Selous Game Reserve

Getting its name from Frederick Courteney Selous, the British explorer who inspired the fictional character Allan Quartermain, Selous Game Reserve is one of the biggest in the world. Situated in the south of Tanzania, it is a rugged, isolated wilderness that was granted the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 for its stunning array of wildlife. Here you will find more African wild dogs, elephants, hippos and crocodiles than anywhere else in Africa.

Compared to the frequently visited northern parks, the Selous is truly wild. You are unlikely to bump into anyone else on your photo safari, and if you take a walking safari here then you’ll get an experience like no other. Highlights include the 100-metre-deep Stiegler canyon, and the mighty river Rufiji.

Mikumi National Park

Situated near Morogoro, Mikumi is the fourth-largest national park in Tanzania. It borders Selous Game Reserve, and together the two form one giant ecosystem. With a similar savannah landscape to the Serengeti, you will find incredible rock formations here as well as huge amount wildlife. Lions, giraffes, zebras, elephants and buffalos are present in large numbers, as well as over 400 species of bird. Between May and November is the best time of the year to head here on your photographic safari.

Ruaha National Park

The Ruaha is the biggest national park in the country, and is situated right next to the Selous. It is home to the Great Ruaha River, which provides excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing. There are a huge number of elephants here, about 10,000 in all, and well over 400 species of bird, including kingfishers, sunbirds and white storks, making it a fantastic destination for photo safaris.

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire is only the sixth biggest national park in Tanzania, but it offers some superb game -viewing opportunities. Situated near to Lake Manyara, it is easily accessed from major towns like Arusha. It is divided in half by the Tarangire River, which provides great opportunities for game viewing as it becomes the only source of water for animals during the dry season, attracting them in huge numbers. A massive elephant population is another huge draw for visitors going on a photo safari. Its terrain comprises floodplains, hills and wide, open grassland dotted with acacias and baobab trees.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Quite simply, the Serengeti has it all. Vast amounts of wildlife, huge open plains, a mix of campsites and luxury lodges – any trip here will provide you with the complete experience. This is the Africa of the storybooks, the romantic wilderness where huge wild animals walk the plains. It is also the setting for the great migration of the ungulates, so head here in July and you will be treated to one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth and one of the top safaris you could experience.

Ngorongro Crater, Tanzania

Located near to the Serengeti, Ngorongro Crater is another of the stand-out safari destinations in Tanzania, a country that has been blessed with its huge number and variety of wildlife. Whereas the Serengeti is made up of flat plains and rocky outcrops, Ngorongro Crater is a vast volcanic crater that was formed during a huge eruption millions of years ago.

The size of the crater is simply awe-inspiring, and the formation of the land is worth seeing in itself. But in addition to this, the crater has become home to up to 30,000 animals, boasting the greatest concentration of different animals anywhere in Africa. So if you want to enjoy one of the top safaris around by combining an enormous variety of animals with a truly magnificent landscape, this cannot be beaten.

Kruger National Park, South Africa

Kruger National Park is the location for the best safaris in South Africa, and one of the best places on the continent. At 7,332 square miles it is a vast area situated in the east of the country, and is one of the biggest game parks in the world. A pleasant year-round climate and the reduced presence of malaria combine with the 147 species of mammal – more than anywhere else in Africa – and over 500 species of bird, to make this a wildlife extravaganza that is a top photographer destination throughout the year.

Okavango Delta, Botswana

The Okavango Delta is the biggest inland delta in the world, and takes up a large portion of Botswana. This vast wetland area provides a very different safari destination from the dry savannah, but there is no lack of animals. You’ll find all the main animals here, as well as over 400 species of bird, and the landscape is truly unique, constantly changing and always exciting. Take a boat trip from island to island and travel silently through the water, observing the animals close up in this unique natural habitat.

Masai Mara, Kenya

The Masai Mara is the smaller Kenyan sister of the Serengeti in Tanzania, as it is essentially one large area that spans the two countries’ borders. This is one of the safari destinations for spotting wildlife, and it attracts a huge number of tourists every year. It is very well developed and easy to access, and its vast populations of all the major animals adds to its draw. The stunning savannah is a wonderful backdrop for photographs, especially at dawn and dusk. And if you head here in November you will be able to witness the Kenyan side of the great migration of the ungulates.