jungle safari example

Safari Animals

A guide to african safari wildlife.

Enjoying a game drive in Africa to take in a variety of safari animals must be hands down one of the most thrilling natural attractions in the world.

Sub-saharan Africa – and Southern and East Africa in particular – provides an infinite opportunity for incredible wildlife sightings, with a very broad cast of characters. Over 1,100 mammal species live in Africa, 2,600 bird species spend part of all of their lives in Africa, and the African rivers  and great lakes are home to around 3,000 species of fish.

Along with the diversity of wildlife, Africa is a continent where wildlife can be showered with the most superlatives – the biggest animals , the  most dangerous animals , the  fastest animals , the strongest animals , the largest herds , the longest migrations , and so on.

With this breadth and variety in mind we’ve put together the below list of the 15 most iconic African safari animals to roam the continent, along with the best places to spot each of them:

Iconic safari animals list

A pair of lions – the ultimate African safari animals

Leaping in at first place is the lion, also known as the king of the jungle. Lions are the largest and most sociable of Africa’s cats . At up to 225 kg, the lion  ( Panthera leo ) really is the king of all savanna animals (not jungle!).

These big cats live in prides of up to 40 lions, and it’s the lionesses who do all the hunting, usually sharing their catches with the males of a pride. Lions are very territorial, and the females generally spend most of their lives within their home ranges.

When you hear them roaring during the night, or the day, you’ll be amazed at how loud and powerful they actually are – don’t worry about not hearing the lions snarls or roars, as they can be heard from up to 8 kilometers away. It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see lions hunting, or lion cubs playing with each other (but watch out for those man-eating lions !).

Best places to see Lion: Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa, Kruger National Park South Africa , Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya , Ngorongoro Conservation Area , Tanzania , Okavango Delta , Botswana .

2. African Elephant

An African elephant – one of the iconic African animals

The African elephant ( Loxodonta africana ) is the largest land mammal and heaviest land animal in the world , weighing up to 6 tonnes. You will be stunned by the sheer size and presence of these creatures, not only on the first time you see one, but each and every time. The good news is, they’re fairly easy to spot!

Elephants play a vital role in the survival of other species by digging waterholes in dry riverbeds, spreading seeds through theirs faecal matter, and creating natural fire breaks in the landscape with their trails, and they do all this on only 2 hours sleep in a 24 hour period!

Best places to see African Elephant: Addo Elephant Park, South Africa,   Chobe National Park , Botswana , Etosha, Namibia , Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia.

A beautiful leopard doing what it does best… lounging in a tree

The elusive leopard is one of the shyest and least sociable animals in Africa (though not one of the ‘shy five’ ), but are still opportunistic hunters and are highly adaptable. Watching a leopard carry its prey up a tree is a fantastic sight and one of the best African safari sightings you could hope for.

Slightly smaller than their lion cousins, leopards ( Panthera pardus ) are less rare than you might think, but rely on camouflage and being active at night to stay hidden.

Leopards are solitary, independent creatures, and rarely seen together except during mating, or a mother with cubs. As such they are totally self-reliant, and expert hunters – sometimes killing prey up to twice their size. During the daytime they often lounge around in trees and come to the ground after dark to hunt, taking their prey up into a tree to eat at their leisure.

Best places to see Leopard: Londolozi Game Reserve, South Africa , Moremi Game Reserve , Botswana , Samburu National Park Kenya , South Luangwa National Park, Zambia.

4. Rhinocerous

The most elusive of the big five animals?

Rhinos are something you just need to see in real life to understand how impressive they really are.

Once widespread through sub-Saharan Africa, the rhino has been hunted to the brink of extinction, and is probably the hardest of the big five animals to spot in the wild. There are two species of rhinoceros in Africa – the black rhino ( Diceros bicornis ) and the white rhino ( Ceratotherium simum ).

Whilst white rhinos have made a comeback through conservation efforts across the continent, black rhinos are still very much one of Africa’s most endangered animals , and hardest safari animals to spot. The fundamental differences between the white and black rhino are not color, but rather size, temperament, food preference, and mouth shape.

Best places to see Rhinoceros: Etosha National Park , Namibia ,Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park, South Africa , Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya , Mkomazi National Park, Tanzania .

5. Cape Buffalo

Cape buffalo – the grumpiest of all safari animals!

Weighing in at not too far short of a ton, the African buffalo ( Syncerus caffer ) has a reputation for being bad-tempered and dangerous. Whilst solitary buffaloes can be unpredictable (and dangerous, hence their inclusion in the big five animals), they are usually a docile beast when in a herd… aside from their tendency to stampede en masse when alarmed.

Not sure about the differences between a bison and buffalo ?

Best places to see Cape Buffalo: Chobe National Park , Botswana , Katavi National Park, Tanzania , Kruger National Park, South Africa , Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia.

Cheetah -the fastest land animal

The cheetah is famous for being the  world’s fastest land animals , reaching speeds of 120 kilometers per hour and can accelerate from 0 to 95 kilometers in just three seconds. These cats need land and space, and seeing one running at full speed is the highlight of any animal safari. But there is more to this cat than just speed; it is beautiful and graceful, and sadly, it’s endangered.

For an animal that hunts during the day, good eyesight, stealth, a spotted coat, and top-notch speed are crucial for survival. The tear marks are among the top distinctive features used to tell the cheetah and the leopard apart .

Best places to see cheetahs: Etosha National Park, Namibia , Okavango Delta, Botswana , Savuti, Botswana , Ruaha, Tanzania.

A cute hyena strolling…

There are four species in the hyena family , varying in size and shape.

Hyenas are unique and vital components of most African ecosystems, both taking advantage of other animals’ kills for easy meals and hunting themselves. The size of a hyena kill or scavenge is generally determined by the size of the hyena’s clan, which can run to dozens. They often hide extra food in watering holes, since nothing is wasted. Hyenas eat every part of an animal, including bones and hooves.

Best place to see hyenas:  Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania , Serengeti National Park in Tanzania , Masai Mara in Kenya , Chobe National Park in Botswana .

Giraffe mother with two young

Perhaps the ultimate icon of the African savanna , the giraffe is an unmistakable land mammal known for their long necks and spotted coat (and super-weird giraffe tongue !). They were known by Arab prophets as the ‘queen of the beasts’ because of their delicate features and graceful poise.

With nine subspecies sharing its distinctive characteristics, this African safari animal is the tallest in the world by some way, and amongst the heaviest and largest animals anywhere . The giraffe’s coat is characterized by dark blotches on lighter hair. With age, male giraffes may become darker, and while calves inherit spot patterns from their mothers, each giraffe has a unique coat pattern that sets it apart.

Giraffes have a sharp sense of hearing and smell, another defense against predators, while it can close its nostrils during sandstorms and against ants.

Best places to see giraffe:   Etosha National Park in Namibia, Kruger National Park in South Africa, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.

Zebras at a waterhole

Zebra are perhaps the most stylish of African animals, with their characteristically stunning coats of black and white stripes. These distant relatives of the horse are a frequent sight on any African safari and consist of three different species.

There are many theories about why zebras have stripes , and it seems that perhaps the most likely answer is that the stripes function as a way to deter biting insects like tsetse flies and mosquitos.

Plains zebras play a particularly interesting role in the ecosystem, as they are pioneer gazers, nibbling and feeding on the top-most layer of grass, thereby opening up the grassland for more specialized grazers looking for the short grasses tucked below.

Best places to see zebra: Etosha National Park, Namibia, Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana, Masai Mara in Kenya, Okavango Delta in Botswana, Samburu National Reserve in Kenya, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.

A hippo – one of Africa’s most dangerous animals

Spending most of their days keeping cool in the water or mud, hippos are semi-aquatic safari animals. They resemble large pigs but are in fact related to the whale species, and despite their large, cumbersome appearance can easily outrun a human, and are known as one of Africa’s most dangerous animals .

Best place to see hippos: Hluhluwe National Park & Kruger National Park in South Africa, Kazinga Channel in Uganda, Liwonde National Park in Malawi, Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, Okavango Delta, Botswana.

11. African Wild Dog

An African wild dog litter

African wild dogs live in packs of around 6-20 and are highly intelligent and sociable. One of the most fascinating sights when watching African wild dogs is the bond they display before a hunt; the wild dogs begin mingling within the group, vocalising and touching each other, working each other up into a frenzy of excitement. Sadly, these animals are highly endangered

Best places to see wild dogs: Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, Tswalu Private Wildlife Reserve and Kruger National Park in South Africa, Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, Niassa National Reserve in Mozambique, Kwando, Selinda & Linyanti in Botswana.

12. Crocodile

Nile crocodile on the banks of an African river

Truly prehistoric animals are a wonderful thing to witness, so why would you want to miss out on one of the most prehistoric-looking animals on the planet? Despite this ancient appearance they are biologically complex and have a cerebral cortex a four-chambered heart and a functional diaphragm.

One amazing experience, although tense, is watching as they ambush and catch their prey, their powerful gnashing jaws pulling their victims underwater, yes this may seem tragic, but it definitely is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Best places to see crocodiles: Mara River in Tanzania and Kenya, Kruger National Park in South Africa.

13. Wildebeest

Is the wildebeest one of the world’s ugliest animals ?

Wildebeest are primarily grazers, enjoying grass and the occasional shrub and herbs, living in herds of between ten and many thousands. They’re characterized by a long black mane and a beard of hair hanging from the throat and neck, along with their short curved horns, with males weighing up to 250kg.

Best places to see wildebeest: Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, Masai Mara in Kenya.

The majestic male kudu

The kudu is one of the most spectacular African antelopes to be seen on safari. It has been described as one of the most handsome of the antelope family, due to the male’s unique large, corkscrew horns.

The name found its way into the English language courtesy of the Afrikaans of South Africa. The Afrikaans term ‘koedoe’ is a combination of both of zebra and deer.

Best places to see kudu: Across Southern Africa, but particularly likely to spot in Kruger National Park in South Africa, Etosha National Park in Namibia and all the major Zambian parks.

15. Warthhog

The much-maligned warthog, in long grass

Warthogs are normally found in family groups, where they spend most of their time either looking for food or wallowing in the mud at waterholes. At night they shelter in burrows, entering tail first. Warthogs have a wide distribution across sub-Saharan Africa, with a preference for open woodland and savannahs, and are not endangered.

Best places to see warthogs: Found in all national parks and reserves throughout Southern and East Africa.

So there you have our take on the 15 most iconic safari animals you should be looking out for on your next game drive. What do you think – any controversial picks… or African safari animals that are missing from the list? Let us know in the comments section below!

If you’re looking for more in-depth information on any of these – or other – African animals, you can access this via the links in the sidebar on this page, or check out our animal lists or animal comparisons .

Discover more of our wildlife posts…

African vs asian elephant, which is which, the fastest birds in the world – air, land & sea, ugly animals, game drive guide: everything you need to know, birds of africa, the largest eagles in the world, ‘battle at kruger’: the ultimate game drive footage, world’s ugliest fish, animal camouflage, top countries for safaris.

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15 Animals to See on an African Safari

The word "Africa" is an evocative one that usually goes hand-in-hand with mental images of vast savanna plains dotted with exotic game. The majority of overseas visitors to Africa will go on  safari and, in doing so, discover that there is nothing more magical than a close encounter with the continent's incredible wildlife. Most of the species one sees on safari are unique to Africa, and many of them are instantly recognizable. In this article, we look at 15 of the continent's most iconic animals, including those that make up the African Big Five . 

TripSavvy / Felicia Martinez

To see a lion in its natural habitat is one of the most humbling, impressive sights an African safari can offer. However, while witnessing a kill is the ultimate prize, you're more likely to see one sleeping than in active pursuit of dinner. Lions spend up to 20 hours a day at rest and are most active at dusk and dawn. They are the most social of all wild cat species, living in prides consisting of between five and 10 adult lions. Tragically, lions are threatened by human expansion throughout Africa, with experts prophesying that populations could fall by as much as five percent in the next 20 years.

Best Places to See Lions: Head to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park on the border of South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana; or to Tanzania's Serengeti National Park during the wildebeest migration. 

There is nothing quite like the first time you see an  African elephant  in the wild. As the largest living terrestrial animal on Earth, their size alone is overwhelming; but many visitors also find themselves drawn by the elephants' tangible aura of wisdom. Elephants are found in various sub-Saharan habitats, including forests, deserts, and savanna. They are herbivorous, processing up to 600 pounds of vegetation per day. Although most elephants are peaceful by nature, they can be dangerous if provoked; however, they are far more at risk from humans than we are from them. 

Best Places to See Elephants: Vast elephant herds roam Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe and Chobe National Park in Botswana. 

As the tallest animal on Earth, you'd think that giraffes would be easy to spot on safari. However, their distinctive brown and white markings serve as excellent camouflage, and it's not unusual for giraffes to materialize out of the bush just a few feet away. There are nine subspecies found across sub-Saharan Africa, all of which boast blue tongues, stubby horn-like protrusions on their heads, and of course, outrageously long necks. To drink without losing consciousness, the giraffe's neck contains unique veins and valves that regulate the flow of blood to its head. 

Best Places to See Giraffes: Spot large herds of Masai giraffe in the Serengeti, or head to Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda to see the endangered Rothschild's giraffe. 

The elusive  African leopard  is a subspecies of leopard found only in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite its wide range, leopards are among the most difficult of all safari animals to see, as they are both nocturnal and exceptionally wary of humans. Leopards use trees as observation platforms and for protection, and that is where they are most often spotted during daylight hours. They are solitary animals with exceptional predatory skills, including the ability to climb, swim, and drag prey weighing up to three times their body weight up into the trees. Leopards are classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. 

Best Places to See Leopards: South Africa's Sabi Sands Game Reserve and South Luangwa National Park in Zambia are famous for leopard sightings. 

White Rhino

Thomas Halle/ Getty Images

The easiest way to tell Africa's two rhino species apart is by the shape of their bottom lip: wide and square for white rhinos and pointed for black rhinos. The name "white" rhino comes from a mistranslation of the Dutch word for "wide." Although the survival of both species is threatened by widespread poaching, white rhinos are more numerous and therefore easier to spot, especially in Southern Africa, where they prefer grassland and savanna habitats. White rhinos are the largest of five extant rhino species. Adult males averaging around 5,100 pounds are also one of the world's heaviest land mammals.

Best Places to See White Rhinos: Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park and Kruger National Park in South Africa offer a good chance of spotting white rhinos.

Black Rhino

Manuel ROMARIS/Getty Images

Once found across Southern and East Africa, the black rhino is now considered critically endangered, with fewer than 5,000 individuals left in the wild and three subspecies already classified as extinct. Adult black rhinos have no natural predators, and their population collapse is predominantly due to poaching. They are killed for their horns, made of keratin, and exported to Asia for use in traditional Chinese medicine. Unlike white rhinos, which can sometimes be seen living in herds, black rhinos are generally solitary (although the bond between mother and calf is strong). They favor thick scrub and bushland.

Best Places to See Black Rhinos: Etosha National Park in Namibia is a rhino conservation success story with a thriving black rhino population. Kenya's Ol Pejeta Conservancy is another renowned sanctuary for black rhinos.

TripSavvy / Jess Macdonald

The cheetah is the most slender of Africa's big cats, a magnificent animal known for its incredible speed. They are capable of short bursts of up to 70 miles per hour, making them the world's fastest land animal. However, cheetahs often have their kills stolen by other, more powerful predators despite their speed. They are a vulnerable species with only around 7,100 individuals left in the wild, including a tiny population of approximately 40 individuals in Iran. Cheetahs are found throughout Southern and East Africa in wide-open spaces that allow them to reach their top speed while pursuing prey. 

Best Places to See Cheetahs: The Maasai Mara National Reserve provides the ideal habitat for cheetahs. Alternatively, track rehabilitated cheetah on foot at  Okonjima Game Reserve in Namibia. 

African buffalo have a robust build and distinctive fused horns. They are grazers, typically moving in herds, with no natural predators except lions and crocodiles. Unlike other species of wild buffalo, the African buffalo has never been successfully tamed, thanks to its naturally aggressive and unpredictable nature. Although seeing a buffalo herd ranging across the savanna is undoubtedly an unforgettable sight, it's crucial to treat these animals with respect. They are responsible for multiple human fatalities every year and are considered one of the continent's most dangerous species. 

Best Places to See Buffalo: Katavi National Park in Tanzania is famous for its enormous buffalo herds. Chobe National Park is another good bet. 

Hippopotamus

Hippos are a common sight in Southern and East Africa's rivers, swamps, and lakes. Often found in groups of up to 100 individuals, hippos spend most of their life in water, only leaving their aquatic homes to graze on the riverbanks at dusk. They have several fascinating adaptations, including webbed feet, large canine tusks, and the ability to secrete a kind of natural sunscreen. Male hippos are territorial and, like buffalo, can be exceptionally aggressive when provoked. Similarly, take care never to get between a hippo mother and her calf. 

Best Places to See Hippos:  Zambia's  Luangwa Valley  is home to the world's largest concentration of hippos. The Okavango Delta in Botswana is also full of them. 

Nile Crocodile

After the saltwater crocodile, Nile crocodiles are the world's largest living reptile, with the biggest on record exceeding 20 feet in length. In sub-Saharan Africa, they are found in various aquatic habitats, including lakes, rivers, and deltas. Crocodiles are well camouflaged in the water and are most often spotted sunning themselves on the riverbank. They have been around for millions of years, and with heavily armored skin and powerful jaws, they certainly look prehistoric. Nile crocodiles are perfect predators, employing ambush tactics to take their prey unawares. 

Best Place to See Crocodiles: Watch herds of wildebeest and zebra crossing the Mara River during East Africa's annual migration to see Nile crocodiles in action. 

There are three species of zebra in Africa; the plains zebra most commonly seen throughout East and Southern Africa , and the rarer mountain and Grévy's zebras. Although they may look like domestic horses, zebras are almost impossible to tame; their distinctive stripe patterns are unique to each individual as a human's fingerprints. Zebras live on grass, and in some areas, form great migratory herds to seek out the best grazing grounds. They often create a mutually beneficial relationship with another African species during the migration, the wildebeest . 

Best Places to See Zebra: For sheer numbers, you can't beat the Serengeti or the Maasai Mara during migration season. To see the endangered Grévy's zebra, head to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in northern Kenya. 

