Africa is well-known for its tourist attractions such as; unique geography, cultural diversity, and wildlife. From exciting wildlife experiences, expansive and inspiring landscapes, adventurous off-road cruising through the vast plains, and spending nights in the open roofed tents while sleeping in a bed; safari tourism has become the ultimate African experience. While many travelers flock to iconic destinations like the Serengeti, Maasai Mara, Kruger National Park, and Chobe National Park, a growing number of adventurers are seeking something different: secluded, unconventional Safaris that give you a sense of individual attachment over the territory and the fauna. These off-road adventures which take tourists to some of the most unvisited, unspoiled, and least populated areas of the continent, paint a different picture of the safari experiences which are personal, inspiring, and in most cases, extremely memorable.
In this article, we will try to reveal the charm of remote African safaris, in addition to which locations are gradually gaining popularity among tourists in search of adventure. We will also investigate the advantages of such safaris, ways of getting to such part of the world, and how they are supporting conservation and ecotourism.
The Growing Appeal of Remote Safaris
Accomplishment of the traditional African safari has been focused on passing through renowned parks and reserves that offer easily accessible game viewing and well-developed physical frameworks. Still, there is a rising interest of tourists, especially those who are interested in Africa natural wonders, beauty, animals, and outdoor activities, to visit locations that have not been overfilled with tourist attractions. These safaris provide a unique opportunity to travel through Africa with minimal tourist interference, to areas that are not overcrowded and are often described by their wild and varied landscapes.
Remote safaris entail a chance of observing animals in their natural environment, free from interferences such as those posed by large groups of tourists. It allows for more privacy, immersion into natural setting, as well as a direct, real experience of Africa and its wildlife. Many prefer this type of a safari since it avails them a feeling that they’re real explorers who are exploring some of the most isolated regions of the continent, where restricted numbers of people have tread before.
Although the motivation is different, the phenomenon of remote safaris can be attributed to the fact that tourism is now more individual, with higher demands for exclusivity and the availability of reserves, eco-lodges, and mobile camps. These options enable tourists to explore remote regions which were previously hard to reach or virtually closed to everyone.
Remote Safari Destinations in Africa
Of course, there are world-renowned parks in Africa with phenomenal wildlife sightings, but some of the richest experiences are to be had in the out-of-the-way corners of the continent. From Namib desert, which is situated in Namibia, to Central African jungle, these destinations let the tourists plunge to the farthest and untouched parts of Africa.
- Namibia: The Namib Desert and the Skeleton Coast
Geographically, Namibia is famous for the gigantic sand dunes, Namib Desert, and the forlorn region called the Skeleton Coast. These areas are among the most pristine and least explored in the entire continent providing a unique experience.
Skeleton Coast Safari:
The Skeleton Coast is one of the most deserted areas in Africa and it is largely shrouded in mystery. where the land is relatively uninhabitable, stripped of vegetation and the Atlantic Ocean defines the coastline. Other attractions include ship wrecks, diamond mining ruins, and distinctive wildlife found within the arid region. The only way to get to this isolated area is by private charter flight, with accommodation options like that of Shipwreck Lodge. It has features like the lonely coast which a visitor can visit here to see wild animals such as elephants, lions, and black rhino which are well adapted to the desert.
Namib Desert:
Sossusvlei Africa’s Namib Desert hosts some of the tallest dunes globally, such as Dune 45, which can be climbed to see the sunrise. These dunes are depicted in great pictures, but people rarely get the chance to see this type of scenery with their own eyes. Other than the aesthetic rock formations and sandy terrains of a safari, they offer the superb view of life as it is adjusted to in one of the most uninhabitable regions of the world. Wildlife such as the oryx, springbok and desert elephants can be seen and tourists can go on exciting aerial tours over the sand dunes changing the pace of the sightseeing.
- Botswana: Okavango Delta and Kalahari Desertregions.
Botswana is one such country that has remained popular for its preserved wild spaces and policies that call for high quality, low impact tourism. Some of the most out-of-the ways and challenging safari destinations in Botswana are the Okavango delta and the Kalahari deserts.
Okavango Delta:
This is the Okavango Delta region which is well recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site, it is one of the most incredible ecosystems of the world. It is an inland delta and it is an area that floods during the rainy season, forming a diverse environment of marshes, meadows, and woods. While some parts of the delta are famous for safaris, there are other regions that have not yet been explored, giving clients a more exclusive and unique safari experience. These regions are best explored through the use of mokoro or traditional dugout canoe whereby visitors can undertake mokoro safaris in which they view the wildlife from an intimate and unique approach. The Kwando Private Reserve and Selinda Reserve are perfect examples of locations where private/remote trips are achievable offering tourists a unique experience of observing wild animals including elephants, hippos, lions, leopards among others in out of the way regions.
