Africa is more than a single destination. It has deserts, rainforests, snow-capped mountains, ancient cities and thousands of kilometres of coast. Most first-time visitors choose a safari in East or Southern Africa, add a beach, and sometimes a climb or a gorilla trek. This guide compares the regions and helps you choose. TTO lists operators in Tanzania and Kenya today, but the advice below helps you plan anywhere on the continent.
The main regions at a glance
| Region | Known for | Best for | Typical trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Africa Tanzania, Kenya |
The Great Migration, big cats, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar | First safaris, mountains, beach | 7 to 12 days |
| East and Central Africa Uganda, Rwanda |
Mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, volcano forests | Primates, walking, small groups | 5 to 10 days |
| Southern Africa South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe |
Kruger, the Okavango Delta, Etosha, Victoria Falls, the dunes | Self-drive, water safaris, landscapes | 10 to 21 days |
| North Africa Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia |
Ancient sites, medinas, the Sahara | Culture, history, short breaks | 5 to 14 days |
| Indian Ocean Zanzibar, Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar |
Beaches, reefs, unique wildlife | Relaxing after a safari | 4 to 10 days |
East Africa: Tanzania and Kenya
The classic safari region. Huge plains, large herds and an easy mix of parks, mountains and coast make it a good first trip. TTO’s guides cover these places in depth.
- Serengeti: vast plains, lions and the Great Migration.
- Ngorongoro Crater: a volcanic caldera packed with wildlife, including black rhino.
- Tarangire: big elephant herds and baobab trees.
- Amboseli: elephants with Kilimanjaro behind them, in Kenya.
- The Maasai Mara: Kenya’s most famous reserve, and the northern part of the migration’s range.
- Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru and Mount Kenya: Africa’s great climbs.
- Zanzibar: white beaches, coral reefs and historic Stone Town.
Uganda and Rwanda: gorillas and primates
These countries are famous for trekking to see mountain gorillas in the forest, and for chimpanzees and golden monkeys. Permits are limited and cost much more than a typical park fee, so book months ahead. Treks can last from one hour to most of a day, on steep and muddy trails. Many travellers combine a gorilla trek with a safari in Kenya or Tanzania.
Southern Africa
- South Africa: Kruger National Park and private reserves, Cape Town, the Garden Route and wine country. The easiest place for a self-drive safari.
- Botswana: the Okavango Delta and Chobe, known for water-based safaris and high-end camps.
- Namibia: Etosha National Park, the red dunes of Sossusvlei and dramatic desert landscapes. Popular for self-drive trips.
- Zambia and Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls, walking safaris and the Zambezi River.
North Africa
A different kind of trip, based on history and culture rather than wildlife: the pyramids and Nile in Egypt, the souks and mountains of Morocco, and Roman sites in Tunisia. Many people combine it with a few days in the desert.
Beaches and islands
Zanzibar is a popular finish after a Tanzanian safari. Further afield, Mauritius and the Seychelles offer resorts and lagoons, and Madagascar offers lemurs and unique forests.
Choosing by what you want
| If you want… | Consider |
|---|---|
| Your first safari | The Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, or the Maasai Mara in Kenya |
| The Great Migration | The Serengeti and the Maasai Mara, depending on the month |
| Elephants | Tarangire and Amboseli, Chobe in Botswana |
| Gorillas | Uganda or Rwanda |
| Water-based safaris | The Okavango Delta in Botswana |
| A self-drive trip | South Africa or Namibia |
| A mountain climb | Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru or Mount Kenya |
| A beach finish | Zanzibar, Mauritius or the Seychelles |
| History and culture | Egypt or Morocco |
| Families with young children | Short drives, malaria-free reserves in South Africa, and a beach stay |
How many places should you visit?
Africa is big, and distances are longer than they look on a map. Roads can be slow, and many transfers are by light aircraft. Two to four places works well for a week or more. Keep road transfers under about five hours where you can, and leave a day of rest after long journeys. A rushed trip means more time in vehicles and less time with the wildlife.
Guided or self-drive?
- Guided safari: a local driver-guide finds wildlife, explains what you see and handles the logistics. It is the best choice in most of East Africa.
- Self-drive: popular in South Africa and Namibia, where roads and parks are set up for it. It costs less and gives freedom, but requires confidence on gravel roads and careful planning.
Planning your route
- Decide when you can travel, because the best place changes with the season. See When to Travel.
- Choose one or two main experiences, then add stops around them.
- Check entry requirements for each country.
- Compare the cost with our Cost of Travel guide.
- Ask two or three operators for a quote with the same dates and inclusions.
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