Thomas Retterath/Getty Images

Easily recognizable by their tan, black, and white fur, African wild dogs are the largest (and one of the rarest) canids in Africa. They are highly social animals, living in packs led by an alpha male and female and communicating with a series of high-pitched twittering sounds. Wild dogs hunt as a team, chasing their prey until it collapses from exhaustion. Unlike other social carnivores, weaned pups are allowed to eat first at the kill to give them the best chance of survival. Nevertheless, African wild dogs are endangered, with populations declining due to habitat fragmentation, human conflict, and diseases spread by domestic dogs.

Best Places to See Wild Dogs: Top destinations for spotting wild dogs include Ruaha National Park in Tanzania, Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa, and Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe.

The most common large carnivore on the African continent, the Hyaenidae family comprises four species of hyena: spotted, brown, striped, and aardwolf. Though their mighty jaws and strong digestive tract are ideally suited for scavenging, hyenas only feed on carrion and other refuse for 30 percent of their meals; for the other 70 percent, they prey on animals of all different sizes and shapes, including wildebeest, antelope, birds, and snakes. Hyena clans can consist of up to 100 members, and individuals will communicate with each other through wailing, screaming, and "laughing." Hyenas (particularly spotted) live in a range of habitats throughout sub-Saharan Africa, from savannas and grasslands to subdeserts and mountains.

Best Places to See Hyena: You can find hyenas in many national parks in Africa, including Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, Namibia's Cape Cross Seal Reserve , and Ruaha National Park in Tanzania. For your best chance at seeing them, plan to sign up for a night safari.

This antelope species can be subdivided into the greater kudu and the lesser kudu subspecies, both of which can be identified by their white vertical stripes, spots, and chevron pattern between their eyes. Greater kudus are most prevalent throughout southern Africa's lowland Bushveld but can also be found throughout East Africa—particularly Kenya and the Horn of Africa region; similarly, lesser kudus tend to prefer the dense thornbush around East Africa. Males, characterized by elongated horns that can grow up to 6 feet in length, can typically be seen alone or with other bachelors, though you may find them with females during mating season. On the other hand, female kudus live in small herds with their offspring.

Best Places to See Kudu: Greater kudus are best seen in Kenya's Tsavo National Park and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.

Warthogs thrive in savanna woodland, grasslands, and marshes, taking up natural burrows and abandoned aardvark holes. With the use of their strong neck muscles and padded knees, warthogs will spend the day foraging for food, digging through soil to uncover tubers, roots, berries, and grass. Sows can be found in matriarchal groups comprising up to 40 female warthogs and piglets, while boars prefer to live alone or with other bachelors.

Best Places to See Warthog: Warthogs live all over sub-Saharan Africa but are most common in the eastern and southern parts of the continent. If you want to spot them on safari, consider planning a trip to Kruger National Park , Masai Mara , or South Luangwa National Park in Zambia.

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The Best Safari Destinations in the World (Updated 2024)

From seeing animals in their natural habitats to camping under the stars in open plains, discover the best safari destinations in the world!

A safari is an incredible way to encounter nature and wildlife in Africa or Asia . From seeking out the big five on a safari in Africa to immersing yourself in grassy plains in Sri Lanka and jungle terrain in India , it’s the experience of a lifetime. We share the best safari destinations in the world.

Travel on: a safari tour

1. Okavango Delta, Botswana

Head to northern Botswana for one of the world’s largest inland river deltas, the Okavango Delta . The wildlife encounters visitors will experience here are remarkable. Amid the grassy plains, the cry of hyenas, the roar of lions, the growl of leopards, giraffes, and rhinos will become the melody of your safari. The wetter pastures are home to hippos, elephants, and crocodiles. This is one of Africa’s most epic safari destinations.

2. Ranthambore National Park, India

Ranthambore ’s wild jungle scrub is home to many creatures from the animal kingdom, but the fiercest by far is the tiger. You’ll be blown away by the crocodile-filled lakes, the ancient temples and mosques, the beautiful remnants left behind by maharajas that used to hunt here, once upon a time. But nothing will leave you as breathless than seeing as seeing a tiger in the wild for the first time.

Travel on: a Tiger safari

3. Kruger National Park, South  Africa

As one of Africa’s largest game reserves, Kruger National Park tends to get crowded, but there’s a reason for that. This stunning park in northeastern South Africa is one of the best destinations to live out your safari dreams. From big five animals like lions, leopards, and elephants to exotic birds soaring down from the sky, there are plenty of opportunities to spot beasts in their natural habitat here.

Travel on: a Big Five safari

4. Serengeti, Tanzania

The Serengeti is considered to be the land that inspired Disney’s Lion King, and it’s not hard to believe. From proud lions stalking across the open plains to beautiful breeds of birds flying above you, this national park is the quintessential safari destination. Every year, the Serengeti becomes the place of migration for over a million wildebeest and zebras in the hundreds of thousands. You won’t forget this trip in a hurry.

Travel on: a Serengeti safari

5. Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania

There are many things in this beautiful conservation area of Tanzania that will take your breath away. Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of Africa’s many wonders. When you are seeking out lions or marveling at the spectacle of thousands of wildebeests and zebras migrating, the rest of the world will fade away. Among the many things you will experience in this epic safari destination, the massive Ngorongoro Crater and Olduvai Gorge fossils are a must-see.

Travel on: a Ngorongoro safari

6. Yala Park, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka ’s most famous park is located next to the Indian Ocean. Comprised of dense forest, lush grasslands, and blue lakes along with fascinating beasts like leopards, elephants, monkeys, and crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species, Yala Park is a dream safari destination alright. Travelers who go deeper into the park will be rewarded with a chance to explore pilgrimage sites, caves marked with century-old rock paintings, and the ancient Buddhist ruins of Magul Maha Viharaya. 

Travel on: a Yala safari

7. Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe ’s largest safari destination doesn’t disappoint. Sprawled across 14,651 square kilometres, you’ll encounter elephant herds, lions, and African wild dogs in the grasslands and mopane woods found in the area. While there’s plenty of wildlife to feast your eyes on (107 animal species and 400 breeds of bird), elephants are what make Hwange so magical; the park is home to one of the largest populations on the planet.

Travel on: a Hwange safari

8. South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

There are lots of places to discover the wildlife in Africa , but the sheer density of animals makes South Luangwa one of the continent’s best safari destinations. The open plains are home to marching elephants, impalas, pukus, and buffaloes, meanwhile hippos take dips in the river and leopards hunt for their next meal. If that doesn’t delight, look up to the sky, and you’ll see hundreds of birds flying above you.

See Also: First Time Safari Tips: How to Get the Most Out of Your Trip

9. Masai Mara Reserve, Kenya

The wilderness of Masai Mara is stunning. The Mara and Talek rivers snake through grasslands, river woodlands, and acacia trees, while the animal kingdom’s finest go about their day. Lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, and hippos can be found in their natural habitat, and wildebeest too, as they pass through these lands for their annual migration. Along with the wildlife, visitors can explore the nearby Masaai villages and learn about their customs from locals.

Travel on: a Masai Mara safari

10. Etosha National Park, Namibia

Even if you’ve been on a safari in Africa before, Etosha National Park is a different experience altogether. Firstly, Namibia ’s landscape in vivid colours is incredible as it is, but the sight of hundreds of animals flocking to the watering holes is spellbinding. In other parks, visitors go looking for animals, but here, they will make their way to you, lions, elephants, and other creatures will all come out to play.

Travel on: an Etosha safari

11. Chobe National Park, Botswana

Chobe is Botswana ’s first national park and famed for being biologically diverse. Picture antelopes galloping across the plains, hippos seeking cool respite in the lagoons of Linyanti Marsh, and herds of elephants and Cape buffalo flocking to the Chobe riverfront. Even when you’re not watching for animals in the wild, camp under the stars and you have different ways to immerse yourself in the wilderness.

Travel on: a Chobe safari

12. Bwindi Impenetrable National  Park, Uganda 

Bwindi’s mountainous terrain is home to many of the world’s remaining gorillas. In this biodiverse region, this endangered species has some much-needed peace and can be observed feeding off ancient roots and trees native to the region. Make your way to the dense forests of Bwindi for a rare chance to experience something out of this world: gorillas in the wild.

Travel on: a Bwindi safari

13. Kalahari Desert, Botswana

Spread across three countries, a considerable mass of Botswana, parts of Namibia and South Africa , the Kalahari is an amazing and surreal safari destination. It’s home to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, which is one of the last unspoiled ecosystems on the planet. It may be arid, but it’s brimming with wildlife, roaring lions and cackling hyenas are just some of the creatures found here.

See Also: Last-minute safari deals

Based in Toronto, Sahar is a full-time content editor for Days to Come and part-time travel junkie.

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Exploring the World’s Best Jungle Safari: A Comprehensive Guide

If you’re looking for an adventure that will take you deep into the heart of nature, then a jungle safari is the way to go. From the dense forests of Africa to the steamy rainforests of South America, there are countless jungle safaris to choose from around the world. But which one is the best? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the top jungle safaris from around the globe, highlighting the unique wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable experiences that each offers. So pack your bags, and let’s set off on an adventure of a lifetime!

The Top Destinations for Jungle Safaris

Africa: home to the big five.

Africa is a dream destination for many adventure seekers, and for good reason. The continent is home to some of the world’s most magnificent wildlife, including the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros. The jungles and savannas of Africa offer a unique and unforgettable experience for those looking to explore the world’s best jungle safaris .

Kenya is one of the most popular destinations for jungle safaris in Africa. The country is home to some of the world’s most iconic wildlife, including the Maasai Mara National Reserve, where visitors can witness the great migration of wildebeests and zebras. Other popular destinations in Kenya include the Amboseli National Park, known for its elephant population, and the Samburu National Reserve, which is home to a variety of wildlife, including the endangered Grevy’s zebra.

Tanzania is another top destination for jungle safaris in Africa. The country is home to the Serengeti National Park, which is famous for its annual migration of wildebeests and zebras. The Ngorongoro Crater is another popular destination, known for its dense population of wildlife, including lions, elephants, and rhinos. Visitors to Tanzania can also explore the Tarangire National Park, which is known for its beautiful landscapes and large elephant population.

Botswana is a less crowded but equally stunning destination for jungle safaris in Africa. The country is home to the Okavango Delta, a beautiful wetland area that is known for its abundant wildlife, including elephants, lions, and hippos. The Chobe National Park is another popular destination, known for its large population of elephants and the beautiful Victoria Falls, which is shared with Zambia.

In conclusion, Africa is a top destination for jungle safaris , offering visitors the opportunity to witness some of the world’s most magnificent wildlife in their natural habitats. From the Serengeti to the Okavango Delta, the jungles and savannas of Africa are sure to leave a lasting impression on any adventure seeker.

Asia: From Tigers to Elephants

India is home to some of the world’s most diverse and spectacular wildlife, making it a top destination for jungle safaris . One of the most popular national parks for jungle safaris in India is Ranthambore National Park, located in the state of Rajasthan. This park is famous for its tigers, and visitors can take guided safari tours to spot these majestic animals in their natural habitat. Other popular national parks for jungle safaris in India include Kanha National Park and Bandhavgarh National Park.

Thailand is another top destination for jungle safaris , with its lush rainforests and diverse wildlife. One of the most popular national parks for jungle safaris in Thailand is Khao Yai National Park, located in the western part of the country. This park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including tigers, elephants, and gibbons. Visitors can take guided safari tours to spot these animals, as well as explore the park’s many hiking trails and waterfalls.

Borneo is a tropical island located in Southeast Asia, and it is home to some of the world’s most diverse and fascinating wildlife. One of the top destinations for jungle safaris in Borneo is the Sabah Wildlife Department, located in the state of Sabah. This department offers guided safari tours to spot a wide variety of animals, including orangutans, elephants, and tigers. Visitors can also explore the island’s many rainforests and national parks, such as Kinabalu National Park and Maliau Basin Conservation Area.

South America: Unique Wildlife Encounters

Amazon rainforest.

The Amazon Rainforest, located in South America, is considered one of the world’s most biodiverse regions. Spanning across nine countries, this vast rainforest is home to an incredible array of plant and animal species. Visitors can embark on jungle safaris to explore the dense vegetation, crystal-clear rivers, and exotic wildlife that the Amazon has to offer. Some of the unique species that can be spotted here include the pink river dolphin, anaconda, and the critically endangered Amazonian manatee. Additionally, the Amazon Rainforest is also home to a wide variety of bird species, including the iconic scarlet macaw and the magnificent quetzal.

Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands, located in the Pacific Ocean about 906 kilometers (563 miles) west of Ecuador, are a unique destination for jungle safaris. The islands are best known for their diverse array of endemic species, including the famous Galapagos giant tortoise, sea lions, and the distinctive blue-footed booby. Visitors can explore the lush forests, pristine beaches, and mangrove lagoons that make up the Galapagos’ diverse ecosystems. The islands are also home to a wide variety of bird species, including the critically endangered Galapagos petrel and the magnificent frigatebird.

Costa Rica is a small country located in Central America, but it packs a big punch when it comes to jungle safaris. The country boasts an impressive array of national parks and protected areas, including the famous Corcovado National Park and the Arenal Volcano National Park. Visitors can explore the dense rainforests, cloud forests, and mangrove swamps that make up Costa Rica’s diverse ecosystems. Some of the unique species that can be spotted here include the resplendent quetzal, the endangered green macaw, and the elusive jaguar. Additionally, Costa Rica is also home to a wide variety of bird species, including the striking scarlet macaw and the majestic bald eagle.

Planning Your Dream Jungle Safari

Choosing the right destination, factors to consider.

When choosing a destination for your jungle safari, there are several factors to consider. First and foremost, you should consider the type of wildlife you hope to see. Different destinations offer unique opportunities to view different species, so it’s important to research which locations offer the best chances to see the animals you’re most interested in. Additionally, you should consider the climate and weather patterns of the region, as well as the accessibility and logistics of traveling to the destination.

Recommended Itineraries

There are countless jungle safari destinations around the world, each with their own unique offerings and challenges. Some popular destinations for jungle safaris include:

• Amazon Rainforest: The Amazon Rainforest is one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet, home to a vast array of wildlife including monkeys, jaguars, and toucans. Many travelers opt to take a cruise down the Amazon River, which offers the opportunity to see the forest from a different perspective and to visit remote villages and indigenous communities.
• Kruger National Park: Kruger National Park is located in South Africa and is home to a wide range of wildlife, including lions, elephants, and leopards. The park offers a variety of safari options, including self-drive safaris, guided game drives, and walking safaris.
• Costa Rica: Costa Rica is a popular destination for eco-tourism and offers a variety of jungle safari options, including zip-lining, hiking, and wildlife watching. The country is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including monkeys, sloths, and toucans.
• India’s Tiger Reserves: India’s tiger reserves, such as Ranthambore National Park and Bandhavgarh National Park, offer the opportunity to see Bengal tigers in their natural habitat. These parks also offer the chance to see other wildlife, including leopards, elephants, and crocodiles.

These are just a few examples of the many jungle safari destinations available around the world. When choosing a destination, it’s important to consider your own interests and priorities, as well as the logistics and accessibility of the location.

Selecting the Best Safari Tour

Types of safari tours.

When selecting the best safari tour, it is important to understand the different types of safari tours available. The three main types of safari tours are:

• Self-Drive Safaris: These safaris allow you to drive yourself through the park, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace. This type of safari is ideal for those who want to explore the park on their own terms and have a more independent experience.
• Guided Safaris: Guided safaris involve a professional guide who will take you on a tour of the park. This type of safari is ideal for those who want to learn more about the park’s wildlife and history, and have a more structured experience.
• Photographic Safaris: Photographic safaris are designed specifically for photographers, with a focus on capturing the best shots of the park’s wildlife. This type of safari is ideal for those who are serious about photography and want to get the best shots possible.

Researching Tour Operators

Once you have a good understanding of the different types of safari tours, it is time to start researching tour operators. There are many tour operators to choose from, so it is important to do your research to find the best one for your needs.

Here are some things to consider when researching tour operators:

• Reputation: Look for tour operators with a good reputation, both online and offline. You can check online reviews, ask for recommendations from friends or family, or check with your travel agent.
• Experience: Look for tour operators with experience in the park you are visiting. This will ensure that they have a good understanding of the park’s wildlife and can help you get the most out of your safari.
• Price: Compare prices from different tour operators to find the best value for your money. Keep in mind that the cheapest option may not always be the best value, as it may not include everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable safari experience.

Reading Reviews and Recommendations

Once you have narrowed down your options, it is time to start reading reviews and recommendations from other travelers. You can find reviews on websites such as TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Google, as well as on travel forums and blogs.

It is important to read both positive and negative reviews, as they can give you a good idea of what to expect from the tour operator. You should also ask for recommendations from friends or family who have been on safari, as they may have valuable insights to share.

In conclusion, selecting the best safari tour requires research and consideration of the different types of safari tours, researching tour operators, and reading reviews and recommendations from other travelers. By taking the time to plan your dream jungle safari, you can ensure that you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Preparing for Your Adventure

Health and safety precautions.

Before embarking on your jungle safari, it is essential to take certain health and safety precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. Some of these precautions include:

• Obtaining necessary vaccinations: Depending on the destination of your jungle safari, you may need to obtain certain vaccinations before traveling. It is advisable to consult with a medical professional to determine which vaccinations are necessary for your specific destination.
• Bringing necessary medications: You should also bring any necessary medications you may need during your trip, such as prescription medications or over-the-counter medications for illnesses like motion sickness or allergies.
• Protecting against mosquito-borne illnesses: Mosquitoes can be a significant health risk in many jungle environments. It is important to take steps to protect yourself against mosquito-borne illnesses, such as wearing insect repellent and using mosquito nets.

What to Pack

Packing the right gear is crucial to making the most of your jungle safari. Here are some essentials to consider:

• Comfortable clothing: Bring comfortable, moisture-wicking clothing that can be easily washed and dried. Avoid wearing cotton, as it can become heavy and uncomfortable when wet.
• Sturdy footwear: Bring sturdy, comfortable footwear that can handle rough terrain and water. Hiking boots or sturdy sneakers are ideal.
• Waterproof gear: Bring waterproof bags or covers to protect your gear from rain and humidity.
• Personal hygiene items: Bring personal hygiene items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and shampoo. It is also a good idea to bring biodegradable soaps and shampoos to minimize environmental impact.

