If you are a die-hard fan of wild nature, you may have spied a leopard up close in the Serengeti National Park , spotted a sea lion frolicking in front of you in the Galapagos Islands, or snuck up on a koala bear frolicking in Melbourne, Australia. . If not, at least you did all this in front of the TV, on Animal Planet or National Geographic.

Having the chance to observe wildlife in its natural habitat is a rare experience that you meet, perhaps, once in your life. Among the attractions around the world, African countries dominate the list with their magnificent savannahs and areas still untouched by man. Below you have a list of 5 of the coolest destinations in case you want to admire, live, the wild life at home.

1. Botswana

Botswana stands out through its varied ecosystems: on a wilderness safari through Botswana, you are never limited to a single means of transport. In addition to 4×4 cars, you will be able to explore the mix of salt flats and savannas in Botswana with the help of a mokoro (traditional canoe) and boats. Places not to be missed include Chobe National Park , home to the world's largest herd of elephants and the Okavango Delta , a wonderful wetland. The huts in Botswana are also top notch, often being in the heart of the African wilderness.

2. Tanzania

A country where unspoiled beauty abounds and which has some of the most desirable wild attractions. Among them is the Ngorongoro Crater . At the beginning of the day, as the fog lifts, you will see the silhouettes of elephants, rhinos, lions and buffaloes appearing in front of you. The long journey through the Serengeti National Park is an epochal one, if you get to witness the massive migration of the wildebeest. Whether you are interested in luxury safari travel or a camping safari, a trip to the epicenter of Africa's wild nature is an essential part of your Tanzania vacation.

3. Namibia

Namibia is distinguished by its vast deserts, red sand dunes and a veritable kaleidoscope of different environments. Go to the two wonderful deserts: Namib , the oldest in the world and the red sand dunes along the Atlantic Coast. Some of the hottest attractions are the white salt flats of Etosha National Park (with its herds of giraffes), the red dunes of Sossusvlei (where you can see Oryx antelopes) and the Skeleton Coast (with its colonies of seals).

4. Rwanda

Rwanda is famous for its safari tours among the gorillas. Unlike most of the other countries on the list, the gorillas have made Rwanda a celebrity in the wildlife world. The Volcanic National Park in the north of the country is home to the largest number of mountain gorillas, a species currently in danger of extinction. In the eastern part of the country, Akagera National Park abounds in wild nature – from herds of elephants and buffaloes, to giraffes and zebras that graze in the Rwandan savannas and many species of antelopes that roam freely.

 

 

 

5. South Africa

 

South Africa has an advantage over other countries, because besides safari trips in the wild, the cities of this country have much more to offer: cultural activities, ethnic history and cosmopolitan life. The Kruger National Park with its large and diverse reserves is the place where the most important species of African wild animals are found: elephants, rhinoceroses, buffaloes, lions, leopards. Other reserves are KwaZulu Natal, Madikwe Game Reserve, Pilanesberg and Waterberg.