Off The Beaten Path

The duration of our self-drive safaris range between two to four weeks, depending on the travel distances covered and the number of destinations visited. For each itinerary, we try to include as many ‘lesser-known’ national parks and reserves as possible, although sometimes, when wanting to witness great wildlife spectacles such as the Great Wildebeest Migration, it becomes unavoidable to also include the more famous ones.

Increasingly, wildlife enthusiasts 'in the know' are heading off-the-beaten-path to explore the uncrowded corners of East Africa. Racing across some of the more famous national parks to witness a wildlife sighting alongside 25 other safari vehicles is not an option for these wildlife enthusiasts. Instead, they are seeking a secluded safari experience where they can see wildlife in a scenic, relaxing and less-crowded manner.

What many first-time safari-goers may not realise is that lesser-known national parks and reserves often have the equivalent, or even greater, wildlife numbers when compared to the more famously known wilderness areas in East Africa. Listed below are both the region’s lesser-known and also more famous national parks and reserves, plus the names of towns and cities which are also featured in our itineraries:

Lesser-Known

Aberdare NP, Akagera NP, Bokora R, Bujumbura, Chyulu Hills NP, Gombe NP, Hoima R, Katavi NP, Kibale NP, Kidepo NP, Kilwa Kisiwani, Lake Kivu, Lake Muhazi, Lake Nakuru NP, Lamu, Mahale Mountains NP, Malindi, Meru NP, Mgahinga NP, Mikumi NP, Mount Elgon NP, Mount Kenya NP, Murchison Falls NP, Nyerere NP, Pemba, Ruaha NP, Rubondo Island, Ruma NP, Rwenzori Mountains NP, Saadani NP, Saiwa Swamp NP, Samburu R, Semliki R, Shaba R, Tanga Marine Park, Tarangire NP, Tsavo NP, Watamu, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

famous

Amboseli NP, Arusha NP, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP, Dar es Salaam, Entebbe, Kampala, Kigali, Lake Manyara NP, Lake Naivasha NP, Maasai Mara R, Mombasa, Mount Kilimanjaro NP, Nairobi, Ngorongoro Crater, Queen Elizabeth NP, Serengeti NP, Volcanoes NP, Zanzibar Archipelago