Where should you go on your first safari?

There is no single ‘best’ destination for a first safari. The ideal choice depends on what most excites you about travelling in Africa — whether that’s iconic wildlife, dramatic landscapes, gentle activity, or the reassurance of an easy introduction.

For those seeking simplicity and reassurance, we recommend South Africa’s Cape Town, Winelands and Kruger Private Reserves - Sabi Sands, Timbavati and Manyaleti. This combination blends world-class food, scenery and culture with excellent Big Five wildlife. Add on private reserves such as Phinda for variety, where strong guiding, walking safaris and varied terrain make for an accessible yet rewarding introduction. We also like Kenya’s Maasai Mara conservancies for travellers dreaming of a classic safari: abundant wildlife, big cats, open plains and the added benefits of exclusivity, night drives and walking safaris within privately managed areas. They also include a dose of culture in Maasai territories.

Travellers who value independence and a sense of journey should look at Namibia. It has excellent infrastructure enabling self-drive safaris, while highlights such as Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Damaraland and Etosha combine extraordinary landscapes with varied wildlife.

For exclusivity and immersion, travellers with extra budget should aim for Botswana’s Okavango Delta, where low guest numbers, seasonal floodwaters and land-and-water activities encourage a slower, more intuitive way of experiencing safari, ideal for travellers who want depth rather than pace. We also love the Lower Zambezi in Zambia for its mix of water activities, fantastic viewing and laid back atmosphere with wonderful camps - that are good value!

Ruaha in southern Tanzania is perfect for those wanting a truly wild first safari — vast, lightly visited and rich in atmosphere.

For those keen to pair safari with the sea, you can look at Kenya, combining private conservancies in regions like Laikipia with the easy-going beaches of the Diani Coast. Kenya’s private conservancies are one of the most dependable ways to see the Big Five on a first trip. Tanzania's southern parks like Selous/Nyerere and Ruaha also combine well with tropical islands like Mafia, Fanjove and Chumbe - of course there is Zanzibar too with numerous options.

Ultimately, these recommendations show that a first safari can take many forms — iconic or untamed, slow or varied, focused or multi-country. The key is matching the destination to the traveller, and with the right guidance, a first safari can be every bit as special as it has long been imagined.