The Best Places to Visit in Africa in 2026

Zimbabwe is a downright legendary destination for an African safari and is one of our top picks for 2026 wildlife adventures. This landlocked country is packed with national parks where you can see everything from elephants and lions to wild dogs and crocodiles. The camps and lodges here feel remote and exclusive: it’s a place where you’ll get the chance to connect to your surroundings without any distractions.

In addition to exceptionally skilled guides and enormous wildlife reserves, Zimbabwe offers the opportunity for a truly personalised trip. In 2026, we suggest opting for a private guide who will travel alongside you as you move between camps throughout the country. They’ll get to know all of your interests and preferences so that they can create a completely customised itinerary. You’ll also find Zimbabwe offers you a less crowded safari experience than you may find in the Kruger or the Serengeti.

In terms of national parks, you simply can’t miss Hwange (the country’s largest) and a stay at the intimate ‘Little Mak’ (Wilderness Little Makalolo), which sits in its own private concession within the park. Or, Mana Pools (an incredibly remote wildlife haven) where staying at Wilderness Ruckomechi Camp often results in elephant viewing without having to leave camp. To finish off your luxury safari in Zimbabwe, we suggest heading to Victoria Falls. Here you can either enjoy a relaxing riverside retreat or adventurous activities like bungee jumping, whitewater rafting and zip lining – or a bit of both.

While at the falls, our travel designers recommend staying at Matetsi, a luxury river lodge that’s committed to minimising its carbon footprint, supporting local communities and helping to prevent poaching. We also love Somalisa Acacia in Hwange National Park, which is open to all ages – making it ideal for adventurous families who are looking to take their safari experience to the next level.

Need to know: Some of the unique experiences you can choose on your Zimbabwe safari tour are walking safaris in Mana Pools or birding excursions. The best time to visit Zimbabwe is during the ddry season from June to October.

Morocco is gaining a reputation as a top–notch surf destination, and while the waves of Taghazout continue to attract tourists, there are also plenty of other reasons to pay attention to this North African country – especially if you’re looking for complete cultural immersion. With its blend of desert, mountain, and coastal landscapes, Morocco offers a truly diverse backdrop for any adventure.

Our travel designers Jack and Rosie are particularly excited about some brand new interactive experiences for the coming year. In Marrakesh and Fes, you can meet local artisans and learn how to make pottery, perfume, carpets or drums by hand. Fish for oysters in Oualidia, go wine tasting in Meknes or learn about Sufism from an expert anthropologist – the options are endless.

Following the tragic earthquake that struck the country in 2023, it remains important to select experiences and accommodation that put local communities first. Luckily, we know plenty of hotels that are committed to making a positive impact on the people and places around them.

For those interested in Morocco luxury riads and Morocco cultural tours, we have excellent recommendations. Kasbah Tamadot in the High Atlas Mountains reopened in 2024, and continues to offer authentic experiences like Berber cooking classes and local village visits. We also love Dar Ahlam in the Sahara, La Villa des Orangers in Marrakesh and Riad Fes in Fes’s medina.

Need to know: The best time to visit Morocco is typically during spring from March to May and autumn from September to November. These periods are great for exploring the cities, mountains and deserts.

Of all the possible African safari tours in 2026, the Great Migration is an essential experience – and Tanzania is one of the best places to see it. While the Great Migration is a highlight, Tanzania offers so much more. You can enrich your experience by exploring the cultural side, from Maasai village visits in the north to tranquil Swahili coast add-ons for a post-safari beach escape.

To add depth to your safari, consider the parks beyond the Serengeti: Tarangire National Park is superb for huge elephant herds, Ruaha National Park offers a remote feel and fewer crowds, and the vast Selous Game Reserve (now Nyerere National Park) is ideal for unique boat safaris.

Tanzania is also a fantastic place for green season travel, which can help to mitigate the effects of overtourism in the high season. Visiting during less-popular months like January and February means you might even get some of its superb wilderness all to yourself. It’s also a wonderful time of year for birdwatching and photography amidst lush and verdant landscapes.

In 2026 we’re especially excited about the new Osonjoi Lodge, located by the abundant wildlife floor of the Ngorongoro crater. We also can’t wait to stay at Kokoko Camp, a boutique camp which can accommodate a maximum of six guests.

For a sustainable safari in a different region of Tanzania, we recommend staying at Chem Chem Lodge overlooking Lake Manyara, which is set in a private concession that was created with conservation in mind. We also love Lemala Kuria Hills in Serengeti National Park, which runs entirely on solar power and was built in large part from recycled materials.

Need to know: Visit from July to October for the best chance of witnessing the famous river crossings, or during the green season from December to April to see newborn wildebeests grazing in the southern Serengeti.

If your 2026 to-do list includes a big five safari, allow us to suggest a trip to Botswana. There’s a reason this is known as one of Africa’s top safari destinations, with more than a third of the country’s land designated as protected wildlife areas. Botswana is home to the largest elephant population in Africa, but you can also see lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalo, as well as zebras, wild dogs, hippos and much more.

