Ten days is an ideal length for a first African safari: enough time to visit two or three different areas without rushing, and to allow for the travel days that connect them. Here are five tried-and-tested routes. Each assumes you arrive and depart from an international airport; add beach days or cities as you like.
1. Tanzania: the northern circuit (best all-rounder)
| Days | Where | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arusha | Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport; rest |
| 2–3 | Tarangire National Park | Large elephant herds, baobabs, lions |
| 4 | Ngorongoro Crater | Full-day crater game drive: black rhinos, lions, flamingos |
| 5–8 | Serengeti National Park | Central Serengeti or migration area, depending on season |
| 9 | Serengeti or Lake Manyara | Final game drives |
| 10 | Fly to Arusha; depart |
Best time: all year, adjusting where you stay in the Serengeti to follow the migration. See our migration guide. Budget: mid-range to luxury; save by driving rather than flying.
2. Kenya: Mara, lakes and mountains
| Days | Where | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nairobi | Nairobi National Park or the elephant orphanage |
| 2–3 | Samburu | Reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, gerenuk |
| 4–5 | Ol Pejeta Conservancy | Both rhino species, chimpanzee sanctuary |
| 6 | Lake Nakuru or Lake Naivasha | Rhinos, flamingos, hippos |
| 7–9 | Maasai Mara (reserve and conservancies) | Big cats, migration from July to October |
| 10 | Fly to Nairobi; depart |
Best time: July to October for the migration; January to March for quieter parks. Budget: wide range; road-based group tours are good value.
3. Botswana: delta and elephants (best for wilderness)
| Days | Where | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maun | Arrive; optional scenic flight over the delta |
| 2–4 | Okavango Delta water or mixed camp | Mokoro trips, walking, birds |
| 5–7 | Moremi or private concession | Wild dogs, lions, leopards |
| 8–9 | Chobe Riverfront | Elephant herds, boat safaris |
| 10 | Victoria Falls; depart |
Best time: June to October. Budget: high; fly-in camps are among Africa’s most expensive.
4. South Africa: Kruger and the Cape (best value and variety)
| Days | Where | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johannesburg to Kruger | Fly to Nelspruit, Skukuza or Hoedspruit |
| 2–4 | Private reserve (Sabi Sands, Timbavati) | Leopards, rhinos, off-road tracking |
| 5–6 | Kruger self-drive | Rest camps, sunrise walks |
| 7–10 | Cape Town | Penguins, whales (June–November), Cape Point, winelands |
Best time: May to September for Kruger; the Cape is good all year, with whales from June to November. Budget: flexible; mix self-drive with a private reserve splurge.
5. Uganda: primates and savanna (best for gorillas)
| Days | Where | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Entebbe | Arrive; Mabamba Swamp for shoebills |
| 2–3 | Kibale Forest | Chimpanzee trekking, Bigodi wetland |
| 4–5 | Queen Elizabeth National Park | Kazinga Channel boat trip, tree-climbing lions |
| 6–8 | Bwindi Impenetrable Forest | Gorilla trek (or two), community walks |
| 9 | Lake Bunyonyi | Relaxation |
| 10 | Fly Kisoro to Entebbe; depart |
Best time: June to September and December to February. Budget: moderate, plus gorilla permits. See our Uganda vs Rwanda gorilla guide.
Tips for planning any 10-day safari
- Two to three bases are enough; more means too much time travelling.
- Match the route to the season, not the other way round.
- Mix styles: combine a national park with a private conservancy for variety.
- Build in slack for flight delays and tiredness.
- Book early for peak season and for gorilla permits.
Frequently asked questions
Is 10 days enough for an African safari? Yes. Ten days is enough for two or three safari areas at a relaxed pace, or a safari plus a few days at Victoria Falls, the beach or Cape Town.
Which country is best for a first safari? Tanzania and Kenya offer classic savanna safaris with huge herds, South Africa offers excellent value and self-drive options, and Botswana offers exclusive wilderness. The best choice depends on your budget and interests.
Should I fly or drive between parks? Driving is cheaper and lets you see the countryside, but it takes time. Light aircraft flights save hours and are common in Botswana, Zambia and parts of Tanzania and Kenya.
Can I combine gorillas and a savanna safari in 10 days? Yes. A popular route combines gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda with a few days in the Maasai Mara or Serengeti, connected by regional flights.
Related guides
Cover photo: Gaurav Pandit, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons