THE 6 LEAST KNOWN BUT IMPRESSIVE AFRICAN SAFARIS 2024
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the hidden wonders of Africa with our guide to the continent’s lesser-known safari gems. Beyond the famed Serengeti and the iconic Kruger National Park lies a world of untouched wilderness, where nature thrives in its purest form. From the walking safaris of Zambia’s South Luangwa to the canoe adventures in Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools, the vast salt pans of Botswana’s Makgadikgadi, the elephant havens of Kenya’s Amboseli, the pristine waters of Tanzania’s Lake Tanganyika, and the expansive landscapes of Kenya’s Tsavo, each destination unfolds a unique story of beauty, adventure, and wildlife. These hidden treasures offer a glimpse into the heart of Africa, where the wild roams free and the landscapes speak to the soul. Dive into our guide to discover the road less traveled, where the essence of safari comes alive.
1. South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
Known as the birthplace of the walking safari, South Luangwa offers an unparalleled wildlife viewing experience, with its high concentration of animals along the Luangwa River. This park is famed for its diverse mammal population, including the unique Thornicroft’s giraffe and large herds of elephants and buffalo.
The untamed landscapes, ranging from dense woodlands to open grasslands, provide a dramatic backdrop for both game drives and walking safaris.
2. Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Mana Pools is celebrated for its remote wilderness, situated along the lower Zambezi River. The park’s name, “Mana,” means ‘four’ in Shona, referring to the four main pools that attract abundant wildlife, especially during the dry season.
Visitors can engage in unique safari experiences such as canoeing and walking without a guide among elephants, hippos, and a plethora of bird species. The park is also one of the few places where you can encounter the endangered African wild dogs in their natural habitat.
3. Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Botswana
This vast salt pan, one of the largest in the world, transforms into a spectacular wildlife haven during the wet season. The Makgadikgadi Pans are known for their surreal landscapes and seasonal migrations of zebra and wildebeest, followed closely by predators.
The region offers unique interactions with meerkats and the opportunity to witness ancient baobabs, making it a stark contrast to the typical safari experience.
4. Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Famous for its stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro and large herds of elephants, Amboseli provides a classic safari backdrop. The park’s swamps attract diverse wildlife, ensuring excellent game viewing opportunities.
Birdwatchers will find a paradise here, with over 400 species recorded. The Maasai community adds a cultural dimension to the wildlife-rich landscapes of Amboseli.
5. Tsavo National Park, Kenya
Tsavo, divided into East and West, offers some of Kenya’s most rugged wilderness. Tsavo East, known as the “Theatre of the Wild,” presents a vast semi-arid wilderness dominated by red dust-covered elephants and maneless lions unique to this region. With the Galana River providing a lifeline, the park is a stronghold for diverse wildlife, including vast herds of buffalo, lions, leopards, and over 500 bird species.
The park’s rich history, marked by the infamous Tsavo Man-Eaters and archaeological sites dating back to the Late Stone Age, adds a fascinating cultural dimension to its natural beauty.
6. Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania
The world’s longest freshwater lake and second deepest, Lake Tanganyika offers an exotic safari destination. It is renowned for its vibrant aquatic life, including hundreds of cichlid species, making it a dream for snorkelers and divers.
The surrounding national parks and reserves, such as Mahale Mountains and Gombe Stream, provide habitats for chimpanzees, inviting visitors to explore Africa’s great apes in their natural setting.
These destinations exemplify the beauty and diversity of the African continent, each with its unique allure, promising unforgettable safari experiences far from the beaten path. From the walking safaris of South Luangwa and the canoe adventures in Mana Pools to the vastness of Makgadikgadi, the elephant encounters in Amboseli, and the pristine waters of Lake Tanganyika, these hidden gems offer a deeper connection with nature’s marvels.
Discover More: Journey Beyond the Beaten Path
Ready to explore the untouched beauty of Africa’s hidden safari gems? Our expertly curated adventures are designed to connect you with the raw and unfiltered beauty of the continent. From intimate wildlife encounters to breathtaking landscapes, let us guide you through an extraordinary exploration of these lesser-known destinations. Dive into the adventure of a lifetime and create unforgettable memories in Africa’s most secluded paradises.
