There are a number of famous destinations within Africa that often bring a response of recognition when they are mentioned. Among them are Serengeti, Okavango, Maasai Mara, Zambezi River, Kilimanjaro and Kruger.
There are also lesser-known – and in some cases almost unknown – locations that offer a unique combination of incredible wildlife adventures where few travelers explore. These are the places Safari Professionals calls their “secret surprises.”

Liam has explored Zimbabwe’s well-known safari destinations over the years, such as Hwange, Mana Pools, Matopos and Bumi Hills. At the end of his most recent safari, he arrived at one of these “secret” places along the Save River: Gonarezhou National Park. Tucked away in Zimbabwe’s southeast corner, along its border with Mozambique, Gonarezhou’s almost 2000 square miles gave him a glimpse into what he imagined the early classic safari adventures were like. After crossing the shallow Save River in the Land Cruiser, he entered a virtually untouched wilderness, with an abundance of wildlife and few visitors. The abundant game here is somewhat less used to visitors but patience (and the skill of our tracker) brought some of the most amazing wildlife viewing, including the largest herd of African buffalo he’d seen in 36 years of safaris.