For those looking to explore the wild heart of Africa, away from the crowds, here are 7 of the most remote places in Africa. These are the quieter, lesser-known wildlife parks and wilderness areas of Africa.
When looking for an African safari most people will head to one of the continent's famous national parks like the Masai Mara or Kruger National Park.
But Africa is a vast continent, brimming with breathtaking landscapes and diverse ecosystems, many of which are far off the tourist trail.
If you want to go off the beaten track and take the lesser-explored roads to remote places in Africa on your safari, read on!
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Famous for its population of endangered mountain gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest promises one of Africa’s most profound wildlife experiences.
Despite its fame as one of the only remaining places you can see these incredible creatures in the wild, this UNESCO World Heritage site is nonetheless one of the most remote wilderness areas in Africa.
Nestled in southwestern Uganda, the forest's isolated location guarantees an intimate and spellbinding adventure, far from the hustle and bustle of vehicle-dominated safari destinations.
Add to this the limits put on visitor permit numbers (to conserve the gorillas’ habitat, only a handful of people are allowed into the park each day), and you have one of the most uncrowded wildlife-spotting opportunities in Africa.
Trekking through the dense forest to encounter these majestic creatures in their elevated and lush habitat is a truly life-changing experience.
Besides gorillas, Bwindi is also home to many other incredible animals including chimpanzees, forest elephants and over 350 bird species.
All this makes Bwindi Impenetrable Forest one of the most enchanting remote places in Africa.
When it comes to remote places in Africa, North Luangwa National Park in Zambia is a real hidden gem.
Despite being home to arguably some of the best safaris across the whole continent, the country’s reserves are far less visited than other parks in East and southern Africa.
Of the travellers that do know about Zambia’s well-kept safari secrets, most of them head to South Luangwa National Park, which is easier to get to from the nearest cities and airports than its northern neighbour.
As such, we’re naming North Luangwa one of Africa’s finest safari destinations thanks to its position far off the main tourist trail, as well as the world-class walking safaris it offers.
And what a safari you’ll have!
This wild reserve is packed full of rugged landscapes and winding rivers, which provide a perfect habitat for many animals, including buffalo, elephants and even the rare black rhino (which has been re-introduced here).
Predators like lions, leopards and African wild dogs are also commonly spotted.
In fact, this park is home to the Big 5, meaning North Luangwa provides the perfect opportunity for a Big 5 safari without the BIG crowds!
Majete Wildlife Reserve in Malawi is a remarkable example of successful wildlife conservation.
Once plagued by poaching, the careful conservation efforts Majete has recently implemented have revitalised this part of the country into a thriving wildlife sanctuary.
Today Majete is home to the Big Five – lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos and buffalo – among many other species, making it a fantastic destination if you’re looking for a tranquil and crowd-free safari.
With such abundant wildlife sightings and so few tourists, Majete Wildlife Reserve really is one of the most remote wildlife parks in Africa, and one of the continent’s best-kept secrets too!
Get there before everyone else does!
Samburu National Park, located in northern Kenya, is undoubtedly one of the most remote places in Africa.
All the reserves in northern Kenya are much less visited than the country’s most famous parks, such as Amboseli located further south, but can offer equally stunning safari experiences!
Indeed Samburu is renowned for its unique wildlife, including the "Samburu Special Five" - the Grevy's zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and Beisa oryx - which are five rare and endemic animals unique to the Samburu area.
So if you’re a seasoned safari pro wanting more unique wildlife spots and a remote location for your next African adventure, Samburu is the perfect place!
But if you’re also craving some traditional Big 5 sightings (they never get old!), fear not! This park is a haven for predators too, with plenty of lions, leopards and cheetahs calling it home as well.
In addition, the surrounding area is also one of the best places in Kenya to see the endangered rhino.
The remote setting of Samburu ensures an intimate safari experience, where visitors can enjoy the beauty and exclusivity of the African bush without hordes of other tourists.
The Namib Desert truly is a place like no other!
When it comes to wild and remote places in Africa, they honestly don’t get much more remote than this!
In fact, this sprawling desert is in one of the least populated countries in the world!
Stretching along Namibia's Atlantic coast, the ancient Namib Desert is made up of mind-blowing, otherworldly landscapes, including the towering red sand dunes at Sossusvlei, which are some of the highest in the world at over 350m tall!
Imagine standing at the top of a 350m high dune, watching the sunset reflected in the red golden sands, with nothing but endless desert as far as you can see, then camping under the stars - well that’s the Namib Desert!
Honestly, it’s an experience that’s hard to describe!
After Sossusvlei, you can then head over to Deadvlei to see its iconic and eerie beauty, before venturing on to the Skeleton Coast, where the desert meets the ocean.
Here you’ll be surprised by the surreal sights of ancient shipwrecks and huge seal colonies.
A trip to the Namib Desert truly is an off-the-beaten-track adventure in one of the most remote wilderness areas in Africa - don’t miss it!
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The enormous Kalahari Desert is estimated to cover a humongous 930,000 square kilometres, allowing you to feel the incredible vastness of Africa's open spaces in real-time, as you drive through miles upon miles of uninterrupted desert landscapes.
The semi-arid environment here is made up of red dunes, expansive grasslands and ancient riverbeds, creating a truly diverse and stunning setting.
But surprisingly, lots of wildlife thrive in this harsh environment!
From desert-adapted species like springbok and gemsbok to predators such as cheetahs, leopards and the renowned black-maned Kalahari lions, it’s all on offer in the Kalahari.
Birdwatchers will also be delighted to spot species like the secretary bird and the kori bustard, amidst sociable weaver nests dotting the landscape.
In the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana's largest reserve, you can camp under the stars and take guided nature walks led by the indigenous Kalahari bushmen, who know this land better than anyone.
We then suggest heading onto the pans of Makgadikgadi National Park, to enjoy this open expanse of arid salt pans that stretch out far into the distance, before stopping for the night in one of the surprising lush, oasis-like villages nearby that line the Boteti River.
This undeveloped remote place in Africa is ideal for escaping the crowds and soaking up the peace of a truly wild location!
Even though it’s Tanzania's largest national park, Ruaha is one of the most remote places in Africa. The park is largely ignored by tourists, who all tend to flock to the country’s more famous reserves, such as the Serengeti, instead.
This makes Ruaha one of East Africa’s hidden gems!
Located in remote central Tanzania, Ruaha National Park is perfect for those seeking a true wilderness adventure thanks to the park’s diverse landscapes, which stretch from rugged hills to vast plains and even riverine forests, and are home to a rich array of wildlife.
Known for its large populations of elephants, lions and African wild dogs, the Great Ruaha River, which flows through the park, attracts many animals, especially during the dry season.
Ruaha’s remote location means it’s easy to enjoy a quiet and exclusive safari experience here.
Come to this well-kept safari secret to immerse yourself in the untouched beauty of the African bush!
From the misty forests of Uganda to the arid deserts of Namibia, these remote wilderness areas all provide unforgettable experiences for adventurers seeking solitude and spectacular wildlife.
Visit one of these remote places in Africa for an extraordinary journey into the wild and a safari you simply can’t forget!
African Budget Safaris offers a range of trips to all these remote locations and we are experts at creating tailor-made private safaris on a budget.
Talk to one of our Africa travel experts today for help planning your African safari dream.
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