That’s undoubtedly the question I’m asked most often at Africa New Explorers. And my answer almost always comes as a surprise. None. Or rather… all of them. Because there’s no such thing as the ‘best’ country. There are exceptional places. Seasons for safari that are more or less favourable. Extraordinary safari guides. And journeys that leave a lasting impression on us.
We often summarise a country in a few images. Tanzania and the Great Migration; Kenya and the Masai Mara; Botswana and the Okavango Delta. Yet the reality is infinitely richer.
In Tanzania, there are still regions where you can spend a whole day on safari without coming across another vehicle. In Kenya, certain private game reserves offer an absolutely remarkable standard of private guiding. In Botswana, there are camps I’d recommend without a second thought… and others I’d rather not suggest.
After more than twenty years of travelling across the wild places in Africa, I have come to realise one essential thing; it is not the country that makes the journey. It is the places you choose. The season in which you discover them. And above all, the men and women who open the doors to their Africa for us.
I’ve been lucky enough to be guided by extraordinary people. They’ve taught me to look beyond the animals, to understand the landscapes, to listen to the stories, and to take my time. That’s probably what has changed the way I travel the most.
Just a few days ago, I was looking at images of dozens of vehicles surrounding an animal. To me, that’s not Africa! The best safari isn’t the one where you get the closest. It’s the one where you almost forget you’re there… because the animals simply carry on with their lives.
And then there are those countries that still remain out of the spotlight: Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi… and many more besides. There are destinations that sometimes offer extraordinary experiences, with very few people, passionate guides and a sense of authenticity that has become rare.
So perhaps the real question isn’t: “Which is the most beautiful country in Africa?” but “how are you going to discover it?” Because, deep down, that’s exactly where my job begins.
