With their abundant wildlife, fascinating cultures, breathtaking landscapes and endless adventure, Africa safaris for seniors are a bucket list trip for many travelers in their golden years. But with so many safari destinations to choose from (South Africa! Botswana! The Serengeti!), it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. And once you have decided to make your dream vacation a reality, what can you do to ensure your senior safari is a roaring success?
Not to worry! With almost thirty years of experience planning and running African safaris, many for intrepid older travelers like you, our expert team at Good Earth Tours has you covered. Bring a pencil, some paper and your sense of adventure as we share our most recommended countries for African safaris for seniors and valuable tips to help your trip go off without a hitch.
So, which African safari destinations are best for senior travelers? That depends on your interests, what kind of wildlife you hope to see, and the experience you would like to have. Some countries are perfect for adventure and animal lovers, with bush walks galore. Other top destinations for a senior safari offer animal encounters and cultural experiences in equal measure. Many Africa tours for seniors will even incorporate more than one country, providing you with a more well-rounded picture of this vast continent. Ready to explore your options? Here are our most recommended African safari destinations for older adults.
From the Great Migration and the Big Five to natural wonders like Mount Kilimanjaro and Ngorongoro Crater to tropical white-sand beaches lining the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, Tanzania has it all. In short, if you want to combine the thrill of an African safari with the blissful relaxation of a seaside vacation, all this one visa stamp, then Tanzania is the country for you.
Here, you'll find what is arguably Africa's premier safari destination, Serengeti National Park. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981, this 5,700-square-mile (14,763-square-kilometer) national park boasts 3,700,000 acres (1,500,000 hectares) of pristine savanna, as well as the continent's largest population of lions. It is also home to the vast majority of the Great Migration, the planet's biggest annual animal migration, where massive herds of wildebeest and zebra, totaling more than 1.5 million and 250,000, respectively, thunder across the plains alongside eland and Thomson's gazelle throughout the year.
Almost as impressive is the neighboring Ngorongoro Crater. This gigantic intact volcanic caldera, the largest on the planet, collapsed in on itself after an enormous explosion some three million years ago. Today, the crater is a UNESCO World Heritage site, along with the adjacent Olduvai Gorge, nicknamed the "cradle of humankind." This natural enclosure also hosts around 25,000 large mammals, including the Big Five, making it possible for seniors to spot all five animals in one day.
Lastly, we can't talk about Tanzania without mentioning Mount Kilimanjaro. The globe's biggest free-standing mountain and the tallest peak on the continent, this sleeping, snow-capped volcano towers 19,340 feet (5,895 meters) above sea level, earning it the nickname of the "Roof of Africa." Luckily, you don't have to scale its lofty heights to experience its awe-inspiring beauty. On a clear day, this majestic mountain can be viewed from 100 miles or more away.
Tanzania's neighbor to the north, Kenya is another country in East Africa that boasts all of the Big Five. It is also the only other place in Africa where you can witness the Great Migration, which rumbles through the Masai Mara National Reserve from late July through early November. For this reason, the Masai Mara is right up there with the Serengeti when it comes to Africa's best senior safari destinations. In fact, in a few aspects, it is even better. Due to the reserve's much smaller size, only 585 square miles (1,510 kilometers) by comparison, the year-round concentration of wildlife in the Masai Mara is much greater. As a result, you can see more animals in less time during a safari here.
Like Tanzania, Kenya touts several safari destinations worth visiting, like the Sweetwaters Game Reserve, the Samburu National Reserve, and Tsavo National Park. Along with the Masai Mara, another must-visit wilderness area is Amboseli National Park, a compact park and UNESCO World Heritage site in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro famed for its impressive elephant population. Though only 151 square miles (392 kilometers) in size, Amboseli has more than 1,600 free-roaming elephants that call the park home, a precious few of which are so-called super tuskers known for their impressively long tusks. Of the roughly 25 super tuskers still alive, around ten can be found in Amboseli. Here, visitors can marvel at these gentle giants as they gather in herds of as many as 100 elephants, a sight made even more breathtaking with Kilimanjaro rising in the background.
