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Top 17 Hidden Travel Gems to Discover in Africa

     

Beyond the celebrated safari destinations and iconic natural wonders, you can take an extraordinary journey with our top 17 hidden travel gems to discover in Africa. The quality of wildlife viewing, remote uncrowded areas, and the diversity of species are all reasons a place makes the Born Free top list of hidden gems. 


The continent is vast and diverse with a wealth of things to see—secluded wildernesses, captivating cultures, and gorgeous landscapes that few people visit firsthand. From the misty mountain forests filled with lemurs to searing volcanic lakes in the Danakil Depression, each of the unusual travel destinations promises you a transformative adventure.


1. North Luangwa National Park, Zambia


North Luangwa is one of Africa's most exclusive and utterly wild safari destinations. It can feel like a remote wilderness where leopards prowl, lions roar, and the critically endangered black rhino still roams free. 


With only a handful of intimate camps dotting the park, you'll feel like you have this wonderland all to yourself as you venture out on open vehicle game drives and guided walking safaris. The thrill of catching that first glimpse of a camouflaged leopard or an elephant herd emerging from the bushveld is unmatched when coupled with the lack of crowds. 


Best time to visit: May - September


2. South Luangwa National Park, Zambia   


While its northern sister steals the spotlight for seclusion, South Luangwa National Park is still an underrated travel gem teeming with extraordinary wildlife viewing in its own right. 


You can spot massive herds of elephants plodding along the riverbanks, families of hippos wallowing in oxbow lagoons, and look for the elusive leopard prowling across grassy floodplains. 


Don't just observe from the vehicle, sign up for one of the park's famed walking safaris to experience the bush from an utterly grounded perspective where you can witness the plants, bugs, and animal tracks up close.  


Best time to visit: May - September


3. Madagascar


It’s not hyperbole to say the island nation off the east coast of Africa is an otherworldly experience. Its razor-sharp limestone karsts, tropical rainforests, and kaleidoscopic underwater gardens showcase unique ecosystems that serve as the sole global habitats for a staggering 90% of the island's plant species and 92% of its mammal population. The island is a World Heritage Site with 13 wildlife areas and six national parks.  

You have the chance to encounter fabled lemurs, including the indri with its haunting territorial calls, and the comical troops of ring-tailed lemurs who love to play in the canopy. The biodiversity of Madagascar is unparalleled, with opportunities to spot fossa, whales, the endangered Adansonia perrieri baobab tree, and more, making it one of the world's most unique places to visit.

Best time to visit: April - May | October - November


4. Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia


The Lower Zambezi valley is an oasis of extraordinary wildlife viewing along the mighty Zambezi River's banks. You can watch massive elephants cross from Zimbabwe's shores or look for rare Zambian sable antelope grazing on the Zambian side during an open vehicle game drive. You'll also have a front-row seat to one of the greatest gatherings of hippopotamus and bird life in Africa without the crowds found at more touristy parks and reserves.


Best time to visit: June - September


5. Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe


Exploring Zimbabwe's celebrated Mana Pools gives you access to a UNESCO World Heritage site that feels like wandering through the set of an epic wilderness documentary. Lush riverine forests give way to rugged, sun-bleached escarpments dipping into valleys where elephants, lions, and abundant antelope make their home. 


Winding waterways are ideal for tranquil canoe safaris and the park demonstrates why the contorted valleys and dense stands of mahogany trees have created an iconic landscape that lingers vividly in your imagination long after your visit. 


Best time to visit: June - September


6. Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania 


The Serengeti takes up a huge portion of the safari limelight across Africa, let alone Tanzania but if you're eager to veer from the typical routes, aim for the raw wonder of the Selous Game Reserve in southern Tanzania. As one of the largest faunal reserves on the planet, Selous allows you to get lost within its sprawling scenery without another soul in sight amongst greater kudus, African wild dogs, and grazing giraffes.

 

Cut a trail through its dense riverine forests by open 4x4, watching for elephants and buffalos on the expansive grassy plains, or when floating along the meandering Rufiji River by boat in search of crocs and hippos. With such staggering space and so few visitors, you can often feel completely alone in Africa's last great wilderness. 


Best time to visit: June - October


7. Ruaha National Park, Tanzania


Roughly 500 miles inland, the little-known Ruaha National Park quietly offers one of the most extraordinary safari experiences in all of East Africa for those willing to step away from the typical path. 


