Hidden Gems: 5 Underrated Safari Parks In Africa You Should Consider Visiting
If you want a wildlife experience that’s a bit unique, and away from the crowds, then Africa is full of magnificent lesser-known safari destinations.
I’ve put together the list below of 5 underrated African safari destinations you should consider, that still offer an unforgettable experience, with incredible wildlife sighting opportunities, and a chance to explore unspoilt wilderness.
1. Savuti & Linyanti Concession, Botswana
Although Botswana’s Chobe National Park is well-known, even iconic wildlife destinations have secretive pockets left largely unexplored.
The Savuti is one such hidden gem. Located along Chobe’s western boundary, this wildlife-rich region is remote and tricky to access (flying in is the easiest option), which keeps visitor numbers low.
Savuti is famous for its unique phenomenon of elephant-hunting lion prides and thriving spotted hyena populations. Each year, the area hosts its own migration: from November, vast herds of zebra, wildebeest, and buffalo migrate southward in search of fresh pastures, before returning north by February.
The landscape is dominated by the enigmatic Savuti Channel, which stretches 100km from the Chobe River to the Savuti marsh. The channel is often dry, yet it periodically experiences dramatic flooding.
To the north lies the Linyanti Concession, a secluded and private reserve teeming with large elephant herds and packs of wild dogs, which may be spotted hunting. A trip to this part of Botswana often pairs both Savuti and Linyanti for a thrilling adventure.
2. Matusadona National Park, Zimbabwe
Matusadona National Park, tucked along the shores of Lake Kariba (which is the world’s largest man-made lake) is one of Zimbabwe’s hidden treasures.
When the Zambezi Basin was flooded in 1958 to create Lake Kariba, around 6,000 animals were relocated here.
Today, the park is nestled between the Sanyati and Sengwa rivers and the Matuzviadonha hills, from which it takes its name.
While poaching has devastated the previously impressive populations of lions and black rhinos, Matusadona’s wild beauty endures, even as restoration efforts continue.
Rugged hills give way to sweeping grasslands and eerie petrified forests. You have the option to embark on Jeep or walking safaris to see the herds of buffalo grazing on the plains or take a boat cruise through the drowned forests where African fish eagles hunt. Matusadona’s tranquillity and raw wilderness are magnificent.
Despite Zimbabwe’s rich wildlife, it remains overlooked by many. Even Mana Pools, renowned for its large elephant population, sees more elephants than visitors each year. Yet, it offers extraordinary experiences, such as canoe safaris along the Lower Zambezi, where you can paddle beside elephants and hippos.
3. Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi
Previously, poaching had ravaged Malawi’s Majete Wildlife Reserve to such an extent that the reserve saw very few visitors in the early 2000s. However, after the NGO African Parks took over its management, the reserve experienced a remarkable revival.
Over the years, more than 5,000 animals from 17 species were reintroduced, and by 2012, the arrival of lions completed the Big Five.
It’s the anti-poaching efforts that have had the most profound effect. Since their reintroduction, no rhino or elephant has fallen victim to poaching.
Majete’s infrastructure has also seen considerable improvements, with accommodation options now including luxurious lodges. Majete has undoubtedly become one of Africa’s great wildlife success stories, and I think it offers a great alternative African safari destination.
4. Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda
Uganda’s Kidepo Valley National Park is about as remote as it gets. Situated roughly 700km north of Kampala, on the border with South Sudan, this vast park is spread across the arid grasslands of the Karamoja region and is rarely visited by travellers.
Those who do venture here might be lucky enough to witness one of East Africa’s more unusual sights: tree-climbing lions. Although this behaviour is more typically associated with lions in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park or Tanzania’s Lake Manyara, it has been observed in Kidepo as well, possibly as a means to escape ground insects or catch a refreshing breeze.
In addition to scanning the branches for lions, you might be lucky enough to spot cheetahs, which are unique to this part of Uganda.
For the more intrepid traveller, Kidepo offers further adventures, including visits to the boiling hot springs of Kanangorok and hikes into the Morungole Mountains, where visits to Ik villages can add to your experience.
5. Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
Despite being Tanzania’s second-largest national park and boasting one of the continent’s largest lion populations, Ruaha remains largely underrated as an African safari destination.
With over 500 bird species, vast elephant migrations, thriving populations of leopards and cheetahs, and the rare chance to see both greater and lesser kudu in the same area, it’s a gem.
Only around a tenth of Ruaha, which stretches across a secluded region of the Great Rift Valley, is open to tourism, with the remainder remaining pristine wilderness.
The park’s low-impact tourism approach within the accessible areas, meaning only a handful of camps, ensures a peaceful, uncrowded experience – Even during the dry season (May to November), when wildlife sightings along the shrinking rivers are at their peak.
Ruaha’s vast open plains, baobab groves, and rocky outcrops create the perfect backdrop for magical walking safaris.
