Secret safari destinations: lesser-known national parks in Africa

Several of the wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in Africa are justifiably world-famous: South Africa’s Kruger National Park, the Okavango Delta in Botswana, and Namib-Naukluft National Park in Namibia, to name just a few. Unsurprisingly, trips to these sites require far-in-advance booking, and the massive tourist presence can dampen the experience. With this in mind, we wanted to focus on some of the more underrated national parks in Africa. These spots all feature the breathtaking landscapes and unique wildlife experiences you’d expect from incredibly popular African national parks. But as they’re somewhat off the beaten path, they often aren’t quite as tourist-saturated.

Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania

Chimpanzee trekking safaris and biodiverse wonders

Mahale Mountains National Park stands out among African wildlife sanctuaries for many reasons, including its protected chimpanzee population. This group of eastern chimpanzees represents the largest of its kind. (Gombe National Park, where Jane Goodall did much of her research, is Tanzania’s only other sanctuary for these primates.)

Animal lovers will be thrilled to see these fascinating creatures, but should understand the necessary precautions for viewing them. Groups of six (no more) are allowed one hour (no longer) and must wear masks to prevent disease transmission. But it’s worth it. You’ll also see lions, giraffes, elephants, leopards, and many other astonishing animals amid the mix of rainforest, bamboo forest, and grasslands in the park.

Exploring the remote, serene Lake Tanganyika

The relatively underrated status of Mahale Mountains Park stems largely from its near-inaccessibility. It’s on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, and visitors can only arrive by boat, as the jungle and mountains on the other side aren’t navigable.

Tanganyika is the world’s longest freshwater lake and the second-deepest, with still, stunning dark blue waters. It’s also ancient, with one basin between nine and 12 million years old. The animal residents are numerous and varied, with hundreds of endemic fish species as well as terrapins, water cobras, Nile crocodiles, and hippos.

Read more: The best things to do in Tanzania

Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Botswana

Otherworldly salt pan landscapes

Southeast of the more famous Okavango Delta in Botswana, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park bears the name of the massive salt pans that comprise much of its territory. These arid, off-white pans (a group of many, rather than a single pan like Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni) stretch for more than 6,000 square miles (15,540sq km).

During the dry season (May to September), the Makgadikgadi Pans are nearly lifeless, save for short grassland along the borders and the occasional giant baobab tree. To truly absorb the austere effect of the pans, you’ll want to visit then, when daytime temperatures rarely exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26 Celsius).

When to visit for wildlife watching

The rainy season (November to March) completely transforms Makgadikgadi Pans National Park into a rich grassland teeming with migratory wildlife. Wildebeest and zebra are most common, but springbok and the occasional elephant aren’t unheard of. Birds including flamingos and great white pelicans also visit the pans as part of their annual migration.

Read more: Off the beaten track: Botswana safaris

Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda

A biodiverse haven: primates and more than 300 bird species

A jewel of Rwanda located in the western Great Rift Valley, Nyungwe Forest National Park hosts almost 500 animal species (and over 1,000 plant species). More than 300 of these are birds, including the yellow-eyed black flycatcher, regal sunbird, Kivu ground thrush, and dozens more.

Though the park does have two chimpanzee populations, they’re quite small (fewer than 100 animals altogether). You’re far less likely to see them than to catch a glimpse of silver, golden, or red-tailed monkeys.

A link to the community

Nyungwe is one of the only forests in eastern Africa where visitors can walk above the canopy on hanging (but stable) wooden bridges. But the park also offers proximity to robust community initiatives. These include an apiary, a pig-farming enterprise, a coffee shop, and various sustainability projects. It’s always inspiring to see your tourism expenses have a tangible impact.

Read more: Trekking with gorillas in Rwanda and other nature adventures

Laikipia region, Kenya

Unique sightings of endangered species

Although the high rangelands of the Laikipia region in Kenya aren’t home to a government- or nonprofit-run national park, this is unquestionably one of the nation’s most beautiful areas. As such, it offers plenty of opportunities to see several of the world’s rarest and most remarkable animals.

For example, Laikipia is one of the few places in Kenya (or otherwise) where it’s not merely possible but common to see endangered black rhinos. You’re also almost guaranteed to see three of Africa’s four other Big Five animals — elephants, buffaloes, and lions (in that order). You’re much less likely to spot that member’s last group, the leopard, but it’s not unheard of. Other rare creatures in Laikipia include cheetahs, striped hyenas, and wild dogs.

