Lesser Known Safari

There are few places on earth that remain largely undiscovered, but these stunning Safari destinations can certainly make that claim.  Lesser-known they might be, but exhilarating and exciting they definitely are. If you have already experienced a Safari in Kenya, Tanzania or South Africa or want to try somewhere new and largely undiscovered, these compelling Safari destinations might be just what you are looking for.

Namibia

Etosha is the greatest national park in Namibia, famed for its striking desert landscapes and abundant wildlife. You’ll have the chance to spot four of the Big 5 as there are no buffalo in Etosha, however you can spot them in the nearby Waterberg Plateau and Caprivi Strip. Meanwhile, the huge populations of lions and elephants make up for it. 

Etosha is also one of the best places in Africa to see the white rhino and critically endangered black rhino. These precious creatures have been poached to near extinction on the continent, but you can still find them around the waterholes of Etosha.

Botswana

It’s all about elephants in Chobe, and this national park is one of the best safari destinations in the world to see these majestic creatures. There are around 120,000 elephants in the park and we love spotting them on a Chobe River cruise.

You’ll have the chance to see elephants, buffalo, lions and leopards come to the river bank to drink, while birds like the kingfisher hover over the water. The best time to spot the huge elephant herds is the dry season from May to October. Wildlife viewing is at its absolute best from August to October.

Unfortunately, rhinos are extremely rare to spot in Chobe after having their population decimated over the years. The good news is they are slowly being reintroduced to private areas of the park.

Rwanda

Renowned for its specialist gorilla trekking adventures, Rwanda has long been integrated into epic wildlife travel itineraries alongside the classic ‘Big Five’ East African safari spots, Kenya and Tanzania. Now, thanks to the recently opened Wilderness Safari’s Magashi Camp in Akagera National Park, international travellers can look within the country’s borders in search of these iconic game animals. Visitors will be immersed in jaw-dropping landscapes from volcanoes and lush rainforest, to emerald green lakes and vast grasslands.

Recommended accommodation: Magashi Camp – Overlooking the beautiful Lake Rwanyakazinga in Rwanda’s diverse Akagera National Park, Magashi Camp offers luxury accommodation in one of the most scenic savannahs in East Africa and can be seamlessly combined with gorilla trekking.

Zimbabwe

Best known for its majestic Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe has so much more to offer as an authentic, rugged destination delivering superb game viewing in the care of some of the most respected guides in the business. Hwange National Park is one of the most renowned safari destinations and has an impressive range of habitats from woodlands to grasslands and scrub that support a vast diversity of wildlife. The park has one of the largest elephant populations in the world, with herds in their hundreds gathering around the waterholes. Known also for one of the best surviving populations of the rare African wild dog – a real drawcard for veteran safari visitors.