There’s no single ‘best’ destination for a first safari. The right place depends on what excites you most about a holiday in Africa – whether that’s dramatic landscapes, the chance to see the Big Five, or experiences such as walking with rhinos or sleeping under canvas.
With so many ways to safari, rather than trying to crown one answer, our team share their personal picks – each chosen to suit a particular kind of traveller.
For travellers who want a malaria-free safari
Tracy recommends… Cape Town, the Winelands & Kwanda, South Africa
For travellers seeking a first safari without the need for malaria precautions, South Africa is a smooth introduction. Beginning in Cape Town sets the tone: a city framed by ocean and mountains, with world-class food, culture and scenery that ease you gently into the continent.
A short journey into the Cape Winelands adds another layer, with vineyard landscapes, relaxed days and excellent dining. From here, flying east to the Eastern Cape brings you to Kwandwe, a private reserve known for its strong guiding, conservation focus and ‘Big Five’ wildlife.
Game drives across varied terrain, walking safaris and a first-class team work particularly well for first-time safari travellers, however young or old. Together, this journey offers contrast, comfort and excellent wildlife — all within malaria-free areas for those who appreciate reassurance alongside adventure.
For travellers seeking a classic safari
Lyndsey recommends… The Maasai Mara Conservancies, Kenya
The Maasai Mara conservancies deliver what many people picture when they imagine safari: abundant wildlife, dramatic landscapes and iconic big-cat encounters – but with far greater exclusivity than the main reserve.
Private conservancies mean fewer vehicles, more freedom, and a wider range of activities, from walking safaris to night drives. Strong cultural links with Maasai guides add depth, while the possibility of seeing the migration (timing dependent) brings an iconic element. Easily reached and simple to combine with the coast, the Mara conservancies offer a confident, well-balanced first safari.
For travellers keen to explore independently
Chris recommends… Namibia’s classic highlights
Namibia is an outstanding choice for travellers who value freedom, space and the ability to travel at their own pace. With well-maintained roads, clear signage and a strong infrastructure for self-drive travel, it lends itself naturally to safe, independent exploration – even on a first safari.
To experience the country’s classic highlights, the journey typically begins in the towering orange dunes of Sossusvlei, before heading to the Atlantic coast for a stay in seaside Swakopmund, with opportunities to kayak alongside seals and indulge in great fresh seafood. Heading north, Damaraland introduces desert-adapted wildlife, ancient rock formations and rewarding hiking, before Etosha delivers classic game viewing around its excellent waterholes. Everything is easily accessible, engaging and ideal for watching a variety of wildlife.
For travellers who want their first safari to feel like a journey of discovery, Namibia combines independence with unforgettable landscapes and wildlife encounters.
For travellers who want exclusivity
Lucy recommends… The Okavango’s Private Reserves, Botswana
If your first safari needs to offer variety without feeling rushed, the Okavango Delta is hard to beat. Its private reserves allow for an uncrowded, flexible experience, with the rare ability to explore both on land and on water, guided by people with deep local knowledge and a strong conservation focus.
Seasonality is central to the experience. Floodwaters rise and retreat, wildlife adapts, and no two visits feel quite the same – from silent mokoro journeys through reed-lined channels to game drives across dry islands. Low guest numbers and vast concessions allow wildlife encounters to unfold naturally, making the Okavango a particularly strong introduction to safari.
For travellers looking for gentle activity
Malawi is often overlooked as a first safari destination, which is precisely why it works so well. Years of careful conservation have transformed its parks, resulting in rewarding wildlife viewing within an atmosphere that remains welcoming, relaxed and refreshingly far from any crowds.
Safaris combine naturally with time on the shores of Lake Malawi, where warm water, sandy beaches and laid-back lodges provide a complete change of pace. Compact parks such as Liwonde and Majete make game viewing engaging without long days in the vehicle, while the lake adds swimming, kayaking, diving and time to slow down.
For travellers who enjoy slow travel
Maruska recommends… The Okavango Delta, Botswana
For Maruska, the Okavango’s appeal lies in how it encourages you to slow down. The floodplains ripple with colour – greens, golds and purples – broken by islands that grow from palm-fringed mounds into stands of fig and mangosteen trees.
What stays with you are the details: towering makalani palms, the scent of wild sage, the peace found in true wilderness, and the luxury of time to watch animals behave naturally in their element. Days are shaped by light, water levels and animal movement rather than schedules. For travellers who want to ease into safari and learn how to watch, not rush, the Okavango offers a deeply absorbing first experience.
For travellers who want to do it once — and do it properly
Anton recommends… A multi-country African journey
A first safari is often a long-held dream, the kind of trip people save for and imagine for years. For that reason, Anton favours a multi-country journey that shows the breadth of what Africa can offer, rather than focusing on a single stop.
Pairing a flagship safari destination with Victoria Falls, the Cape Winelands or a coastal stay introduces contrast and perspective, allowing the experience to unfold at a more natural pace. From our experience, these journeys often feel more complete — not just a safari, but a rounded travel experience that fully lives up to the anticipation.
For travellers who want safari and sea
Parita recommends… Laikipia & the Diani Coast, Kenya
Kenya is Parita’s pick for travellers who want variety without complication. Private conservancies in regions such as Laikipia offer excellent guiding, strong wildlife viewing and a wide choice of activities, all within a genuine wilderness setting.
From there, the Diani Coast provides one of Africa’s easiest beach extensions, with direct flights and a very different rhythm. The result is a safari-and-beach journey that feels balanced and restorative — ideal for first-time safari travellers who want contrast as well as depth.
For travellers who want Big Five wildlife
Lara recommends… Private Conservancies, Kenya
For Lara, Kenya is one of the most dependable choices for a first safari. Wildlife viewing is strong year-round, including all of the Big Five, across a range of conservancies that are easy to combine within a single trip.
The conservancy model allows off-road driving, night safaris and longer time spent with sightings, creating consistently high-quality encounters. For first-time safari-goers keen to maximise wildlife viewing without long days on the road, this flexibility makes a real difference.
For travellers who want a truly wild first safari
Liz recommends… Ruaha, Southern Tanzania
Ruaha is Liz’s choice for travellers who want their first safari to feel expansive, remote and deeply African. One of Tanzania’s largest national parks, it remains lightly visited, with wide river systems, ancient baobabs and a powerful sense of space.
Wildlife viewing is excellent, but it’s the atmosphere that defines Ruaha: long days exploring with few other vehicles around, dramatic scenery, and a genuine feeling of adventure. For travellers drawn to wilderness rather than polish, Ruaha leaves a lasting impression.
A final thought
What these answers show is that a ‘first safari’ isn’t one thing. It can be immersive or varied, iconic or untamed, a single place or a journey with contrast. The key is matching the destination to the traveller, and that’s where experience matters.
If you’re starting to think about your own first safari, we’d be happy to help you find the place that fits.
