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Where to Go in 2026: My Picks
My 2026 picks: Uganda, Kenya, Australia and Zambia, plus Guyana and Northern Albania. Places that cap visitor numbers and still feel wild if you plan them well.
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Kenya and Uganda are very different safaris: big cats on open savannah in one, mountain gorillas and rainforest primates in the other. Both are excellent. For a first safari, pick by the kind of trip you want.
Many travelers do both; they combine well.
Kenya has some of Africa's best big-cat viewing (lions, cheetahs, and leopards) plus elephants, giraffes, zebras, and the other classic species. Private conservancies keep vehicle numbers low and manage wildlife viewing responsibly.
Gorillas and chimpanzees are the main event. Trekking to see them is physical, close, and for most people very moving. Game drives in Queen Elizabeth NP and Murchison Falls add savannah, though with fewer big cats than Kenya.
Open plains, escarpments, big skies, and long sunsets.
Green mountains, tropical rainforest, deep volcanic lakes, and misty mornings. It feels less developed and more adventurous.
Kenya has a mature luxury circuit (Angama, Mara Nyika, Sasaab, and others). Uganda's lodges are improving fast but are generally more rustic, with a few standouts such as Clouds and Kyambura Gorge Lodge.
Either is a good choice; they just suit different travelers.
For most first-timers: Kenya
For adventure-leaning travelers: Uganda
For the most complete wildlife trip: combine them.
I'm happy to help you decide, or plan both.
Every itinerary begins with a 20-minute planning call. From there, a $250 planning fee, credited in full toward your booked trip and non-refundable if you don’t book. I brief the property before you arrive — that's what the fee funds.
Plan your trip
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