4 Off-the-Radar Safari Destinations

Like a safari oligopoly, a few destinations around Tanzania, Kenya, and South Africa bring in the vast majority of travelers looking to experience wildlife in its natural habitat. It even feels a bit limiting, especially once you look at a map and see there is an entire continent of options to choose from.

The most well-known game reserves are popular because of the chance to see wildlife like the Big Five—elephants, lions, buffalo, leopards, and rhino—but also because of their infrastructure and relative ease to reach. Travelers willing to expand their search to other parts of southern Africa not only experience a more intimate safari, but they're also traveling more sustainably by curbing over-tourism and dispersing resources.

Landlocked Zambia is so often overlooked compared to its more-visited neighbors. The biggest attraction—both in the number of visitors and physical size—is Victoria Falls, considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Known as "The Smoke That Thunders" in the local language, there is much more to Zambia than its landmark waterfall, including excellent safari options.

Kafue National Park is the largest in Zambia and one of the most unspoiled animal reserves in Africa, home to four of the Big Five species along with wild dogs, hippos, crocodiles, cheetah, and hundreds of others. But if you're already at Victoria Falls, you could book a boat safari along the Zambezi River. It's a real-life jungle cruise where you're likely to see elephants crossing the river, hippopotamus brawls, and crocodiles lurking in the water.

If you were to swim across Victoria Falls from Zambia you would get out of the water in Zimbabwe (although there's a bridge to make the journey easier). Hwange National Park is the largest in the country and also not far from the falls, but it stands out for being the best place in Zimbabwe to get a glimpse of the Big Five.

Matusadona National Park isn't as easy to get to, requiring either a small aircraft, a boat, or a 4x4 vehicle, but the payoff is well worth the journey. It's a literal oasis, thanks to the massive Lake Kariba and the nourishing grasslands around it, supporting an ecosystem that includes elephants, lions, zebras, and most notably rare black rhinos.

Tanzania is one of the most popular countries for safari excursions, but most travelers head north to the famous Serengeti National Park to witness the Great Migration. Meanwhile, the southern part of the country receives only a fraction of the visitors—and not for lack of wildlife. Ruaha National Park has some of the largest concentrations of lions and cheetahs in the country, while Katavi National Park is known for crocodiles, hippos, and tree-climbing lions.

The list of parks and animals you'll see goes on and on, but what really sets Southern Tanzania apart is its authenticity. Many of the lodges are small and family-run, operating much the same way today as they did when they first opened. The benefits go both ways, providing a more personal experience for the traveler while also spreading the benefits of tourism around Tanzania.

Most of Namibia is covered by the Namib Desert, a harsh place that seems inhospitable to most life but in reality is home to some of the most unique safari experiences in Africa. Namib-Naukluft National Park is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the mountainous sand dunes of the desert, supporting even large mammals like elephants and zebras.

Closer to the water, the so-called Skeleton Coast isn't just infamous for the number of shipwrecks, but also for the population of lions that roam the beaches. Far away from the grassy savannas that most people associate with lions, these prides are the only ones in the world that hunt sea birds and seals.

There are countless safari options to choose from across Africa. Chat with an Origin travel curator today to start planning your next trip to one of the many hidden gems.