African Safari From USA
Expert-planned safaris from the USA. Experience Africa’s untamed wilderness with seamless travel planning.
Top African Safari Destinations
for Travelers from USA
From Kenya’s legendary Masai Mara to Botswana’s pristine Okavango Delta, discover the best safari destinations accessible from the United States.
First Time Safari Goers
Masai Mara, Kenya
Witness the Great Migration, one of nature’s most spectacular events. Home to the Big Five and over 470 bird species.
- Big Five Guaranteed
- Great Migration (Jul-Oct)
- Masai Culture
Elephant lovers & photographers
Amboseli, Kenya
Famous for large elephant herds set against Mount Kilimanjaro, offering iconic African safari views.
- Kilimanjaro Backdrop
- Large Elephant Herds
- Close Wildlife Encounters
Serengeti, Kenya
Endless plains teeming with wildlife. The Serengeti offers year-round game viewing and unmatched wilderness.
- Year-round Wildlife
- Luxury Tented Camps
- Ngorongoro Crater
Kruger, South Africa
One of Africa’s largest game reserves with excellent infrastructure and self-drive options.
- Self-drive safaris
- Luxury lodges
- Malaria-free options
Etosha, Namibia
A vast salt pan landscape where wildlife gathers around dramatic waterholes, perfect for photography and unique safari scenes.
- Desert-adapted wildlife
- Floodlit waterholes
- Self-drive friendly
Volcanoes, Rwanda
A once-in-a-lifetime encounter with endangered mountain gorillas in the misty Volcanoes National Park.
- Mountain gorilla trekking
- Golden monkey tracking
- Akagera safari
Flights from the USA to Africa for Safari
Multiple airlines offer direct and connecting flights from major US cities to African safari destinations. Flight times range from 14 to 20+ hours depending on your route.
Airlines Flying from the United States to Africa
Ethiopian Airlines
Hub: Addis Ababa (ADD)
From: JFK, IAD, ORD, LAX
South African Airways
Hub: Johannesburg (JNB)
From: JFK, IAD
Kenya Airways
Hub: Nairobi (NBO)
From: JFK
Delta Air Lines
Hub: Johannesburg (JNB)
From: ATL
United Airlines
Hub: Cape Town (CPT)
From: EWR
Qatar Airways
Hub: Doha (DOH)
From: Multiple US cities
Booking Tips
- Book flights 3-6 months in advance for best prices
- Consider connecting through Addis Ababa or Doha for more route options
- Sign up for fare alerts on Google Flights or Skyscanner
- Business class upgrades are often available at reasonable prices on African carriers
Best Departure Cities in the United States
Travelers can start their safari journey from several major airports.
| Departure City | Direct Flights | Avg. Price (Round Trip) | Flight Time | Best Airlines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York (JFK/EWR) | Yes | $850-1,400 | 14-16h | Ethiopian, SAA, United |
| Washington, D.C. (IAD) | Yes | $900-1,350 | 15-17h | Ethiopian, SAA |
| Atlanta (ATL) | Yes | $950-1,500 | 16-17h | Delta |
| Chicago (ORD) | Yes | $900-1,450 | 16-18h | Ethiopian |
| Los Angeles (LAX) | Yes | $1,000-1,600 | 18-22h | Ethiopian, Emirates |
| Houston (IAH) | Connecting | $950-1,500 | 17-20h | Qatar, Emirates |
| Miami (MIA) | Connecting | $900-1,400 | 16-19h | Qatar, Turkish |
| San Francisco (SFO) | Connecting | $1,050-1,650 | 19-23h | Emirates, Qatar |
Arrival in Africa and Transfers to Safari Parks
Most travelers from the United States arrive in East Africa through two main international airports.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi serves as the main gateway to Kenya. Many safari trips begin here before heading to Masai Mara, Amboseli, or Lake Nakuru.
Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania connects travelers to the northern safari circuit including Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire.
From these airports, travelers continue to the parks using short domestic flights or road transfers to safari lodges and camps.
Everything You Need to Know
Before You Go
From visas to currencies, here’s your complete travel information guide for an African safari from the USA.
Kenya
$51
eVisa required
Processing Time: 2-3 business days
Validity: 90 days
Apply online before travel. Single-entry visa. Yellow fever certificate required if transiting through endemic areas.
Tanzania
$50
Processing Time: Instant (on arrival) or 3-5 days (eVisa)
Validity: 90 days
eVisa recommended to avoid airport queues. Yellow fever certificate may be required.
South Africa
Visa Free
No visa required (US citizens)
Processing Time: N/A
Validity: 90 days on Arrival
Passport must be valid for 30+ days beyond departure and have 2+ blank pages. No yellow fever certificate needed unless transiting.
Zambia
Visa Free
No visa required (US citizens)
Processing Time: N/A
Validity: 90 days on Arrival
Passport must have 6+ months validity and enough blank pages for entry/exit stamps. Standard tourist entry does not require a visa in advance.
Rwanda
$50
Processing Time: Instant (on arrival) or 3 days (eVisa)
Validity: 90 days
Gorilla trekking permits ($1,500) must be booked separately and well in advance.