With rolling hills, mopane woodlands, and winding seasonal rivers, Ruaha provides the perfect stomping grounds for 10% of the world's entire lion population alongside formidable elephant herds and the elusive, and endangered, African wild dog. With only a smattering of basic camps, the untouched atmosphere feels like you've traveled back in time before mass tourism ever arrived in Tanzania’s safari parks.


Best time to visit: June - October


8. Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe


When you think of the ultimate African safari, you probably envision the endless, pregnant silences of Zimbabwe's enormous Hwange Park without knowing it. As the nation's largest protected area, Hwange proffers extraordinary chances to glimpse formidable elephant herds in their hundreds roaming the savannah, punctuated by sightings of Big 5's other celebrated members. Embrace the thrill of watching these ancient landscapes awaken from your tent or open safari vehicle as another adventure-filled day in the bush begins while far from the maddening crowds of famous safari parks. 

Best time to visit: May - October

9. Laikipia, Kenya


The Maasai Mara gets most of the attention as Kenya's iconic safari destination but turn your sights on the wild lands of Laikipia in central Kenya, and you'll quickly realize how underrated this region is. It’s an absolute treasure for those craving a more authentic, off-the-beaten-path experience without fighting for views of lions or crashes of crocodiles.

With a strong emphasis on conservation and community-based tourism, Laikipia feels worlds away from the bustle of more crowded parks. During open vehicle game drives and guided walking safaris across its vast private reserves and working ranches, you'll have a real chance at spotting the Big 5 alongside elegant reticulated giraffes, endangered Grevy's zebras, and all sorts of other iconic wildlife. 

Best time to visit: Year-round

10. Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa


Kruger monopolizes South Africa's safari popularity, but Madikwe Game Reserve is the hidden jewel of the North West province. This under-the-radar treasure offers all the authentic thrill of a Big 5 safari without the tourist hordes and with the added benefit of being malaria-free. As you embark on open 4x4 game drives or guided walking trails across Madikwe's approximately 185,000 acres of diverse habitat, you can enjoy the rocky hills and lush riverine forests, listen for lions, search for leopards, or spot rhinos roaming in the grasses.

Best time to visit: May - September

11. Kafue National Park, Zambia


As Zambia's oldest and largest national park, Kafue is a demonstration of true wilderness, one that Mother Nature has gifted with staggering biodiversity. 

One second you could be cruising across vast, sun-baked savannas in pursuit of prides of lions or herds of sable antelope, the next moment you might find yourself surrounded by lush riverine forests and waterways where hippos and crocodiles reign. 

With relatively few permanent camps, guided walking tours give you the ultimate opportunity to lose yourself in Kafue's isolated, untamed scenery.  

Best time to visit: July - October

12. Meru National Park, Kenya


It’s understandable why many safari-goers make a beeline for the Mara, but true safari aficionados know that Meru National Park is where you go to experience the magic of Kenya's mid-northern wilderness. This small, relatively undiscovered park may not be on most tourist radars, but that only adds to its allure.


Meru's diverse ecology of rivers, forests, grasslands, and arid valleys provides the perfect habitat for an astounding diversity of species, from the Big 5 to over 427 recorded bird species. Better yet, since visitor numbers remain low, you'll likely have the park's winding game trails and shimmering waterways practically to yourself as you seek out rhinos, lions, cheetahs, and more, in blissful solitude.


Best time to visit: June - October


13. Liwonde National Park, Malawi


Liwonde National Park in Malawi is an underrated gem offering a rich and diverse safari experience. Situated along the Shire River, the park has transformed from a poaching hotspot into a conservation success story. Its lush landscape of palm-studded floodplains, reedbeds, and towering mopane woodlands provides a stunning backdrop for wildlife viewing, with elephants frequently seen near the river.

The park is home to the Big Five, including reintroduced black rhinos, lions, and African wild dogs. Bird lovers will be thrilled by over 460 species, including rarities like Pel’s fishing owls. Visitors can enjoy a variety of safari experiences, from game drives and walking safaris to boat excursions.

As Liwonde now expands into the Mangochi Forest Reserve, it plays a crucial role in conservation and eco-tourism, offering intimate wildlife encounters in a breathtaking, compact destination.

Best time to visit: April - September


14. Matusadona National Park, Zimbabwe 


If you're craving an intimate safari devoid of crowds, venture to the relatively undiscovered gem of Matusadona on the southern shores of Lake Kariba. Watching massive elephant herds sip from the water's edge while black eagles circle overhead is just another day in this wild, and seemingly hidden paradise. Most of the park is only accessible on open 4x4 game drives or walking excursions, so you can savor a sense of total seclusion while tracking the Big 5 and more.

