Want to have an unusual experience in Africa, but don’t want to visit places that are too crowded? When you think of Africa, you’ve probably heard of Victoria Falls and the Serengeti, but what if I tell you Africa has so many more incredible places? Besides famous crowded places, Africa has many secret spots where you can have a fantastic time without any crowds. In this blog post, I’m gonna share some of Africa’s best-kept secrets. So just forget the usual tourist spots and explore these unique regions and sites that offer an authentic taste of Africa’s beauty and wonder, far from the crowds.
Table of Contents
Hidden Gems of Africa that You Must Visit
Mount Hoggar (Ahaggar Mountains), Algeria
Location: Southern Algeria, near the city of Tamanrasset, in the central Sahara.
Geography: A highland region of volcanic origin, with peaks reaching over 2,900 meters.
Are you planning to visit Africa and looking for a unique place to visit? Well, you should consider visiting the Hoggar Mountains, which are a volcanic range in Algeria. They are in a country called Algeria, near a town named Tamanrasset. You can go hiking there, look at prehistoric rock art sites, and see animals that live in the desert. To visit, you must fly to Tamanrasset. From there, you will need to take a special car tour with a local guide. Travelling there is not something you can do alone. You need to join a group with a guide to stay safe, and because the government requires special permission for visitors to be in that area.
Congo River, Democratic Republic of Congo
Location: Central Africa, flowing through the DRC and several neighbouring countries.
Geography: The second-longest river in Africa (4,700 km) and the world’s deepest recorded river.
If you are a person who travels a lot, this place is perfect for you. If you take a boat trip from one city (Kinshasa) to another (Kisangani), you are in for an incredible adventure. The boats don’t always leave on time, and it can be a difficult journey. It’s best to have a local person help you. You’ll see pretty nature and towns along the river. You can also look at birds and visit local shops.
Nyika Plateau, Malawi
Location: Northern Malawi, in Nyika National Park.
Geography: Rolling grasslands over 2,000 meters high, with rare orchids and antelope species.
Looking for an adventure away from the city? This park is a safe and quiet place, and you can drive there from Mzuzu. It’s a safe place to visit and you won’t find many people there. But don’t forget to book your accommodation early because there aren’t many places to stay.
You’ll be able to:
- Hike and bike: You can go on trails through fields and forests, and on hills with beautiful views.
- See the animals: You’ll find big groups of animals like antelopes, eland, and zebra. You might also see smaller animals like warthogs. If you’re lucky, you could spot a leopard or hyena.
- Watch the birds: Did you know over 400 types of birds live here, including some rare ones? So if you love birdwatching, it’s a treat for you.
- Ride horses on safari: If you want to see animals closely without making a noise, you can ride a horse.
- See the flowers: if you visit between September and April, the area is full of pretty wildflowers and orchids, which attract butterflies and bees.
- Watch the stars: The night sky is very clear here, so you can see lots of stars.
Ennedi Plateau, Chad
Location: Northeastern Chad, in the Sahara Desert.
Geography: Sandstone formations, canyons, and rock arches. Contains ancient petroglyphs and cave art.
Do you know about a place that is full of strange and wonderful rock shapes, like giant stone arches and tall pillars? That’s a huge desert area in Chad called the Ennedi Plateau. These were made over a very long time by the wind and rain. You can find old drawings and paintings on these rocks from people who used to live there. You have to go on a special trip with a group. There are no hotels or roads, so you have to be ready for a simple, rugged trip. Ennedi is full of life. When you visit this place, you will forget popular Safari Destinations because you can find 500 types of plants, big Arabian bustards, and special desert animals like Barbary sheep, Dorcas gazelles, honey badgers, and striped hyenas. You can also find porcupines and rock hyraxes.
Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana
Location: Northeastern Botswana, southeast of the Okavango Delta.
Geography: Salt flats covering over 16,000 square kilometres. One of the largest salt pans in the world.
What would it feel like to be in a place so big and flat that it goes on forever? That’s the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in Botswana. It’s one of the world’s biggest salt flats. This special place isn’t always empty. When it rains, it turns green and becomes a home for lots of animals like zebras and wildebeest. You can see herds of zebras and huge groups of pink flamingos.
If you visit, you can have some fun adventures:
- You can go on a fun ride across the pans in a 4×4 car.
- Camp under the stars and feel like you’re the only person in the world.
- See very old, giant trees on a place called Kubu Island.
- Play with meerkats who are used to people.
It’s best to visit when it’s dry, so you can drive on the pans. It’s easier and safer to go with a guide.
Quirimbas Archipelago, Mozambique
Location: Northern Mozambique, off the coast near Pemba.
Geography: A chain of 32 islands with coral reefs, mangroves, and historical ruins from the Swahili and Portuguese periods.
Do you want to visit a secret paradise? Go to Quirimbas, which is a group of 32 islands in the ocean near a country called Mozambique. The islands have amazing coral reefs and old buildings. You can go snorkelling to see fish, or take a boat to visit old towns. You have to take a boat or a small plane to get there. Because not many people go there, it’s a very peaceful place. But one thing that you should keep in mind is that it can be rainy and stormy from December to April, so it’s a good idea to go at a different time.
Bijagós Archipelago, Guinea-Bissau
Location: Off the coast of Guinea-Bissau, in front of the Corubal River mouth.
