When it comes to safari bragging rights, South Africa takes the crown.
According to new research into the most Instagrammable safari destinations, two African safari parks have jointly topped the global list with more than a million hashtags on Instagram and tens of thousands of TikTok posts.
And one of those is right here in beautiful South Africa.
Kruger National Park: South Africa’s social media safari giant
The study by UK holiday company Travelbag revealed that South Africa’s Kruger National Park ranks joint first with Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park for most Instagrammable.
Spanning nearly 20 000 square kilometres, it’s one of the largest game reserves in Africa and home to the legendary Big Five: lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo. Add in hundreds of bird species, diverse landscapes, and wildlife encounters at every turn, and it’s easy to see why travellers can’t resist posting their adventures at this safari park.
The numbers speak for themselves:
- Instagram hashtags: over 1 million
- TikTok posts: 74 600+
Part of Kruger’s appeal lies in its accessibility. Unlike some safari destinations that require charter flights or lengthy transfers, Kruger is easily reached from Johannesburg. The park also caters to every type of traveller, offering everything from budget-friendly camps to ultra-luxury lodges.
“In South Africa, Kruger National Park shines during the off-peak months when the dry season draws animals to waterholes, making game drives particularly rewarding and peaceful.” Suzanne Harvey, Head of Destination Experts at Travelbag, said.
Pilanesberg: SA’s runner-up
Not far behind in the study was South Africa’s Pilanesberg National Park, an accessible, malaria-free reserve located just a few hours from Johannesburg. With over 7 000 animals, including the Big Five, set against a backdrop of ancient volcanic terrain, Pilanesberg is a favourite for families and first-time safari-goers. On TikTok, it actually surpasses Kruger, racking up more than 165 000 posts.
The global safari hotspots
Beyond South Africa, Tanzania’s Serengeti shares the top spot with Kruger, thanks to the largest animal migration on Earth, a spectacle that has made it a social media phenomenon. Kenya’s Maasai Mara ranks third, beloved for year-round predator action and classic Big Five sightings.
Here’s a look at the top five safari parks:
| Rank | National Park | Location | No of Instagram Hashtags | No of TikTok Posts |
| 1 | Serengeti National Park | Tanzania | 1 100 000 | 61 100 |
| Kruger National Park | South Africa | 1 000 000 | 74 600 | |
| 2 | Pilanesberg National Park | South Africa | 100 000 | 165 200 |
| 3 | Maasai Mara National Park | Kenya | 384 000 | 47 000 |
| 4 | Victoria Falls National Park | Zimbabwe | 391 000 | 34 700 |
| 5 | Jim Corbett National Park | India | 396 000 | 1 447 |
| Golden Gate Highlands National Park | South Africa | 5 021 | 61 500 |
