South Africa has come out on top in a new survey of Africa’s best safari destinations, with more parks featured in the Top 50 than any other country on the continent!

 

South Africa (08 January 2026) – According to a new survey by SafariBookings, South Africa is home to 12 of Africa’s Top 50 African Safari Parks 2026, ahead of Kenya with 11 and Tanzania with nine. The ranking is based on thousands of reviews from safari travellers and industry experts.

The list, compiled using 2665 reviews, includes feedback from safari-goers across 74 countries. It also relied on insights from experienced safari experts who contribute to major travel guidebooks including Lonely Planet, Rough Guides and Bradt Travel Guides.

While Serengeti National Park in Tanzania claimed the number one spot overall, South Africa shined with its sheer number of top-performing parks.

Among the highest-ranked of our list-topping local destinations was Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve in Mpumalanga, which placed fourth overall. Sabi is globally recognised for its excellent big cat sightings (leopards in particular) and long-standing conservation work.

Just outside the Top 10 was also the famous Kruger National Park, which is still one of Africa’s most popular safari destinations. In the survey, Kruger shined for its size, strong Big Five populations and its accessibility with self-drive and guided safaris.

Photo Credit: Damian Patkowski via Unsplash

Other top contending African parks that made the Top 10 include Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park in second place, Botswana’s Okavango Delta in third, and Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park in fifth, following SA’s own Sabi Sands.

In total, 204 parks across 15 African countries were considered. Only destinations known for classic wildlife-viewing safaris were included. Parks focused on gorilla/chimp tracking, as well as those with fewer than nine reviews, were excluded from the final Top 50.

“South Africa’s high ranking is a reward for having first-rate parks all across the country, taking in an astonishing and varied portfolio of wildlife and wild landscapes. The results also reflect the fact that South African safaris are in very capable hands, with an experienced safari industry overseeing a good mix of national parks and private reserves.South Africa’s top-ranked safari parks show this perfectly.” shares SafariBookings.

Sources: Supplied
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