13 Surprising Places to Camp Among Africa’s Wildlife—Beyond the National Parks
Africa’s national parks are world-famous for their wildlife and safari experiences, but incredible camping opportunities exist far beyond their borders. From remote conservation areas to riverbanks teeming with hippos, there are hidden gems where you can sleep under the stars, surrounded by nature at its rawest.
These off-the-beaten-path camping spots offer something truly special—fewer crowds, untamed landscapes, and a deeper connection to Africa’s diverse ecosystems. Whether you’re looking for a rugged adventure or a peaceful retreat in the wild, these destinations bring you closer to nature in ways traditional safaris cannot.
1. Nyerere Riverbanks, Tanzania
While the Serengeti gets most of the attention, the Nyerere River in Tanzania (formerly Selous Game Reserve) offers a wild camping experience like no other. This vast, remote landscape is home to Africa’s largest lion population and massive elephant herds, making it an incredible place to witness wildlife up close.
What to Expect
Camping along the riverbanks means sharing your surroundings with hippos, crocodiles, and an astonishing variety of birdlife. The sounds of the bush come alive at night, with the distant roars of lions and the grunts of hippos echoing through the darkness.
Best Time to Visit
The dry season (June to October) is ideal, as wildlife congregates around the water sources, increasing your chances of unforgettable encounters.
2. Khwai Community Concession, Botswana
Just outside the boundaries of Moremi Game Reserve, the Khwai Community Concession provides a unique opportunity to camp in one of Botswana’s most diverse ecosystems without the restrictions of a national park.
What to Expect
Wildlife roams freely, and you can explore without fences separating you from nature. Elephants often stroll past campsites, leopards lurk in the trees, and hyenas scavenge under the moonlight.
Best Time to Visit
April to October offers the best game viewing, as the dry season forces animals to gather near the waterways.
3. Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe
Camping among the ancient granite formations of Matobo Hills is a surreal experience where wildlife and history merge. This UNESCO-listed area is home to one of Africa’s largest leopard populations, as well as endangered rhinos.
What to Expect
You’ll camp among dramatic rock formations, explore ancient San rock art, and have the rare opportunity to track rhinos on foot.
Best Time to Visit
May to September provides cooler temperatures and optimal wildlife sightings.
4. Ndumo Game Reserve, South Africa
Ndumo is a hidden gem near the Mozambique border, offering some of South Africa’s best birdwatching and lesser-known wildlife encounters.
What to Expect
This reserve is famous for its wetlands and floodplains, where hippos, crocodiles, and rare antelope species thrive. The remote setting ensures a peaceful camping experience.
Best Time to Visit
The dry months (May to October) provide clearer views of wildlife near water sources.
5. Liuwa Plain, Zambia
Liuwa Plain is home to Africa’s second-largest wildebeest migration, yet it remains one of the continent’s least-visited wilderness areas.
What to Expect
Camping here means witnessing vast herds of wildebeest, packs of hyenas, and spectacular sunsets over an endless landscape. The solitude makes it an unforgettable escape into true wilderness.
Best Time to Visit
November, during the start of the migration, offers breathtaking sights of thousands of wildebeest on the move.
6. Rubondo Island, Tanzania
For a completely different camping experience, head to Rubondo Island in Lake Victoria, where the jungle meets water in a rare fusion of ecosystems.
What to Expect
This island is home to chimpanzees, elephants, and abundant birdlife, with opportunities for fishing and boat safaris.
Best Time to Visit
June to October provides dry conditions and better wildlife sightings.
7. Kaokoland, Namibia
If you’re looking for complete isolation, Kaokoland in Namibia offers wild camping in one of the most untouched regions of Africa.
What to Expect
You’ll camp among dramatic desert landscapes, track desert-adapted elephants, and witness the unique culture of the Himba people.
Best Time to Visit
May to October offers cooler temperatures and easier access to remote areas.
8. Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi
Majete has transformed from a former poaching hotspot into a thriving Big Five reserve, making it an exciting destination for camping.
