The road less travelled isn't just quieter, it's braver. It's where tourism becomes transformation, the silence of the wild speaks louder than the crowds, and every step you take tells a story worth remembering. In tourism, we have a saying, "Give our travellers and guests what they didn't know they wanted." It takes bold vision, relentless imagination, and the kind of passion that turns dreams into destinations.
Explore deeper into the wilderness, Image Credit: Sungani Lodge
Imagination: The Antidote to Apathy
When in possession of a fervent dream, which is where many explorers of magnificent Africa started, the follow-through becomes an obsession. And, if you're lucky enough to find a travel company obsessed with noble values, you'll embark on a beautiful journey of discovery and revelation.
Today's travellers aren’t just chasing views – they're chasing meaning. They want to feel something. To stand somewhere that stirs the soul. But with so many voices shouting for attention, how do you choose a path that speaks to yours?
The answer lies not in what's trending, but in what's true.
A little haven in Mozambique, Image Credit: Gorongosa National Park
A Brave New World
When considering your travel wishlist, it all starts with a yearning for something. For example, wild, wide horizons studded with animals, the gentle lapping of the azure Indian Ocean as you pad along a power-soft island cove, or the thrill of silently watching elephants from a floating picnic deck as they take a riverine swim, with nobody else around.
Your travel interests may lie in places where overtourism is a significant issue. In some places, it has already taken more than it's given, leaving behind disillusioned communities and wildlife gasping for breath.
A recent report highlighted these issues in East Africa, sounding the alarm for all stakeholders to set boundaries that protect what matters for generations to come. Protecting these places takes unity, courage, and relentless care.
A majestic encounter in Gorongosa National Park, Image Credit: Carl Preller
The Uncommon Places Where Hope Thrives
By choosing a travel partner who champions conscious tourism, you can help turn the tide as you decide when and where to travel.
Choosing to step off the beaten path means you're not just escaping the crowds; you're expanding the reach of responsible tourism, supporting communities, and protecting fragile ecosystems that need you more than ever.
These destinations offer low-impact lodges, private conservancies, and the opportunity to travel slowly and meaningfully. They're not just quieter – they're smarter and more considered.
During my recent conversation with Brad Mitchell, Head of Brand and Strategy at Rhino Africa, I quickly learned his passion for conscious travel. His enthusiasm is palpable as we discuss the value of the road less travelled and how the tide in luxury travel is turning. He explained:
"The team at Rhino Africa don't just plan trips, we craft journeys that matter. Our Travel Experts know the hidden corners of the continent and how to match them to your values and interests. But more than that, they want you to experience and truly connect with Africa, in a way that an overcrowded stock standard can't quite manage."
A walking safari in South Luangwa National Park is the ultimate way to spot wildlife, Image Credit: Mwamba Bush Camp
The Shy Five: Safari Destinations to Watch
Every traveller has the power to shape Africa's future. By choosing lesser-known game reserves, you're helping to spread the benefits of tourism beyond the usual hotspots.
1. South Luangwa National Park
Don't let the serenity of Zambia's South Luangwa National Park's floodplains fool you. Beneath the surface of calm is an epic showdown that occurs daily.
In nature’s calm impartiality, battles are waged and won by members of the animal kingdom. These interactions are as intense as they are raw, and you get to share them with your loved ones.
South Luangwa National Park puts on a spectacular show, Image Credit: Mwamba Bush Camp
2. Nkasa Ruparaa National Park
Beyond the Namib Desert and the Skeleton Coast in Namibia's far northeast corner lies the wilderness paradise of Nkasa Rupara National Park. Here, the rush hour traffic is characterised by grazing elephants wading through papyrus-fringed highways and hippo-hewn byways.
The brave pioneers of light-tread eco-tourism thrive, with a new safari camp, Nkasa Linyanti, set to open in May 2026. Part of the Selinda ecosystem, this is an excellent option for those seeking a soulful, low-impact safari with serenity at its heart.
A render of what the lodge will look like, Image Credit: Nkasa Linyanti
3. Mana Pools
Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe is a paradise for elephants. If you prefer an active safari and enjoy walking or canoeing, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better place to feel the pulse of Earth's ancient energy. It reaches right to your core, like the rumbling conversation of elephants at one of the park's permanent waterholes (Mana Pools means "four pools" in the Shona language) or the awakening pre-dawn contact call of lions declaring their regency.
Brad tells me about what it's like in Zimbabwe. Tourism demand is swelling, and overall numbers are healthy. However, 90% of tourism is directed towards Victoria Falls, rather than longer stays and safari activities. He advocates that travellers consider visiting other regions, such as Mana Pools and Hwange, to distribute tourism more evenly.
Witness majestic elephants standing on their hind legs in Mana Pools
4. Gorongosa National Park
Mozambique, Zimbabwe's neighbouring country to the east, is home to Gorongosa National Park. The unique restoration project is inspiring to learn about.
The best way to do so is by visiting. Here, you're not just a visitor but part of its "Phoenix Rising" legacy.
Gorongosa promises you an authentic safari experience, Image Credit: David Ryan
5. Odzala-Kokoua National Park
Cast your travel ambitions further north to the African Parks-managed Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of Congo. David Ryan, CEO of Rhino Africa, embarked on an expedition of discovery, staying at Odzala Discovery Camps.
Reading his personal account, which followed his stay, continues to captivate my imagination and fuels my desire to visit this biodiverse region, one of Africa's most important carbon sinks.
The breathtaking Ngaga Lodge, Image Credit: Ngaga Lodge
Conservation Through Tourism: Making Impactful Choices
Remote places like these rely on tourism, not just for income, but for survival. Your visit helps fund vital conservation work and creates jobs where they're needed most.
This isn't just travel. It's legacy-building. It's choosing to protect what matters, so future generations can stand where you stood and feel what you felt.
Why Explore Undiscovered Safaris?
Let your journey be the reason these wild places remain wild. Go where few have gone. Choose the road less travelled. Our Travel Experts know where and how. Ask them anything, and let them make your African journey happen.