Geography: A 150 km long sandstone cliff, with ancient cliff dwellings and terraced villages.
Ever heard of a secret island getaway? The Bijagós Islands are a group of 88 islands in the ocean next to a country called Guinea-Bissau.
This place is special because:
- It has forests, fields, and swamps. You can see cool animals like hippos that live in the sea and big sea turtles.
- Not many people live there. The people are interesting because women are the leaders, and they have old, special traditions.
- You can take a boat to see animals, meet the people, paddle a canoe in the water, or play on the beaches.
- You have to take a boat from a city called Bissau.
- There are not many hotels, and the people mostly speak Portuguese.
Lake Assal, Djibouti
Location: Central-western Djibouti, in the Afar Depression.
Geography: A crater lake at 155 meters below sea level, one of the saltiest in the world.
Ready for a unique trip? You can drive from Djibouti City to Lake Assal. It’s a safe place to visit, but it gets very hot. So, if you want to escape the heat, the best time to go is early in the morning. The lake looks amazing with its white salt and bright blue water.
Here’s what you can do:
- Walk on the salt flats: You can go for a walk on the thick, white salt ground. It makes a crunching sound and feels like you’re on the moon.
- Float in the lake: The water has so much salt that you can float easily, just like in the Dead Sea.
- Take pictures of volcanoes: Who doesn’t love to take photos? You can take some great shots of the hills and old volcanoes around the lake.
- See the lava fields: See the black, sharp rocks from old volcanoes. They go on for miles and look cool next to the colourful lake.
- Meet salt miners: You might see the local Afar people as they harvest salt by hand, a job they’ve done for hundreds of years.
- Spot wildlife: You can also look for animals like camels, gazelles, and special desert plants.
Simien Mountains, Ethiopia
Location: Northern Ethiopia, near Gondar.
Geography: A highland region with deep valleys and peaks over 4,500 meters.
If you love incredible views and want to see rare wildlife, this park is waiting for you. And if you wonder what’s special about this park? Just imagine a park with giant, rocky walls! That’s this place. You can see cool monkeys called gelada baboons and special goats called Walia ibex. You can walk and hike here, but you must have a guide. Also, keep in mind that you need a pass or permit to enter. And if you are thinking, where can I sleep? Let me answer this for you. Most people camp in tents because there aren’t many hotels. So, you also do the same. It’ll be a part of your adventure.
Lopé National Park, Gabon
Location: Central Gabon, near the town of Lopé.
Geography: A mix of rainforest and savannah, home to gorillas, chimpanzees, and forest elephants.
A train from Libreville can take you to this park. You’ll need a local guide to go on wildlife tours and explore the thick forest, but it’s a safe trip
Here’s what you can do there:
- Go on a safari: The best time to see animals like elephants and monkeys is in the morning or late afternoon when it’s not raining.
- Watch the birds: The park is home to over 400 types of birds, including colourful bee-eaters and rare forest hornbills.
- Take a boat ride: Go on the Ogooué River to see hippos, crocodiles, and water birds.
- Look at old rock art: You can see ancient drawings and paintings on rocks to learn about the people who used to live there.
- Hike in the forest: You can hike on the forest paths to see cool plants, butterflies, and little monkeys.
- Go to the Visitor Centre: Before you explore, stop here to learn about the park and its history.
Bandiagara Escarpment, Mali
Location: Central Mali, near Bandiagara and Sangha.
Geography: A 150 km sandstone cliff with ancient cliff dwellings and terraced villages.
Are you looking for an adventure? You can visit the old Dogon villages by the cliffs. But you must be very careful. The area has some safety problems right now, so you should check for the latest news before you go. It’s also very important to have an experienced guide with you to stay safe.
Here’s what you can do while you are there:
- Walk between cliff villages: You can hike on old trails to reach villages built on cliffs and see amazing views.
- See ancient cliff houses: See old homes and buildings made inside the rocks.
- Learn about Dogon life: Locals will tell you about their farming, holidays, and beliefs.
- Visit Tellem ruins: See the old mud-brick buildings from the Tellem people, who were there before the Dogon.
- See local art: Watch people make masks and carve wood.
- Watch traditional dances: Enjoy watching special dances with people wearing masks.
Final Words
You might have heard about this saying that “you can leave Africa, but Africa will never leave you”. And this is absolutely true because Africa is full of places that leave you in awe. These spots are great for anyone who likes to explore and learn new things. You can go hiking, see special animals, look at old buildings, or meet people from different cultures. These places let you see a part of Africa that’s not in the travel books. So pack your travel backpack and get ready for an unforgettable adventure. You might need to be a little careful or get a special pass for some places, but you’ll have an amazing time. You can also write for us to share your stories, or if you find more amazing places that nobody knows about.
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Hi, we are Krasen and Ying Ying. Krasen is from Bulgaria, and Ying Ying is from China. We are passionate about geography and history, and we believe that the best way to experience it is by exploring the Earth in reality, not in a school, and not virtually.
So, we created this blog Journey Beyond the Horizon, where we share geographical knowledge, travel guides and tips how to experience it when you explore our planet, and a lot of inspiration.
And we wish you a happy journey, not just virtually, but most of all- in reality.
Enjoy!