Respecting Local Cultures and Wildlife

Respecting local cultures and wildlife is an essential part of any jungle safari. Here are some ways to show respect:

• Respect local customs: Learn about the local customs and traditions before your trip and try to respect them during your visit.
• Support local economies: Support local economies by staying in locally-owned accommodations and eating at local restaurants.
• Minimize environmental impact: Minimize your environmental impact by using sustainable tourism practices, such as using eco-friendly products and avoiding activities that may harm the environment.
• Follow guidelines for wildlife viewing: Follow guidelines for wildlife viewing, such as staying on designated trails and avoiding feeding or touching wildlife. Respect the animals’ space and allow them to move freely.

Enhancing Your Jungle Safari Experience

Immersive activities and experiences, birdwatching.

Birdwatching is a popular activity among jungle safari enthusiasts. It involves observing and identifying various species of birds in their natural habitat. Jungle safaris offer a unique opportunity to spot a wide range of exotic birds, including colorful parrots, toucans, and hornbills. To enhance your birdwatching experience, it is recommended to hire a local guide who is knowledgeable about the various bird species found in the jungle. They can provide insight into the behavior, habitats, and migration patterns of different bird species, making your birdwatching experience more informative and enjoyable.

Wildlife Photography

Wildlife photography is another immersive activity that can be enjoyed during a jungle safari. The diverse array of wildlife found in the jungle, including majestic elephants, graceful giraffes, and elusive leopards, provides ample opportunities for capturing stunning photographs. To improve your wildlife photography skills, it is important to invest in a good camera with a telephoto lens to capture clear and detailed images of animals from a distance. Additionally, learning about the behavior and habits of different animal species can help you anticipate their movements and capture unique photographs.

Jungle Survival Skills

Developing jungle survival skills is an essential aspect of enhancing your jungle safari experience. Jungle survival skills include identifying edible plants, building shelter, starting fires, and navigating through dense vegetation. Many jungle safari operators offer survival skills training programs that provide hands-on experience in these essential skills. Participating in these programs can add an exciting element to your jungle safari experience and equip you with valuable survival skills that can be used in future wilderness adventures.

Supporting Conservation Efforts

Eco-tourism and sustainable tourism.

Eco-tourism and sustainable tourism are important ways to support conservation efforts while enjoying your jungle safari. By participating in these forms of tourism, you can help preserve the natural habitats and biodiversity of the areas you visit.

• Look for tour operators and lodges that are committed to sustainable practices and environmentally responsible tourism.
• Choose activities and tours that have a minimal impact on the environment, such as hiking and birdwatching, rather than activities that may disturb wildlife or damage habitats, such as off-road driving or hunting.
• Support local communities by using their services and purchasing souvenirs from them, rather than from large corporations.

Donating to Conservation Organizations

Another way to support conservation efforts is by donating to organizations that work to protect wildlife and their habitats. There are many reputable organizations that work in the areas where you may be visiting, and your donation can make a real difference in their efforts.

• Research organizations that work in the areas you will be visiting and that align with your values and priorities.
• Consider making a donation in honor of your jungle safari experience, or in memory of a loved one.
• Ask the tour operator or lodge if they have a partnership with any conservation organizations and if they offer a donation program.

Volunteering on Conservation Projects

If you are looking for a more hands-on way to support conservation efforts, consider volunteering on a conservation project. Many organizations offer opportunities for individuals to get involved in conservation efforts, from data collection and research to habitat restoration and community outreach.

• Look for organizations that offer volunteer opportunities in the areas you will be visiting.
• Consider your skills and interests when choosing a project to volunteer on.
• Keep in mind that volunteering can be a rewarding but also challenging experience, and may require a significant time commitment.

Creating Unforgettable Memories

Capturing stunning photos and videos.

Embarking on a jungle safari is an exhilarating experience that promises adventure, excitement, and the chance to connect with nature. As you explore the dense forests, encounter fascinating wildlife, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the natural world, it’s essential to capture these unforgettable moments to cherish forever. Here are some tips to help you capture stunning photos and videos during your jungle safari:

• Use a high-quality camera or smartphone with a good camera system
• Invest in a zoom lens or binoculars to get up close and personal with wildlife
• Choose the right settings, such as a higher ISO for low-light conditions or a faster shutter speed to freeze motion
• Consider using a tripod or monopod for stability and better composition
• Experiment with different angles and perspectives, such as shooting from a boat or a treetop platform

Sharing Your Adventure with Friends and Family

Sharing your jungle safari adventure with friends and family is an excellent way to relive your experiences and inspire others to embark on their own wildlife adventures. Here are some ways to share your memories:

• Create a photo album or slideshow to showcase your best photos
• Share your photos and videos on social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter
• Write a blog post or article about your experience, complete with stunning visuals and detailed descriptions
• Make a short video or vlog to share your adventure in a more dynamic format
• Host a presentation or event to showcase your photos and tell the story of your jungle safari

Reflecting on Your Experience and Planning Future Adventures

A jungle safari is an experience that can profoundly impact your life, offering a chance to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnect with nature. As you reflect on your adventure, consider the following:

• What were the most memorable moments of your jungle safari?
• How did the experience change your perspective on the natural world?
• What lessons did you learn about yourself and your place in the world?
• How can you use your experience to inspire others to connect with nature and support conservation efforts?

By reflecting on your jungle safari experience, you can gain a deeper appreciation for the natural world and use your memories to inspire future adventures.

1. What is a jungle safari?

A jungle safari is a guided tour through a jungle or rainforest, often conducted in a vehicle or on foot. It allows visitors to experience the beauty and diversity of the natural world, as well as the opportunity to observe and learn about the wildlife and plants that inhabit the area.

2. Which is the best jungle safari in the world?

The best jungle safari in the world is subjective and depends on individual preferences. Some popular destinations for jungle safaris include the Amazon rainforest in South America, the Congo Basin in Africa, and the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia. Each destination offers unique experiences and opportunities to see a wide range of wildlife and plant species.

3. What should I consider when choosing a jungle safari?

When choosing a jungle safari, consider the location, the type of wildlife you want to see, the level of comfort and accommodation available, and the cost. It’s also important to research the reputation of the tour operator and read reviews from previous customers to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

4. What is the best time to go on a jungle safari?

The best time to go on a jungle safari depends on the location and the time of year. Some destinations offer year-round opportunities for jungle safaris, while others may be more seasonal. It’s important to research the best time to visit based on the specific location and the wildlife you want to see.

5. What should I pack for a jungle safari?

When packing for a jungle safari, it’s important to consider the climate and the activities you’ll be participating in. Pack comfortable and weather-appropriate clothing, sturdy footwear, insect repellent, sunscreen, and any necessary medications or personal items. It’s also a good idea to bring a waterproof bag or case to protect your belongings from the elements.

6. How long does a typical jungle safari last?

The length of a typical jungle safari can vary depending on the destination and the tour operator. Some jungle safaris can last a few hours, while others may last several days. It’s important to research the specific tour and its itinerary to determine the length of the safari.

7. Are jungle safaris safe?

Jungle safaris can be safe if you choose a reputable tour operator and follow all safety guidelines. It’s important to research the tour operator and read reviews from previous customers to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Additionally, it’s important to follow all safety instructions provided by the tour guide and to stay with the group at all times.

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10 Types of African Safaris: Different Ways to Experience a Safari

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Aerial safari

There are countless ways to experience a safari, from open-vehicle game drives to guided walks and horseback riding, and we have compiled 10 types of African safaris you can choose from.

From open savannahs and forested havens to breathtaking mountain landscapes with rolling hills overlooking water channels, the scene is set for a dramatic animal encounter, no matter how you choose to safari.

Whether it's a complete experience or a combination of options, your safari is bound to be unforgettable, no matter which option you decide upon.

1. Guided Game Drives

2. walking safaris, 3. aerial safaris, 4. mountain bike safaris, 5. water safaris, 6. horseback safaris, 7. primate safaris, 8. mobile safaris, 9. photographic safaris, 10. hideout safari experiences, experience the best types of african safaris.

Game drive in Kruger National Park, South Africa

Stepping into an open 4x4 safari vehicle, you may get a sense that something quite unique is about to begin. The optimum viewing platform, a game drive is not only the most popular way to experience a safari, but one that allows you to traverse vast landscapes for a stunning experience in Africa.

Journey across open savannahs, through rocky outcrops, and forested hideouts, coming across a herd of elephants or a lone kudu as you quietly pass wildlife in action. Game drives are an excellent way to see the wildlife, whether on Kruger National Park safaris or Serengeti safaris .

Night drives provide an opportunity to spot nocturnal favorites such as aardvark and civet, and experience the haunting yet exhilarating sounds of the bush after dark. Guides and trackers will use spotlights to reveal wildlife in trees and on land as you navigate under a brilliant African night sky.

Best Places for Guided Game Drives: Kruger National Park, South Africa • Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa • Masai Mara National Park, Kenya • Serengeti National Park, Tanzania • Chobe National Park, Botswana • Okavango Delta, Botswana • South Luangwa, Zambia

Expert Tips for Discerning Travelers

Bush walk with Marataba Safari in South Africa. Photo courtesy MORE Family Collection

A walking safari gives you a more intimate experience of the land and wildlife, guided by a trained professional who understands the terrain and animal life across the best African safari countries .

Tribal communities have lived in proximity to wildlife for millennia, with guides sharing their respect for the environment and its inhabitants with safari walkers.

Get a deeper understanding of the flora and fauna around you and enjoy up-close and personal encounters with the smaller members of the animal kingdom, such as beetles and small birds.

Best Places for Walking Safaris: Chief’s Island, Okavango Delta • Kruger National Park, South Africa •  North Luangwa, Zambia • Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania • Serengeti National Park, Tanzania • Amboseli National Park, Kenya

Aerial safari in Tanzania

An aerial safari gives you a macro panorama of the landscape and wildlife of any destination, the action and drama unfolding beneath you.

Such a safari could take the form of a hot-air balloon ride, microlight flight, helicopter flip, or one on a small plane conducting air-hops between destinations, each providing a view of the scale and wonder of the wilderness, no matter when you go on an African safari .

You may find herds swirling across the grasslands or plains lined with marching elephants, each sighting unique in its unfolding. A safari from the air is one of the most incredible ways to enhance such an experience, with exceptional options on Masai Mara safaris .

Best Places for Aerial Safaris: Serengeti National Park, Tanzania • Masai Mara National Park, Kenya • Okavango Delta, Botswana • Virunga National Park, Rwanda • Kafue National Park, Zambia

Biking in Kenya

Picture traversing a vast landscape on 27-inch tires as you take a mountain bike safari through nature reserves and parks, keeping an eye out for game along the way.

Terrain changes from open savannahs to rugged pathways set among lush rainforests, with opportunities to spot animals in trees and around rocky outcrops. Your qualified guide will point out, from a safe distance, a variety of wildlife.

Enjoy the freshness of the great outdoors, the satisfaction of being active, and the thrill of cycling through parks and reserves, immediately at one with the African bush.

Best Places for Mountain Bike Safaris: Northern Tuli Reserve, Botswana • Laikipia, Kenya • Lower Zambezi, Zambia • Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve, South Africa • Gonarezhou-Malilangwe, Zimbabwe

Mokoro boat safari in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

With a huge focus on water for the land’s survival, it makes sense that one of the more popular ways of experiencing a safari is on water.

With predators and prey tentatively eyeing permanent water sources, game viewing from a mokoro (dugout canoe) or small boat brings you close to the action in a unique way, even when looking for the Big Five and Little Five .

Channels, rivers, and lakes reveal wildlife beneath the surface and on land nearby, creating an immersive yet slow-paced exploration. Boat safaris are one of the best ways to experience the wilderness by waterways, especially on Okavango Delta safaris .

Best Places For Water Safaris: Okavango Delta, Botswana • Chobe Game Reserve, Botswana • Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania • Lake Manyara, Tanzania • Lake Nakuru, Kenya  • Kruger National Park, South Africa • Etosha National Park, Namibia

Lewa Conservancy, Kenya

A horseback safari is one of the most unusual yet inspiring ways to experience the wilderness. Skilled and semi-skilled riders follow trails and tracks through nature reserves and forested parks where predators are a safe distance away.

Imagine coming across a tower of giraffe grazing in the trees above or leading your horse to a shaded rest spot where, once dismounted, a warm beverage awaits you.

Discover parts of a game park or reserve where vehicles may not be allowed to take advantage of snapping some wonderful wildlife shots as you quietly approach antelope, birds, and diverse and breathtaking landscapes and habitats .

Best Places for Horseback Safaris: Makalali Game Reserve, South Africa • Matlapeng Reserve, Botswana • Tuli Reserve, Botswana • Pakamisa Private Game Reserve, South Africa • Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe • Masai Mara, Kenya

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda

A primate safari takes you deep into the jungle or forested terrain of East Africa in search of wildlife like mountain gorillas or chimpanzees.

Discover the wonders of a guided trek through otherwise impenetrable forests, ending up on lush mountain slopes in search of primates swinging from tree to tree or chewing on plant matter. From Rwanda gorilla trekking to Uganda safaris , the encounters with primates are sensational on these expeditions.

This type of safari requires planning well ahead, with opportunities to incorporate other safari types before or after a gorilla or chimpanzee trek.

Best Places for Primate Safaris: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda • Volcanoes National Park • Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda • Kibale Forest, Uganda • Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania • Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

The beauty of a mobile safari is being able to wake up in one location, then end your day sipping a beverage of choice beneath the stars in a different spot.

Reducing a safari-goer’s carbon footprint and being able to relocate as often as your itinerary allows make mobile safaris popular.

Accommodations are comfortable and simple, easy to pack up and move, with all the mod cons necessary for this kind of experience. Gain access to more sites and sounds with a mobile camping safari.

Best Places for Mobile Safaris: Chobe Game Reserve, Botswana • Serengeti National Park, Tanzania • Masai Mara National Park, Kenya • Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve, South Africa

Game Drive Photo Vehicle in South Africa. Photo courtesy of MalaMala Camp. Photo courtesy of MalaMala Camp

Embark on a photographic-focused safari, during which time doesn’t seem to exist as you patiently wait to capture that perfect shot, the African bush your inspiration.

Professional guides help direct you to ensure you are positioned just right to get that winning picture. Staying on a siting or venturing into unique locations within parks and reserves, your time out on safari is yours to get as creative as you want.

Vehicles are fitted with special camera holders, each guest assured of optimal viewing throughout the drive. For a walking safari experience, your guide will ensure open spaces, great lighting, and perfect timing are the order of the day. How you want to experience your photographic safari is one of the many reasons to plan your trip with a safari travel specialist .

Best Places for Photographic Safaris: Okavango Delta, Botswana • Tsavo West, Kenya • Kruger National Park, South Africa •  Sabi Sands, South Africa • Amboseli National Park, Kenya •  Timbavati Game Reserve, South Africa • Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Etosha National Park, Namibia

This may seem a strange way to conduct a safari, but viewing animals from the safety and comfort of a hideout offers a unique perspective on game viewing.

Whether coming upon a hidden locale or strategically located structure, sometimes slightly underground, hides offer seating and windows to the show unfolding before you. Unseen, you have the chance to spot without being spotted, including when exploring the best places to visit in Africa on safari .

Some have you placed at eye level with game at a watering hole, while others may see you set high up in a tree, a bird’s-eye view of your surroundings offering an opportunity to spot wildlife far and wide.

Best Places for a Hide Safari Experience: Kruger National Park, South Africa • Sabi Sands, South Africa • Timbavati Game Reserve, South Africa • Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa • South Luangwa, Zambia • Etosha National Park, Namibia

With a variety of ways to experience an African safari, the choices may seem impossible. However, depending on time and preferences, options are available as stand-alone adventures or a combination of a few. Imagine a few days on a guided game drive followed by a walking safari expedition or primate discovery.

To discover a wealth of information and inspiration, visit our African safari travel guide and take a look at our African safaris . One of our expert safari specialists will be on hand to assist you when you are ready to book your specific safari style.

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Everything you need to know before booking your first African safari

​For many, a safari represents the optimal escape and lifelong travel dream. If you’re going to invest in turning this dream into reality, there are some things worth considering. Plus, we recommend five incredible wildlife itineraries for 2023.

From the first waft of dewy morning air to the gentle owl hoots that drift into camp after dark, there’s a satisfying natural rhythm to a day on safari in Africa. Even if you’re not normally an early riser, you’ll quickly fall into the routine of pre-dawn starts, lazy lunchtimes, active afternoons and mellow evenings, making the most of the best hours both for wildlife-watching and for chilling out. Deep at night, if you’re lucky, you may hear the distant whoop of a hyena, the rasping call of a leopard or the bassy roar of a lion.

But more often than not, you’ll sleep soundly, drunk on fresh air. Soon after you wake, you’ll head out into the wild, eager to discover what the day will deliver. Perhaps you’ll find yourself inching up on some rhinos, watching boisterous elephants bathe in a waterhole or spotting the youngest, cutest members of a mighty big cat dynasty.

If this sounds like the kind of escape you’ve been craving, but you’re puzzling over possible itineraries, what’s the best way to choose?

Green means go

While every luxury safari offers unforgettable wildlife encounters, there are plenty of options to consider. High-end African trips and settings vary hugely in their atmosphere and style.

Some itineraries, for example, are much greener than others. If you’re passionate about nature, you’ll want to make ethical choices, mindful of climate change and biodiversity, perhaps by minimising your time in the air. While every long-haul trip has a high carbon footprint, you can limit your safari’s impact by choosing a destination near an international airport and sharing a vehicle rather than continuing by taking domestic flights.

With superb wildlife-watching opportunities within driving distance, Nairobi makes an excellent starting point for a low-airmiles luxury safari. “You could head for the stunning mountains and waterfalls of the Aberdare range, where lions hunt giant forest hogs”, says Kenya specialist Richard Trillo of Expert Africa. “The tree-dotted plains of the Maasai Mara, which host East Africa’s annual Great Migration, are also within reach,” Richard adds.

There are other ways to dial down the net impact of your trip without compromising on quality, however. While carbon offset schemes can help compensate for your emissions, for a more targeted approach, you could book your trip through a specialist safari operator that has established working partnerships with African conservation charities.  

“We’re proud to support South Africa’s all-female Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit, and Greenpop, a non-profit Sub-Saharan forest restoration and urban greening organisation,” says Marcelo Novais of luxury operator Ker and Downey Africa.  

