Experienced Safari Travellers

Where to go next (and how to make it feel different)

So you’ve been to Africa a couple of times. Now you want to stretch your boundaries a little more.

The good news: every African country is different, and there are always new places to discover (even if you thought you’d “done Africa”).

TIP

• Tell us where you’ve been before — what you loved, and what you didn’t. That helps us design the “next safari” that feels genuinely different.
• One reminder: don’t expect the exact same experience in two completely different countries. Some destinations are wonderfully remote and culturally traditional; others feel more modern and Westernised.

So what are some obvious next steps in your safari journey?

Quick jump guide: Choose your “next step”

• Want more wilderness / fly-in romance? → Botswana, Zambia or Zimbabwe
• Want big landscapes + variety + migration? → Kenya & Tanzania (but choose quieter regions)
• Want South Africa, but different? → Road Less Travelled regions
• Want something totally new? → Gorillas, Malawi, Madagascar
• Want more adventure? → Walk / horse / canoe / boat

1. Botswana, Zimbabwe or Zambia

These are magical safari destinations, and they feel completely different from South Africa. Travel is often seamless, with most connections by air (seat in charter flights) and a few by road.

Why it’s a great “second safari”:

• often a step-up in wilderness immersion

• bigger sense of wilderness and space

• fly-in camps and water-based safari activities the right places

Check out our article on the similarities and difference between these three countries

2. East Africa: beyond the first-timer circuit

The East African safari powerhouses of Kenya and Tanzania offer an entirely different safari style, with multiple regions that combine easily – plus the lure of the Great Migration at the right times.  They make for a great 1^st time safari.

But if you’ve already done the headline parks, consider the quieter, more distinctive areas:

Great “next-step” picks in East Africa

Sample Itineraries

Useful Links

North or South for your Tanzania wildlife safari?

3. South Africa.. but the road less travelled

If you love South Africa and want something fresh, there are plenty of 2nd- and 3rd-time options.

• Cederberg Mountains: rugged wilderness region just 2½ hours north of Cape Town

• KwaZulu-Natal: a beautiful province that can be a whole itinerary in itself

• Interior Eastern & Western Cape: characterful, under-visited, and ideal for a slower pace

Sample Itineraries

Here’s a link to a great article about lesser known or visited areas of South Africa

Check Out: The Road Less Travelled

4. Want Something completely different? (The “wildcards”)

These are brilliant for experienced travellers because they feel like a new continent.

Gorilla trekking (Rwanda or Uganda)

Why not add gorillas? Uganda in particular can combine gorilla trekking with other game viewing.

Malawi (especially combined with Zambia)

Malawi is a charming, lesser-travelled destination – often best as a pairing with Zambia with top-notch safari in the South Luangwa.

• Luxury Zambia & Malawi Bush & Beach Getaway
• Best of Southern Malawi

Madagascar (a world of its own)

If you want a total contrast: think Madagascar. A country like no other with unique wildlife and flora (lemurs, frogs, insects and orchids) plus stunning beaches for post-adventure relaxation.

• Check out of sample Madagascar holidays here

5. Enjoyed self-drive in South Africa? Try Namibia

There are only two countries where we truly recommend a self-drive road trip: South Africa and Namibia.

Namibia is perfect for experienced travellers because the scenery is as much the attraction as the wildlife. And that’s something you may miss on a fly-in safari.

• Check out all our sample Namibia holidays here

• Namibia Self-drive itineraries

6. Different ways to safari (for the adventurous)

For a second or third safari, there’s nothing like changing the mode of safari travel. Why not explore a more leisurely approach on foot, on horseback, by canoe or by boat.