Top 50 Largest National Parks In Africa

The following are the top 50 largest national parks in Africa that you absolutely must go to, whether you are interested in a safari or you want hiking.

In 1925, in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Virunga National Park was formed, marking a turning point in Africa toward the preservation of vast expanses of land as national parks. Many other African countries quickly followed suit, and an even greater number did so after World War II, resulting in the creation of some of the world’s greatest national parks. Indeed, this pattern persisted even after the conflict ended.

While the United States’ Yellowstone National Park and Greenland’s Northeast Greenland National Park hold the titles of the world’s first and largest national parks, respectively, Africa boasts its own collection of exceptional national parks, several of which are larger than many European countries and offer unparalleled opportunities to view wildlife.

The vast national parks of Northern Africa are not included on this page because they are not located in sub-Saharan Africa, where this topic focuses upon. The classic animal safaris for which these national parks are recognized.

Some of Africa’s most expansive national parks are profiled in this blog and are measured in square kilometers, are as follows:

1.  Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania: 55,000
2. Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana: 52,000
3. Namib-Nankluft Park, Namibia: 49,768
4. Niassa Reserve, Mozambique: 42,000
5. Kafue National Park, Zambia: 22,400
6. Etosha National Park in Namibia: 22,270
7. Kruger National Park, South Africa: 19,455
8. Luvushi Manda National Park. Malawi: 15,000
9. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania: 14,763
10. Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe: 14,651
11. Tsavo National Park, Kenya: 13,747
12. Ruaha National Park, Tanzania: 13,000
13. Gemsbok National Park, Botswana: 12,800
14. Chobe National Park, Botswana: 10,566
15. South Luangwa National Park, Zambia: 9,050
16. Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania: 8,288
17. Virunga National Park: Democratic Republic of Congo: 8,090
18. Lake Kariba Recreational Park, Zimbabwe: 5,200
19. Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe: 5,053
20. Uwanda Rukwa National Park, Tanzania: 5,000
21. North Luangwa National Park, Zambia: 4,636
22. Fish River Canyon National Park,  Namibia: 4,347
23. Nxai Pan National Park, Botswana: 4,000
24. Makgadikgadi National Park, Botswana: 3,900
25. Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda: 3,885
26. Kaudum Game Park, Namibia: 3,800
27. Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique: 3,770
28. Liuwa Plain National Park, Zambia: 3,660
29. Mkomazi National Park, Tanzania: 3,600
30. Mikumi National Park, Tanzania: 3,230
31. Mweru Wantipa National Park, Zambia: 3,134
32. Nyika National Park, Malawi: 3,134
33. Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana: 3,000
34. Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia: 3,000
35. Lukusuzi National Park, Zambia: 2,720
36. Tarangire National Park, Tanzania: 2,600
37. Khutse Game Reserve, Botswana: 2,600
38. Katavi National Park, Tanzania: 2,253
39. Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe: 2,190
40. Nsumbu National Park, Zambia: 2,020
41. Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda: 2,000
42. Kasungu National Park, Malawi: 2,000
43. Chizarira National Park, Zimbabwe: 1,910
44. Nkhorakota Game Reserve, Malawi: 1,802
45. West Lunga National Park, Zambia: 1,684
46. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya: 1,672
47. Skeleton Cost National Park, Namibia: 1,600
48. Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania: 1,577
49. Matusadona National Park, Zimbabwe: 1,407
50. Kidepo National Park, Uganda: 1,334