What Our Clients Say
Brendan Magauran2024-04-14Incredible! Beyond expectations. German guided us on an absolutely amazing trip to Cape Town, Franschhoek, Hermanus and a safari at Thornybush game reserve. Every recommendation was spot on from a restaurants to a guided tour of Cape Point, the Hop on hop off bus, where to visit in the wine country, lodging in a beach front suite in Hermanus. As for the safari at Thornybush - WOW! More than we could have ever imagined in terms of luxury and game sightings. Thank you German. Looking forward to our next trip with you as our guide. And yes, we have told all family and friends, this is the man to contact for their travels.Ellen H.2024-04-12We feel beyond lucky to have found Nanan Travel! We are from the USA and are DIY-ers, used to making our own travel arrangements. When planning for our bucket-list trip to S. Africa, it quickly got overwhelming and stressful to differentiate among the innumerable safari options on the internet, figure out domestic flights, assess safety concerns, find a private driver to tour Cape Point, etc. We did not want to travel with a tour group, nor use a global internet travel agency, so I looked for a travel agent actually based in Cape Town so that we could deal with just one person who really knew the area. I found Nanan based on location and reviews, then was sold by their individualized approach and willingness to help with as much or as little of the planning as one wants. We reached out to German de la Melena and he answered immediately, even though it was a Sunday evening in Cape Town, wanting to hear all about our wishes so that he could work on things promptly and have a suggested itinerary by the time we woke up the next morning! He was thoughtful, conscientious, friendly, worked within our budget and did not try to upsell us, gave us options and even incorporated some specific requests we had. From that initial contact on, all the stress and worry about our upcoming trip went away! After designing a fantastic itinerary for us, the true test of an amazing travel agent came when my husband injured himself the week before our trip and couldn’t travel, requiring us to postpone for 4 weeks. While we were dealing with stressful health issues, we gave German our medical documentation and he took care of the rest. He had to change all of our reservations and domestic flights, and went above and beyond to do so without our incurring more expense. What a huge relief! German remained remarkably responsive before and during our trip, able to advise on any question and troubleshoot any problem, reachable by What’s App in minutes. Between the great itinerary and the peace of mind, working with German and knowing he had our back truly made all the difference in our experience being the trip of a lifetime!! Thank you, German! You deserve more than 5 stars and I will refer everyone I know to you!Pablo Berenbaum2024-03-17Exclente organización. Hoteles, tours, impecables !!! Gracias Germán x las sugerencias, el viaje fue INCREIBLE !Faisal Alaali2024-03-13I cannot say enough great things about Nanan Travel. He organized a spectacular trip to South Africa for me, and every detail was absolutely perfect. From the boutique hotels to the incredible safari stays, everything was top-notch and exceeded my expectations. The entire trip was seamlessly planned, and I never once had to worry about a thing. The accommodations were luxurious, the guides were knowledgeable and friendly, and the overall experience was truly unforgettable. Last part was the stay in Cape Town before heading back home. The city is absolutely stunning, and I was able to explore all it had to offer thanks to the amazing recommendations from German. I highly recommend Nanan Travel for anyone looking to plan a trip to South Africa or any other destination. Their attention to detail, personalized service, and overall expertise make them the best in the business. Thank you German for an incredible journey that I will never forget!Manuel D2024-03-08Hemos pasado días espectaculares en Sudáfrica y Zimbabue, toda la organización de nuestros hijos con German funcionaron perfectamente. Todas las actividades, lodges, tours, safaris, fueron perfectos, así como el trato recibido en cada lugar fue muy personalizado, haciendo que este viaje sea inolvidable. Cada detalle funcionó a la perfección. Nanan Travel es 100% confiable y recomendable.Monica C2024-03-08Acabamos de llegar a Lima después de un viaje soñado a Africa. Mi hija y su esposo, que habían hecho Safari el año pasado por su Luna de Miel, querían que los cuatros papas viviéramos y sintiéramos toda la adrenalina y experiencias que ellos habían vivido, así que no lo pensaron dos veces y nos invitaron a este viaje único y maravilloso. Gracias Nanan Travel, gracias German, hemos vivido lo que realmente quisieron transmitirnos los Manuela y Rodrigo, los lugares visitados, las atenciones, los hoteles y su staff, todo, y la experiencia de estar con los animales asi de cerca es única. Si quieren hacer un viaje soñado, no dejen de contactar a German, escriban a Nanan Travel, y no se arrepentirán. Gracias por Todo!!Gustavo Rivera2024-03-05Fue espectacular, desde el momento en que llegamos a Cape Town hasta que llegamos a Lima de vuelta estuvimos súper engreídos, los lugares escogidos para descansar , los guías, todo lo conocido !!, realmente un viaje de ensueño, recomendado a mil !!! Gracias Germán, eres un capo !!!Violeta Rivera2024-03-05Espectacular ! hemos pasado unos días increíbles con un servicio de primera Volvería hacer el mismo viaje mañana mismo !!!Lizbett Arevalo2024-02-26If you want to sit back, relax and enjoy… German is the way to go! My 16 YO son and I had the best dream trip came true to South Africa thanks to him! I can’t thank you enough German! Starting from Cape town then Safari and meeting my best friend in Johannesburg… I call it an OVER THE TOP kind of vacation🤩🤩🤩🙌🙏❤️🐆🐘🇿🇦🦁 🦏
