12 Incredible Safari Spots, Whether You Want A Classic or Unexpected Experience

Is there a more memorable trip to take than a safari? You never forget the first (or tenth) time you spot a tiger or gorilla in its natural habitat. The world is teeming with life, and there’s a multitude of ways to witness it up close, whether traditional game drives or walking safaris, scuba excursions or photography tours. And while East Africa is often top of mind for such adventures, there are plenty of other places to get wild. Consider one of these 12 safari destinations across the world, where you can meet some of Earth’s most beguiling creatures in a low-impact, sustainable and unforgettable way.

Rwanda

Guests of One&Only Gorilla’s Nest get a pre-trek briefing before their wildlife-spotting excursions. (Joe Perri/One&Only)

Hanging out with mountain gorillas in Rwanda is justifiably on many bucket lists—and, as activities go, it’s a near-unbeatable vehicle for making family memories. Numbers of these majestic primates, who live in the Virunga Mountains of Volcanoes National Park, dwindled in the 1980s, but thanks to years of careful tourism management and conservation practices, they have begun to rebound. Guests at One&Only Gorilla’s Nest get a pre-trek briefing on the personalities and behaviors of the 12 gorilla families they may meet before heading out for an unforgettable encounter. The resort also offers several treehouse accommodations and a “Silverback Suite” with a private swimming pool.

South Africa

Marriott’s Leopard Sands, Kruger Park, is a perfect base for your safari adventures.

For a classic game drive, South Africa offers the chance to come face-to-face with (or, preferably, to view from a safe distance) the Big Five; lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceroses and buffaloes all exist in abundance in Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands Game Reserve. Both areas can be reached via a short flight from Johannesburg, and once at the latter, you can base yourself at the likes of Marriott’s Leopard Sands, Kruger Park resort. To add variety to your vacation, or to craft a honeymoon to remember, tack a visit to Cape Town (and a stay at one of its top-notch hotels, like the eponymous One&Only) onto your itinerary. The city is a jumping-off point for beaches along the scenic Garden Route and the world-class wineries in Cape Winelands.

Greenland and Arctic Canada

You’ll likely spot Atlantic puffins, among other critters, in Greenland.

Polar bears are the headliners in this part of the world, but there’s a whole host of supporting acts to see, too. Quark’s Greenland-to-Newfoundland cruise is a great way to experience the region. The trip’s itinerary covers a lot of ground—including Arctic biomes full of bears, seals and migratory birds and boreal zones where caribou and red foxes roam—as it makes its way south from Kangerlussuaq in Greenland to St John’s, Newfoundland and passes by Torngat Mountain National Park and a fair few glaciers. The 138-passenger Ocean Explorer ship has plenty of outdoor viewing areas and decks at different heights, so it shouldn’t be difficult to set up that long lens and capture a few cool shots.

Zambia

Yes, zebras really do roam the grounds at Zambia’s Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls hotel.

To really get an appreciation for the natural world, you need to slow down—and walking safaris are a great way to do so. This style of trip first rose to prominence in South Luangwa National Park, a sprawling wilderness located in the eastern part of the country and known as the “land of the leopard.” The park remains one of the best places to immerse yourself in sights, smells and sounds you might otherwise miss on a Jeep. Meanwhile, down in the south of Zambia, the majestic Victoria Falls make an essential detour. Spend a few nights at the Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara, where zebras roam the grounds right outside your window.

Zimbabwe

Time your trip right, and you can watch elephant bulls stride down the riverbanks of the Zambezi in Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park.

You can also visit Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwe side; the vast waterfall spans both countries, and the view is arguably even better just across the border. Take off in a helicopter to get a sense of its scale and see this natural wonder in all its mist-shrouded majesty. There’s plenty more to keep you busy once you land, too. Head up the Zambezi River, which you can explore during a kayak safari; drift quietly past hippos and elephants, mingling with the wildlife without causing a disturbance. Further downstream, rapids offer a higher-octane way to experience the river. For yet another vantage of the Zambezi River, spend a few nights just across the border in Zambia at Tintswalo Siankaba, a collection of upscale tree house river tents right on its banks.

Pantanal, Brazil

Birders will find plenty to entertain in Brazil’s diverse and sprawling Pantanal region.

Brazil’s Pantanal is a true choose-your-own-adventure destination. How would you like to explore the world’s largest tropical wetland? On horseback, on a boat or on foot? Do you want to spy on jaguars and capybaras through binoculars, or would you prefer to learn to take frame-worthy bird pics on a photo tour? The options are vast—so drop your bags at a lodge in the thick of it all, like Pousada Siá Mariana or Araras Pantanal Eco Lodge, and get going. Once you’ve encountered Brazil’s Big Five (anteaters, giant otters, tapirs, maned wolves and jaguars), spend a few days on the Brazilian coast at the Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana with its swimming pools and views of Sugarloaf Mountain.

