Specialist tour operator and British Travel Awards nominee, Acacia Africa, has completed a detailed analysis of all website activity (Acacia offers the option to search by country, budget, length of tour and more) over the last three months to create its Safari Wishlist. Results for the top 10 most popular safari destinations are somewhat of a surprise, with Namibia shooting up the charts and stealing the top spot from odds-on favourites, Tanzania and Botswana.
Arno Delport, Sales & Marketing Manager of Acacia Africa comments: “Namibia might not be in the same league as Tanzania or Botswana (these destinations taking second and third place) when it comes to the density of the wildlife, but it’s an all-rounder if we’re talking about incredible journeys or safaris. Combine a whole eight months of 24/7 game viewing in Etosha National Park with an almost endless list of adrenaline activities in the adventure capital of Swakopmund, add in a few impressive larger than life landmarks like the Fish River River Canyon (the second largest canyon in the world), and you have the recipe for an amazing adventure. It’s also one of the best places to spot the cheetah, the world’s fastest land mammal, so if you haven’t already, get Namibia on your Africa wishlist.”
Another destination worthy of note, Zambia took sixth place. While the country isn’t usually the first choice for safari goers it is growing in popularity with Acacia’s travellers, with its parks and reserves known for their spectacular game sightings and the country employing some of the best guides in Africa. Ranked as one of top 10 safest countries in the world to visit during 2018, according to Sky Scanner, and with the wildlife about to be restocked in five of its national parks, there is every reason for travellers to add Zambia to their dream Africa trip.
Making waves on the underwater safari scene, Zanzibar and Malawi also appeared in the top 10 (taking ninth and tenth place respectively). Africa is home to some of the world’s best dive destinations.
Kenya took fifth place but, according to Acacia, its position is likely to change, with former US President, Barack Obama’s recent visit and the Kenyan government's newly launched Twin Migration campaign, which will partly promote the wildebeest migration (July through October) in Maasai Mara, helping to boost the country’s ranking.
Acacia Africa's Namibia-focused tours are priced from US$1,185pp (no single supplement) plus Adventure Pass from US$75pp. The 11-day Cape Desert Safari includes transport, camping accommodation, most meals, and services of a tour guide/driver. Flights are excluded.
Acacia Africa collated the results from a detailed analysis of all its website activity from May to August, for all countries mentioned, however, research on Zambia was taken from Sky scanner.
