When it comes to safaris, South Africa and Kenya tend to dominate the conversation. Kruger, the Mara Mara, and the Big Five—these are the tried-and-true touchpoints of African wildlife tourism. But beyond the game-drive clichés, a wilder, less-trodden Africa awaits.
From Malawi’s lakeside parks to Benin’s lion-guarded Pendjari, here are four off-the-radar safari destinations worth your binoculars—and your bucket list.
1. Malawi: Big Five comeback and Shire River Safaris
Elephant at Majete wildlife reserve/David Davies/Wikimedia Commons
Once written off due to poaching, Malawi’s national parks are in the middle of a quiet revival. With the help of African Parks, both Majete and Liwonde have been transformed into conservation success stories.
In Majete, the Big Five roam once more—rhinos and elephants are back, alongside lions and leopards. It’s not just about game drives either. Liwonde National Park offers a rare kind of magic: boat safaris along the Shire River, where crocodiles bask and elephants wade as fish eagles circle overhead.
Why go:
- Spot the Big Five in a park that had zero lions two decades ago.
- Combine bush and beach: Lake Malawi is just a few hours away.
- Smaller crowds, deeply involved community projects, and strong eco-ethics.
Top tip: Time your visit between June and October for the best game viewing.
2. Republic of Congo: Gorillas in the mist
Gorillas in Odzala-Kokoua National Park/Ekassa/Wikimedia Commons
No, not the DRC—the Republic of Congo, on the Atlantic side, is home to one of the most immersive and untouched rainforest safaris on the continent: Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
Here, the Big Five give way to an entirely different safari set—western lowland gorillas, forest elephants, and the elusive bongo antelope. Guided treks through dense jungle lead you to gorilla families that have never heard the click of a tourist’s camera. You’ll stay in remote yet comfortable lodges like Ngaga Camp, run with a light footprint and a big focus on research.
Why go:
- Gorilla trekking with almost no other tourists in sight.
- A chance to see rare forest species in one of Africa’s oldest national parks.
- Intimate, low-impact safari experiences far from the crowds.
Travel here can be expensive due to remoteness and logistics—but it’s worth every cent for the experience.
ALSO READ: WATCH: Man runs out of diesel around lions on safari
3. Zimbabwe: Gonarezhou’s Remote Wilderness
Makokwani Pools, Gonarezhou National Park/Babakathy/Wikimedia Commons
Zimbabwe’s best-kept secret? Gonarezhou National Park—the country’s second-largest park and perhaps its most rugged. The name means “Place of Elephants,” and you’ll soon see why. Gonarezhou’s herds are vast, wild, and largely unbothered by human traffic, since this corner of southeast Zimbabwe remains gloriously under-visited.
The Chilojo Cliffs, with their dramatic red sandstone walls, rise above baobab-studded plains. Wildlife here includes lions, buffalo, wild dogs, and over 400 species of birds. There’s also the opportunity to self-drive, camp, or stay at local community-run lodges—a rarity in many parks today.
Why go:
- Remote and raw, with postcard landscapes and incredible elephants.
- Low visitor numbers mean intimate wildlife encounters.
- Easy to combine with Mozambique or Kruger via the Great Limpopo Transfrontier route.
4. Benin: Pendjari National Park’s West African Lions
West African male lion from Pendjari National Park/Jonas Van de Voorde/Wikimedia Commons
You probably haven’t heard someone say they’re going on safari in Benin—and that’s exactly the point. Pendjari National Park, in the country’s far northwest, is one of West Africa’s last true wilderness areas and a stronghold for its remaining lions.
Part of the W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) Complex, this UNESCO-listed park also shelters elephants, antelope, and leopards. It’s not your typical East African safari—expect more scientists than tourists and sightings that feel earned, not staged.
Why go:
- See West Africa’s unique lion subspecies in a truly wild setting.
- Pendjari’s isolation means nature reigns supreme.
- Combine it with cultural travel—Benin is the birthplace of Vodun and the Dahomey Kingdom.
These under-the-radar destinations show that Africa’s wild heart doesn’t beat only in its most famous parks. In Malawi, Congo, Zimbabwe, and Benin, safari takes on new shapes—less curated, more conscious, and often more thrilling.
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ALSO READ: Beyond the Big Five: Rare African wildlife worth travelling for