As we look toward 2026 and beyond, we’re more focused than ever on responsible travel – and in Botswana, that means choosing camps that are designed to protect habitats and empower communities. Our travel designers highlight Wilderness Kwetsani Camp in the Okavango Delta, which supports nearby Jao village by contributing essential daily supplies and works with local communities to conserve wilderness areas.

In fact, all of the Wilderness camps in Botswana are at the cutting edge of sustainable safaris. We love Wilderness DumaTau in the Linyanti Reserve; Wilderness Vumbura Plains in the Okavango Delta; and the limited-edition Wilderness Mokete – which will only be open from 2024 to 2025 – in the Mababe Concession. Our travel designers Jacob and Jamey visited in 2024 and loved every second of their stay.

Need to know: All of these regions promise incredible wildlife encounters, but the sightings in the Okavango Delta are truly spectacular, with the annual floods (which peak in June and July) attracting animals from far and wide.

South Africa is a terrific all-around destination with big five safaris, vibrant cities, fascinating culture, world-class wine and beautiful beaches, and it just keeps getting better. In 2026 there’s plenty of recently opened and updated lodges scattered across its savannahs, deserts, vineyards and coastline to discover – many of which are fantastic for families. When planning South Africa safari tours, especially for children, a highlight is the malaria-free safari reserves, which are great for families.

Our travel designers recommend Marataba Safari Lodge in the Limpopo Province for its family game drives, treehouse sleepouts and distinctive slow-travel experience. We also love Grootbos Garden Lodge on the Whale Coast for families with young kids.

One property that we can’t wait to visit is Spier Hotel, which will reopen in early 2025 after extensive refurbishment. Another new spot is Franschhoek House, an exclusive–use villa within the 30–acre La Residence estate. Nestled between mountains and vineyards, this private retreat welcomes you with the comfort of a country home, inviting laidback relaxation.

Although we’ve always loved South Africa as a safari destination, in 2026 we also want to explore its idyllic coastal enclaves. If you visit from June to October, you can go whale watching off the coast near Cape Town. Stay at Tintswalo Atlantic just outside the city for a romantic escape – and for the ultimate couple’s trip or honeymoon, tack on a trip to the Seychelles.

Along with Tanzania, Kenya is also renowned for the seasonal spectacle that is the Great Wildebeest Migration. But there’s much more to see here as well, and in 2026 we’re leaning toward more remote and underexplored regions. For example, visit the Lewa conservancy to see thriving populations of endangered black rhinos and Grevy’s zebras – and stay at the cosy Lewa Wilderness.

Another relatively off-the-radar destination is Samburu National Reserve, an arid bushland that’s home to the Indigenous Samburu people. Here you can stay at the community-owned and operated Sarara Camp or the lavish Sasaab Lodge, both of which provide opportunities to engage with community members and learn about local culture and traditions.

Yet another reason to visit Kenya in 2026 is the relatively recent appearance of black leopards in the Laikipia region. A few years ago, this area produced the first confirmed images of this incredibly rare animal in nearly a century. Currently, there are believed to be seven black leopards living in Laikipia – and seeing one in the wild is an exceptional privilege.

Finally, Kenya is the perfect place for a family safari in 2026. Our travel designer Jamey can help you create the ideal itinerary to match your kids’ ages and interests. Stay in the family cottage at Governors’ Mugie in Laikipia, which welcomes children of all ages, or at Sala’s Camp in the Maasai Mara, with two family tents and a wide range of child-friendly activities.

Need to know: The best time to visit Kenya is during the dryer seasons from June to October, for the Great Migration, and in January and February. For newborn animals and migratory birds visit in April and May.

Thanks to its well-preserved wilderness, majestic wildlife and virtually untouched landscapes, Zambia is one of Africa’s most important natural havens. Going on safari here feels incredibly authentic – especially since it’s where the conservationist Norman Carr first introduced the concept of walking safaris in the Luangwa Valley back in the 1950s.

All of that makes this landlocked nation in southern Africa the perfect choice for a truly wild, off-the-beaten-track safari in 2026. What’s more, many of its top lodges are firmly committed to environmental protection and renewable energy. Our travel designer Jamey and Head of Africa Travel Design, Maria, visited in October 2024 and have reported back with their recommendations.

We already know that Wilderness Toka Leya Camp is a trailblazer in terms of sustainability; its tents are raised above the ground so as not to disturb habitats, and each of them has its own solar panel. Ila Safari Lodge in Kafue National Park is also renowned for its conservation efforts, from its use of locally sourced building materials to the country’s first electric game drive vehicle. Also in Kafue, Wilderness Shumba tackles threats to wildlife by supporting anti-poaching efforts.

If you’re planning a romantic trip for two or honeymoon in 2026 then we suggest considering a stop at Tongabezi at Victoria Falls. Stay in the Honeymoon House which comes with its own private deck overlooking the Zambezi River. One of the truly special aspects of a stay here is the opportunity to do a walking safari with an experienced guide, where you’ll have the chance to glimpse white rhinos.

Need to know: The best time to visit Zambia for safari is during the dry season from May to October, when the days are cool and sunny, with excellent wildlife viewing as animals congregate around scarce water sources.