June 29, 2025, 5:55 am | Read time: 5 minutes
See lions, elephants, and rhinos up close—this dream is fulfilled by many travelers each year on safaris. But how can a safari benefit both the local people and animals without further harming already fragile habitats? Sustainable safaris offer a solution. We want to know where you think the best places for these are. Vote for one of the five destinations in our big TRAVELBOOK poll.
When we think of safaris, various African countries like South Africa, Botswana, or Angola come to mind, where you can drive through the savannah in a Jeep and observe the Big Five and their many animal neighbors in their natural habitat. There are also great opportunities to discover wildlife on a (sustainable) safari outside the African continent, such as in Brazil and on the island of Borneo.
Why do we mention these five travel destinations? It’s simple. We asked our community on Facebook and Instagram to tell us which is the best travel destination in the world for a sustainable safari. The five destinations that made it to the final voting are Iona National Park in Angola, the Okavango Delta in Botswana, the Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa, the Pantanal National Park in Brazil, and the Tabin Wildlife Reserve in the Malaysian part of Borneo.
And now it’s your turn: Which of the five destinations do you think is the best for a sustainable safari? Vote now below.
Overview
The Top 5 Destinations for a Sustainable Safari at a Glance
Iona National Park in Angola
Located in southwestern Angola, the Iona National Park spans approximately 15,150 square kilometers. Situated at the northern tip of the Namib Desert, it borders the Skeleton Coast and is home to black-backed jackals, hyenas, and a few cheetahs, caracals, and leopards. There are also 75 species of amphibians and reptiles, as well as some migratory and wading birds. Since 2023, giraffes have once again been reintroduced to the park.
The Angolan government only agreed to collaborate with the African NGO African Parks in 2019, which has led to renewed efforts to protect the national park and its inhabitants, as well as to reintroduce previously extinct species. Following the giraffes, lions, elephants, and black rhinos are also expected to return to Iona National Park in the future.
The goal is to boost tourism in the long term, ensuring it helps rather than harms. Travelers should opt for sustainable safaris offered by local tour operators that work closely and respectfully with local tribes, use eco-friendly vehicles with small groups, and focus on sustainable travel, such as using solar power.
Okavango Delta in Botswana
The Okavango Delta in northern Botswana is known for its diversity of fascinating animal species. Lions, elephants, and leopards roam the vast inland delta, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2014 and is under special protection.
In Botswana, small lodges and camps often rely on renewable energy and local resources, with many focusing specifically on ecotourism. The safaris are designed to avoid disturbing the animals, with activities such as canoeing through the delta to observe wildlife from the water.
Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa
The Madikwe Game Reserve, located northwest of Johannesburg, is malaria-free and home to around 12,000 animals, including the rare wild dogs. Covering 750 square kilometers, it is the fifth-largest and one of the lesser-known game reserves in the country.
It is considered a model project for sustainable tourism. Madikwe offers safaris exclusively for lodge guests, and only eco-friendly vehicles are used within the reserve. Many of the accommodations themselves focus on sustainability and minimizing their ecological footprint.
Pantanal National Park in Brazil
Brazil is also a dream destination for a sustainable safari. The Pantanal National Park, located near the border with Bolivia in the west of the country, is under UNESCO protection.
Who lives in the Pantanal National Park? The wildlife reserve, with its impressive wetlands, is home to jaguars, anacondas, crocodiles, and various bird species. These animals can be discovered on different safaris in the Pantanal, whether on foot, horseback, by water, or from a safari vehicle.
Tabin Wildlife Reserve on Borneo/Malaysia
The Tabin Wildlife Reserve, located on the Malaysian part of Borneo, is another top destination we suggest for a sustainable safari. Its animal inhabitants include the Borneo pygmy elephant, Sumatran rhinoceros, the wild cattle species Tembadau, nine primate species, three cat species, and numerous bird species.
The reserve, located in the Malaysian northeast of the island of Borneo, which is divided between the states of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei, is the fifth destination we propose as the best for a sustainable safari. Its animal inhabitants include the Borneo pygmy elephant, the Sumatran rhinoceros, the wild cattle species Tembadau, nine primate species, three cat species, and numerous bird species.
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Vote Now: Which is the Best Travel Destination in the World for a Sustainable Safari?
Angola, Botswana, South Africa, Brazil, or Borneo? Which of the featured destinations do you think is the best for a sustainable safari? Vote now:
The best travel destination in the world for a sustainable safari will be announced soon:
The best travel destination in the world for a sustainable safari will be announced soon. Vote now!