However, wildlife isn't the only reason to embark on a senior safari in Kenya. This East African nation together with its southern neighbor Tanzania, lays claim to one of the continent's most fascinating (and famous) tribes: the Maasai. Known for their colorful culture and traditions, their distinctive dress, their incredible height, and their reputation for being as friendly as they are courageous, the Masaai are pastoralists, meaning that they move their homes and livestock according to rainfall and grazing opportunities, and the guardians of the Masai Mara. Many Kenya safaris include a visit to a Masaai village, offering a captivating glimpse into nomadic life on Kenya's plains.
When it comes to the top locations for safaris for seniors, South Africa is the cream of the crop, with ruggedly beautiful wilderness areas teeming with the Big Five, verdant vineyards home to some of the best wines in the world and vibrant cultures rich in fascinating traditions. Best of all, a fantastically developed tourism infrastructure network makes experiencing South Africa a breeze, and a must for seniors on safari.
No trip to South Africa is complete without a visit to Kruger National Park. At a massive 7,576 square miles (roughly 19,623 square kilometers) in size, Kruger National Park is South Africa's largest wildlife sanctuary and one of the biggest game reserves in Africa. Unsurprisingly, it's a must-see destination for many travelers passing through Southern Africa—a well-deserved title, to be sure! Most notably, Kruger offers the widest array of large-mammal species of any African game reserve, a huge selling point for animal-loving seniors. It is also very accessible, with paved roads throughout. (Intrepid adventurers can even explore the park independently with a self-drive safari.)
That said, its extensive size and roadway system come at a cost. Although the park's significant sprawl gives all those elephants, rhinos, lions and leopards plenty of room to roam, it also means they have more places to hide away from visitors, further compounded by Kruger's paved roads. While these smooth streets are much more enjoyable to ride on than bumpy dirt or stretches of grass, the consistent traffic they see often causes wildlife to give them a wide berth. Luckily, savvy senior traveler's (like those who travel with Good Earth Tours) can enjoy the best of both worlds by including a visit to one of Kruger National Park's private game reserves, like the popular Sabi Sands Game Reserve. Here, senior safari-goers can experience all the perks that a Kruger safari offers, like Big 5 sightings, but with fewer fellow traveler's and exclusive opportunities like walking safaris and nighttime and/or off-road game drives.
After all those animal encounters, there is no better way to unwind than to visit South Africa's Cape Winelands and the coastal city of Cape Town. Located an easy flight away, Cape Town has something for everyone, whether dramatic mountains, relaxing beaches, lush vineyards, decadent culinary experiences or bustling city life. That's right—Cape Town isn't just South Africa's capital city. The Cape Winelands is also one of the world's greatest wine capitals, with around 2,700 wine grape farmers, more than 20 wine routes and five wine regions. Add in other incredible activities like biking, whale watching and hiking, and Cape Town is the perfect bookend for any South Africa safaris for seniors.
From the swampy Okavango Delta and the steamy Chobe River to the sandy savanna of the Kalahari Desert and the otherworldly salt flats of the Makadikadi Basin, Botswana is a land of stunning contrasts. This jaw-dropping diversity makes Botswana the ideal destination for travelers seeking a comprehensive, multifaceted safari experience. After all, if you're only going to make it to Africa once, why should you confine yourself to only one of its many breathtaking settings when it has so much more than grasslands to enjoy?
A Botswana safari combines many of Africa's most striking landscapes into one convenient trip, allowing seniors to see dusty plains and lush waterways, all alive with incredible wildlife, without ever crossing the country's borders. What's more, given Botswana's location neighboring Zimbabwe and Zambia, it is even possible to add on a short visit to Victoria Falls, one of the world's largest waterfalls, or to other nearby countries like South Africa or Namibia. If that wasn't enough to convince you, Botswana also boasts a mild climate, regional airports that make traveling between the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park a cinch, and some of the most luxurious and exclusive safari lodges in Africa. It sounds like it's the perfect place for African safaris for seniors!