“We give all our clients the opportunity to donate to these worthy causes, since leaving a positive legacy is one of our core values,” he adds. Other deserving organisations include African Parks, the African Wildlife Foundation, Tusk and the World Land Trust.  

Another effective way of maximising the benefits of your trip is to choose lodges that go the extra mile in their vicinity, doing more for environmental protection, community partnerships and rural development than   merely covering park fees and basic wages. In Tanzania, the Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge invites guests to visit the craft project they support, Shanga, where locals with disabilities upcycle glass, textiles and fishing wire into cute elephant cushions, jewellery and clothing.

When it comes to shortlisting properties, membership of Ecotourism Kenya, Responsible Tourism Tanzania, Fair Trade Tourism and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council are generally useful indicators.

Settling in

Once you’ve arrived in the bush, what will your surroundings feel like? Anyone who’s cautious about camping in the wilderness will be relieved to discover that most top-end operators put their guests at ease by focusing on creature comforts: cool drinks, gourmet dining, indulgently appointed private bathrooms and sumptuous beds, for example. As a rule, their staff — from the head guide to the housekeepers — are superb at their jobs.  

That said, there are significant differences between, on the one hand, intimate, minimalist camps with just a handful of canvas tents and, at the other extreme, sizeable lodges featuring swimming pools, gyms and perhaps even a spa, photography hide, editing suite, research centre, library and observatory. It’s a matter of weighing up how close to nature you’d like to feel — hearing all those thrilling sounds in the night, for example — against the range of facilities and creature comforts you’d like to enjoy.

When deciding, honest opinions from people who know the properties well can be invaluable. “Our safari specialists always have detailed conversations with our clients to understand their preferences and offer advice”, says Liberty Gilmour of Audley Travel. “Conventional aircon, for example, is rarely essential: Zambia in May and high-altitude destinations such as Ngorongoro can be quite cool, particularly at night. If it’s hot, natural ventilation may be sufficient, but many camps also have solar-powered cooling systems.”

Whether opulent, nostalgic or quirky, surroundings that suit your aesthetic aspirations can elevate your experience. The family heirlooms that decorate Camp Jabulani in South Africa’s Kapama Reserve, for example, create a uniquely cosy atmosphere, while Xigera Safari Lodge in Botswana’s Okavango Delta is so proud of its collection of original pieces by contemporary African artists and artisans that staff offer art and design tours of the premises. To strike a contemporary note, Loisaba Lodo Springs in Kenya’s Loisaba Conservancy has rooms dotted with hand-stitched West African textiles and elegant upcycled Edwardian furniture.

Peaceful days

Almost every safari programme revolves around guided excursions called game drives, a name dating back to the days of Big Five hunting trips, but the style of the vehicles you ride in isn’t discussed as much as perhaps it should be. While some outfits settle for basic open-sided 4x4s, others invest in supremely comfortable, easy-access vehicles with charging points, dustproof storage space and a fridge. If you’re a keen photographer, top quality private vehicles are a must. Electric safari vehicles offer a particularly smooth ride; while still rare, they’re the future, and are starting to catch on.

Ila Safari Lodge in Zambia’s Kafue National Park offers the rare luxury of total peace and quiet. Founder Vincent Kouwenhoven, who has pioneered electric transport at Ila and its sister lodges in Zambia and Malawi, explains: “Our love for Africa led us to develop technologies that enable guests to experience the bush in near-silent, pollution-free vehicles, charged by our own solar panels. It’s an ecologically conscious way to watch wildlife and very calming, too. Instead of the engine, you hear birdsong.”

Some safaris also promise near-solitude in a vast natural landscape — an intoxicating feeling. One way to dodge the crowds is to travel during low season, the dates of which vary from location to location; alternatively, you could choose private reserves where the only vehicles you’ll see will be those of your fellow guests. As well as providing daytime activities, guides may offer night drives, using spotlights to search for nocturnal activity, such as birds roosting or lions stalking their prey.

For the ultimate in exclusivity, it’s possible to book an entire camp or lodge, with the staff handcrafting everything to your precise specifications, from wake-up times to the cocktails and canapes. According to Ash Jarvis of Best of South Africa Travel, exclusive-use properties work particularly well for mixed-generation families: “With their private game drives, multiple living areas, private pool and the undivided attention of the whole staff, including the chefs (fussy eaters welcome), they eliminate stress and ensure that nobody has to compromise. That’s what good family holidays are all about.”

The ultimate adventure

If serenity is your scene, you may be dreaming of floating over herds of zebras and wildebeest in a hot-air balloon, or wandering across the savannah on a bushwalk or cycle ride. The most interesting safaris offer a mixed programme of imaginative guided activities such as these, enlivening the days with little surprises: picnics in beauty spots, perhaps, or lantern-lit barbecues.  

The possibilities depend, to a large extent, on your choice of location. In Kenya’s northern conservancies, for example, you could explore the semi-desert by camel, while in Rwanda or Uganda, the activity you probably won’t want to miss is venturing into the depths of the rainforest on foot for a precious one-hour audience with mountain gorillas.

On a gorilla trek, you’ll be guided by rangers at the top of their game — a hallmark of an excellent safari. A knowledgeable, communicative guide can transform any trip, keeping you safe, entertained and intrigued.

“The inside track is what you really want, whether that’s in guiding, photography or conservation”, says Will Bolsover of Natural World Safaris. “In-depth knowledge leads you beneath the surface, for true insights into how conservation works, how wildlife benefits and how you can contribute.”

Since quality time with experts is one of the ultimate luxuries you can enjoy on safari, some top-end safaris, particularly in Kenya and South Africa, include a philanthropic element, whereby in exchange for a substantial donation to a conservation fund, you gain access to specialists in the field, perhaps even helping collar predators or collecting DNA samples from juvenile rhinos. Conservation safari companies such as Great Plains and AWF Safaris can assist with this. There’s no better way to start unlocking the mysteries of the African wilderness.

Five luxury safari trips in Africa to try in 2023 and beyond  

1. low-carbon luxury in kenya.

After a night at Nairobi’s fabled Giraffe Manor, travel overland to Solio Lodge in the Central Highlands to explore Kenya’s oldest rhino conservation sanctuary, then continue to Sala’s Camp, in one of the least-visited corners of the Maasai Mara. Eight days from £8,400 with Expert Africa. expertafrica.com

2. Take to the skies in Tanzania

Flip from park to park in style on a SkySafari, travelling by private plane and touching down at luxurious Elewana Collection properties. This classic circuit takes in Arusha, Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, for blockbuster wildlife-watching. Ten days from £8,300 with Sky Safari. skysafari.com

3. Family adventures in South Africa

South Africa has a host of prospects to suit muti-generational families. Delightful safari properties such as Morukuru River House team well with Cape Town, the Cape Winelands and the Garden Route. Fourteen days from £4,500 with Best of South Africa Travel. bestofsouthafricatravel.com

4. Clock the Big Five in the safari heartlands

To experience some of southern Africa’s most exclusive wilderness retreats, string together Bushmans Kloof in South Africa’s Cederberg region, Sossusvlei Desert Lodge in Namibia, DumaTau in Linyanti and Xigera in the Okavango Delta. Twelve days from £24,797 with Beyond Green. staybeyondgreen.com

5. Meet mountain gorillas in Rwanda

Nothing can prepare you for the surge of emotions you’ll feel when, after an exhilarating trek, you first encounter a family of gorillas in the rainforest. Combine your hike with game drives in Rwanda’s Big Five national park, Akagera. Eight days from £7,493 with Jacada Travel. jacadatravel.com  

Published in the 2022 edition of National Geographic Traveller (UK) The Luxury Collection

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Fact Animal

Facts About Animals

20 Iconic Jungle Animals

The jungle is an alluring and mysterious biome and one that instantly captivates all but the least curious with its cacophony of vocalisations, its mesmerising colours, and the sheer business of the biodiversity it houses, including some of the most iconic jungle animals .

And as alien as it might feel to most of us, the jungle is where we come from. It’s where we belong, to an extent, and it’s a home we have neglected to the point of almost total devastation.

Two-thirds of our tropical rainforests have been destroyed by our own hands, and half of what remains is in poor shape.

But instead of repairing it, we are cutting and burning 150 acres more every single minute, and while this loss is often measured in terms of losses in CO2 sequestering, or oxygen production, what’s often overlooked is that it’s also the destruction of the homes and lives of the inhabitants of these forests.

Here’s a shoutout to 20 such inhabitants; animals that still call the jungle their home , in no particular order, and with millions of glaring omissions simply because there are so many to choose from.

There are four species of tapir, all closely related to horses and rhinoceroses as odd-toed ungulates.

There were once many more species, including several native the North America and Southeast Asia, that died out at the end of the Pleistocene, and the four that remain are slightly pig-like, semi-aquatic jungle mammals, living in Central and South America, and one species in Southeast Asia.

Tapirs are quite similar to pigs in their ecology, too. They spend a lot of time wallowing in mud and eat a lot of vegetation and fruit. They have extended rostrums, made of their nose and lower lips, giving them a bit of a bizarre appearance, but they’re generally shy and relaxed animals.

All four are listed as Endangered or Vulnerable by the IUCN as a result of habitat destruction and human encroachment. 1

19. Greater Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

The largest rodent in the world lives in the jungle, too! Capybaras are widespread in South America, and like the tapir, they love wet environments.

These swamp specialists are excellent swimmers, able to hold their breath for five minutes, and one of the keys to their success is their adaptability to the conversion of forest into cattle ranching.

There was a period when these animals were kept in a research facility and interestingly, escapees from captivity have been thought to have established colonies in the very same niche their prehistoric relatives would have before they were hunted to extinction there.

This sort of inadvertent reintroduction can be seen in both Florida and California. 2

18. Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus)

From scurrying to slithering, one of the most impressive animals in the jungle has to be the green anaconda.

It’s the biggest and heaviest snake on Earth (although not the longest!) and a giant boa constrictor that lives in the same forests as our first two animals. As such, this is a monster that they are likely to face at one time or another.

This snake can potentially reach up to 6.7 meters, or 22 ft long, and can weigh around 250 kg. This makes it one of the heaviest animals in the jungle, and certainly one of the strongest.

They can eat anything up to 50% of their own mass, and they kill by latching on with non-venomous fangs and securing their prey in their squeezing, meaty coils. The squeeze is so strong it prevents the heart from beating, and the prey loses consciousness fast.

Anacondas are mostly water-based, and if the prey animal is frisky enough to pose a risk to the snake, she’s more than capable of drowning them in the river.

17. Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)

Some might consider this a shift from the scariest to the cutest, but if you’re a bird in the rainforests of Central and South America there is nothing cute about the ocelot.

These gorgeous, solitary killers stalk their prey in the night and spend much of their lives up in the trees. This not only keeps them safe from some of the larger predators around but also gives them access to unique feeding niches.

They can wait in ambush for up to an hour, stalking prey of all kinds, on land, in water and arboreally.

Their small size belies a powerful cat and a dominant mesopredator in their ecosystem.

Despite the name, the genus Leopardus contains small cats, all of which are native to the Americas (leopards are, confusingly, in the Panthera genus).

16. Macaws & Parakeets

Macaws are the birds many people think of when they hear the word parrot. These classically good-looking animals and one of the most iconic birds you can find.

Very large, intelligent and extremely brightly coloured, they can reach a meter tall and weigh over 1.5 kg. There are thought to be around 19 species, though some might now be extinct.

They can live for up to 80 years and in the wild they would be invaluable seed dispersers, feeding on fruit and nuts and helping plants spread their genes across the forest.

Being such beautiful birds, their numbers have dropped significantly as a result of the pet trade, but habitat loss and fragmentation continue to threaten all species. Many are either endangered or critically endangered, and bird collectors can pay thousands of dollars for a single specimen of some species. 3

15. Okapi (Okapia johnstoni)

Certainly one of the weirdest mammals in the jungle is the Okapi. These funny little fellas are essentially dwarf giraffes, standing at around 1.5 meters tall in the forests of Central Africa.

It’s said to have a long neck, but considering the rest of its family, this is pretty relative. The Okapi looks somewhere between a zebra (with its striped rear end) and a giraffe, with its ossicones, or bony protrusions, unique to the giraffe family.

All of this weirdness functions as excellent camouflage, and they’re thought to be primarily diurnal. Males are always on the move, and females tend to stay put, but in general, they are quite low-density populations, with just over one animal in every 2 km2.

They’re generalist herbivores and are known to leave a gross sticky goo on trees when rubbing on them, but due to their shyness and the fact that they live in DRC, we don’t know much about their mating routine.

Sadly, they’re already endangered, with the two major threats coming from snare hunting and habitat destruction.

14. Pangolin (Manidae family)

Pangolins are probably the most expensive mammals on the market and are certainly the most trafficked. People without the ability to google think their scales are magic, and so have driven this unique animal almost entirely to extinction.

Pangolins are the only scaled mammals, which is what led to this misinformation in the first place, and both groups – one found in Asia, the other in Sub-Saharan Africa – are persecuted as a result.

In reality, like all other animals, pangolins are not magic. They’re a small branch of nine species of anteaters who would much prefer to be left alone to feast on termites and ants all night.

Eight of the nine species are considered either Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered, and protections are getting tighter, but the future looks very sketchy for this curious jungle animal.

There’s nothing in the jungle that compares to the sight of gibbons swinging between the branches.

They are what every parkour practitioner aspires to be, capable of breath-taking feats of agility while making it look like a walk in the park.

Gibbons are known as lesser apes, primarily by apes that can’t even hold their own bodyweight from a tree branch, let alone swing from it.

They’re Asian apes, a different branch from the so-called ‘greater apes’ but still large and without tails. There are 20 species of gibbon, and they’re all tree ninjas, some capable of swinging through trees at up to 55 km/h (34 mph), making them the fastest tree-dwelling, flightless animals.

Gibbon arms are so long, that they often have to be carried away from their bodies when walking bipedally, which looks suspiciously like they’re mocking us.

12. Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobatidae)

Back in the Americas, there are frogs so toxic they can be used to hunt monkeys. These diurnal frogs make no secret of their threat, they come in some of the most dazzling, contrasting colour patterns you’ll see in the jungle.

Arguably the most beautiful amphibians on the planet, they’re also some of the most deadly, and this has been used to the advantage of indigenous hunters, who use their secretions to coat the tips of blow darts and arrows.

The toxin they secrete actually comes from their natural diet, which means these frogs can be kept very safely in captivity, allowing owners all the benefit of the stunning colourations with none of the associated death.

There are over 170 species, most entirely unique in colouration, but only a handful are used in this manner. Many are threatened with habitat degradation and destruction, to which amphibians are particularly sensitive. 4

11. Orangutan

Another Asian ape, this time great in name as well as nature, is the ‘Old man of the forest”. Unlike the other great apes, these ones are almost entirely solitary and spend a lot of time looking philosophical up in the trees.

They’re also the heaviest tree-dwelling animal on Earth, reaching around the same weight as healthy humans, between 70kg and 90kg in males.

This adaptation to arboreal life likely came about as a result of another jungle animal on this list, which makes life very difficult for a large mammal on the ground.

Orangutans reproduce very slowly, giving birth at most once every five years, which, coupled with the intense deforestation pressure in their home ranges of Sumatra and Borneo, has resulted in a very endangered animal in all three of its species.

10. African Forest Elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis)

Back in Africa, there’s a jungle giant that mostly goes unnoticed. Everyone knows about the plains or bush elephants: Loxodonta africana, but the largest land animal has a very slightly less large forest-dwelling cousin, L. cyclotis.

And this is a pity because the forest elephant is even more endangered than its famous cousin. Forest elephants are certainly not small animals, at almost 3m tall but they can be told apart from their plains counterparts by the straightened tusks, which are presumably less likely to get tangled in dense jungle. Both females and males have them, and these can grow to around 1.5 meters long.

Of all the animals in the African jungle, these are some of the most dangerous. They are understandably grumpy around people, and while they’re generally shy animals, they do kill people who get too close.

They live in groups of up to around 20, are highly communicative, and as such enormous mammals are integral to the rainforest as seed dispersers and nutrient recyclers.

9. Sloth (Order: Pilosa)

It’s hard to think of sloths without letting out a sigh of lamentation for those who have gone before them. Giant ground sloths were some of the most awe-inspiring of the Pilosans, but not only are they dead, but they weren’t jungle animals, and lingering on them would be unfair to their extant relatives, who are exceptional in their own right.

In Central and Southern America hang some of the weirdest mammals in the jungle. Notoriously slow, sloths are no slouch, and can use their powerful claws to defend against pesky giant eagles and other jungle predators that might take their chances on one.

While the same jungle is home to hummingbirds, who have some of the fastest metabolisms of any animal and dart about manically on the hunt for high-calorie sugar fuel, sloths have taken the other extreme, cooling everything down and adapting to life in the slow lane.

They have a body temperature that humans would need urgent attention to remedy, they sleep for 20 hours a day and they eat low-quality roughage, but this doesn’t stop them from being excellent swimmers when they want to be.

They can also bite, hard, so don’t try to cuddle one.

Sloths move so slowly that their fur has become a biome of its own and is home to species of fly, beetle, mite, and algae that you may not find anywhere else.

8. Toucan (Family: Ramphastidae)

This must be the most recognisable jungle bird, and possibly well-known commercial mascot who you’d expect to speak with a nasal twang.

Toucans have outstanding noses, but to those who’ve met one they’re known to be playful and intelligent and the beak, which can be four times the size of its head, has long fascinated researchers.

While enormous, it’s surprisingly lightweight and appears to have a multitude of functions. The most obvious is as a grabber of fruit, the toucan’s preferred food. But it’s thought the bright colours help members of the species find one another in some of the most diverse bird habits on Earth, including 40 species of toucan!

These birds are highly social, and correspondingly noisy birds, who will rarely leave the forest canopy. While they mostly eat fruit, they’ll take the opportunity to peck at a bit of fish or insect too, when it arises.

Habitat loss and destruction have led to calls for their conservation, and many species are in decline, but most are still plentiful enough to be of least concern for now. 5

7. Green Tree Python (Morelia viridis) & Emerald Tree Boa, (Corallus caninus)

This one’s a double feature because it’s such an exceptional example of convergent evolution.

Sometimes, animals look similar because they come from the same ancestor. This is a run-of-the-mill example of evolution that we see all the time. But what gets naturalists going is when animals look similar because their environments are so similar.

