It’s a question I’ve been asked on countless occasions over the past two decades. And why not, for East and southern Africa staked their relative claims as safari destinations well over 50 years ago.

In 1966 Joy and George Adamson’s movie, ‘Born Free’, set in Kenya, sparked commercial interest in the notion of safari. A decade earlier Norman Carr had commercialised walking safaris in Zambia.

In 1992, as a fledgling journalist in Kenya, fresh out of Somalia, I asked a group of visiting US travel agents I met at a lodge in Kenya’s Maasai Mara if they would consider visiting South Africa. It was the time when Londolozi and Mala Mala were setting the standards for luxury safaris.

‘No ways’, was the unanimous answer. HiV Aids and safety were two of the reasons given, all based on..nothing. Ignorance about South Africa as a destination ruled in that time of sanctions, with apartheid being about the worst public relations campaign imaginable.

Ironically however, ’92 was in many ways a glorious time, with South Africa on the road to democracy. The tourism / safari industry was readying itself to welcome the world.

South Africa (SA) joined Botswana and Zimbabwe in leading the luxury safari sector, with Conservation Corporation (now AndBeyond) in SA and Wilderness Safaris in southern Africa rapidly growing their lodge footprint. The former expanded out of Africa into wildlife destinations around the world, while Wilderness spread throughout Africa.

However on the back of Nelson Mandela’s release from prison and South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994, interest in South Africa (SA) as a safari destination grew. Gradually at first, with traditional interest from the UK and various European countries.

It was then spurred on by SA hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup and a growing number of international conferences. Attached to the first world cup on African soil was Nelson Mandela, who’s remarkable story was draped over the landscape.

First-time safari-goers were naturally inspired by it, but why would wildlife enthusiasts who’d been to east Africa’s unfenced savannas come to South Africa?

Curiosity, trends (for about ten years now it’s been attracting US travellers in droves), South Africa’s remarkable story (a peaceful transition to democracy) quality of product (the cuisine on offer matches the best in the world) and an interest in the practice of ‘responsible tourism’, which took life in South Africa when tabled in Parliament. https://responsibletourismpartnership.org/what-is-responsible-tourism/

South Africa’s safari product is superb, with its generally excellent transport infrastructure being one of the reasons the country is so popular, allowing convenient access to its many national parks and game reserves. It is not Botswana, and yes, the 2000 sq km Kruger National Park is fenced (as with all other parks and reserves in SA) – but that is a result of the rapid development of the country, notably agriculture and mines, from the early 20th century.

But such development need not detract from the safari experience for the visitor. Occasional conservation purists like myself may bemoan the natural migration of species, but in large reserves, where specie numbers are monitored by amongst the most experienced conservation professionals, life goes on. The tension of finding that leopard or black rhino still the same.

Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park, Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools NP, Botswana’s Okavango and Tanzania’s Katavi NP are amongst my favourites, but in South Africa I could cite ten parks and reserves (away from the over-traded areas) that bring me immense happiness, for different reasons. And to which I happily take my clients.

It may sound flippant, but as Sabi-Sabi’s Jacques Smit says, ‘try them all’. They all have their own USP.

Choice of safari destinations is all about tastes and interests for starters, with the main course being the combination of excellent wildlife, service, cuisine and the country’s compelling tale of its rise from the ashes of apartheid. My career and history in journalism, photography and guiding tracks that of the country and region, hence my passion.

It’s not a choice of either or for safari enthusiast regarding these destinations. It’s a large menu, and they can take their pick 🐾