Kalahari Desert:
The Kalahari Desert which is in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa is a completely different type of a remote safari destination. It is a place of arid region and bare plains of salt, with little vegetation and inhabitants. Nevertheless, this barren land harbors numerous inhabitants including lions, meerkats, springbok and cheetah whichTourists flock to the area to witness these animals up close. The Central Kalahari Game Reserve, which is one of the biggest game reserves in Africa, particularly has more private and unique safari experiences since the area is too vast and somehow isolated. People who come to the reserve feel the loneliness in which they are surrounded by the desert and the opportunity to observe the wildlife in conditions that are as close to nature as possible.
- Central Africa: Republic of Congo and Gabon
However, the old and dominant model of safari tourism has been focused on East and Southern Africa, and more recently, Central Africa is also being introduced as a destination for authentic and thrilling safaris. The Republic of Congo and Gabon are endowed with dense rainforests and unique wildlife that is hardly explored due to the difficult accessibility.
Republic of Congo:
The country has many interesting destinations, such as the Odzala-Kokoua National Park, which is an incredibly large and preserved rainforest in the Republic of Congo. Some of the wildlife present in the park includes the western lowland gorillas and the forest elephant, the chimpanzees and buffaloes and many more. Tourists can only arrive at Odzala by a small aircraft or a boat, which implies that those who visit this destination get to enjoy examining the unspoiled nature. Lango camp and Ngaga Camp have more environmental-friendly facilities such as tree-house like accommodations and guided tours such as the walking/forest tracking which enables one to get up-close and personal with the rainforest and its inhabitants.
Gabon:
Another great destination for the remote African safaris is Gabon which is home to dense equatorial forests, sandy beaches, and remarkable animals. Loango National Park is specifically famous for the coastal and the forested area that is inhabited by such animals like elephants, hippos, and even the gorillas. Ecotourism is still in its developmental stages in Gabon and Loango Lodge is a good example of a centre that can take tourists into these wilderness areas to observe the richness of wildlife without having a negative impact on the environment.
- Tanzania: Selous Game Reserve and Ruinsori Mountains
Tanzania is one of the most famous safari destinations on the African continent, but along with the popular sights of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania offers the Selous Game Reserve and Ruinsori Mountains for the traveler who seeks something different.
Selous Game Reserve:
Selous Game Reserve is situated in southern Tanzania and occupies a vast area making it as one of the biggest game reserves in the world. Selous is not as popular and developed as some of the other parks in Tanzania and provides a unique safari experience. It hosts many elephants, lions, wild dogs, and crocodiles, and various bird species, among other wildlife. As for the activities in the reserve, there are boat safaris in the Rufiji River, the possibility of walking safari, and non-pretentious car safari in the areas that have not been explored by mass tourism. Compared to the Serengeti national park, the Selous receives fewer tourists, making the safari journey more private and peaceful.
Ruinsori Mountains:
The Ruinsori Mountains, or the ‘Mountains of the Moon,’ are a mountain range in Uganda Congo and are one of Africa’s most isolated regions. These rugged acute angles and glaziers make it quite different from other typical adventures that involve hiking and wildlife. The most fascinating features that you will find on the Mountain include the Rwenzori gorillas, Rwenzori leopards, and other unique animals like the three-cheeked gorillas. Traversing this territory is quite a unique adventure, and it is one of the only destinations in Africa that could make one feel like the first explorer of the new land.
Conclusion:
Remote African safaris are some of the most interesting and fulfilling adventures that one can ever engage in today. These safaris offer a true experience of Africa’s wild reserves, which are stunning, untouched and teeming with wildlife. These relinquished missions introduce more than just the unique view into wildlife – they give a chance to have a part in the saving of the wildlife’s habitat, as well as witnessing the wild, untouched terrains of Africa that very few are granted with the privilege of experiencing at affordable safari cost.
Nevertheless, remote Africa safaris also present various practical issues and necessitate significant planning and concerns for the ecology. Thus, the preservation of these areas for the future generation is highly dependent on sustainable and responsible tourist activities. That is why as people keep flocking to remote safaris more often we can conclude affirmatively that these off-beat travels have a stronger and important role in the future of African tourism where the opportunity to see the untouched face of the continent is offered.
