1. Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)

The Serengeti is the world’s most celebrated savannah ecosystem, spanning 14,750 km² of grasslands, woodlands and kopjes.

Great Migration

• Calving (Jan–Apr): In the southern “Ndutu” plains, 500,000 wildebeest calves are born in a six-week frenzy. Predators (lions, hyenas, cheetahs) concentrate here, creating intense, close-quarters action.
• River Crossings (Jul–Oct): As herds traverse westward, dramatic crossings at the Grumeti and Mara Rivers draw crocodiles and scrambling hooves against swollen currents.

Year-Round Wildlife

• Big Cats: Seronera Valley is a hotspot for resident lion prides, leopard sightings in rocky outcrops, and cheetahs hunting on open plains.
• Rare Species: The Gol Mountains region in the east harbors oryx, lesser kudu and abundant birdlife, including ostriches and kori bustards.

Activities & Lodging

• Game Drives: Dawn and dusk drives maximize predator and migration-viewing.
• Hot-Air Balloon Safaris: Float over the golden plains at sunrise, followed by a champagne bush breakfast.
• Where to Stay: From intimate tented camps in Seronera to remote mobile camps beneath acacia skies.

2. Maasai Mara National Reserve (Kenya)

An ecological extension of the Serengeti, the Maasai Mara spans 1,510 km² of rolling grasslands and riverine forest.

Great Migration & River Crossings

• River Crossings (Jul–Oct): Wildebeest, zebra and gazelle navigate the crocodile-infested Mara River in spectacular fashion.

Predator Capital

• Lions: Home to over 1,000 lions across multiple clans, including the famous Marsh Pride.
• Cheetahs & Leopards: Open grasslands favor cheetah hunts; riverine forests provide cover for elusive leopards.

Experiences

• Cultural Visits: Maasai village tours, traditional dance performances, and beadwork workshops.
• Balloon Safaris: Aerial views of herds at dawn followed by a bush breakfast.

3. Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Tanzania)

Encompassing the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, Ngorongoro covers 8,300 km² and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Crater Ecology

• Big Five: Dense populations of lions, elephants, buffalo, black rhino and leopard roam the 260 km² crater floor.
• Habitats: Grasslands, acacia woodlands, soda lakes, and swamps support diverse wildlife.

Activities & Lodging

• Game Drives: Exclusive vehicle limits ensure intimate wildlife encounters at dawn and late afternoon.
• Lodges: Luxury rim lodges like Ngorongoro Crater Lodge offer panoramic views, while camps in nearby highlands provide authentic experiences.

4. Amboseli National Park (Kenya)

Spread across 392 km² at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli’s swamps and plains host some of Africa’s largest elephant herds.

Iconic Elephants

• Kilimanjaro Backdrop: Snow-capped peak frames matriarchal herds in iconic photographs.
• Movie Legacy: Filming location for The Queen’s Elephant, adding cinematic charm.

Activities

• Cultural Tours: Visits to Maasai villages for herding demonstrations and bead-making.
• Night Drives: Seasonal excursions reveal hippos and nocturnal predators.

5. Tarangire National Park (Tanzania)

Covering 2,850 km², Tarangire’s river sustains wildlife during the dry season (Jun–Oct) against a backdrop of ancient baobabs.

Elephant Highway

• Dry-Season Gatherings: Herds of 300+ elephants converge around the Tarangire River.

Birding & Night Safaris

• Avian Diversity: Home to over 550 bird species, including storks and raptors.
• Night Drives: Spot leopards and aardvarks under starlit skies.

6. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda)

Spanning 331 km² of montane rainforest, Bwindi shelters nearly half of the world’s mountain gorillas.

Gorilla Trekking

• Permits (≈USD 700): Early-morning treks reward visitors with a one-hour encounter with habituated gorilla families.

7. Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda)

Atop the Virunga volcanic chain, this 160 km² park pioneered gorilla habituation and luxury eco-tourism.

Luxury Trekking

• Permits (≈USD 1,500): Small groups (max 8) and five-star lodges like Bisate ensure exclusive experiences.
• Golden Monkey Tours: Track endangered monkeys through bamboo forests.

8. Mahale Mountains National Park (Tanzania)

Along Lake Tanganyika’s western shore, Mahale’s 1,650 km² of forests and beaches offer remote chimpanzee trekking.

Chimpanzee Trekking

• Habituated Groups: Over 800 chimpanzees trek through mahogany and bamboo groves.

Water Activities

• Kayaking & Snorkeling: Explore Tanganyika’s clear waters and rich cichlid diversity.

9. Lake Nakuru National Park (Kenya)

This 188 km² park on the Rift Valley floor is famed for flamingo aggregations and rhino sanctuaries.

Flamingo Spectacle

• Pink Shoreline: Millions of flamingos feed on algae, creating a vivid pink vista.

Rhino Sanctuary

• Black & White Rhinos: One of Africa’s densest black rhino populations alongside protected white rhinos.

10. Lake Manyara National Park (Tanzania)

Although compact (330 km²), Manyara’s mix of forest, soda lake and floodplain habitats supports unique wildlife.

Tree-Climbing Lions

• Unusual Behavior: Lions rest on branches to escape insects and survey their territory.

11. Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)

Uganda’s most-visited reserve spans 1,978 km² of savannah, swamp and crater lakes.

Unique Highlights

• Tree-Climbing Lions in the Ishasha sector.
• Kazinga Channel Cruises: Boat safaris reveal hippos, buffalo and waterbirds along a 32 km waterway.

12. Ruaha National Park (Tanzania)

At 20,226 km², Ruaha is Tanzania’s second-largest park, famed for its high lion densities and diverse habitats.

Lion Kingdom

• Largest Population: Over 10,000 lions roam miombo woodlands and river valleys.

13. Tsavo East & West National Parks (Kenya)

Combined area of 21,000 km² makes Tsavo Kenya’s largest continuous wilderness, celebrated for red-painted elephants and historic man-eater lore.

Key Attractions

• Red Elephants: Dust baths in red soils give these giants their distinctive hue.
• Ghost & Darkness Sites: Locations of the famed man-eater lions during railway construction.
• Mzima Springs: Underwater viewing hides for hippos and crocodiles.

14. Grumeti Game Reserve (Tanzania)

This 350 km² private reserve in western Serengeti offers exclusive views of western migration crossings and rolling hills teeming with wildlife.

15. Ol Pejeta Conservancy (Kenya)

Covering 360 km² on Laikipia Plateau, Ol Pejeta is Kenya’s largest rhino sanctuary and home to the last two northern white rhinos.

Conservation Highlights

• Rhino Protection: Strong populations of eastern black and southern white rhinos alongside the final northern whites.
• Chimpanzee Sanctuary: Kenya’s only facility for rescued chimpanzees.
• Lion Tracking: Radio-collared pride walks led by expert guides.

16. Akagera National Park (Rwanda)

Rwanda’s sole open-savannah park spans 1,122 km² of woodland and wetlands, reestablished as a Big Five destination.

Highlights

• Lake Ihema Boat Safaris: Hippos and crocodiles line the shores.
• Game Drives: Lions, elephants, buffalo and rhinos against lake-dotted plains.
• Birding: Over 500 species, including shoebills and papyrus gonoleks.