Botswana's beauty is unparalleled, starting with the verdant Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage site largely protected by the Moremi Game Reserve. Dotted by seasonally flooded grasslands, this vast cluster of permanent swamps and winding waterways pulsates with life, namely all of the Big Five species and many, many others, including giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, hyenas, hippos, wildebeest, and more. Fueled by the mighty Chobe River, the similarly aquatic Chobe National Park is equally remarkable. Although you will find predators like lions here, at Chobe National Park, elephants are the kings of the jungle. Also called "The Land of the Giants," this national park touts the highest concentration of elephants in Africa, at upwards of 100,000.
What makes a Botswana safari even more special, however, is the unique vantage point offered during game viewing. Along with game drives in regular safari vehicles like open-air 4x4s, travelers on African safari tours through Botswana can also take in the views from a breezy boat out on the water. Whether the crystal-clear depths of the Okavango Delta or a shimmering stretch of the Chobe, water is the lifeblood of Africa's wildlife. And since great swathes of water are available all year round in Botswana, this senior safari destination sees scores of animals even during the dry season, making for immersive game-viewing experiences you can't get anywhere else. And with on-the-water options ranging from motorized boats with onboard bathrooms to a traditional mokoro dugout canoe, there is something for everyone.
Nestled along the magnificent Zambezi River, Victoria Falls straddles the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, not far from popular safari locations like South Africa and Botswana. Between its massive width of 5,604 feet (1,708 meters) and a towering height of 354 feet (108 meters), fed by five separate falls, this majestic waterfall touts the largest sheet of falling water on the planet.
Not only is Victoria Falls breathtakingly, soul-stirringly beautiful, but it's also surprisingly easy to see during a safari through Southern Africa. Not to mention, true thrill seekers can even swim along the waterfall's lip in Devil's Pool during the low season, from August to December, even if they have only adequate swimming skills. As for other ways of experiencing the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls, you're limited only by your sense of adventure and the amount of time you have in the area, with activities like helicopter rides, whitewater rafting, ziplining, and even bungee jumping available.
Africa is home to an incredible menagerie of animals. The most famous of these are the Big 5—lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and water buffalo—which can be seen in many countries across the continent. Equally popular, though considerably harder to spot, is the mountain gorilla. Found in the misty hillside rainforests of the Congo Basin, these elusive great apes have dwindled in number since their discovery in 1902 and now count only a little more than 1,000 in their population. Fortunately, despite threats from poachers, mountain gorillas are on the rebound. Today, one of the best and easiest places to see them is Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Given the mountain homes of this gorilla subspecies, a trek to see them isn't for the faint-hearted. Some level of physical fitness is required, as you must hike through the bamboo-covered Virunga Mountains for anywhere from one to four hours or more to reach them. Still, as long as you plan accordingly, gorilla trekking in Rwanda can still be readily achievable for older clients. Having a fitness routine and investing in appropriate gear before your arrival will set you up for success. Then, once you're on the ground, porters can be arranged to help you carry your items, and you may even be able to request a closer gorilla family at your early-morning briefing so that you don't need to trek as far. You'll also be happy to hear that Rwanda has the reputation of being the most accessible destination for gorilla trekking, as the trails are usually more open and easier to manage, and troops are typically located within a two-hour hike of the trailhead.
That said, be prepared to pay for convenience, as gorilla trekking in Rwanda is usually double the cost of a similar African safari experience in Rwanda. On the bright side, these mountain adventures tend to be much shorter, lasting only two or three nights, making them a quick and convenient extension to a safari through a neighboring East Africa nation.
