Hidden Gem Safaris in Africa

The term ‘hidden gem' has somewhat lost its meaning in recent years, with the phrase becoming somewhat overused. Think about it, have you ever spoken to someone about a gem and they know exactly what you're talking about? We know more than a few who have told us that tale. So, when it comes to hidden gems in Africa, we're selective with what we recommend and each location has to meet certain criteria.

Our Africa Safari Experts spend countless hours researching and connecting with suppliers to find the best destinations and accommodations to recommend to you, our travellers. These hours ultimately culminate in our hidden gem safaris, the ultimate African adventure. What then qualifies a place as a hidden gem at Go2Africa? Allow us to break down our process for you.

Location, Location, Location

When it comes to hidden gems, a lot of it falls to location. Often, they're remote locales with exceptional landscapes and wildlife. Other aspects our experts take into consideration are new private concessions or special conservation camps – a few examples include small conservancies bordering the Masai Mara and the Mwiba area south of the Serengeti National Park.

Owner-managed Properties

Another aspect we consider for our hidden gems is owner-run and managed camps. Why does this qualify? These properties are typically more personal and there's an extra ounce of effort that takes an experience from excellent to superlative. When staying at one of these camps, you'll often meet the owners as they're hands-on and involved in the day-to-day running of the camp or lodge. Properties like the Porini Camps are not only owner-run, but also managed by members of the local community, people who have been thoughtfully trained and are an integral part of the experience

Conservation & Impact

One of our pillars as a company, and something we greatly value with our partners, is positive impact and conservation. We like to know what their impact is – are they actively involved in the community? Do they work to uplift and better local communities? Have they worked to become more eco-conscious? Are they trying to conserve their local landscapes and wildlife? There are various factors we look at, but it's typically places that have a small footprint and a big positive impact in their area.

Gems of Africa: How Popular Is The Area

Can it really be considered a hidden gem safari if there are hundreds or even thousands of visitors each month? Usually these places have a certain ratio of visitors per kilometres, ensuring a limited number of people. The reason this factors in is two-fold: the first being that it maintains a low footprint on the land and the second being it creates a more personal experience, a less crowded one too. Examples could be Chem Chem, South Luangwa's remote camps, or Mwiba Wildlife Reserve.

Special & Unique Concepts

As the world develops, processes change, and we become increasingly able to create more varied and sustainable offerings, the more unique concepts come to light. Be it in buildings and structures, or unique offerings in conservation and research. One perfect example is Future Found in Cape Town, a 5-star luxury regenerative travel hotel.