Botswana

The accommodations at Belmond’s Savute Elephant Lodge offer unimpeded views of Chobe National Park.

Bringing the kids, the parents or both? Botswana is an excellent spot for a multigen getaway. At Savute Elephant Lodge, a Belmond Safari, nestled in Chobe National Park among herds of elephants and zebras, the grown-ups can indulge in spa treatments while the kids bake in the kitchen with chefs and learn bush skills, including rope making and archery. The whole family can then migrate to Belmond’s other nearby property, Eagle Island Lodge, which can be accessed in just 45 minutes via private transfer on a small plane. There, the list of activities spans the relaxing—marveling at the night sky during a stargazing session, for instance—to the thrilling—like spotting buffaloes and antelopes from a helicopter above the Okavango Delta.

Borneo

Borneo’s dense rainforest teems with flora and fauna.

Aside from Sumatra, Indonesia, Borneo is the only place in the world where you can spot wild orangutans—and Sabah, a Malaysian state in the northern part of the island, is a particular hotspot for these primates. For the most well-rounded experience of the region, check in at Borneo Eagle Resort, a luxe resort on the nearby island of Pulau Tiga, and then take a 20-minute speedboat ride back to the mainland for prime primate-spotting. The orangutans live in national parks, but they’re endangered due to habitat loss—so visit a rehabilitation center instead, where rescued apes are nurtured and eventually released back into the wild. Next, head out on a Kinabatangan river safari, which will reveal proboscis monkeys and swarms of fireflies flitting among mangroves. Combine your jungle adventure with a city break in Singapore: Base yourself at the classic Raffles, and don’t pass up a Singapore Sling.

Peruvian Amazon

You’ll encounter all manner of wildlife, as well as local communities, in the Peruvian Amazon.

Peru’s portion of the mighty Amazon rainforest is chock-full of colorful wildlife, with parrots, sloths, turtles, and magical pink river dolphins vying for your attention. A boutique cruise down some of the Amazon River’s many tributaries is the best way to see it all—and Uniworld offers an excellent 11-day itinerary. The cruise line’s Aria Amazon ships feature floor-to-ceiling windows for maximum scenery viewing, and excursions include kayaking and trips to local Indigenous villages. The trip begins and ends in Lima, so be sure to add on a few days at Miraflores Park, a Belmond Hotel, to explore the city’s exciting restaurant scene (try MaidoOpens overlay, currently lauded as the world’s best restaurant—if you can snag a reservation).

Sri Lanka

Elephants are among the big-ticket sightings in Sri Lanka’s Udawalawe National Park.

A multitude of animals await in Sri Lanka. In Udawalawe National Park, wild elephants are the big draw, but they share space with buffaloes, crocodiles, monkeys and more. In Yala National Park, just over an hour’s drive away, the leopards are the star, while the park’s coastal fringes host an avian array: Birders may tick off six endemic species, including the Sri Lanka grey hornbill and wood pigeon. You’ll need a decent amount of time to make the most of the country—beyond the national parks, don’t forget about whale watching out of Mirissa in the south, exploring the landmarked rock fortress of Sigiriya and sampling seafood and curries in Colombo, the capital. The Jetwing Colombo Seven hotel places you at the heart of the city and has a rooftop infinity pool, to boot.

Central India

Luxury tents stud the grounds of India’s Oberoi Vanyaviles Wildlife Resort.

With their distinctive orange coat and black stripes, Bengal tigers are among the world’s most beautiful creatures. They’re also endangered. Thankfully, in India, their numbers are creeping back up, and a conservation-focused safari offers a chance to observe—and support—them. Several responsible operators run tours in Ranthambhore National Park, where you can also spot hundreds of species of birds, including serpent eagles, kingfishers and jacanas, and visit the Ranthambhore Fort, a protected landmark. Nearby, the Oberoi Vanyavilas Wildlife Resort comprises 28 luxury tents and offers tiger safaris, birdwatching trips and a river safari to spot gharial, a crocodile relative—as well as excellent Rajasthani cuisine to sate hungry adventurers afterward.

Queensland, Australia

There’s perhaps no better destination to spot underwater wildlife than Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

An ocean safari on the Great Barrier Reef brings the underwater world into sharp relief; watch turtles, sharks and manta rays glide past your mask against a kaleidoscopic backdrop of pink and purple corals. The city of Cairns is a popular launch spot for dive and snorkel tours, but consider, instead, Lady Elliot Island on the very south of the reef. It’s home to an eco-conscious resort of the same name and sees a fraction of the visitors. The island is a short flight from Brisbane, a major city with a revitalized riverfront, an exciting dining scene serving up some excellent pan-Asian choices and a nearby koala and kangaroo sanctuary. Overnight at the chic Calile Hotel, with its see-and-be-seen pool, in the vibrant Fortitude Valley neighborhood, or stay at Spicers Balfour Hotel in New Farm, for a rooftop pool and bar bites.