Species are carved out by their environments, so often, when two niches are identical, the organisms that fill them are equally similar.

In the case of the green tree python and the emerald tree boa, you have two snakes, separated by around 70 million years, who went down entirely different special paths. Pythons occupied Africa, Australia and Asia, while Boas are common on most continents but dominate in the Americas.

Both snakes are constrictors, both (in this example) are arboreal, and they’re both around the same size. Essentially, they fit the same ecological niche as one another, on entirely different continents.

The green tree python and the emerald tree boa are both stunning, vivid green snakes with white stripes for camouflage and vertical pupils, useful for gauging pouncing distance.

They’re both so similarly adapted that they even posture themselves on branches in the exact same way, with their head resting between two coils of their body. Both species even have remarkably similar lifespans, at around 20 years in captivity.

All of these features evolved not from a single ancestor, but independently, as a result of mutations that made the animals better suited to the environment. The result is a striking arboreal serpent. 6

6. Brazilian Wandering Spider (Phoneutria spp)

Wandering spiders are the reason to be afraid of spiders. These aggressive, highly venomous and often deadly creatures go against all the rationalisations you use to calm an arachnophobe.

Brazilian wandering spiders have four large front-facing eyes, which serve them well as an active hunter and their powerful venom is used to bring down large animals at night.

These species can have a leg span of around 15cm (6 inches) which is big enough to frighten a lot of people by sight, but they’re also known to be highly defensive, and confident in their ability to get you to go away.

There are a handful of species in the Phoneutria genus with the same common name, all with medically significant venom, and while they commonly eat insects like crickets and mantids, they’re able to bring down a bat, a frog or a lizard too, when they get the chance.

A bite from one of these spiders is known to cause prolonged erections, and not because it’s fun.

Priapism is a common side-effect of Phoneutria bites and can result in permanent damage or death of the penis if the owner survives the experience.

5. Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger)

The crocodilian family Alligatoridae is home to two iconic subfamilies: the alligators and caiman, sometimes known as cayman.

Caimans are therefore more closely related to alligators than Crocs, though they tend to have narrower snouts. In general, they’re quite small as far as crocodilians go, but the black caiman, Melanosuchus niger can weigh up to a ton and sit ominously at 5m long on the banks of the forest rivers in Central South America.

These are the largest of the Alligatoridae species and are powerful apex predators as a result. There aren’t many jungle animals big enough to escape the black caiman’s menu, but its skin has drawn the attention of human hunters, who have driven it to near extinction.

As a result, capybara and piranha populations boomed, and have threatened human crops and livestock, respectively.

The caiman also preys on people, occasionally, but not enough to really redress the balance. 7

You can’t make a jungle list without mentioning the gorilla. While chimps are our closest living relatives, gorillas are the ones we should aspire to be like.

These are the largest extant apes on Earth, yet they’re also one of the gentlest. A big example can weigh up to 250kg despite being no taller than an adult man, and maintain this exaggerated hypertrophy on a mostly vegan diet, supplemented with a few invertebrates, here and there.

Only two species are remaining, both heavily protected in relatively limited ranges in equatorial Africa, and both are critically endangered.

Humans share around 99.9% of their DNA as a single species, but gorillas aren’t far behind, with around 98% of the same DNA (chimps have close to 99% similarity with humans).

Gorillas are highly social, intelligent and peaceful animals, with a lot of muscle to back up their ideas when they are pushed to. There don’t appear to be any confirmed examples of a gorilla killing a human, either in the wild or in captivity. 8

3. Jaguar (Panthera onca)

The largest jungle cat in the Americas has to sit close to the top of the list of iconic rainforest animals. Jaguars are about the only thing that will scare a black caiman, and as the third-largest cat in the wild, it’s at the top of the food chain.

Jaguars are specialist biters, with one of the most powerful clamps in the animal kingdom. Their piercing teeth have evolved to puncture turtle shells and the skulls of caiman and other poor victims, who never see this expert stalker coming.

Unlike most cats, jaguars love the water, and this is what makes them such a significant forest species. Jaguars can hunt on almost any terrain, and while it is an obligate carnivore, it has a huge range of prey species and is therefore critically important as population control within its ecosystem.

Jaguars will predate upon all of the South American animals on this list and have played a symbolic role in human societies as an icon of strength and grace since prehistoric times.

2. Piranha (Family: Serrasalmidae)

After the great white shark, this might be the most feared fish in the water.

Piranhas are the Bond villain’s execution method of choice, and yet another example of Christopher Lloyd’s strange sense of humour as the antagonists of Piranha 3DD.

They’re clearly solidified in the public opinion as mindless, swarming murderers, but this isn’t a fair representation.

There are four genera of true piranhas, with between 30 and 60 species, perhaps more, all indigenous to the Amazon basin. They’re well known for their huge, sharp teeth and a bite force that is one of the most powerful of all bony fishes. Pound for pound, this bite is one of the strongest of all vertebrates!

Their reputation for hunting in huge packs and stripping the meat off of anything unlucky enough to show its face is only partially true. In general, they are omnivorous and will eat meat opportunistically.

They don’t tend to school in high densities except in times of drought, and attacks on people are extremely rare. The vast majority of reported attacks come from a single fish biting the toe or hand of a swimmer, but there are freak occurrences where people have died.

Piranhas are more likely to feed on the decaying flesh of drowning victims than kill their own human food, but records from Teddy Roosevelt’s trips through the Amazon basin lend credence to the idea that they can be agitated into a feeding frenzy under certain conditions and that the local peoples wade through piranha territory with great care!

1. Tiger (Panthera tigris)

Most of this list is populated in no particular order, but it should go without saying that the most iconic jungle animal in the world is the tiger.

The largest wild cat on Earth, and a supremely successful apex predator that’s had a long and troublesome history of life alongside human settlers to their continents.

It’s tigers who are likely responsible for the arboreal nature of orangutans. It’s tigers who, even to this day, hold up the veracity of jungle monster legends with their hundreds of human kills per year in India alone.

And they do this despite being truly decimated by human hunting and habitat destruction.

Tigers are phenomenally agile animals, camouflaged giants who can leap ten meters and run at up to 65 km/h. They are solitary, graceful and immensely powerful and there’s nothing in the jungle that really comes close to their awe-inspiring presence.

Like the jaguar, the tiger is adept at swimming – something which is extremely common in jungle-adapted species.

Such enormous predators are critically impactful on their ecosystems, recycling nutrients and keeping large herbivore populations under control. Sadly, competition with domestic livestock and the fact that they’re revered as terrible monsters by locals has led to their persecution as dangerous animals.

But the destruction of the rainforests in which they live plays a far larger role in their decline. Tigers are now endangered and in desperate need of protection. 9

Final Thoughts

Jungles are about the most biodiverse regions of land on Earth, and as such we could populate a list like this, each filled only with arthropods, or fish, or birds, amphibians, reptiles or mammals. Even choosing 20 of the most interesting parasites from the jungle would be difficult.

There is so much life to explore, and while they hold some of the most known species, the jungles are also home to more species that we don’t yet know .

It’s thought that tropical forests house 80% of the yet-to-be-discovered species on land, many of which are going extinct in silence, never to be recorded and witnessed by humans. 10

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Rainforest protection is something we can all get involved with, whether we live nearby or not.

And while it’s important to our species that we protect jungles for their benefit us, it’s also important to remember that without them, the thousands of iconic jungle animals have nowhere to go.

Fact Sources & References

• “ Tapirs “, National Geographic.
• Avianne Tan (2016), “ Capybaras, Giant Rodents Native to South America, Could Become Invasive Species in Florida “, ABC News.
• “ Macaw “, San Diego Zoo.
• Frank Indiviglio (2010), “ Poison Frog Skin Toxins and Their Use in Hunting and Warfare “, That Reptile Blog.
• “ Toucan “, San Diego Zoo.
• Stephen Luntz (2016), “ Pythons And Boas Evolved In Parallel “, IFL Science.
• “ Black Caiman “, Crocodiles of the World.
• Dave Mosher (2012), “ Gorillas More Related to People Than Thought, Genome Says “, National Geographic.
• “ Tiger conservation success in 2023 “, ZSL.
• Elizabeth Claire Alberts (2021), “ New map shows where the 80% of species we don’t know about may be hiding “, Mongabay.

Where to go for Jungle Safari in India

Behind the thick bamboo bushes lurks the ferocious tiger, waiting patiently for its prey. The meditative trance of the skies above is disturbed occasionally by the screeching of an eagle. Somewhere, in the distance, a herd of deer visits the local water hole to quench their thirst, even as the sly crocodile remains lifeless, waiting for the perfect moment to launch its attack. These are some of the scenes which await you as you embark on a jungle safari in India to the dense forests of India.

This is a safari unlike any other, full of surprises and thrills. It’s nothing short of a privilege to see nature’s inhabitants in their natural habitat, displaying raw emotions. This blog is for you if you have ever nurtured a desire to experience wildlife. Here, we tell you where to go for a jungle safari in India and come across the best sights and sounds of Nature.

Here are the best Places to Go for Jungle Safari in India

Jim corbett national park, uttarakhand, ranthambore national park, rajasthan, gir national park, gujarat, kanha national park, madhya pradesh, bandhavgarh national park, madhya pradesh, pench national park, madhya pradesh, sunderbans wildlife sanctuary, west bengal.

Corbett National Park, originally known as Hailey National Park, was established in 1936 and is India’s first national park. Visitors flock to this park to witness the tiger in all its majestic beauty. This park is also renowned for being home to various rare species of mammals, reptiles and birds. One can spot barking deer, spotted deer, sambar, and chinkara on a jungle safari in India to this national park. Crocodiles are another major attraction in Jim Corbett. But, its definitely the Royal Bengal Tigers in their natural habitat  that lure for safari holidays in India.

Best time to visit:  November to June

[ Plan a trip to Corbett with these well-customized packages ]

One of the best places to experience a wildlife safari in India is Ranthambore Tiger Reserve . Although tiger spotting is the prime attraction here, one can also spot jackal, fox, leopard and mongoose. Embarking on a jungle safari to this tiger reserve lets you witness the nilgai, blue bull antelope, chital and sambar deer. Apart from the fauna, the flora too, is worth admiring here. The landscape is defined by rolling hills and crags, lakes and rivulets. Ranthambore offers the best forest tours in India to visit the Tigers. Explore best customized Golden Triangle Tour Package with Ranthambore .

Best time to visit:  October to June

[ Experience wildlife safari in Ranthambore with these customized packages ]

Also Read : Top Adventure activities in Rajasthan that you should not miss

The feeling of intruding into someone else’s territory upon entering Gir National Park is rather pronounced. This is the land of the lions, crocodiles, hyenas and leopards. The flora here is incredible, with half the area of the park being covered by teak forest, amla, timru and khair, besides others. Of course, the Asiatic Lions are the lords here, and they are a spectacular sight.

Apart from them, the other highly sighted spotter animal in the park is the Chital, or the Indian spotted deer. Striped hyenas and wild boars are other attractions. Here, one can also spot a fascinating variety of birds such as the Malabar whistling thrush to the Paradise flycatcher. Like the King of the Jungle, Gir is the kind of Indian jungle safari tours.

Best time to visit:  December to March

Also Read: Amazing Tourist Attractions And Places To Visit In Gujarat

Kanha National Park , spread across an area of 940sq. km, holds the distinction of being one of the largest national parks in Madhya Pradesh. This park is also respected globally for playing an important role in saving the Barasingha from extinction. A safari here gives you an opportunity for spotting the Royal Bengal Tiger, apart from the enormous Barasingha and wild dogs as well. This is also where National Geographic’s award winning “Land of the Tigers” was shot. In fact, a visit to Kanha ensures the best Tiger Safari in India.

Best time to visit: Mid-October to June end

[ Explore the wilderness  in Kanha National Park with these packages ]

No wildlife safari in India is complete without visiting the Bandhavgarh National Park . This place dates back to 2000 yrs, and is renowned for having the highest density of Royal Bengal tigers in the world. Tourists here are treated to sights of fascinating animals like chital, nilgais, Indian bison, chinkara, jackals and wild boars. Besides, if you are lucky, you may even spot several species of birds like gray Malabar hornbills, green pigeons and browed fantails. Bandhavgarh is undoubtedly a must visit place for Indian safari holidays.

[ Browse these well-planned Bandhavgarh tour packages ]

The exploits of Mowgli and his friends in The Jungle Book fascinated us during our childhood. However, Rudyard Kipling based Mowgli’s adventures on this fascinating place. Located in the southern ranges of the Satpura range, it’s divided by Pendi River into two equal parts. A safari to this park lets you witness an exotic variety of wildlife including the Nilgai, Cheetal, Sambha and Gaur (Indian Bison). Another particular fascination of wildlife jungle safari in Pench is the four species of endangered vultures, namely the white-rumped, long billed vulture, white scavenger and king vulture.

Best time to visit: February to April

Sunderbans Wildlife Sanctuary stands out among the places to go for wildlife safari in India . Sunderbans are part of the world’s largest delta, formed by the mighty Rivers Ganga, Brahmaputra and the Meghna. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s the largest Tiger Reserve and National Park in India. The tiger is the legend here, and is the main subject of every conversation.

A wildlife safari here lets you come across the fabled tiger, apart from the other forms of wildlife including rhesus monkey and chital deer. However, Sunderbans National Park is also widely acknowledged for conservation of the Ridley Sea Turtle. In fact, it is totally correct to say that Sunderbans offers the most thrilling tiger safari in India.

Best time to visit:  September to March

Now you can plan your jungle safari in India with our exciting collection of wildlife holiday packages in India .

Related Post :

Top 10 Reasons to Visit Royal State Rajasthan Top Places to Visit in Uttarakhand during your holiday 15 Amazing Destinations for Your First Solo Trip to India

Vishwajit Sharma

Vishwajit writes about all things Travel Places, Attractions and Tour Packages.He Is passionate about learning new things.

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Recent comments.

Amazing wildlife safari in India with its deep forest and beautiful endangered animals. I would like to visit soon.

Glad to know about your interest in wildlife safaris. Choose any of theses destinations for your wildlife expedition. For expert guidance, you contact us with the help of inquiry forum. Till then, do follow our blog for post on India tourism.

Corbett and Pench are awesome for Tiger spotting. Interesting info for wildlife enthusiasts

Thanks for your kind words. Keep on following our blogs for more such posts.

Catching a lion walking around is great whether you see it anywhere, so I feel all of the above Jungle safaris are a phenomenal option to Experience jungle safari. Though I’ve been to Corbett and I really liked the overall experience

Nice information for Jungle safari in India for frequent Travellers

Thanks for such a lovely comment. Keep following our blogs for more such content.

after reading this informative post got knowledge about we can plan jungle safari in india, such a amazing post

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Destinations

10 Best Jungle Safaris in India to Experience Incredible Wildlife

With more than 99 national parks, 40 tiger reserves and 450 wildlife sanctuaries, India has sheltered enchanting species of fauna and flora. Be it the mountains of Uttarakhand or the deserts of Rajasthan, every corner and gap of India embraces rich wildlife. Especially, if you are eager to get a sight of the big striped cats the tigers, India is the ultimate destination to visit.

Check out these Top destinations in India for experiencing wildlife.

 Source: indiabycaranddriver

1) Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh:

Source: girnationalpark

Bandhavgarh National Park being a dry deciduous and tropical land brings amazing dense forest trails where one can discover many glittering species of wild creatures amidst the lush surroundings. Surrounded by the Eastern Satpura range, Bandhavgarh National Park’s sal and bamboo forest provides shelter to the sambar, Indian wolf, python, and tiger.

Open Jeeps with groups of tourists, individuals accompanied by naturalist are allowed into the park at fixed timings. Wildlife safari timing in Bandhavgarh National Park is just like most parks in the country. Timings for entry into, and exit from, the park vary according to the season. In winters, due to the shorter duration of daylight hours, the morning entry time is later and evening exit time is earlier.

Nearest Airport: Bandhavgarh can be visited by flying into Jabalpur or Khajurao.

Nearest Railway Station: Closest stations would be Jabalpur(170kms), Katni(102kms), Satna (112kms), Umaria (35kms).

When: October to June

Don’t miss a single thing on your dream vacation! Plan a trip with TripHobo, add attractions, book hotels and tours and get going!

2) Gir, Gujarat:

 Source: journeymart

In Gir, you touch the history of India before humanity itself. Gir National Park is a restricted area in Asia and is the habitat of the pure Asiatic Lions. The next most important animal of the locality is the Leopard. The park is situated in the south west of Gujarat, India. Climate in Gir remains soothing round the year for you to have a comfortable visit to the Gir National Park in Sasangir, Gujarat. This beautiful park is dotted with an abundance of flora and fauna.

Nearest Airport: Keshod

Nearest Railway: Junagadh Amreli

3) Pench, Madhya Pradesh:

Source: 365hops

The inspiration behind Rudyard Kipling’s  The Jungle Book, nestling in the minor southern reaches of the Satpuda hills is named after Pench River, spread through the park from north to south. It is situated on the southern edge of Madhya Pradesh, bordering Maharashtra, in the states of Seoni and Chhindwara .In Pench, Sambar, Cheetal, Nilgai are usually seen grazing on the free land on roadsides and river banks & reservoir. Herds of gaur can be marked near streams and bamboo patches regularly in summer months. Sloth beer occupies hilly, stony out crops and Chinkara are rarely present and are mostly found near the open areas around Turia & Telia.

Pench Tiger Reserve is a nature's paradise. Visited it so many times and was always mesmerized by its serene beauty and calmness. It’s a must visit for wildlife enthusiasts.

Nearest Airport & Railway station: Nagpur and Jabalpur

When:  November to June

4) Ranthambore, Rajasthan:

Source: tourmyindia

Being considered as one of the famous and former hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur, today the Ranthambore National Park terrain is major wildlife tourist attraction spot that has pulled the attention of many wildlife photographers and lovers in this destination. 

Ranthambore is a Tiger reserve, which is located in the district of Sawai Madhopur that is in the south-eastern part of the state of Rajasthan. Ranthambore National park is mainly famous for the Tigers living within this national park. Moreover, it is one of the finest locations within India to capture the majestic predators in a natural habitat. These Tigers can be easily spotted during the day busy in their daily quest of hunting and taking legitimate care of their budding ones. Ranthambore is also being counted as one of the famous world heritage sites because of the photographic ruins and the Historical fort that compliments the natural wildlife park.

