- National Parks & Reserves
- Inspiration
written by Sue Watt
updated 4.06.2019
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written by Sue Watt
updated 4.06.2019
Serengeti, Maasai Mara, Kruger – everyone who’s ever dreamt of going to Africa will know these safari big-hitters. Famous for their wildlife, they’re also famous for hordes of visitors that flock to them in convoys of Land Cruisers. If you want to get away from the masses, these are the best little-visited African national parks, each with extraordinary wildlife but far fewer humans.
It’s also home to a staggering 700 hyenas, which – although renowned for being scavengers – are the main predators here. They’re fascinating to watch in their family groups, hunting, playing and socialising together. The true star of the show, however, is Lady Liuwa, a much-loved lioness whose survival for nine years as the park’s only lion was the subject of a National Geographic documentary.
Wildebeests at the watering hole © Maximum Exposure PR/Shutterstock
Bale Mountains are home to some quirky creatures including black-maned lions, giant forest hogs and an unusual black leopard. In the mystical, lichen-draped Harenna Forest, researchers have even discovered a new venomous snake previously unknown to science.
Also unique to Bale are the thousands of giant mole rats. As ugly as the name suggests, they’re a favourite food of the Ethiopian wolf, the world’s rarest canid. Only around 400 of these beautiful, elegant wolves are still alive, but on the chilly Sanetti Plateau they’re as easy to spot as an urban fox in a big city.
See the rare Ethiopian fox at the Bale Mountains National Park © NaturesMomentsuk/Shutterstock
In Nalare Conservancy, try exploring the bush on a camel safari from Sabuk Lodge with no other tourists in sight. Or check out the chimp sanctuary and see the Big Five – leopards, elephants, lions, buffalo and rhinos – at Ol Pejeta Conservancy: it’s the biggest rhino sanctuary in East Africa.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy, home to the majestic rhino © MicheleB/Shutterstock
Bordering Botswana’s Chobe National Park but a world away from its convoys of jeeps and riverboats, the area shares much of Chobe’s wildlife but with fewer crowds.
Huge herds of elephants, buffalo, big cats, antelopes and some 430 species of birds come to enjoy its peace and quiet.
Bwabwata National Park in Namibia © Vladislav T. Jirousek/Shutterstock
In the last two years, Nkhotakota has become home to 520 elephants translocated from Liwonde and Majete, along with several hundred antelopes. At Liwonde, you can track rhinos with researchers and with the reintroduction of lions that has been kicked off in the past few months, it has become a Big Five reserve – a fitting complement to its natural beauty dominated by the Shire River.
A sunset boat cruise allows great sightings of elephants, hippos, crocs, waterbucks and a whole host of exciting birdlife.
The beautiful surroundings of Liwonde, one of the least visited African National Parks © Anna Dunlop/Shutterstock
Around a thousand chimpanzees live in these forests. Researchers have studied the Mimikire group since the 1960s, so they’re fairly used to people: sightings are virtually guaranteed and very relaxed.
You might spot other primates too, like red colobus and blue monkeys, or take a boat onto the lake and swim in its clear waters. In Tanzania’s far west, it’s not easy to reach, but is absolutely worth the time and expense to get there.
A chimpanzee in Tanzania's far west © Steffen Foerster/Shutterstock
American philanthropist Greg Carr stepped in to save the park and today Gorongosa is bursting with life: it’s been called “the most diverse park in the world”.
Sadly, local unrest flares occasionally, but if you can get here safely you’ll be blown away by the passion, romance and history of the place – as well as by its fabulous wildlife.
A lion in the wild in Mozambique's Gorongosa national park © Vladislav T. Jirousek/Shutterstock
Their reward is a vast and varied wilderness that’s home to four of the Big Five (there are no rhinos) and the only place in Uganda where kudu, eland and cheetah can be seen. Keep an eye out too for tree-climbing lions in the Narus Valley, who can be seen escaping the heat by hiding among branches.
Kidepo national park is home to lions, buffaloes, elephants and more ©
Radek Borovka/Shutterstock
Compare flights, find tours, book hostels and hotels for your trip, and don’t forget to purchase travel insurance before you go. Top image: Laikipia Plateau,
Top image © FOTOGRIN/Shutterstock
written by Sue Watt
updated 4.06.2019
Sue is an award-winning writer addicted to Africa. She specialises in travel & wildlife conservation with bylines appearing regularly in The Telegraph, Times, Independent, BBC Wildlife and Travel Africa. In true safari spirit, she's at her happiest in the bush, enjoying a cold G&T while watching elephants, lions or wild dogs as the sun goes down. Follow her on Twitter @suewattuk
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