Hidden Gems of Africa
Quieter countries and parks for travelers who have already seen the usual circuit, or who want to skip it.
Why go
Hidden gems are the places that rarely make a first-timer's list and reward everyone who goes anyway: Malawi's lake and highlands, Madagascar's baobabs and lemurs, Namibia's Damaraland, Zambia's quieter valleys. Safari Continents Travel routes to these places are for travellers who want the continent without the crowds.
What you trade is convenience. Remote parks mean longer drives or a light aircraft, smaller camps with fewer frills, and days that depend on the weather and the road. What you get is a park where yours may be the only vehicle at a sighting, and guides with time to explain everything.
In Southern Africa, Namibia's Damaraland holds desert-adapted elephant and rhino in a landscape of red rock, Zambia's Kafue sees a fraction of the visitors of the famous parks, Zimbabwe's Gonarezhou is wild and enormous, and Lake Malawi offers freshwater snorkelling and beach camps with no tide.
In East Africa and the islands, Tanzania's Ruaha and Nyerere in the south are a world apart from the northern circuit, Uganda's Murchison Falls puts the Nile at the centre of the day, and Madagascar is a country of its own, with wildlife found nowhere else and a rainforest-to-beach itinerary that takes two weeks to do justice.
The itineraries below each name their camps and nights. Where a day needs a light aircraft, it is described and the quote confirms the fare. Ask for the one that catches your eye; the quote comes before any payment.
Best Africa Hidden Gem Tours & Safaris
Priced itineraries written for this kind of trip. The rate is per person sharing. A quote comes before any payment.
From KSh928,486 pps
Kenya’s Amboseli & Masai Mara’s Hidden Gems Safari
8 daysHighlights
Morning and afternoon game drives on each full day on safari. Park and permit fees for the places on this route.
Destinations visited
Amboseli National Park | Kenya | Masai Mara | Nairobi
From KSh1,099,745 to KSh1,434,732 pps
Zambia’s Ultimate Hidden Gems Safari
9 daysHighlights
Time on the water by boat or canoe.
Destinations visited
Kafue National Park | South Luangwa National Park | Victoria Falls | Zambia
From KSh1,828,147 to KSh2,019,012 pps
Kenya's Laikipia & Mara Hidden Gems
9 daysHighlights
Game drives set around the month you travel.
Destinations visited
Kenya | Laikipia | Masai Mara | Nairobi | Samburu
From KSh1,108,834 to KSh1,419,151 pps
Kenya’s Safari & Ocean Hidden Gem
11 daysHighlights
Beach days are part of this route.
Destinations visited
Diani Beach | Kenya | Masai Mara | Nairobi
From KSh1,128,959 to KSh1,639,230 pps
Zimbabwe's Hidden Gems Wildlife Safari
12 daysHighlights
Morning and afternoon game drives on each full day on safari. Park and permit fees for the places on this route.
Destinations visited
Hwange National Park | Lake Kariba | Mana Pools | Zimbabwe
Ask for the rate
Kenya's Wildlife & Walking Hidden Gems Safari
11 daysHighlights
Time on foot with a guide.
Destinations visited
Kenya | Masai Mara | Nairobi | Samburu
From KSh620,635 to KSh810,851 pps
6-Day Mozambique's Wilderness: Gorongosa Restoration Project Safari
6 daysHighlights
Time on foot with a guide. Morning and afternoon game drives.
Destinations visited
Gorongosa National Park | Mozambique
From KSh762,161 to KSh1,000,417 pps
7-Day Mozambique's Gorongosa Restoration Project Safari
7 daysHighlights
Morning and afternoon game drives on each full day on safari. Park and permit fees for the places on this route.
Destinations visited
Gorongosa National Park | Mozambique
Good to know
Hidden gems are the quieter countries and parks on this site: Malawi, Madagascar, parts of Namibia, and routes that are not the usual Mara-to-Kruger circuit.
Fewer vehicles, not a secret park
These places are public parks and reserves. They are quieter because fewer of our routes go there, not because entry is private.
The stay is still named
If a camp is on the itinerary, it is named. If the camp name is missing, the quote has to confirm where you sleep.
Travel time is part of the trip
Remote parks mean longer drives or a light aircraft. Domestic flights are described in the days. The quote confirms the fare.
Good after a first safari
They also work as a first trip if you would rather skip the busiest reserves. The summary on each page says which it is.
Enquire now
Pick the itinerary closest to what you want, tell us who is travelling and when, and we send a quote. Nothing is paid until you accept it.
Where to go
Read the full where-to-go guide for this style, or search all destinations.