1. Botswana: Best for Hippos
Botswana’s top safari spots—the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park—are some of Africa’s most beloved. For a budget-friendly adventure, explore by mokoro (a traditional canoe) or riverboat, then hit the public safari areas where, importantly, both self-drive vehicles and tour trucks are allowed. Expect loads of elephants and hippos along the way.
How to do it: Ultimate Routes can set up a custom 10-day self-drive camping safari in Botswana starting at around £1,000 per person (based on two sharing), not including fuel, food, guided activities, or flights.
2. Zimbabwe: Best for Wild Dogs
Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe is packed with elephants, antelopes, and baboons roaming under towering trees. It’s also a key conservation and research hub for African wild dogs—an endangered species. Pair your visit with stops at Victoria Falls and Botswana’s Chobe National Park.
How to do it: Acacia Africa runs seven-day small-group camping tours covering western Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls and Hwange) and northeast Botswana (including Chobe) from £1,330 per person, excluding flights.
3. Zambia: Best for Leopards
Zambia shares Victoria Falls—one of Africa’s must-see sights—with Zimbabwe, but it’s also got its own incredible wildlife. South Luangwa National Park is especially amazing for spotting leopards. For an epic multi-country trip, start at Victoria Falls, journey east through Zambia into Malawi and southern Tanzania, then wrap it up with some beach time in Zanzibar.
How to do it: Intrepid has 20-day guided camping tours from Victoria Falls to Zanzibar, including South Luangwa, from £2,385 per person (flights not included).
4. Tanzania: Best for Giraffes, Wildebeest & Zebras
Northern Tanzania boasts two of Africa’s most stunning protected areas: the Serengeti (bigger and wilder than the Maasai Mara), where you can witness cheetahs in full sprint, and the Ngorongoro Crater’s thriving ecosystem, home to rhinos, elephants, and hippos. Base yourself in Arusha, where stays can cost well under £50 a night.
How to do it: Oasis Overland offers 14-day overland truck camping tours through Kenya and Tanzania, from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, starting at £1,200 per person (flights not included).