What to Expect
Expect close encounters with lions, elephants, and buffalo, all in a conservation success story that highlights Africa’s wildlife recovery efforts.
Best Time to Visit
July to October offers the best wildlife viewing.
9. The Loita Hills, Kenya
For those seeking a deeper cultural experience alongside wildlife encounters, the Loita Hills in Kenya provides an off-grid camping adventure with the Maasai people.
What to Expect
Hiking through these remote hills allows you to witness traditional Maasai life while spotting elephants, buffalos, and even leopards.
Best Time to Visit
June to September offers cooler temperatures and clearer trails.
10. Lake Turkana, Kenya
Camping along the shores of Lake Turkana, the world’s largest desert lake, offers a unique wilderness experience unlike any other in Africa.
What to Expect
The lake’s eerie jade waters contrast with the surrounding volcanic landscapes, while crocodiles, hippos, and rare bird species thrive in this isolated region.
Best Time to Visit
April to June provides stunning views and moderate temperatures.
11. Bamingui-Bangoran National Park, Central African Republic
This park remains one of Africa’s least explored wildlife areas, offering truly remote camping.
What to Expect
Expect encounters with forest elephants, giant elands, and diverse birdlife in a pristine, untouched wilderness.
Best Time to Visit
December to March offers dry conditions and better accessibility.
12. Iona National Park, Angola
Iona National Park in Angola is an off-the-radar camping spot with stunning desert landscapes and rare wildlife sightings.
What to Expect
You’ll camp in a Mars-like terrain, encountering oryx, springboks, and desert-adapted predators.
Best Time to Visit
May to September provides cooler conditions for exploration.
13. Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique
For a tropical camping experience, the Bazaruto Archipelago offers pristine beaches, coral reefs, and encounters with marine wildlife.
What to Expect
Camping here means snorkeling with dugongs, watching sea turtles nest, and enjoying the tranquility of untouched island life.
Best Time to Visit
May to November provides the best weather and marine life encounters.
Where Will Your Next Adventure Take You?
Camping beyond Africa’s national parks offers some of the most immersive wildlife experiences on the planet. Whether you prefer remote deserts, lush islands, or wild riverbanks, there’s a hidden gem waiting to be explored.
Which of these offbeat camping spots excites you the most? Share your thoughts, and let’s talk about your next great adventure!
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Who am I? Well, the least you can say is that I am quite crazy about Africa, its nature, its climate, its culture, and more.
As a young woman in my twenties, I had already traveled to several African countries by traveling along in an overlander on my own and mostly camping ( or glamping ) and just fell in love with the diversity of it all.
So much, so that at the age of 26, I went back to university to study biology, which, unfortunately, I couldn’t finish because of health reasons (yes, I got sick from a tropical disease, oh cynicism). But this did not stop my dream of traveling back to Africa several times, and I still do.
My dream was back then to leave Europe and go study animal behavior, especially the elephants (sure, that’s every girl’s dream haha), but I am also very much intrigued by hyenas and other “ugly African animals“.
So, I “kind of” have a little bit of a scientific approach to my articles, when I write about African birds, for example. And most of all: the passion.
But life goes on, you move from one side of the country to the other, you get sick again and top it off with lower back problems, and before you know it, you are over 50 hahaha!
Now, I still travel to Africa, but take it a bit “easier” than the good old camping days, and stay in comfortable, yet affordable accommodations, together with my husband Wouter.
These are some of the countries I have traveled to: Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Tunisia, and a little bit of Lesotho LOL .
While clearly not being African territory, but Spanish, I also visited Gran Canaria and Tenerife, and location-wise, I consider them “African”, because of their climate and nature, sue me :-p
The last trip I took was to South Africa in the year 2023, and it sure got the fevers for Africa back! From the Barberton mountains to the Drakensberg and the Southcoast, one month wasn’t enough at all to see the whole country, so we’ll be back! At ease and with a little bit more luxury than in my younger days haha!