If you go in the summer when the vegetation is dried up the chances of seeing a tiger are higher. The backdrops are jaw dropping.  Certainly, a visit to Ranthambore National Park is a treat for every wildlife and nature lover. The time spend on watching tigers roaming around, verdant greenery, a gamut of other species of chirpy birds and animals is priceless and worth enough to be explored at least once in a life.

Nearest Airport : Jaipur

Nearest railway station: Sawai Madhopur

5) Tadoba, Maharashtra:

Source: indiagetaways

Located in the Chandrapur District of Maharashtra, India, it is one of the prominent and unique tiger reserves in India and is also one among India's Project Tiger Reserves. Tadoba National Park is an abode of flora and fauna. A must see for every wildlife buff. There is surprise waiting for you at every nook and corner. Tadoba is often referred to as the jewel of Vidharbha because of its rich flora and fauna. A great variety of wildlife abounds in the deep valleys, grassy meadows and winding river beds besides, many other perennial water resources.

And, you might even have a date with the royal one in his/her royal paradise. A dry deciduous forest with a beautiful topography, Tadoba offers some of the best sightings of tigers, wild dogs, leopards, and other fauna. The jungle and areas surrounding the Lodge are excellent terrains for birding and walking safaris.

Nearest Aiport: Nagpur

Nearest Railway station: Chandrapur

When: October to June 

6) Jim Corbett, Uttarakhand:

 Source: mouthshut

The first recognised nature reserve in mainland Asia, Corbett National Park offers great sightings of Bengal tigers, bears and pythons. The Jim Corbett National Park is one of the most popular and travelled tourist spots of India. You can also enjoy the beautiful sound of birds at the Corbett. There are over 500 birds here and almost double the number migrate to the Jungles of Corbett every year. The Jim Corbett national park is a paradise for bird watchers. Right from the tiger’s roar that gives you goose bumps, to the chirping of the birds that is like music to the ears. Wildlife at its best can be found flourishing in Corbett. The wild beings not only reside here, they nurture here.

Nearest Airport: Phoolbagh in Pantnagar

Nearest Railway station: Ramnagar

When: November to June

7) Nagarhole, Karnataka:

Also known as the Rajiv Gandhi National Park, this is a famous wildlife sanctuary located in Coorg. A Tiger Reserve, the Nagarhole National Park is also a place to see wild elephants. Apart from tigers and elephants, this national park is home to wild dogs, gore and deer. The park is essentially a dense tropical forest. Through the jungle, there are streams that run through. Where you can spots wildlife activity.

The best season to visit the park is during the summer. Wild animals are seen resting beside water bodies. Tigers are almost always seen near water bodies. Visiting Nagarhole National Park during the rainy season is a damp experience. The rain creates muddy roads. And animals are not seen out in the open.

Nearest Airport : Bangalore

Nearest Railway station: Mysore

8) Sunderbans, West Bengal:

Sunderbans National Park, the land where entire wildlife embroidered to the perfection, is situated in South 24 Parganas at the most charismatic location of Sunderban delta which is largest delta of the world. The Sunderbans are a part of the world's largest delta formed by the rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna. Sundarban is a vast area covering 4262 square kms in India alone, with a larger portion in Bangladesh. 2585 sq. kms of the Indian Sundarban forms the largest Tiger Reserve and National Park in India.

The four Sunderbans national parks have been lumped together as they all share common features of the estuarine mangrove ecosystem. The main attractions of the Sunderbans are the Tiger, of which the delta harbour large reptiles like the Monitor Lizard, Estuarine Crocodile and the Olive Ridley Turtle, for which there is a conservation programme in the Indian park. The Leopard, Indian Rhinoceros, Javan Rhinoceros, Swamp Deer, Hog Deer and Water Buffalo have all become locally extinct from the delta in recent decades.

Nearest Aiport:  Kolkatta

Nearest Railway station: Howrah

When: December to February

9) Kanha, Madhya Pradesh:

Kanha National Park is one of the best national parks of India and stretched across Banjar and Halon valleys within the Mandla and Balaghat districts of state of Madhya Pradesh. Kanha National Park offers great odds of a tiger sighting, as well as 300 species of bird, including crested serpent eagles.

A heightened attraction within the Park is Bamni Dadar, popularly known as Sunset Point that offers the most awe-inspiring backdrop of the sunset against grazing Sambhars and Gaurs, magnifying the natural splendour of the area. Aside from its diverse wildlife and bird population, the frequent sightings of Tigers roaming in the wild at Kanha Wildlife Sanctuary remain the most popular draw.

Nearest Airport and railway : Nagput and Jabalpur

10) Kaziranga, Assam

Stretching along the edge of the Brahmaputra River, Kaziranga National Park is a World Heritage site and one of the last unspoiled wildernesses in eastern India. Kaziranga National Park a world heritage site, the park hosts two-thirds of the world’s Great One-horned rhinoceros. Kaziranga also boasts the highest density of tigers among the protected areas in the world and was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2006. The park and its environs have been designated a tiger reserve and a Birdlife International Important Bird Area. Explore the varied landscapes by elephant and venture through fields of elephant grass, marshlands, and dense forests to find tigers, greater one-horned rhinoceroses, Asian elephants, water buffalo, and more than 300 species of birds. Buffalo and more than 300 species of birds.

Nearest Airport: Jorhat

Nearest Railway: Guwahati

When: November to April

Please note (Park Timings): All national park operate from 6:30am - 9:30am, 1:30pm - 5:30pm. But it is best to confirm with the national park directly before planning your trip.

Have you been to any of these national parks? How was your expirience ? Comment below and let us know! 

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12 best national parks for jungle safari experience in india – love and conserve our wildlife.

India has amazing National Parks and forest reserves for enjoying exciting wildlife safaris. The alluring and enchanting wilderness of India is very rich in floral and faunal species.  Nobody can miss the powerful influence of nature from one’s life. One always needs an escape from the chaotic world of city life and elevates their spirit amidst the healing ambiance of nature. Nature plays an amazing role in inhaling and rejuvenating the spirit of mankind and the best vistas of nature can only be found where there is abundance of greenery.

India has an abundance of green forest reserves teeming with exotic wildlife.  Tourists from all across the globe once in a while visit Forest reserves and national parks to enjoy amazing wildlife safaris. Not only it offers thrilling adventure activities but also it refreshes one’s mind, body and soul from tiredness.

Where are you going this year for your holidays? You can plan wonderful and thrilling Jungle safaris in India’s best National Parks and Tiger Reserves. Here is the list of top 12 best National Parks for Jungle Safari experience in India-

Also Check Out: Best All-Inclusive Wildlife Safari Tour Packages

Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan

Ranthambore National Park offers one of the top jungle safaris in India. Here you will feel the heaven of refreshment all around, lush carpet of greenery, exotic wild animals creating an enchanting spell to seduce the mind of tourists.

Ranthambore National Park offers exciting opportunities for tiger sightings. The lofty Aravalli and Vindhya ranges in the background makes the park visually very appealing. Tourists and wildlife enthusiasts from all across the globe come here for an amazing wildlife experience. It is one of the best tiger Jungle safari destinations in India.

• Flora in Ranthambore National Park- Babul, Gurjan, Kadam, Khair, Khajur, Khakhera, Karel, Kikar, Mahua, Salar, Ronj, Tendu and Water Lilies etc.
• Fauna in Ranthambore National Park- Tiger, Sloth Bear, Leopard, Jackal, Fox, Hyena, Indian Wolf, Chital, Sambar Deer, Blue Bull Antelope or Nilgai, Rhesus Macaque and Langur etc

Best Time to Visit for Jungle Safari – October to June

Other Interesting Blogs to Read

• Best Places to Visit in Ranthambore
• Interesting Facts About Ranthambore National Park
• Ranthambore – Destination Wedding
• Hemis National Park

Hemis National Park is an enchanting wilderness to be healed and fine tune your spirit with the picturesque vistas of nature. Fresh tint of green trees, rivulets, wild calls of animals will definitely amaze your senses. You will completely forget yourself and embrace the wild heart of the jungle to sync with your inner soul’s adventurous nature. Here you will enjoy one of the most thrilling jungle safaris of India. There are around 70 mammal and 70 bird species in the park which will definitely blow your heart away with their wild calls and sweet chirpings.

• Flora in Hemis National Park – Anemone, Veronica, Delphinium, Gentiana, Lloydia and Kobresia etc.
• Fauna in Hemis National Park – Ladakh Urial, Tibetan Argali, Bharal, Tibetan Wild Ass and Dholes etc.

Best Time to Visit- May to October

Also Read: Wildlife Tourism in Leh Ladakh

Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh

The beauty of Bandhavgarh National Park will never dull your moment and fail to rejuvenate your senses. There is nothing else in the universe that has the capacity to heal your spirit then the influence of nature. The exotic wild animals decorate this heavenly paradise with their calls and smiles.

Bandhavgarh National Park will show you enchanting vistas of Vindhya mountains and the exotic wildlife will seduce your soul with the best safari experiences in India.

• Flora in Bandhavgarh Park – Dhauda, Sal forests, Tendu, Arjun, Palas, Gamar, Salai, Saja, Bhirra, Khair, Kusum, Haldu, Dhaman, Ambla, Arjun, Kapok, Amaltas, Mahua and Kalasiris etc.
• Fauna in Bandhavgarh Park- Chital, Tiger, Sambar Deer, Wild Pig, Chausingha, Gaur, Wild Boar, Bengal Fox, Sloth Bear, Chinkara, Dhole and Asiatic Jackal etc.

Best Time to Visit – October to June

• Top Things to Do in Bandhavgarh
• Night Safari in Bandhavgarh
• Hot Air Balloon Safari in Bandhavgarh

Gir National Park, Gujarat

Picturesque landscape of Gir National Park is very famous for Asiatic Wild Lions. Coming here for an amazing wildlife safari will make you rejoice like a child. From photographers to nature lovers, the beauty and habitat of Gir National Park will leave an amazing impression in your mind for a long time. The habitat of Gir National Park is entirely dry and deciduous which is best for Asiatic Lions. You will not find this species of lion anywhere in India. One more place where this species is found is the jungles of Africa. There are around 40 species of reptiles and amphibians and 200 species of avifauna. Wildlife lovers from all across the globe come here for the best wildlife tourism experience of India.

• Flora in Gir National Park – Jambu, Karanj, Umro, Vad, Kalam, Charal, Sirus, Amli, Tendu, Dhak, Zizyphas and Jamun etc.
• Fauna in Gir National Park- Sambar deer, Chousingha, Jackal, India Fox, Hyena, Four-Horned Antelope and Asiatic Lions etc.

Best Time to Visit- November to March

Other Interesting Blog to Read

• Gir National Park- Meet Majestic Asiatic Lion

Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Listen to the music of nature, wild gaze of animals and soothing picturesque vistas will take you in the world of serenity and tranquillity. For a refreshing holiday experience, the wildlife Safari of Kanha National Park is one of the best jungle safari experiences in India. Match your heart beat with the rhythm of nature.

Kanha National Park is an enchanting wilderness for wildlife and nature lovers. It was used by famous novelist Rudyard Kipling as a background for his novel -Jungle Book. The verdant green vistas of the picturesque landscapes of this park will take your breath away.

• Flora in Kanha National Park- Sal, Saja, Lendia, Dhawa, Tendu, Palas, Bija, Mahua, Aonla, Achar and Bamboo.
• Fauna in Kanha National Park- Tiger, Leopard, Wild Dog, Sloth Bear, Foxes, Jackals, Panther, Chital, Sambhar, Black Buck, Barking Deer, Barahsingha and Gaur etc.

Best Time to Visit- October to June

• Top 10 Activities to Enjoy in and around Kanha National Park
• What is the Best Time to Visit Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh?

Kaziranga National Park, Assam

The enchanting world of wilderness in Kaziranga National Park , its Eden- like beauty, lush greenery- Stop and let it embrace your tired spirit with its healing touch and sing you a lullaby to rejuvenate your mind, body and soul. Spot amazing wild animals who roam freely will brace you up with vitality.

Kaziranga National Park Located in Nagao district of Assam is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is very popular for One- horned Rhino sightings which is one of the most endangered rhino species in the world. The Brahmaputra River at the fringes, stunning grasslands, beautiful meadows and breath-taking migratory birds attracts lots of wildlife lovers every year.  It is one of the top jungle Safari destinations to visit in India for amazing wildlife adventures.

• Flora in Kaziranga Park – Albizia procera, Duabanga Grandiflora, Lagerstroemia Speciosa, Crateva Unilocularis, Sterculia Urens, Grewia Serrulata, Mallotus Philippensis etc.
• Fauna in Kaziranga Park – One-Horned Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger, Asian Elephant, Wild Water Buffalo and Swamp Deer etc.

Best Time to Visit- November to April

• Top Activities to Enjoy in and around Kaziranga National Park
• When is the Best Time to Visit Kaziranga National Park in Assam?

Satpura National Park, Madhya Pradesh

When you come to contemplate the beauty of Satpura National Park ; in its picturesque landscape you will find the richness in its quality of ambiance. Wild animals roam freely here and will gaze at you with excitement and the thrill of Jungle Safari at every moment here will never make you feel dull for a moment.

Located in the south of river Narmada, the stunning ranges of Pachmarhi plateau, dense teak forests, exotic animals from Nilgiri areas will captivate your heart. It offers one of the best Jungle Safaris in India.

• Flora in Satpura National Park- Sal, Teak, Tendu, Phyllanthus Emblica, Mahua, Bel, Bamboo, and Grasses etc.
• Fauna in Satpura National Park- Giant Squirrel, Indian Skimmer, Black Bellied Tern, Leaf-nosed Bat, leopard, sloth Bear, tigers, Wild boar, Wild Dog and Black Buck etc.
• Best Places to Explore in Madhya Pradesh

Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Visiting Pench National Park is like a doorway to a new world full of enchantment and thrill. It is one of the best National Parks for an amazing Wildlife Safari experience in India. Exotic wild creatures with their wild calls makes the entire habitat alive which gives thrill to the spirit in abundance.

Pench National Park is a treasure trove of amazing exotic wildlife species and floral species. Come here to admire the greenery all around and listen to the wild calls of animals to understand them better.

• Flora in Pench National Park- Moyan, Mahua, Mokha, Skiras, Tendu, Bija, achar, Garari, Aonla, Ghont, Baranga, Aonla,Khair, Bhirra, Palas, Skiras and Khamali etc.
• Fauna in Pench National Park- Sloth Bear, Chousingha, Chinkara, Barking Deer, Jackal, Fox, Palm Civet, Small Indian Civet, Jungle Cat and Hyena etc.

Best Time to Visit- October to February

Also Read: Wildlife of Madhya Pradesh

Periyar National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala

Your Holidays will make you feel a lot better when you add thrill and excitement to it. What’s a better way than spending it in Periyar wildlife Sanctuary? It’s wonderful wildlife experience will make your holidays in India awesome.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best national parks for tiger jungle safaris in India. Located in Kerala, the beauty of this park will mesmerise your soul. You will witness alluring sights of wild elephants, deers and delightful birds. The natural vistas and soothing ambiance of calm nature will refresh your mind.

• Flora in Periyar National Park- Teak, Rosewood, Tamarind, Mango, Jamun, Pipal, Gulmohar, Plumeria, Banyan, Sandalwood and Eucalyptus etc.
• Fauna in Periyar National Park – Leopard, Sambar Deer, Indian Bison, Indian Wild Dog, Asian Elephant, and Barking Deer, Long-Tailed Macaque, Bonnet Macaque, and Nilgiri Langur etc
• Birds in Periyar National Park- Malabar grey hornbill, Indian Pied Hornbill, White-Bellied Treepie and Malabar Trogon etc

Also Read: Wildlife of Kerala

Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal

One must visit Sundarbans National Park once in a lifetime. It is a UNESCO world Heritage Site. Its awe-inspiring landscape will evoke the artist in you. Nature and the wild is a journey here to the most perfect kind of refreshment which you will not be able to get anywhere else.

It is the largest mangrove forest in the world which covers an area of 10, 00 sq. km. Various creeks and tributaries offer delightful wildlife sightings and nature vistas. It is one of the most popular wildlife destinations to visit in India. Wildlife lovers come here for awesome Royal Bengal Sightings and it also houses around 260 species of birds which makes it a best bird watching paradise in India.

• Flora in Sunderban- Sundari Tree, Goran, Keora, Gewa, Dhundul, Kankra, Khagra and Spear Grass etc.
• Fauna in Sunderban- Royal Bengal Tiger, Wild Boars, Fishing Cats, Macaques, Common Grey Mongooses, Foxes, Jungle Cats, Flying Foxes, Pangolins, and Spotted Deer etc.

Best Time to Visit- October to March

• Best Places to Explore & Top Things to Do in Sundarban National Park

Tadoba Andhari National Park, Maharashtra

Tadoba Andhari National Park’s landscapes will give you surprises each moment. It will enchant you with its amazing floral and faunal species. Sometimes decked in simplicity, sometimes with the vitality of the wild nature changes here every moment. It is one of the best places to enjoy Wildlife Safari.

Being the largest national parks for tiger sightings in Maharashtra it is very popular among wildlife lovers. The deep valleys and dense forests of the park are quite a scenic sight to behold for nature photography. Indeed, one must visit here for thrilling Jungle Safaris in India.

• Flora in Tadoba Park- Teak, Bamboo, Hald, Salai, Semal, Beheda, Hirda, Karaya Gum, Mahua Madhuca, Lannea and Tendu
• Fauna in Tadoba Park- Roya lBengal Tigers , Sloth Bears, Leopards, Gaurs, Nilgais, Civets, Striped Hyenas, Sambars, Barking Deers, Chitals and Wild Dogs etc.
• Best Time to Visit Tadoba Tiger Reserve
• Best Hotels & Resorts to Stay in Tadoba National Park

Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand

Come here and get lost in its picturesque landscapes, refreshing vibes and soothing ambiance forever. Jim Corbett National Park is one of the most popular National Parks of India for tiger jungle safari.  It is a place where the first tiger project was launched in 1973. The boundless sides of the forests will reveal amazing floral and wildlife species which will make your soul blossom with thrill and joy.

Eye captivating grasslands, soulful migratory birds, alluring hills and stunning ravine belts offers mind boggling experience of wildlife holidays to the tourists.

