While Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kruger National Park, and Serengeti National Park are rightfully revered for wildlife viewing, Africa is home to many less-visited safari destinations that discerning travelers should keep on their radar. Safaris are immensely captivating, and every destination boasts unique natural beauty, history, biodiversity, conservation efforts, and distinct ways to experience it. Together, those elements can make you feel like you’re seeing a destination’s flora and fauna like you never have before.

Less-crowded African safaris can offer more intimate interactions with your guides and fewer vehicles (and fellow tourists) distracting from the moment. These national parks sprinkled through Sub-Saharan Africa shouldn’t be underestimated as safari destinations. In addition to why they’re special, you’ll find information on the best time to visit each place and what wildlife you can see there.

5 Less-Crowded African Safari Destinations

Nyerere National Park – Tanzania

The best time to visit: mid-June through October

Best ways to safari: Game drives, guided walks, or by boat

If you want a Tanzanian safari destination off the beaten path compared to Serengeti National Park in the north, Nyerere National Park is a prime option. Located in the south, it offers a breathtaking array of wildlife, including safari favorites such as elephants, lions, Cape buffalo, and leopards. You may also see African wild dogs, hippos, giraffes, and wildebeest. And for an especially standout experience, a safari that cruises you down the Rufiji River should absolutely be on your bucket list.

A tip for visiting: It’s worth doing at least two different safari types/styles, such as a walking tour and a boat trip.

Gorongosa National Park – Mozambique

The best time to visit: July through October

Best ways to safari: Game drives, guided bush walks (including hiking the Gorongosa Mountains), or by canoe

Gorongosa National Park stands out as a less-crowded African safari destination largely because of its story of resilience and redemption. Established under Portuguese colonial rule in 1920 as a hunting reserve and later expanded, Mozambique designated the area a national park in 1960. However, from the late 70s through the early 90s, the area was in poor shape, and its wildlife populations were decimated due to decades of poaching and civil conflict in the country. Thanks to restoration, rewilding, and conservation efforts that began rolling out in 2008, Gorongosa National Park has rebloomed into a safe home for a wealth of biodiversity. You might see elephants, lions, hippos, waterbucks, bushbucks, elands, spotted hyenas, and African wild dogs.

A tip for visiting: This national park is a prime restoration success story. During your safari, ask questions about the detailed conservation work that continues improving the land for its wildlife. Also, consider asking how tourists can support its continued recovery.

Hwange National Park – Zimbabwe

The best time to visit: July through October

Best ways to safari: Game drives, guided bush walks

While this is the largest and most popular of Zimbabwe’s national parks – especially beloved for its elephant herds – the safari destination is still significantly less traveled than the continent’s hotspots. While at Hwange National Park, look out for the elephants, of course, as well as lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, wildebeest, and buffalo. Also, if you’re super into wildlife photography, snapping photos of this national park’s animals around the site’s watering holes will feel magical and invaluable. 

A tip for visiting: With proper planning, it should be fairly easy to combine your Hwange National Park safari adventure with an equally thrilling visit to Victoria Falls, another spectacular Zimbabwean natural gem.

Kidepo Valley National Park – Uganda

The best time to visit: September through March (especially October through November)

Best ways to safari: Game drives

This national park is truly for those who want a much less-crowded African safari experience. In fact, the Uganda Wildlife Authority notes that Kidepo Valley National Park is the country’s “most remote and least explored national park,” though “it is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most breathtaking wilderness areas.” According to March 2025 reporting by The Observer, a Ugandan news source, the national park welcomed just 7,613 visitors in 2024.

While you may see classic safari animals like elephants, lions, buffalo, and leopards, your guide may also help you spot ostriches, Lelwel hartebeests, greater kudu, and some of the nearly 500 bird species. While you’re experiencing the site’s less-traveled savanna, valleys, and mountain landscapes, you’ll also enjoy a balanced variety of wildlife viewing.

A tip for visiting: Since Kidepo Valley National Park is so remote, pad your schedule to allow time to get to and from the site.

South Luangwa National Park – Zambia

The best time to visit: July through October, or November through April if you want to go during the wet “Emerald Season”

Best ways to safari: Guided walks, game drives, or night drives if you want an epic noctourism experience.

South Luangwa National Park is an exceptional, less-crowded African safari choice if you want to get out of the vehicle and onto the ground. The uniquely thrilling experience lets you view smaller creatures up close and immerse yourself more fully in the park’s sights, sounds, and smells.

While there, look out for lions, elephants, hippos, African wild dogs, leopards, Thornicroft’s giraffes, coucal, and birdlife.

A tip for visiting: This walking safari stands out among others, so don’t miss it.

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