A good day in an African national park often starts at 5 a.m. with strong coffee, a cold jeep seat and a guide pointing at fresh lion tracks in the dust. The national parks and wilderness areas in Africa have plenty of mornings like that, and stunning places where the plan is to sit by a waterhole and wait for elephants.
Some travelers love early starts, especially with a hot shower waiting at the lodge. Others prefer a small tent, a campfire and hyenas whooping beyond the light. Families often want short drives and a pool. Keen walkers might choose a park where an armed ranger leads the way on foot.
The destinations on our list include famous parks with paved roads and busy lodges, and quieter ones where the track is bumpy and the nearest shop is a long drive away. Those take more planning, but they are definitely worth it.