• Flora in Corbett Park- Trees, Shrubs, Narkul, Tiger Grass, Herbs, Bamboos, Grasses, Climbers, Bel, Kusum, Mahua, Bakli, Amla, Dhak, White Flowers, Big Red Blooms and Ferns etc.
• Fauna in Corbett Park- Royal Bengal Tiger, Asiatic Elephant, Hog Deer, Walking Deer, Sambar, Sloth Beer, Yellow-throated marten, Otters and Asiatic Black Bear etc.

Best Time to Visit- October to Mid-June

Visiting all these enchanting National Parks is in itself a mind-boggling experience for a lifetime. Why are you still waiting for a perfect time?  Now that you have the best list, Plan an amazing wildlife vacation in India.

Other Important Wildlife Tourism Links

• Famous National Parks of India
• Popular Bird Sanctuaries in India
• Top Places for Snow Leopard Sighting in India

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which are the top jungle safaris destinations in north india.

Top Jungle Safari destinations in North India are –

• Ranthambore National Park
• Jim Corbett National Park
• Dachigam National Park
• Dudhwa National Park
• Great Himalayan National Park
• Rajaji National Park
• Sariska National Park
• Kishtwar National Park
• Salim Ali National Park

Which are the best jungle safaris destinations in South India?

Best jungle safaris destinations in South India are-

• Bandipur National Park
• Periyar National Park
• Mudumalai National Park
• Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary
• Nagarhole National Park
• Bannerghatta National Park
• R Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
• Kudremukh National Park
• Eravikulam National Park
• Guindy National Park
• Silent Valley National Park
• Mukurthi National Park
• Sri Venkateshwara National Park

Which are the best jungle safari places in Gujarat?

Best Jungle Safari Places in Gujarat are-

• Marine National Park
• Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary
• Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary
• Mitiyala Wildlife Sanctuary
• Pania Wildlife Sanctuary
• Purna Wildlife Sanctuary
• Wild Ass Sanctuary
• Nal Sarovar Birds Sanctuary
• Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary
• Barda Wildlife Sanctuary
• Rampara Wildlife Sanctuary
• Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
• Balaram Ambaji Wildlife Sanctuary
• Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary
• Barda Hills Wildlife Sanctuary

Which are the best national parks in India to explore Lions, Tigers, Leopards & Bears?

The best national parks in India to explore Lions, Tigers, Leopards & Bears are –

• Bandhavgarh National Park
• Gir National Park (For Lions)
• Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve
• Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary
• Panna Tiger Reserve
• Jhalana Leopard Safari Park
• Kanha Tiger Reserve
• Sundarbans National Park
• The Great Himalayan National Park
• Dandeli wildlife Sanctuary
• Pench National Park

Which is the best time to plan jungle safari holidays in India?

The best time to plan an awesome Jungle Safari in India between the months of October to Mid-June. If you want to explore nature and wildlife in amazing weather then plan your visit in Winter months but if you really want to catch the sight of wild tigers then summer time is the best for this. During summer Tigers and other wild creatures come near water bodies to quench their thirst and you can click their pictures at that time.

Published: 23 Apr, 2022

About the author

Pallavi Roy

She is a candle who burns and melts in the chaos of infinity, from where her visceral whistles and leaves an imprint of desire in her heart to know the map of an Island where there are different sunrises and sunsets. Her curiosity brightens to conquer the hearts unrelieved and sometimes mysterious. Her name is - Pallavi Roy - A traveller by soul and a writer by Profession.

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Experience the Culture and Traditions of Local Communities on a Jungle Safari

by Forsyth | April 3, 2023

In today’s world, traveling is more than just seeing new places and taking pictures. It’s about immersing oneself in a different culture, learning new ways of life, and experiencing unique traditions. One of the best ways to achieve this is through jungle safari adventures. A jungle safari offers an opportunity to witness the beauty of nature, encounter wildlife, and connect with local communities. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of cultural immersion in travel, the regions of the world for jungle safari adventures, indigenous communities and their unique ways of life, cultural activities on a jungle safari adventure, traditional foods and beverages to try on your safari, festivals and celebrations of local communities, responsible travel and supporting local communities, selecting the right jungle safari tour company, and why a jungle safari adventure is the ultimate cultural immersion experience.

The Importance of Cultural Immersion in Travel

Traveling is not only about visiting tourist sites but also about experiencing new cultures. Cultural immersion is essential in travel because it allows travelers to learn about the local way of life, history, and traditions. It broadens one’s perspective, improves understanding, and enhances empathy towards different people and cultures. Cultural immersion creates meaningful connections, promotes mutual respect, and reduces cultural barriers. Moreover, it enriches the travel experience, makes it more authentic and memorable.

Regions of the World for Jungle Safari Adventures

Jungle safari adventures can be found in many regions around the world. Each of these regions offers unique landscapes, wildlife, and cultural experiences.

• Indian Jungle Safari India is home to a number of national parks and wildlife reserves, including Bandhavgarh National Park, Kanha National Park, and Satpura National Park. These parks are known for their tiger populations, and visitors can take jeep or elephant safaris to see these majestic animals in their natural habitat.
• African Savannahs The African Savannahs are home to some of the most iconic animals on the planet, including lions, zebras, and giraffes. Kenya’s Masai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park are two of the most popular safari destinations in Africa. With a variety of tour packages available, visitors can experience everything from hot air balloon rides to guided walking safaris.
• South American Rainforests The Amazon rainforest in South America is the largest rainforest in the world and is home to a staggering array of plant and animal species. Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador all offer jungle safari experiences in the Amazon, with opportunities to spot monkeys, toucans, and jaguars.
• Australian Outback The Australian outback may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of jungle safari adventures, but this arid landscape is home to a variety of unique wildlife. Visitors can take guided tours to see kangaroos, wallabies, and even crocodiles in the wild.
• Southeast Asian Rainforests The rainforests of Southeast Asia are known for their biodiversity, with a variety of rare and endangered species found nowhere else on earth.

Indigenous Communities and Their Unique Ways of Life

The opportunity to meet and interact with indigenous communities is one of the jungle safari adventure’s most enriching experiences. These communities have distinctive ways of life that frequently have a strong connection to the natural world. For example, the Maasai people of East Africa have a rich cultural heritage that revolves around their relationship with the land and their livestock. They are known for their vibrant traditional dress, their intricate beadwork, and their close connection to the wildlife around them.

Similarly, Satpura National Park , located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, is home to several indigenous communities. Who have lived in harmony with the forest for generations. These communities have their unique ways of life and practices, which have helped them sustainably manage the natural resources of the forest.

• The Gond tribe is one of the indigenous communities that live in and around Satpura National Park. They are known for their unique farming practices, which involve using a mix of indigenous seeds and modern agricultural techniques. The Gond people also believe that the forest has a soul and should be respected because they have a profound spiritual connection to it.
• The Baiga tribe is another indigenous community in the area, known for their traditional knowledge of medicinal plants and their use in treating various ailments. They also practice shifting cultivation, which involves clearing small areas of forest and cultivating crops for a few years before moving on to a new plot.
• The Korku tribe is also found in the region, they have a special approach to hunting utilizing bow and bolts, which they make from materials viewed as in the backwoods. Their baskets are in high demand on the local market due to their expertise in basket weaving.

Cultural Activities on a Jungle Safari Adventure

In addition to meeting with indigenous communities, there are many other cultural activities and adventures you can see on a jungle safari experience . For example, visitors can attend traditional dance performances, learn about local handicrafts, and participate in cooking classes where they can learn to prepare traditional dishes.

• Visit the nearby village: Taking a tour of the nearby villages to experience the local way of life. Interact with the villagers, observe their daily activities, and learn about their customs and traditions.
• Visit a local school: Visiting a local school and interacting with the students and teachers to learn about the education system in the region is one of the activities you can do while interacting with locals.
• Learn about traditional art and craft: Engage in a workshop to learn about the traditional art and craft of the region, such as pottery, weaving, and painting.
• Attend a cultural performance: Attend a traditional dance or music performance to experience the local culture and traditions.
• Participate in a cooking class: Learning how to cook local cuisine using traditional methods and ingredients can be a very interesting activity that you can do with locals.
• Visit a tribal market: Visit a local tribal market to observe the vibrant local culture and purchase unique handicrafts and souvenirs.
• Learn about conservation efforts: Engage in a conversation with the staff at Forsyth Lodge to learn about their conservation efforts and how they are working to preserve the local ecosystem and culture.

Traditional Foods and Beverages to Try on Your Safari

Food is an essential part of any cultural experience, and a jungle safari adventure is no exception. Visitors can try traditional dishes that are unique to the regions they are visiting. For example, in Africa, visitors can try dishes such as ugali, a maize-based staple food, or nyama choma, which is grilled meat.

In South America, visitors can sample dishes such as ceviche, a dish made from raw fish marinated in citrus juices, or ajiaco, a soup made with chicken, potatoes, and corn. In Southeast Asia, visitors can try dishes such as pad thai, a stir-fried noodle dish, or nasi goreng, a rice dish with spices and vegetables.

If you’re planning a safari to India, You should visit Forsyth Lodge in Satpura National Park, there are a few traditional foods and beverages that you should definitely try during your stay. Here are some suggestions:

• Dal Bafla – This is a most famous traditional dish from Madhya Pradesh, and you should must try if you are in satpura. It consists of a dough ball made of wheat and gram flour, which is boiled and then roasted. It’s served with dal (lentil soup), ghee (clarified butter), and chutney (a spicy sauce made from various ingredients).
• Bhutte ki Khees – This is a savory & spicy dish made from grated corn, onions, and spices. It’s a popular street food in Madhya Pradesh and is normally served with a side of green chutney.
• Gond ke Ladoo – Gond ke ladoo is a traditional healthiest Indian sweet made from gond (edible gum resin), whole wheat flour, ghee, and sugar. It’s a high-energy food that’s traditionally eaten during winters to keep the body warm.

Festivals and Celebrations of Local Communities

One of the most exciting ways to experience local culture on a jungle safari adventure is to attending festivals and celebrations. These events are often deeply rooted in local traditions and offer a unique opportunity to witness cultural practices in action.

Here are some of the festivals and celebrations of local communities in Satpura National Park:

• Bhagoria Festival: This festival is celebrated by the Bhil and Bhilala tribes of the Satpura region. It usually falls in the month of March and is a celebration of love and marriage. Young men and women gather at a designated spot, where they choose their partners for life. The festival also involves traditional dances, music, and food.
• Madai Festival: The Gond tribe of Satpura National Park celebrates the Madai festival in the month of January. The festival is a celebration of the harvest and is marked by the sacrifice of a goat or a buffalo. The Gond people also perform traditional dances and music during the festival.

Responsible Travel and Supporting Local Communities

Responsible travel is a mindset that promotes sustainable tourism practices that benefit local communities and the environment. As a responsible traveler, you can make a positive impact on the places you visit by supporting local businesses and preserving natural resources. One of the best ways to support local communities is by choosing a jungle safari tour company that prioritizes responsible tourism practices.

Many jungle safari tour companies work closely with local communities to ensure that their tours are sustainable and benefit the local economy. These companies often employ local guides and provide training and education opportunities for community members. They may also support community development projects such as schools, health clinics, and conservation initiatives.

Going on a jungle safari can be an incredible opportunity to experience the culture and traditions of local communities. These tours often take you off the beaten path, into areas where you can see traditional ways of life up close and personal. However, to get the most out of your experience, it is important to choose the right jungle safari tour company.

When selecting a tour company for jungle safari, the first thing you want to consider is their reputation. Look for reviews from past customers, both on the company’s website and on independent travel review websites. This will give you a good idea of what to expect in terms of quality, safety, and customer service.

It is also important to look for a tour company that is committed to responsible and sustainable tourism. This means that they are working to minimize their impact on the environment and local communities, while also providing economic benefits to those communities. Ask about the company’s policies on waste management, local employment, and community development initiatives.

When it comes to actually experiencing the culture and traditions of local communities, there are a few things you can do to make the most of your jungle safari adventure. First, be respectful of local customs and traditions. Dress appropriately, follow local etiquette, and ask permission before taking photos or entering sacred spaces.

Another way to immerse yourself in local culture is to engage with the people you meet. Strike up a conversation with your guide or other locals, learn about their way of life, and try to see the world from their perspective. You may also want to participate in cultural activities such as traditional dance performances or cooking classes.

In conclusion, a jungle safari adventure can be an incredible opportunity to experience the culture and traditions of local communities. By selecting the right tour company and being respectful and engaged during your trip, you can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the people and places you encounter. So if you’re looking for a unique cultural immersion experience, a jungle safari may be just what you’re looking for.

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India » Places

Introduction to The Top 15 Jungle Safaris in India

• Updated April 3, 2024

• A List of Must-Visit Jungle Safaris in India
• Enlisting Lesser-Known Wildlife Safari Gems of the Country
• What to Prepare For Your Wildlife Safari Experience?
• How to Ensure the Best Experience For You and Your Travel Companions During the Safari?

As experiential travel gains momentum as an emerging trend during the post-COVID times, the concept of experience-based travel is not a new one. Jungle Safari has been an evergreen travel choice for many travelers around the globe. In an abundantly environment-rich nation like India, there’s a plethora of options available to explore the jungles with the medium of safaris. Some of the earliest established jungle safari parks established in India date back to 1936. 

A country embedded with natural treasures from tip to toe has a wide-spread abundance of variety for wildlife safari opportunities dispersed in each state. Although mentioning safari parks from each state would be a hefty task, here’s still an attempt to curate a list of all the jungle safari you must add to your adventure bucket list today.

A List of Must-Visit Jungle Safaris in India 

As the saying goes, India is an embodiment of all the cultures of the world. It is also evident that the country is brimming with thriving wildlife in every direction. To suffice up to par with this claim, here’s a list of the most famous and well-known wildlife sanctuaries in India.

• Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand 

If there’s one true location that has immortalized the wildlife safari influence nationwide, it would be the OG, Jim Corbett National Park. Jim Corbett National Park is not only India’s safari gem and the best place to visit in May , but it also is the first Asian National Park. 

The name of the park originates from the famous hunter and explorer Jim Corbett, the man who hunted only man-eating tigers in the region. Jim Corbett consists of 4 zones open for visitation – Dhikala, Jhirna, Bijrani, and Durga Devi. Animals such as Bengal Tigers, chitals, deer, Asiatic elephants and black bears, otters, gharial, Golden oriole, and a number of species of birds can be easily spotted throughout the property. It is seemingly one of the places that entail many top hill stations in India .

• National Park is open for jungle safari
• Best time to visit: March to May
• Duration: Schedule at least 5 hours for the safari ride 
• Jim Corbett safari price: Jeep safari charges – INR 4500 (Indians); INR 7500 (Foreigners); Canter safari charges – INR 1200 (Indians); INR 3000 (Foreigners); Elephant safari charges – INR 3500 (both Indian and Foreigners)
• Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan

Following suit the trail of popularity amidst the most prominent jungle safaris in India to visit during October is the Ranthambore National Park, which is based in Rajasthan. This 1,300 square kilometers of land houses a dwindling population of tigers. The explorers of this park can easily spot these majestic beasts in their natural habitat.

Apart from tigers, Ranthambore also houses a wide range of wild animals, such as Sloth Bears, Wild Boards, Monitor lizards, Indian chameleons, Indian flying foxes, and Sambars. The national park is also famous amongst wildlife photography enthusiasts.

• Duration required for the Ranthambore safari: Approximately 3.5 hours, excluding pit stops for selfie sessions
• Price of Ranthambore jungle safari: Ranthambore jeep safari – INR 1500 per person (Indians); INR 2900 per person (foreigners); Ranthambore Canter safari – INR 1200 per person (Indians); INR 2300 per person (foreigners); Special safari half-day: INR 46,000 (Indians); INR 56,000 (Foreigners); Special safari for full-day: INR 57,000 (Indians); INR 72,000 (Foreigners)
• Gir National Park, Gujarat

The feeling of intruding into someone else’s territory upon entering Gir National Park is rather pronounced. This is the land of lions, crocodiles, hyenas, or leopards and is one of the most visited Indian places during December . The flora here is incredible, with half the park area covered by teak forest, amla, timru, and khair, among others. Of course, the Asiatic Lions are the lords here, and they are a spectacular sight.

Apart from them, the other highly sighted spotter animal in the park is the Chital or the Indian spotted deer. Striped hyenas and wild boars are other attractions. Here, one can also spot a fascinating variety of birds, such as the Malabar whistling thrush to the Paradise flycatcher. Like the King of the Jungle, Gir is the kind of Indian jungle safari tour.

• Best time to visit: December to March
• Duration required for the Gir safari: 3 hours
• Price of Gir jungle safari: For Indian residents for up to 6 people is Rs.800-1000. The extra Child Fee is Rs. 100 for normal days and Rs. 125 for festivals/Saturday/Sunday
• For foreigners, the entry fee for up to 6 people for normal days is Rs. 5600 – 7000. The extra Child Fee is Rs. 1400 for normal days and Rs. 1750 for festivals/Saturday/Sunday.
• Charges For Other Services
• The vehicle fee at Gir Jungle Trail is Rs.1700 per jeep.
• If you want to have a professional photo, then the charges per Camera are Rs.200 for Indians and Rs. 1400 for Foreigners.
• The service for professional guides who will be responsible for providing you with all the information about every single species charge between Rs.400-700.
• Up to 6 persons – Rs.3800 – 4800 (Indian resident)
• Up to 6 persons – Rs.14500 – 17500 (Foreign resident)
• Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Ever since the outstanding feature in ‘Mowgli,’ the Kanha National Park has garnered the attention of the world. As mentioned in the book and the movie, animals such as panthers, bears, pythons, and elephants can be spotted in this nature haven. The park is divided into four zones – Kanha, Sarahi, Kisli, and Mukki zone.

A visit to this park will have you reminiscing about one of your favorite childhood tales. Spot packs of tigers roam around the property, making it their habitat. This place is also renowned for housing one of the most unique and historical places in India , the Khajurao temple.

• Best time to visit: October to mid-June
• Duration of safari: 3 hours for jeep safari
• Kanha Safari Charges for Regular Safari Ride:
• For Full Vehicle Permit: Online booking charges for full vehicle: 6500
• For Single Seat Permit:
• Online booking charges for a single seat: Rs 250 + 10 online portal fees= Rs 260
• Total charges per person- Rs 655 per safari per gypsy per person.
• Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh

The Bandhavgarh National Park once served as a hunting ground for royal families in Madhya Pradesh. The area has now been cloistered as a protected reserve for the Royal Bengal Tiger.