Best time to visit: May - October


15. Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania


Instead of the not-so-wild swarms of vehicles and onlookers during the Great Migration in the Serengeti, you can have an utterly immersive encounter with Tanzania's incredible biodiversity in the chimpanzee haven of Gombe Stream. 

The small but mighty park hugs the shores of Lake Tanganyika and doesn’t offer the "traditional" safari, but provides one of Africa's most profound wildlife experiences. Trek through lush forests to look for our closest genetic relatives in their natural state—feeding, grooming, squabbling, and engaging in complex societal hierarchy. 

Numbers are limited, which protects the chimpanzees, the environment, and the overall experience. 

Best time to visit: June - October


16. Skeleton Coast, Namibia


Stretching for over 300 miles along Namibia’s Atlantic shoreline, the Skeleton Coast is one of the most desolate and eerily beautiful places on Earth. The remote and inhospitable region gets its name from the whale bones and shipwrecks that have strewn its shores over centuries. Coastal fog, strong winds, and crashing waves create an eerily seductive atmosphere.


You can explore the towering sand dunes, salt pans, and rocky outcrops teeming with Cape fur seals or coastal birds like flamingos. Inland are rare sightings of desert-adapted wildlife like elephants, lions, and black rhinos. A fly-in safari offers the best way to experience the area’s haunting beauty.


Best time to visit: May - October


17. Kulala Wilderness Reserve, Namibia


Located in the heart of Namibia's Namib Desert, Kulala Wilderness Reserve is a chance to travel the ancient dunes and see desert-adapted wildlife. The reserve borders the salt and clay pan creating the iconic dunes of Sossusvlei.


Guided nature drives, quad biking, and hot air ballooning are exciting options to take in the stark beauty. You can also enjoy guided walks to learn about the flora and fauna like gemsbok, ostrich, and smaller creatures like barking geckos. The remote location promises pristine nights perfect for stargazing.


Best time to visit: May - September


18. Okavango Delta, Botswana


The Okavango is incredibly famous but is also not often the first or even second place a safari traveler may request to visit. It is definitely a name many travelers know and might be familiar with, we still consider it a"'hidden gem." The Okavango Delta is an enchanting wilderness in Botswana, renowned for its vibrant biodiversity and unique ecosystem. Covering 2,300 to 5,800 square miles depending on seasonal floods, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the few deltas in the world that doesn’t flow into the sea. Home to over 480 bird species and 130 mammals—including cheetahs, black rhinos, and African wild dogs—the wilderness exemplifies why it is a must-visit for nature lovers.


For a truly immersive experience, explore the tranquil waterways by a traditional dugout canoe called a mokoro for close-up views of smaller wildlife and the delta’s serene beauty. You can also stay in a luxury lodge on a remote island, where exclusive access to prime wildlife viewing and untouched landscapes demonstrate the Okavango’s diverse habitats and hidden beauty.


Best time to visit: August - October


19. Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda


Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park was established in 1952 and remains virtually unknown to most US travelers. The park is a wildlife-rich sanctuary spanning 764 square miles of diverse ecosystems. From savannas to wetlands, this park is home to over 95 mammal species and an impressive 600 bird species, making it Africa’s premier birding destination. Famous for its tree-climbing lions, you’ll find these majestic creatures in the Ishasha sector.


A boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel creates intimate encounters with hippos, elephants, and Nile crocodiles, while chimpanzee trekking in the Kyambura Gorge provides the chance to observe primates in their natural forest habitat. Its rich wildlife, dramatic landscapes, and diverse activities make this park feel unique to a safari experience in Africa, let alone Uganda.


Best time to visit: January - February | June - September


Discover More Hidden Travel Gems in Africa on Your Next Trip


These extraordinary hidden gems scattered across Africa's vast and diverse landscapes represent a mere glimpse into the boundless enchantment that awaits those willing to veer from the typical tourist routes and embrace a sense of adventure most travelers can only dream of. 


From tracking the continent's iconic megafauna in utter solitude to connecting with ancient tribal traditions frozen in time, a visit to any of these underrated destinations promises the kind of life-altering, profoundly authentic experience that will linger in your imagination forever. Start your travel wishlist and let us help bring your unique experience to life.