Plan a unique wildlife experience

Private conservation areas fill the role of African national parks in Laikipia. Examples include El Karama Lodge, the Borana Conservancy, Ol Pejeta, and the Segera Conservancy. Visiting these or other similar sites affords you the chance to see members of the Big Five, as well as hippos, Grévy’s zebras, giraffes, warthogs, and more.

Because these are private facilities, they allow visitors liberties that both popular and underrated national parks in Africa do not. Horseback tours are often available, and some conservancies allow mountain biking and free-walking safaris. Many of these reserves’ owners also work closely with local Indigenous communities such as the Maasai and Lekurruki. You may thus have the chance to expand your cultural understanding in Laikipia alongside your zoological knowledge.

Read more: Kenya’s national parks and wildlife reserves

Ruaha National Park, Tanzania

Marvel at elephants, cheetahs, lions, and more

Located in central Tanzania, Ruaha National Park is an outstanding site for observing the Big Five. The combination of savannah, forest, and mountain landscapes makes for a unique variety of fauna.

In addition to the Big Five, you can expect to see giraffes, hippos, spotted hyenas, wild dogs, greater and lesser kudu, and sable antelopes. You may even spot cheetahs or leopards, if you luck out. And then there are the 570-plus bird species to consider — everything from ostriches and kingfishers to a wide variety of hornbill, plover, falcon, and eagle species.

An unforgettable Ruaha River cruise

This park takes its name from the Great Ruaha River along its southeastern edge. It behooves you to factor a boating safari into your plans if you visit Ruaha in the summer, when water levels are highest. Traveling through the river’s waterways is exciting for the scenery alone, but it’s also a great birdwatching opportunity.

Read more: A nature-lover’s paradise: wildlife in Tanzania

Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

Unique ecosystems and endemic wildlife

This national park is well-known (if not quite famous) for its landscape diversity. In the sparsely vegetated Sanetti Plateau area of the park, you’ll find Mount Tullu Dimtu, one of Ethiopia’s highest mountains at 14,360ft (4,377 km). Massive glacial lakes and swamps surround it.

Conversely, you have the Harenna Forest, featuring massive pine, conifer, and fig trees (among many others). Much of this region — the second-largest forest in the nation — is hidden under a dense canopy and thick tropical mist.

Bale Mountains National Park is also home to one of the world’s largest concentrations of endemic species. The endangered Ethiopian wolf is perhaps the most famous example. There’s also the blue-winged goose (the world’s rarest goose species), antelopes like the mountain nyala and Menelik’s bushbuck, the giant mole-rat, and hundreds more.

Best trails for hiking enthusiasts

This safari national park’s hiking options cover all skill levels. Beginners can still see fascinating flora and fauna on the simple Park Headquarters walk, while the Web Valley hike takes several hours but is otherwise easy. More experienced hikers should try the heavily forested and rugged Gushuralle Peak Forest Trail.

Read more: A guide to hiking in Ethiopia

Somkhanda Game Reserve, South Africa

Extraordinary Big Five wildlife viewings

As one of the continent’s private wildlife sanctuaries, Somkhanda is much smaller than many of the African national parks on this list (just over 46 square miles). However, this site in the Northern Zululand region of South Africa allows visitors to observe the majestic Big Five animals in an almost resort-like setting. You can enjoy wild camping experiences, driving safaris, and other activities not typically available at national parks.

Somkhanda Game Reserve is an excellent site for seeing leopards, which are so often elusive in other parks and preserves. In addition to those big cats and the other Big Five animals, Somkhanda features white rhinos, giraffes, impalas, greater kudus, and more, as well as a robust bird population.

Learn about conservation at this community-owned game reserve

The focus on conservation activities at Somkhanda makes it a must-visit for sustainability-minded travelers. You can join the reserve’s staff in tracking elephants and lions, de-horning rhinos to discourage poaching, keeping watch over the flock overnight, and even uncovering poacher traps. It’s a wonderful opportunity to help protect these marvelous animals.

Read more: Local expert spotlight: tips for visiting South Africa

Make it happen

This continent doesn’t lack for marvels, especially in nature. The underrated national parks in Africa we’ve explored here (and the even more famous locations we consider these great alternatives to) are only the tip of the iceberg. That’s why it’s critical that you get in touch with our local guides to start planning your safari getaway. Our local experts know these African destinations (and many others) inside and out, and will help you tailor the perfect itinerary for any animal and nature lover.