The top 5 national parks for vacation in Africa 2019

Africa offers the best treat in the wild owing to the vast national parks and reserves with unique biodiversity. In most African countries, there are reputable national parks home to the big five, thousands of bird species, exciting escapades and enviable nature.

In your bucket list to Africa, consider visiting the following game parks.

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Maasai Mara National Park

It is a national reserve in Southwestern Kenya bordering Serengeti in Tanzania. Maasai Mara has hundreds of cheetahs, lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, rhinos, gazelles, zebras among other wild animals.

It is more popular for the wildebeest migration between July and October when thousands of animals cross the crocodile-infested Mara River into Serengeti in Tanzania. Approximately 1.5 million wildebeests and hundreds of thousands of zebras, elands and gazelles cross the crocodile-infested Mara River in the reserve in search of food and water.

Although their arrival varies from year-to-year, in general, the herds arrive in late July through August and also parts of September. Road conditions are excellent for game viewing allowing you to see varied terrestrial fauna including massive gnu herds up-close and personal. Accommodation is excellent!

[Video by William Julien]

Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is a haven for game lovers. The name Serengeti is derived from a Maasai name meaning the ‘endless plains’ which characterise the topography of the vast national park covering approximately 30,000 square kilometres.

Serengeti National Park is one of the world’s renowned wildlife sanctuaries with thousands of game spread across the grass-ridden plains of the park. It is today’s home to the big five and a wildebeest migration spectacle in the world. Wild animals in their thousands cross over to Serengeti from Maasai Mara in Kenya between July and October. It has a population of two million animals.

Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park in South Africa measures 19,485 square kilometres. Kruger is South Africa’s pride. Steeped in legend and history, the iconic Kruger National Park in South Africa is waiting for you to explore its vast landscapes and spectacular African wildlife.

It boasts of a lot of things among them being home to the world’s treasured big five. The sightings of lions strolling the grassland ready to hunt down their prey as buffaloes graze and elephants move in their herds is worthwhile.

The best time to visit the Kruger National Park is between June and September. There are also other fabulous activities in the surrounding areas that will enhance your experience. Other options include horseback riding, blissful spa treatments and golf. You can also see what is being done on a grassroots level for the survival of African wildlife at rehabilitation, breeding and endangered species centres.

Combining any of these activities with your Kruger Park safari adventure is something you definitely should consider – maximize your holiday experience in every way.

[Video by Jared Lively]

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

This is home to 360 mountain gorillas which have over the years made a name for Uganda’s tourism industry through this rainforest where the park is located. Besides viewing the rare mountain gorillas, there are over 300 bird species, flora and fauna, and enormous African elephants.

Volcanoes National Park

It is Rwanda’s leading park for mountain gorilla treks. The park is in a rainforest and has the highest number of mountain gorillas in Rwanda. The gorillas mainly live in Virunga conservation area. Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park is the most popular gorilla destination followed by Bwindi forest national park and Mgahinga and Virunga national park is picking up on gorilla tourism.

Volcanoes National Park is located in a small village called Musanze previously well-known as Ruhengeri, which is very accessible by public transport from Gisenyi or Kigali or from the airport. The drive to Volcanoes national park is 2 hrs and hence one can do gorilla tracking on the same day and drive back to Kigali after the trek

Chobe National Park

Kasane town in the northeastern part of Botswana is home to the prestigious Chobe National Park. Chobe safaris are popular for visitors due to fascinating game views. A safari at the park begins at crocodile and hippo infested Chobe River.

Large herds of African elephants flock Chobe River every day to drink water. The boat ride is cheap and a great way to relax as you watch different wild animals at the park. On a good day, you will sight a lion strolling in the park. Here is How to spend a day at Chobe National Park