The 5 Most Underrated Safari Destinations, According to a Top Travel Advisor

African safaris have seen a huge uptick of American travelers, and well-known destinations like Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve or the Serengeti in Tanzania can feel touristy. If you’re hoping to avoid crowds, make sure to choose lodges or camps that are deep in the parks, far from entry points and main roads. It’s also a good idea to travel during shoulder seasons and, when possible, to choose private concessions and conservancies, which host fewer people and offer more exclusivity.

The most important consideration is choosing the right destination. Lesser-known regions offer experiences that are just as magical, minus the crowds. As a travel advisor with over a decade of experience planning trips to Africa, here are my top five picks.

1. Lower Zambezi, Zambia

Guests fishing in the Zambezi River at Lolebezi.

Lolebezi

The Lower Zambezi region of Zambia offers an old-school safari experience: tented camps surrounded by untouched wilderness, with large concentrations of game like elephants, and easy access adventurous activities.

Lower Zambezi is the birthplace of the walking safari, where you can get out of the vehicle and track wildlife on foot. You can also take a canoe along the beautiful Zambezi River to view wildlife. For anglers, fishing for tigerfish in the river is particularly excellent in October.

Dulini Anabezi offers private plunge pools and viewing decks overlooking the river and floodplains. At Lolebezi, which is tucked along the Zambezi River and known for leopard sightings, guests can pick between luxury suites and villas.

2. Southern Tanzania

A look into a cozy guest room at Jabali Ridge.

Jabali Ridge

Most safarigoers have heard of the Serengeti—but Southern Tanzania flies under the radar despite being a game-viewing paradise. This more remote region may take more effort to reach, but you’ll be rewarded with plenty of intimate wildlife encounters.

The vast and wild Nyerere National Park is a great place for walking safaris, and it’s also home to a third of the world’s wild dog population. If you’re looking for elephants, lions, and buffalo, head to Ruaha National Park. Stay at Kigelia Camp Ruaha, a simple but elegant camp perfectly situated in an area with a high concentration of wildlife. Or, for a luxury seven-room stay with panoramic views, try Ikuka Safari Camp. Wherever you stay, aim to travel in June or October for dry weather and fewer crowds.

3. Akagera, Rwanda

One of Wilderness Magashi’s luxurious bedrooms.

Wilderness Magashi

Aside from its beauty, what makes Rwanda’s Akagera National Park special is its backstory. Poaching and human conflict had decimated the wildlife until a huge regenerative conservation project restored the animal population back to its former glory. The park is an excellent place to see the Big Five, especially leopards and rhinos.

A lack of tourists makes for exceptional game drives; sometimes, your vehicle seems like the only one in the park. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the park’s headquarters and see its conservation mission firsthand, and add on gorilla trekking for the perfect Rwanda itinerary.

Nestled on the banks of Lake Ihema is Ruzizi Tented Lodge, an eco-lodge featuring local artisan designs and a variety of safari options, including night drives and boat excursions. Wilderness Magashi Camp is another top stay that supports conservation and sustainability.

4. Okavango Delta, Botswana

Duba Plain’s Camp offers popular boat safari’s for guests.

Duba Plains Camp

Once upon a time, Botswana was the undisputed champion of the crowd-free safari. Now, even some areas of the magical Okavango Delta have become busy. To avoid this, I recommend going during the shoulder season, May or September, and staying on a private concession—some camps have entire islands to themselves.

Botswana is famous for its mokoro excursions: on these traditional dugout canoes, you can get exceptionally close to wildlife like crocodiles. Boating safaris and guided bush walks are also very popular here—look out for elephants, wild dogs, and lions.

Wilderness Mombo is a remote lodge on a private concession in the Moremi Game Reserve, renowned for its game-viewing and luxurious accommodations. Duba Plains Camp, also located on a private concession, offers five 1920s-inspired suites that open right onto the floodplains.

5. Northern Kenya

In Kenya, the farther north you travel, the wilder it gets. And while the wildlife density might be slightly lower compared to that of the well-known Masai Mara, the spectacular scenery and culture found in places like Laikipia, Samburu, and the Matthews Mountain Range more than make up for it. In Samburu, for instance, travelers can learn about the Samburu people and their unique traditions and practices, as well as spot the rare “special five”—the Grevy zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, and beisa oryx.

Helicopter safaris in northern Kenya offer an extraordinary way to reach remote areas, including Lake Turkana. Meanwhile, the community-owned Reteti Elephant Sanctuary offers a meaningful conservation experience.

Stay at ranch-style lodge Ol Malo for a blend of exploration and culture, or family-owned Lewa House in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy for a unique stay with striking views.

Elizabeth Gordon is a member of Travel + Leisure’s A-List and specializes in Kenya and Zambia trips. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Gordon by contacting her at [email protected].