The Best Places To Go On Safari in 2026
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If 2024 was the year of island hopping and European summer getaways, 2025 is shaping up to be all about safaris. And not just any safari, this year it’s about going all-in on luxury. Think: spotting elephants from your private plunge pool, champagne sundowners in the savannah, and lodges that feel more like five-star resorts than tents in the wild.
For me, safari is one of those trips that’s part adventure, part soul-reset, and part pure indulgence. You spend your mornings bumping along dirt tracks watching lions nap under acacia trees, and your evenings sipping cocktails while the sky turns neon pink. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to book a luxury safari, 2025 is it.
Kenya – The Classic Safari That Never Gets Old
Kenya is the safari that most people picture in their heads, and honestly, it delivers every time. The Masai Mara is still one of the best places in the world to catch the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest and zebras cross the plains. But beyond the drama, the luxury lodges here are on another level. Places like Angama Mara sit perched on escarpments with views that look like something out of a movie.
If you’re into using miles and points to upgrade your flights out here, check out how I used over a million points to plan my wedding, the same strategies work for long-haul safari routes.
Tanzania – Big Five Goals
Tanzania is where you go if you want to tick off the “Big Five” (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo) in style. The Serengeti is everything you’ve heard about, but Ngorongoro Crater is the underrated gem. Imagine a massive volcanic bowl filled with wildlife and your lodge right on the rim. It feels surreal.
Luxury tented camps here make you feel like you’re in a Hemingway novel, but with proper beds, running water, and in some cases, plunge pools.
Botswana – Ultra-Luxury & Private
Botswana has quietly become the choice for travelers who want safari without the crowds. The Okavango Delta is an actual oasis, think gliding silently in a mokoro canoe past hippos and crocodiles. And the lodges here? Next-level. Many are ultra-exclusive, offering private villas, personal chefs, and decks where elephants literally wander by while you’re eating breakfast.
This is where you go if you want to splurge on privacy and luxury in equal measure.
For more about Botswana experiences, check out Wilderness Safaris, they’ve pioneered some of the best conservation-focused luxury lodges.
South Africa – Safari + Wine Country
South Africa might be the most versatile safari destination. You can spend a few nights in Kruger National Park or Sabi Sands spotting leopards, and then fly to Cape Town for wine tasting, beaches, and fine dining. It’s like the ultimate two-in-one trip.
The lodges here are polished, gourmet, and perfect for anyone booking their first safari. Think Michelin-level dining, paired wines, and spa treatments in between game drives.
If you’re a foodie, I compared safari dining to what airlines like Delta are doing in the skies, check out my Food & Wine on Delta Airlines article. Different setting, same focus on indulgence.
Rwanda – Gorilla Trekking Meets Luxury
Safari doesn’t just mean lions and elephants. Rwanda is all about gorilla trekking, and 2025 is shaping up to be one of the best years to go. Trekking permits are limited, so it feels extra special when you finally sit just a few feet away from a gorilla family.
The lodges here are eco-luxury, think floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking volcanoes, fireplaces, and wellness programs focused on conservation.
Wrapping It Up
Safari has always been a bucket-list trip, but 2025 feels different. From Kenya’s wide-open plains to Rwanda’s misty forests, the lodges and experiences are leveling up, offering more comfort without losing the sense of adventure.
If you’re thinking about where the best places to go on safari in 2025 are, these destinations are at the top of the list. And if you’re ready to [book a luxury safari], start planning now, spaces at the top lodges fill up quickly, and the best packaged safari experiences go fast.
