crocodiles compete over food sources.

3. Kruger National Park, South Africa

Lying in the north of South Africa, the Kruger is one of the world’s great national parks and the largest and oldest national park in South Africa. Stretching over 20,000 square km, it's bigger than Wales! 

The diversity, density and sheer numbers of animals is why it's so famous, and all of Africa’s iconic safari species thrive here, along with 137 other mammals and over 500 varieties of birds. It’s also regarded as the best place in the world to see a leopard.

However, it’s the lodges in the national park that really send the experience over the top. Highly qualified guides, fine cuisine and exceptional service are hallmarks of the Kruger lodges. Think private bush dinners under a starry night sky, romantic chalets with private plunge pools, luxury sleepout decks in trees and every possible whim catered for.

4. Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania

Located in the far west of Tanzania on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, Mahale boasts the best chimpanzee viewing in Africa – about 1,700 chimpanzees live in the area. The focal point for visitors is the 60-strong "M" group, which has been the subject of research for more than four decades. Interestingly, Mahale is also the only place in the world where chimpanzees and lions live alongside one another.

In addition to the up-close encounters with chimpanzees, Mahale is absolutely stunning. Forested mountains cascade down to the lake shore, the mist-covered peak of Mount Nkungwe rises up in the background, and crystal-clear waters teem with fish lapping against white sand coves.

Another unusual feature of the national park is that it is one of the very few in Africa that must be experienced by foot. Since there are no roads or other infrastructure within the park boundaries, the only way in and out of Mahale is via boat on the lake.

5. Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana

Covering one-third of the Okavango Delta, Moremi is one of the finest wildlife reserves in Africa. It consists of a network of waterways surrounding two large islands: the iconic Chiefs Island in the west and Mopane Tongue in the east.

In 2008, it was voted the "best game reserve in Africa" by the African Travel and Tourism Association and was the first reserve in Africa that was established by local residents.

The reserve’s startlingly unique landscape – ranging from riverine forests and marshlands to savannahs and wetlands flecked with palm islands – provides visitors with an awe-inspiring vista.

Local BaSarwa bushmen also reside in the area, offering visitors an intimate look into their traditional way of life. The Delta’s meandering waterways are a highlight of Moremi’s experience and offer boat safaris and traditional mokoro rides, while guests can explore the land either by safari vehicle or on foot with a guide.

6. South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

The South Luangwa National Park lies in eastern Zambia, in the Luangwa Valley at the tail end of Africa’s Great Rift Valley. Its remote location and the relatively small number of visitors means it provides an unspoilt haven for wildlife and game viewing, far more exclusive than some of southern Africa’s more famous national parks.

South Luangwa is the home of walking safaris and is the ultimate way to experience the African bush. On walking safaris, you’re accompanied by an expert guide through the bush, encountering wild animals along the way.

You can choose from a one-day trail to a week-long trek, sleeping under the stars at mobile camps each night, which makes for one of Africa’s most thrilling experiences!

For scenery, variety and density of animals, South Luangwa National Park is right up there with the best in Africa. Impalas, pukus, waterbucks, giraffes and buffaloes wander on the wide-open plains. Leopards hunt in the dense woodlands. Herds of elephants wade through the marshes. Hippos munch serenely on Nile cabbage. Lastly, bird life is tremendous, with about 400 species having been recorded.

7. Amboseli National Park, Kenya

Amboseli grants its visitors one of the most iconic sights in Africa – big-tusked elephants set against the backdrop of Africa’s best views of Mt Kilimanjaro. The world’s tallest freestanding mountain actually rises just across the border in Tanzania, but Amboseli has a postcard-perfect view of its snow-capped peaks.

The name “Amboseli” comes from a Maasai word meaning “salty dust”. It is one of the best places in Africa to view large herds of elephants up close. Nature lovers can explore five different habitats here. The habitats range from the dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli to wetlands with sulphur springs, the savannah, and woodlands. They can also visit the local Maasai community, which lives around the national park, and experience their authentic culture.

8. Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe

Mana Pools National Park is the real deal. If you’re looking to go off the beaten track and find an authentic experience of untouched Africa, then this is the place for you. It’s raw, it’s beautiful, and it’s not for the faint-hearted.

Mana Pools attracts many large animals in search of water, making it one of Africa’s most renowned game-viewing regions. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has Zimbabwe’s biggest concentration of hippos and crocodiles as well as large dry-season populations of elephants and buffalo. Canoe safaris down the Zambezi are one of the best ways to see the wildlife here.

Other animals can regularly be seen on the river terraces such as eland, impala, waterbuck, baboons, monkeys, zebra and warthog. These animals come out to eat the fallen Albida fruit, a tree that is synonymous with Mana Pools.

9. Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, Madagascar

Like nowhere else on earth, the magic of Madagascar leaves a vivid impression on all those who visit. It’s the world’s oldest island. 5% of all known animal and plant species can be found here and here alone. It’s like another planet – home to strange, bulbous trees and enchanting, dancing animals.

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is the best place to see Madagascar’s fascinating wildlife and its most famous residents, the lemurs. The Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is Madagascar’s most accessible rainforest park. It’s famous for the indri, the world’s largest lemur and the star of the area. 

Due to the park’s small size, most of it can be covered in short walks. In addition, the national park includes two small lakes, Lac Vert (Green Lake) and Lac Rouge (Red Lake).

The best time for seeing indris is early in the morning, from 7 am to 11 am. The park is also known for its biodiversity of other lemur species (there are 11 other species), birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

10. Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Hwange National Park is the biggest, and some say best, wildlife haven in Zimbabwe. Its sheer size means it’s an exceptionally diverse park with terrain ranging from the semi-desert scrub in the south to forests, granite hills and valleys of mopane woodlands in the north.

Hwange National Park, pronounced "Wang-ee", is brimming with wildlife and is home to over 100 mammal species, including lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, wild dogs and rhino.

Hwange is best known for its elephants and has one of the world’s largest populations of around 40,000 tuskers. The highest numbers of animals are spotted in the dry season (August to October). During this period, the wildlife congregates around the shrunken waterholes.

Book Your Safari in One Of The Best National Parks In Africa

Africa has so much to offer. The sheer diversity of landscapes, animals and activities will never let you down! We have first-hand experience of all these national parks. Therefore, we can tailor-make your trip to enable you to enjoy the best national parks in Africa. Contact our Travel Experts today, and let’s start planning!