While there’s never a bad time for a Botswana holiday, we recommend May to October during the dry season, for warm, sunny days and cool evenings with clear, starlit skies. Two top destinations in Botswana are the legendary Okavango Delta and, within it, the Moremi Game Reserve, often described as the 'predator capital of Africa' and thought by many to offer Africa's best game viewing. Stay at the superb Sanctuary Chief's Camp, one of a dozen camps we recommend in the Delta. Meanwhile, Chobe National Park is perhaps the most biologically diverse park in all of Botswana and one of our favourite lodges here is Chobe Chilwero, with views over the Chobe River and its flood plains. And, of course, there's Botswana's Kalahari and Makgadikgadi Salt Pans - here we recommend Camp Kalahari as it straddles both. For inspiration review our suggested 11 Night Classic Botswana Safari

Perhaps the most famous national reserve in Africa, Kenya's Maasai Mara is home to the Big Five and much more. The Maasai Mara has a selection of lodges and camps offering incredible and unforgettable safari experiences such as hilltop Angama Mara and, on the banks of the Mara River, the ultra-luxurious Sanctuary Olonana. The Maasai Mara borders Tanzania's Serengeti National Park and it is between the two that the world-famous Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra takes place in, roughly, July and then back again in October. In fact, we often recommend that your Kenya safari is combined with Tanzania, and our suggested 12 Night Classic East Africa Safari​ is ideal for this. 

Best months to visit for this itinerary are April to November. On this classic Madagascar adventure you’ll discover what makes this exquisite African island so unique and expert guides will help you seek out eight species of lemur in Andasibe National Park, and night walks in the Ifotaka rainforest will reveal yet more fascinating wildlife. In their sacred forests you will be welcomed by the Antandroy tribe before you canoe through the mangroves on the coast. Madagascar is one of the world’s greatest biodiversity hotspots, and you will see its finest landscapes and wildlife. Take a look at our suggested 13 Night Classic Madagascar Adventure. Maybe extend the trip by flying just off the coast to a sublime all-villa boutique hideaway on a pristine island surrounded by glorious powder-soft sandy beaches and coral reefs: Miavana

​

Namibia safaris capture the imagination of even the most seasoned traveller with its otherworldly desert landscapes and, whilst it may not offer the abundance of game that more verdant African countries can, you’ll still find plenty of wildlife here - such as the handsome oryx, the desert-adapted elephant and black rhino, and the wily bat eared fox. Perhaps most well-adapted to desert life though, are Namibia’s native people, such as the clicking Damara and the San Bushmen of the Kalahari. Photographers love the eerie Skeleton Coast (stay at Shipwreck Lodge), whilst Etosha is one of the best game viewing locations in Namibia (best visited during dry season from April to September) and Ongava Lodge is an ideal base to explore with expert guides. Meanwhile, in Damaraland, experience natural history with a surreal edge. Perhaps stay at Mowani Mountain Camp and discover the true meaning of peace and tranquility, enjoying commanding views over the ancient landscape. Have a look at our suggested 12 Night Classic Namibia Safari

Green and mountainous, this small central African nation packs in an astonishing array of jaw-dropping scenery, ecodiversity and leisure activities. From the friendly buzz of downtown Kigali to the jungles and big-game savannah of the world-class National Parks, Rwanda really does have it all. If gorilla trekking comes top of your African bucket list then head north. There's simply nowhere better to make acquaintances with a silverback than amid the lush jungle of the Volcanoes National Park and nowhere better to stay than Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge. To the south lies the Nyungwe National Park. This mist-swaddled rainforest is alive with 13 species of primate and 300 species of bird, including the exquisite Rwenzori turaco. We recommend Nyungwe House. For a classic Rwanda experience, see our suggested 8 Night Highlights of Rwanda Tour

The vast game reserves of the Eastern Cape have much to recommend them, not least their proximity to the Garden Route and, particularly for families, the absence of malaria. But perhaps one of their greatest draws is the chance to see the ‘Big Five’. From the rich biodiversity and luxurious lodges of the Kwandwe Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape or at Sabi Sabi or Madikwe, this is a stunningly diverse and rewarding safari destination. It also allows you to combine a safari with one of the southern hemisphere's most beautiful and cosmopolitan cities: Cape Town. See our suggestions for the Best Boutique Hotels in and around Cape Town

The vast game-rich plains of the Serengeti are rightly at the top of the list for most wildlife enthusiasts and it perfectly captures the essence of the classic Africa safari. It's best known for its Great Migration, as millions of wildebeest and zebra make their way across the plains in search of water, and the luxurious and traditional Klein's Camp makes an ideal base. If you prefer a classic tented camp, you could opt for Kichakani Serengeti Camp. But Tanzania is not just about the Serengeti. The epic natural beauty of the Ngorongoro crater is matched by the abundance of wildlife contained within its caldera walls, where the crater's grasslands provide a sanctuary to lion, cheetah, leopard, hyena, buffalo, elephant and wildebeest - and Tanzania's best opportunity of spotting black rhino. Maybe stay at Entamanu Ngorongoro. Take a look at our suggested 12 Night Classic East Africa Safari​ combining Tanzania's Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater with Kenya's Masai Mara.

Often overlooked in favour of the more famous safari destinations, a Zambia safari is for those who really want to feel the beating heart of Africa and the soul of the bush - and you will be astonished by the sheer concentration and surprising diversity of wildlife here. The Lower Zambezi has become one of southern Africa’s premier destinations for peaceful game viewing, both on and off the water, and its pristine wilderness contains some of the continent’s most picturesque areas for witnessing nature in all its glory - and, with its riverside luxury, Sausage Tree Camp is top of our recommended places to stay. Combine this with the beauty of game-rich Luangwa Valley from your base at Chinzombo Lodge and a couple of days close to the Victoria Falls at the exceptional Tongabezi Lodge on the banks of the Zambezi, and you'll have explored Zambia's highlights. See our suggested 11 Night Classic Zambia Safari​

Zimbabwe is a country of spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife. For example, Mana Pools National Park is a stunning wilderness area running along the southern bank of the Zambezi and captures the heart of all fortunate enough to stay here - and one of the best places to stay is Ruckomechi Camp. Meanwhile, Hwange National Park (formerly the royal hunting grounds of the Matabele king) is home to one of the densest concentrations of game in Africa and Davison's Camp is one of the few within the park; offering complete luxury and utter privacy while surrounded by incredible wildlife. One of the joys of a safari in Hwange is that its wildlife and scenery can be enjoyed by game drives or on foot, helping to bring a different perspective to your safari. For even more variety, a stay beside Lake Kariba at Changa Safari Camp is a wonderful option too. Start or finish with a night or two beside the Falls staying at Victoria Falls River Lodge. See our suggested 12 Night Highlights of Zimbabwe Safari