This majestic reserve is one of the most densely populated tiger sanctuaries in the country ever since the population has thrived in the park. Likewise, animals other than tigers, such as leopards, Neelghai, barking deer, Bengal foxes, striped hyenas, and others, are sheltered in this sanctuary.

• Best time to visit: October to June
• Duration of safari: 3–4 hours
• Safari charges in Bandhavgarh National Park: Jeep safari prices – INR 6500/jeep
• Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh 

Encircling the outskirts of Madhya Pradesh is the Pench National Park is one of the best Indian places to visit in April . The serene park sprawls over 400 square kilometers and is mostly renowned for being a tiger reserve. However, apart from the tigers, the Pench is also home to nilgais, leopards, and wild boars.

The key attraction of this park entails its diverse vegetation. The flora is as important to this reserve as much as the fauna. The wide variety of plant life ranges from plants growing in moist areas to trees that grow in dry, arid regions. 

• Safari duration: 3–5 hours; one in the morning and one in the evening;
• Pench National Park safari charges: Approx INR 3000 per gypsy/jeep per safari, including guide fee of INR 300
• Sunderbans Wildlife Sanctuary, West Bengal 

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the largest Tiger Reserve and National Park in India, it’s the only apt description to introduce the Sunderbans Wildlife Sanctuary with these remarkable renditions. This national park stands atop amidst the choices of places to visit for wildlife safari in India. Sunderbans partake in forming the world’s largest delta, formed by Rivers Ganga, the Brahmaputra, and the Meghna. 

A wildlife safari experience at this place acts as an opportunity for you to come across the fabled tiger alongside other forms of wildlife fauna, including the rhesus monkey and the chital deer. The Sunderbans National Park is also widely renowned for its Ridley Sea Turtles. 

• Best time to visit: September to March
• Duration of the Sundarbans Safari: Due to the unique landscape, Sundarbans National Park only offers boat safaris and no jeep safaris. The safari timings are usually between 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
• The entry fee: The entry fee to visit Sundarbans National Park is INR 60 for Indians and INR 200 for International Tourists.
• Periyar National reserve

The first South Indian wildlife reserve on this list is here. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is a lush and beautiful reserve located in Kerala. The sanctuary is known for its picturesque scenic beauty, most of which comes from the western ghats enveloping it. 

This national reserve serves as a home to many tigers and elephants. Along with safaris, it also offers boat rides around the park.

• Best time to visit: September to January
• Safari duration: 4–5 hours
• Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary safari charges: Jeep safari – INR 2000 per person
• Kaziranga National Park, Assam

This North-Eastern gem of a place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Kaziranga National Park in Assam embodies an area of 420 square kilometers and houses the one-horned rhinoceros.

The population of species of rhinoceros present at this location is the largest in the world. Apart from the rhinos, animals such as elephants, bears, and panthers on your safari can also be found here.

• Best time to visit: November to April
• Safari duration: 2 Hours
• Safari charges at Kaziranga National Park: INR 3800-4500 per jeep

Enlisting Lesser-Known Wildlife Safari Gems of The Country 

• Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka 

The Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Karnataka. It provides shelter to many species of animals like deer, cheetahs, elephants, panthers, leopards, and others. The sanctuary is also home to more than 250 species of birds, including migration birds.

• Best time to visit: October – February
• Safari duration for Kabini jungle safari: Approximately 3 hours
• Safari charges: The safari costs around Rs. 900 per person per safari
• Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharashtra 

Located in Maharashtra, the Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary is the nature’s museum for those who love wildlife. This enriching reserve offers a sanctuary to 34 species of mammals,166 species of birds, including migration birds, and many more animals. Needless to mention that this sanctuary is a renowned hub for bird spotting. Mostly sighted animals here are bison, tiger, deer, barking deer, wild dog, chital, Indian gaur, and others.

• Best time to visit: March to June
• Safari duration for Nagzira jungle safari: Between 4 and 5 hours
• Safari charges: Rs 50 onwards
• Dibru Saikhowa National Park, Assam 

Dimwitted by the limelight of Kaziranga, Dibru Saikhowa National Park is another hidden gem of a sanctuary that beautifies Assam. This park is bountiful with rare species of animals and fishes. This is the place that provides a home to the rare white-winged wood duck. Animals such as capped langur, parrotbill, water buffalo, tiger, and others can also be spotted here.

• Safari duration for Dibru Saikhowa Jungle safari: 
• Safari charges: As this safari is brimming with adventurous tasks that come with different modes of safaris, it would be wise to check this website for your reference:

http://www.dibrusaikhowaecocamp.com/ds_tour_packages.php

• Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat

The Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary is a bird sanctuary located in Gujarat. It is well-known for more than 300 species of migratory birds during the season. This sanctuary is also known for its extraordinarily diverse landforms, such as marshlands, salt-water sources, freshwater lakes, dams, creeks, and many more.

• Best time to visit: October to March
• Safari duration for Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary safari: 2-3 hours
• Safari charges as per the vehicle of choice: 
• Car & Jeep (up to 6 persons): Rs. 400 for Indians & USD 40 for Foreigners.
• Matador Car, Station Wagon, (4 up to 15 people): Rs. 1000 for Indians & USD 100 for Foreigners.
• Heavy Motor Vehicles-Bus (4 up to 60 people): Rs. 3500 for Indians & USD 350 for Foreigners.
• Tal Chhapar Sanctuary, Rajasthan 

The Tal Chhapar Sanctuary is famous for its blackbuck reservation. It is located in Rajasthan. This sanctuary beholds an exceptional biosystem in this desert region. This thorny-sand forest sanctuary is famous for numerous species of migratory birds that visit during September. Animals that can be spotted other than blackbuck are desert cats, and desert foxes, among many others.

• Best time to visit: November to February
• Safari duration for Tal Chhapar safari: Between 8 AM to 5 PM
• Safari charges: Rs. 20 per person and Rs. 3500 per jeep safari trip
• Dachigam National Park, Srinagar 

This national park engulfed in the valleys of Srinagar is created on the regions that were once a collection of ten villages. The Dachigam national park is known for its varying altitude and sloping grasslands ending with rocky cliffs. Dagwan River flows through the park and is enriched with varied types of species of fish. Other than that, animals to spot here are black bear, brown bear, leopard cat, stag, langur, jackal, hill fox, marten, and marmot, among many others.

• Best time to visit: April to August
• Safari duration for Dachigam National Park safari: Invites visitors between 8 AM to 6 PM
• Safari charges:
• Entry Fee For Indians – per Person Rs.25/-.
• Entry is free for Children less than 10 years of age
• For Students and Teachers, Rs.2/-.
• For Still Camera shooting Rs.100/- per camera.
• For Foreigners – per person Rs.50/-.
• For Students and Teachers, Rs.10/-.
• For Still Camera shooting, Rs.200/- per camera.

What to Prepare For Your Wildlife Safari Experience? 

• Make sure to avoid planning your adventurous expeditions during rainy seasons, as the chances of a landslide always increase during that time of the year. This is the reason why most wildlife reserves do not even open during the monsoon season.
• Please check beforehand the allowed equipment by the safari organizers, in case you encapture your safari experience in photographs or videos.
• Always keep an extra pair of clothing with you as the weather in the forest is always unpredictable, and it’s better to be safe than sorry. 
• It is important for you to stay quiet and refrain from making any noises unless you want to have the wild animal’s attention on you.
• Refrain from offering eatables to the animals unless the safari guide allows it.
• Do not litter in the jungle while on a safari in India. The environment is precious; let’s keep it that way and practice the good habit of keeping our trash to ourselves before we can properly dispose of it.
• Please do not smoke in the jungle. Even the slightest sparks of fire can lead to a major wildfire accident, causing harm to both the animals and the environment.

How to Ensure The Best Experience For You and Your Travel Companions During the Safari? 

• Congratulations! You’re doing the first step already. Which is researching thoroughly about the destination and making your choice wisely.
• Consider the desirable duration of your safari journey and decipher if your choice of safari provides the said duration of services.
• Be careful and mindful while enjoying this expenditure.
• Ask about the ways you can make contributions to the wildlife of the sanctuary and the local communities.
• Share your experience with your community and generate awareness about how to make this planet a better place for wildlife creatures.

Although this one-step guide is an information tool for your reference, it is advisable to curate a list of deciding factors that are absolutely essential for you. After all, it will be most beneficial to make your experience as customized as possible. We sincerely hope you have the time of your life with experience. Adventure awaits you!

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Which One Comes Under The Best Safaris in India?

Ans: It is an undeniable fact that the Indian jungle safari diaspora is plentiful. This could be the reason behind getting the traveler confused about which one to pick for their next excursion. To help you choose the right options according to your requirements, there are plenty of lists in this article to guide you properly. 

Which is the best jungle safari?

Ans: It is a question that only you can answer yourself, as each person seeks a different experience based on their requirements and whereabouts. So, which is the best jungle safari for you?  

Which season is best for jungle safari?    

Ans: Between June and October, during the dry season of the year.

Which is the 1st safari park in India?

Ans: Jim Corbett National Park was established in 1936.

Which jungle has the most tigers in India?

Ans: Again, Jim Corbett National Park.

Which city is known as a tiger city in India?

Ans: Nagpur

How much does jungle safari cost in India?

Ans: It depends on the location you choose for your next excursion.

What is a jungle safari short note?

Ans: It can be described as a forest trail that can be walked through, trekked upon, or explored with a jeep.

Which is the No 1 national park in India?

Ans: Kaziranga National Park.

Which district is famous for jungle safari?

Ans: Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan

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• 3 years ago by Claire Trickett

90 words to use on your next safari

From aardvark to zebra, each grouping or ‘family’ of animals has its own collective noun….

A safari is at the top of many a bucket list. And for good reason. Whether it’s your first game drive or your 100th, each and every one is an adventure; a true broadening of horizons; an education for the mind; and a rejuvenation of the soul.

Fully kitted out in brand new khakis, with cameras and binoculars at the ready, wildlife and nature enthusiasts from around the world eagerly clamber up onto the rugged Landcruiser. Barely able to contain their childlike excitement, they embark on a safari into the unknown.

For the next few hours, or days, they will be captivated by nature’s beauty, mesmerised by the most fascinating facts and regaled with stories (and safari words) they’ll continue to tell their own friends and families for years to come.

While on a safari, you get to do things you’ve only ever dreamed of. Like listening to the grunting gnus of the Great Migration as they traverse the mighty plains of East Africa. Or riding a horse in the African wilderness alongside curious zebra and giraffe (image © Kaskazi Horse Safaris).

Perhaps you’ll take to the sky in a hot air balloon and float peacefully over the world-famous Mara River or the equally renowned Namib Desert. If you’re lucky, you’ll see the Big Five , perhaps catch a fleeting glimpse of one of the Elusive Eleven , or you might even witness a kill, like something straight out of a wildlife documentary.

Going on a safari with an expert &Beyond guide is like stepping into a real-life encyclopaedia that is filled with countless unexpected (and often unbelievable) facts about the most curious of creatures, both big and small.

You’ll learn all sorts of wildlife trivia, like how the chameleon changes colour, what makes the flamingo pink, why the dung beetle spends its day rolling around in dung, and why lions have black tufts on fur on their tails and the backs of their ears.

You’ll watch in awe as the golden orb spider effortlessly spins its silky, golden web. If you’re patient, you’ll likely see one or two of the Little Five , the pint-sized namesakes of their more widely known Big Five counterparts. You might even learn some age-old bush survival skills, like how to make a fire using sticks , or how to make a toothbrush out of a twig and toothpaste out of ash and water.

The more inquisitive and adventurous safari goers often end up doing things they never even thought imaginable, like sticking their fingers in (dry) elephant dung to determine the gentle giant’s diet or taking part in a highly competitive and always entertaining dung-spitting competition.

Yes, you read that correctly. Known as bokdrol spoeg in Afrikaans, this is the comical sport of spitting small, hard pellets of impala or giraffe dung. The farthest flung dung determines the overall dung-spitting champion. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it! What happens on a safari, stays on safari.

Perhaps one of the most popular “safari classroom” lessons is the ever amusing collective noun discussion. Did you know that each grouping or ‘family’ of animals, from the tawny tiger and the leaping lemur, to the sluggish sloth and the hefty hippo, has its own, often rather charming, collective noun?

Here are 90 words to use on your next safari … or journey (after all, safari is the Swahili word for journey). Whether you’re exploring the plains of Africa, the jungles of Asia, or the timeless landscapes of South America, these safari words often weave their way into discussions amongst wildlife lovers. While some are bonafide terms widely accepted in the industry, some are just tongue-in-cheek and meant for a smile.

And if you’re looking for some expert advice (and a few more safari words), our Safari 101: a beginner’s guide sheds light on some more game drive lingo and how to get the most out of your luxury safari adventure.

As they say in Swahili, safari njema or have a good trip. Don’t forget to pack your sense of humour and a keenness for adventure, and join us for a dazzling journey [pun(s) intended].

1. An armoury of aardvarks 2. A colony of ants 3. A shrewdness of apes 4. A troop of baboons 5. A cloud of bats 6. A skulk or leash of bat-eared foxes 7. A sloth of bears 8. A hive of bees 9. A herd or obstinacy of buffaloes 10. A kaleidoscope of butterflies

11. A caravan of camels 12. A chain of caracals 13. An army of caterpillars 14. A glaring of cats 15. A coalition of cheetahs 16. A cartload of chimpanzees 17. A quiver of cobras 18. An intrusion of cockroaches 19. A consortium of crabs 20. A bask or float of crocodiles

21. A murder of crows 22. A pod of dolphins 23. A cluster or flight of dragonflies 24. A paddling of ducks 25. A herd of dugongs 26. A convocation of eagles 27. A herd, memory or parade of elephants 28. A school of fish 29. A flamboyance of flamingoes 30. A chorus or army of frogs

31. A gaggle of geese 32. A journey of giraffes (on the move) 33. A tower of giraffes (standing still) 34. A charm of goldfinches 35. A band of gorillas 36. A cloud of grasshoppers 37. A confusion of guinea fowl 38. An array of hedgehogs 39. A bloat of hippos 40. A colony of honey badgers

41. A charm of hummingbirds 42. A clan or cackle of hyenas 43. A mess of iguanas 44. A prowl or shadow of jaguars 45. A smack or brood of jellyfish 46. 47. A conspiracy of lemurs 47. A leap of leopards 48. A pride of lions 49. A lounge of lizards 50. A herd of llamas

51. A plague of locusts 52. A labour of moles 53. A business of mongooses 54. A swarm or scourge of mosquitoes 55. A consortium of octopus 56. A parliament of owls 57. A bamboo or embarrassment of pandas 58. A pandemonium of parrots 59. An ostentation of peacocks 60. A waddle or convent of penguins

61. A prickle of porcupines 62. A rhumba of rattlesnakes 63. An unkindness of ravens 64. A crash of rhinoceroses 65. A round of robins 66. A bed of scorpions 67. A sluthe of servals 68. A shiver of sharks 69. A stench of skunks 70. A bed or snuggle of sloths

71. A knot of snakes 72. A clutter of spiders 73. A scurry of squirrels 74. A murmuration of starlings 75. A fever of stingrays 76. A streak or ambush of tigers 77. A knot of toads 78. A bale of turtles 79. A posse of vicuñas 80. A venue or committee of vultures

81. A kettle of vultures (when flying overhead) 82. A boil of vultures (when coming down to land) 83. A sounder of warthogs 84. A pack of wild dogs 85. A litter of wild dog pups 86. A confusion of wildebeest 87. A dazzle of zebras

And, finally, just for a laugh…

88. A safari of people 89. An ingratitude of children 90. A randy of rangers (as coined by the late Bob Griffin, a dear friend of &Beyond )

NB: there is no official collective noun for pangolins because they are solitary; some say predicament; I prefer perfection.

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PRINT ACTIVITY

Jungle safari.

Using imagination and props, you and your child will act out a “jungle safari,” searching for stuffed animals in your house. This activity includes a chant with gestures that promotes language skills and vocabulary.

Learning Area(s): Language and Communication; Reading and Writing

• Picture book about animals in the jungle
• Stuffed animals or plastic animals

Start by reading a picture book about animals in the jungle and talk about how they live, what they eat, etc. See Tips below for book suggestions. Before or after reading the book, hide several stuffed animals around the house (for younger children, start in more obvious locations). Then, together, you and your child can go on a jungle safari by turning off the lights and using a flashlight to look for “animals.” Explain to your child that a safari is when you go out into nature, such as the jungle, to see wild animals where they live.

As you walk around the house, you can say this chant:

We’re going on a(n) ______  (insert name of animal)  hunt. (Shake head no.) We’re not afraid.  (Spread arms wide.) We’re going to catch a big one! (Shine flashlight on animal.) And look what I see! (Place your hand above your eyes as though you were looking far away.) Who’s that ahead? It’s a _____________! (Insert name of animal.)

Encourage children to act out the phrases as you look for the animals.

• We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen
• Over in the Jungle: A Rainforest Rhyme by Maryanne Berkes
• Roar, Roar, Baby! by Karen Katz
• Touch and Feel: Jungle Animals published by DK
• Baby Animals in the Jungle published by Kingfisher
• Noisy Nature: In the Jungle by Ruth Martin
• Let’s Explore…Jungle by Lonely Planet Kids
• You can also make binoculars by taping together two empty toilet paper rolls. Look through them to search for animals during the safari.
• In the past, a safari usually included hunting and killing animals, but now there are safaris just to go see and photograph the animals. The emphasis in this pretend activity is on finding and talking about the animals, not harming them. Families may wish to talk about appreciating and protecting wild animals in their natural environments.
• A variation on this activity would be to change the type of animals you search for and where they live. For example, you could go on an “ocean dive” and pretend to be swimming underwater to look for sea creatures. Look for whales, dolphins, fish, octopi, turtles, and other animals that live in the ocean. Instead of looking through pretend binoculars, you could pretend to look through swim goggles or a snorkel mask. Read a book about sea animals to go with this version of the activity.

AGE GROUP(S):

24-36 months, 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old

• 24-36 months
• 3 years old
• 4 years old
• 5 years old

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