Namibia
$70 - 90
Visa Required
Processing Time: Apply online in advance (e-visa) or at major entry points (visa on arrival).
Validity: 90 days
Passport must have 6+ months validity and at least 3 blank pages. Advance e-visa recommended to avoid delays.
Time Zones & Travel Duration
Africa is 5-10 hours ahead of the continental United States, which actually makes jet lag more manageable than traveling to Asia.
East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda)
| Timezone EAT (UTC+3) |
From ET +7 hours |
From PT +10 hours |
Southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe)
| Timezone CAT/SAST (UTC+2) |
From ET +6 hours |
From PT +9 hours |
Travel Duration
| U.S. Region | Destination | Flight Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Coast (NYC/DC/ATL) | → Nairobi | 14–17 hours |
| East Coast (NYC/DC/ATL) | → Johannesburg | 15–18 hours |
| Midwest (Chicago) | → Nairobi | 16–19 hours |
| West Coast (LAX/SFO) | → Nairobi | 18–22 hours |
| West Coast (LAX/SFO) | → Johannesburg | 20–24 hours |
Jet Lag Tips for Safari
- Adjust your sleep schedule 2-3 days before departure
- Stay hydrated during the flight — avoid alcohol and caffeine
- Plan a rest day upon arrival before your first game drive
- Morning game drives start at 5:30-6:00 AM — your jet lag may actually help!
- Most safari lodges offer afternoon siestas between morning and evening drives
Currency Guide for US Travelers
The US Dollar is widely accepted across Africa's safari destinations. However, understanding local currencies helps you get better deals at markets and for tips.
Kenya
Kenyan Shilling (KES)
1 USD ≈ 130 KES
✓ USD Accepted ✓ Cards
Tanzania
Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)
1 USD ≈ 2,500 TZS
Rwanda
Rwandan Franc (RWF)
1 USD ≈ 1,280 RWF
✓ USD Accepted ✓ Cards
South Africa
South African Rand (ZAR)
1 USD ≈ 18 ZAR
✕ USD Accepted ✓ Cards
Namibia
Namibian Dollar (NAD)
1 USD ≈ 19 NAD
✓ USD Accepted ✓ Cards
Zambia
Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)
1 USD ≈ 26 ZMW
✓ USD Accepted ✓ Cards
Currency Tips
- Bring crisp, new US bills printed after 2006 — older or damaged bills may be rejected
- $1 and $5 bills are essential for tips at safari lodges
- Notify your bank before traveling to avoid card blocks
- ATMs are available in major cities but scarce in safari areas
- Tipping guide: $10-20/day for guides, $5-10/day for camp staff
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Typical Safari Duration for Travelers from the USA
Most visitors from the United States choose safari trips that last 8 to 12 days. The long international journey makes it worthwhile to spend enough time in Africa and visit more than one wildlife area.
This duration allows travelers to enjoy several game drives, explore different landscapes, and increase their chances of seeing a wide range of animals.
A typical safari plan may look like this:
- Arrival in Nairobi
- Flight to Masai Mara National Reserve for game drives
- Continue to Serengeti National Park or Ngorongoro Crater
- Return through Nairobi or Kilimanjaro International Airport
This route combines some of East Africa’s most famous wildlife destinations and offers excellent opportunities to see lions, elephants, giraffes, and many other species in their natural habitat.
Handcrafted Safari Itineraries
Explore our most popular safari itineraries, each designed to showcase the best of Africa. All itineraries are fully customizable to your preferences.
9 Nights / 10 Days
Big Five of Kenya Safari
Track lions, elephants and more across Kenya’s finest reserves with classic game drives and rich savannah landscapes.
- Masai Mara
- Amboseli
- Lake Nakuru
6 Nights / 7 Days
Masai Mara & Serengeti Safari
Explore East Africa’s legendary plains as wildlife moves freely between Masai Mara and Serengeti in a classic safari journey.
- Masai Mara
- Lake Nakuru
- Serengeti
4 Nights / 5 Days
Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha & Lake Nakuru Safari
From Mara’s rich plains to Naivasha’s quiet shores and Nakuru’s birdlife, this safari blends wildlife viewing with scenic lakes.
- Masai Mara
- Lake Nakuru
- Lake Naivasha
Best Time to Book African Safaris
Timing your safari right can mean the difference between a good trip and an extraordinary one. Here’s your month-by-month guide.
Peak Season
June – October
Dry season across most of Africa. Best wildlife viewing as animals gather at water sources. Great Migration river crossings in Kenya/Tanzania.
Shoulder Season
November & March – May
Fewer crowds with good wildlife viewing. Green season brings lush landscapes, newborn animals, and migrant birds. Excellent photography conditions.
Green Season
December – February
Safari Vehicles Used on African Safaris
Most game drives in Africa use specially designed four wheel drive vehicles built for wildlife viewing. The most common vehicle is the Toyota Land Cruiser with raised seating and a pop up roof that allows guests to stand and enjoy better views of animals and the surrounding landscape.
Some safari camps also use open sided vehicles that provide clear visibility and good photography opportunities during game drives.
You can learn more in our guide on Types of Safari Vehicles in Africa and How to Choose.