Rwanda isn't the only place seniors can see mountain gorillas on safari in Africa. Nearby Uganda is actually home to more than half of the world's mountain gorilla population and two trekking locations: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Bwindi, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the destination of choice for Good Earth Tours due to its biodiversity, as well as its significantly larger number of habituated gorilla groups (troops that have been introduced to the presence of humans and can be visited by safari-goers).
Like in Rwanda, the same physical concerns and accommodations remain for a primate-tracking safari in Uganda. In fact, in some cases, hiking here can be even more challenging, with longer treks and more variable terrain. Still, due to the nature of these wild animals, nothing is set in stone, and you could very well be in and out of the forest in only three hours. Plus, the surge of adrenaline, the thrill of the chase and the anticipation of seeing these incredible creatures are powerful motivators to keep you going. Best of all, a gorilla permit in Uganda costs significantly less than in Rwanda, ringing in at only $800 per person as of July 2024 (up from $700) rather than $1,500 for Rwanda.
So, you've finally decided to step outside your comfort zone and check an African safari off your travel bucket list. Congratulations! No matter where you choose to go, you're sure to have the adventure of a lifetime. Like Ernest Hemingway once said, "I never knew of a morning in Africa when I woke up that I was not happy." However, before you can have your own glorious mornings beneath the African sun, there are a few things you should do to set yourself up for vacation success.
Africa is as varied as it is vast. The same can be said for an African safari. While spotting incredible animals is a given, a journey through Africa can include desert landscapes or mountain vistas, tropical beaches or marshy swamps, quaint tribal villages or bustling big cities, vibrant cultural experiences or decadent dining. So, think of each African safari as an opportunity to choose your own adventure. The only limit is your imagination—and your travel budget.
Fortunately, professional safari planners (like us here at Good Earth Tours) can customize the perfect experience for your interests and budgetary guidelines, whether that includes luxurious lodges and flights between destinations or thriftier options like value accommodations (like camping!) and overlanding. As born-and-raised Africans and safari experts, we know the best lodges available in a variety of price ranges and the best times to travel to your dream destination, from the Cape Winelands of South Africa to Tanzania's Serengeti. Out team includes experienced professional guides who will bring your travel vision to life, allowing you to see Africa in all its glory.
Advocating for your wants and needs is an important part of planning any vacation, but especially an African safari for seniors. Take advantage of your tour operator's knowledge and connections to create the safari that works best for you. If you have mobility challenges, request to stay in a guest room that is close to the lodge's main amenities, like the restaurant or lobby. Or, if you're going gorilla trekking, ask to visit a group that is closer to the trailhead so you won't have to walk as far. Your safari is what you make it, so make your experience work for you. You can share with us any details of your preferences or limitations, and we will be sure to advocate on your behalf.
The last thing you want is to be miserable in the wilderness halfway across the world, especially when you're supposed to be having the time of your life. So, take steps ahead of time to ensure your safari goes off without a hitch. This can include packing an array of gear to accommodate a variety of weather conditions, like a jacket or thick sweater for early-morning game drives during the cooler months, or medicines such as antimalarials or antacids. If you're going to embark on a gorilla trek or another more intense game-viewing experience, you might also want to consider a workout routine to improve your fitness. Something as simple as regular walks on a treadmill on incline or an easy hike can go a long way.
Depending on which destinations you choose to visit, you may want to do a fly-in safari instead of driving from place to place to place. Due to the sheer size of Africa, traveling between countries and even game reserves can take quite a long time. For example, it can take between seven to nine hours or more to travel between the Masai Mara National Reserve and Amboseli National Park even though they are both located in the south of Kenya. Not only does this take up a lot of precious safari time, but because of the often rough condition of the roads, it can also be very uncomfortable, especially for older travelers. Flying from location to location on a light aircraft solves both problems, saving both your time and backside.
Ready to learn more about Good Earth Tours' African safaris for seniors? Send us an email at info@goodearthtours.com or give us a call at +1 (888) 848-2315 today! We can't wait to help you plan your trip of a lifetime.
