Few travel experiences rival the magic of an African safari. To embark on one is to surrender to the rhythm of the wild: rising before dawn for a game drive as the bush stirs awake, and closing the day with a sundowner as the horizon dissolves into one of the continent’s surreal sunsets.

Unbeknownst to some travelers, safaris take many forms: open-vehicle game drives across sweeping plains, intimate walking safaris with expert trackers, canoe journeys along river channels, and even ocean safaris that unveil a world of hidden coral reefs and aquatic species. But what makes today’s safaris remarkable is not just the wildlife, but the people who bring the experience to life. A decade ago, few lodges prioritized this connection; now, many are community-owned or community-led, ensuring travelers learn from those with generational knowledge while supporting livelihoods that safeguard these landscapes.

From gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda to visiting meerkat colonies and watching elephants wade through Botswana’s thriving waterways, these are 15 of the most remarkable African safaris.

Witnessing elephants cross channels filled with glimmering reeds as their calves splash in the shallows is one of the world’s great spectacles—and all that and more is possible at Wilderness DumaTau in the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve in northern Botswana, one of Africa’s most important elephant corridors. With access to the Linyanti River floodplain and the Savuti Channel, the property offers peak wildlife viewing with luxury accommodations to match, especially the expansive common area, inclusive of a library, bar, and restaurant, all framing the Kwando River and a floating fire pit located on the shores. Then there are the eight spacious and airy tented suites, each with river views, a private plunge pool, raised wooden walkways, and floor-to-ceiling windows shaded by towering acacia trees that perfectly frame the wilderness, offering an ideal perch for daydreaming. During a safari, you can learn from guides from the area and nearby regions, as well as researchers working on migration and anti-poaching initiatives, making conservation an integral part of the experience. But even above game drives to track the illustrious pack of wild dogs that roam the area, a visit here is about being on the water: boat rides gliding past hippos, crocodiles, and elephants feeding on waterlilies in the reeds.

Photo: Courtesy of King Lewanika Lodge