While countries like South Africa, Egypt, and Morocco see their fair share of visitors, much of the spectacular African continent remains untouched by travellers. Though it receives a very small share of global tourism, Africa is home to some of the world’s most dazzling natural, cultural, and historical wonders.
Some of them, like Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro, Zambia and Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls, and Kenya’s Masia Mara, are well-known – but, wander off the beaten path and there’s a whole world of wonder just waiting to be discovered. These bucket-list-worthy destinations may have slipped under the radar, but their beauty will leave you in awe.
Plus, visiting lesser-known places often means you can look forward to a more immersive experience, with plenty of opportunities to interact with locals and gain a deeper understanding of the culture and history. Prices tend to be cheaper than popular tourist destinations too.
So, to get you inspired, here are 10 hidden gems in Africa to add to your travel list. And you can browse hundreds of magical African travel experiences on our website below.
1. Tsavo West National Park, Kenya
If you’re yearning for the wilderness and to explore beautiful, rugged scenery while observing some of the world’s most incredible animals, then Tsavo West National Park may be for you. Situated in southeast Kenya, Tsavo West is one of the country’s largest national parks. Covering around 3,000 square miles, it features a huge variety of landscapes – from rolling plains and rocky peaks to dense woodlands and volcanic cones. Plus, it’s close to the coast, so it’s perfect if you want to hit the beach after your safari.
While it may not be as celebrated a national park as Kruger, Serengeti, or Masai Mara, Tsavo West offers some of the best wildlife viewing in the world. Lions, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, buffalos, hippos, and rhinos are found here, as well as rare birds like the Basra reed warbler and corncrake. The arid beauty of Tsavo West is entrancing, and the views are exceptional. The jagged ridge of the Ngulia Hills rises up from the famously red earth, while the majestic Kilimanjaro looms in the distance…
2. Lake Malawi
Known as the ‘Lake of Stars’, Lake Malawi is the third largest lake in Africa. Sitting prettily between three countries – Tanzania, Mozambique, and Malawi – this vast, shimmering lake was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, making it the world’s first freshwater national park. Its protected status is partly thanks to its biodiversity; 1,300 species of tropical fish (including a head-scratching 850 species of colourful cichlids) live here, which is more than in any other lake in the world.
But Lake Malawi isn’t just popular with fishing enthusiasts. The shoreline boasts stunning beaches and characterful villages, so if you’re looking for a relaxing beach break away from the crowds, it ticks the box. The pristine waters are perfect for swimming and diving, the warm sands are ideal for kicking back on, and the seafood is as fresh and delicious as you’d expect. If you want to stay active, you can go water skiing, or explore the lake by canoe. And, in the evening, the sunsets are truly breathtaking.
3. Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
There’s little doubt that Ethiopia is one of Africa’s ultimate hidden gems. This massively misunderstood nation is one of the continent’s most uniquely beautiful and culturally captivating countries – not to mention geographically diverse. But, while it’s home to tropical forests, lush meadows, and glimmering lakes, it’s perhaps the Simien Mountains that are most impressive. Located in the Amhara Region in the north, this national park is spellbinding.
Often viewed as Africa’s answer to North America’s Grand Canyon, Simien National Park is studded with deep ravines and jagged peaks, and is home to the country’s highest mountain, Ras Dejen. The eastern side of the park is a UNESCO Heritage Site, and it’s here you’ll find the most dazzling scenery. Among the thundering waterfalls, primaeval forests, and alien-like fauna, you can find all kinds of fascinating wildlife – including baboons, wolves, leopards, lynxes, hyenas, ibexes, and jackals.
4. Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana
The seemingly endless salt pans of Makgadikgadi may not be as famous as Bolivia’s Uyuni, but they’re no less impressive. Botswana’s own salt pans are one of the world’s largest – and certainly one of the stillest and quietest; according to local legend, you can hear your own blood flow here. The name Makgadikgadi means ‘vast, lifeless land’ – and while there’s plenty of silence and solitude here, there’s also far more life than you might initially think.
The shimmering salt pans are interspersed with swathes of vegetation and, despite the seemingly inhospitable environment, they’re home to one of Africa’s largest zebra populations. During the wet season, the pans are flooded with water, attracting other animals like springbok and wildebeest – as well as predators, making for fantastic wildlife viewing. But, the desolate beauty of Makgadikgadi is its calling card, and the views of lone baobab trees in the midst of all this nothingness are haunting.
Source by restless.
