Overtourism is increasingly affecting some of Africa’s most celebrated national parks, impacting both wildlife and local communities.
Finding ways to experience these incredible landscapes responsibly is essential to preserving their natural beauty and ensuring sustainable benefits for the people who call them home.
Masai Mara National Reserve
The Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya is one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations, attracting over 300,000 visitors each year. Around a third of these arrive between June and September to witness the Great Migration. During this time, the reserve is full of life and energy, though the higher number of vehicles and visitors at this time can make sightings feel more of a shared experience.
The high number of visitors means habitats can be degraded by vehicles, and it’s been noted that cheetahs in high traffic areas of the Mara tend to raise fewer cubs. With animal populations decreasing in the Mara each year, it’s a reminder mass tourism can have unintended consequences. Fortunately, there are ways to experience the magic of the Mara while helping to protect it.
Mara Conservancies
One such option is visiting the Mara Conservancies. These are private, community managed areas bordering the national reserve that share the same ecosystem, so the wildlife is identical.
What sets the conservancies apart is their commitment to low-impact tourism. Visitor numbers are strictly limited, ensuring a quieter experience. Off-road driving is permitted, allowing guides to position vehicles closer for wildlife encounters, without the crowds seen in the reserve. This not only enhances your experience but reduces stress on the animals.
Crucially, the conservancies are locally owned and operated, with land leased directly from Maasai communities. Tourism revenue flows back into these communities, supporting education, healthcare and conservation initiatives. This protects the environment while caring for the people who call it home, creating a more sustainable approach to safari.
Travel out of season
Outside of the long rains (April – May) there is never a bad time to be in the Masai Mara. While the migration is an exciting phenomenon to witness, for many the allure of fewer visitors and empty plains dotted with acacias rather than safari vehicles, is equally attractive.
January to March in the Mara offers exciting opportunities to watch predators hunt. The main calving takes place in Ndutu in the Serengeti, but the Mara also sees an increase in births, creating a landscape dotted with newborns finding their feet. The abundance of young animals is irresistible to predators like lions, leopards and cheetahs, providing the opportunity for dramatic, life-or-death wildlife encounters.
Parks that are big on space but low on visitors in Tanzania and Zambia
Nyerere and Ruaha National Parks in Tanzania, and Kafue National Park in Zambia have fewer visitors than other parks but are just as rewarding. With similar animal species and much of them in abundance, there is ample opportunity for spectacular wildlife viewing, whilst staying in small, well-run lodges.
Ruaha is known for its large predator populations and dramatic baobab-studded scenery, while Nyerere (formerly Selous) offers boat safaris along the Rufiji River and vast wilderness. These parks receive a fraction of the visitors compared to other sub-Saharan parks, making them ideal for safari-lovers seeking the solitude of space and authentic wildlife encounters.
Conservation in action: Gorongosa, Mozambique
Further south in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique, conservation and tourism are working hand-in-hand to help restore habitats and regenerate biodiversity after years of civil unrest. While some animals remain cautious, the park is a powerful example of nature’s resilience and offers a meaningful safari for those interested in conservation and regeneration. Explore vast floodplains, wooded savannahs and the lush slopes of Mount Gorongosa, home to a rich biodiversity of wildlife. Stays range from safari camps to eco-lodges, and each are immersed in the parks landscape and community-led conservation story.
Gorilla Trekking
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is world-famous for its mountain gorilla trekking and stunning volcanic scenery. Over the past decades, it has become a flagship example of how tourism can drive conservation, with carefully managed permits funding habitat protection and community projects. Its growing popularity means gorilla permits are in high demand, and while you may share the trail with other travellers, every visit directly supports the parks pioneering work in safeguarding one of the worlds most endangered primates – the mountain gorilla.
The comparison in our graphic above has more to do with Bwindi’s larger size than it is about Rwanda having a significantly greater footfall. Home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, Bwindi’s ancient forest provides a beautiful background for treks, with a more varied and wild terrain. It is known as the Impenetrable Forest for good reason with thick vegetation providing the perfect home for mountain gorillas. The parks larger area allows for multiple trailheads (Buhoma, Rushaga and Kkuringo for example) meaning visitors are spread across multiple sectors. The experience here is slow, personal and just as rewarding as its Rwandan counterpart.
Further off the beaten path, Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of Congo offers an exciting opportunity to track western lowland gorillas in a pristine rainforest environment. These gorillas are easier to spot than mountain gorillas as they tend to stay in clearings (bais) rather than in trees. However, here the experience is not just about gorillas. Amongst the bais a host of wildlife gathers, often attracting forest elephants, flocks of vibrant birds, and chimpanzees. These encounters are completed with stays in remote, beautifully designed lodges that blend seamlessly into the landscape.
Both Bwindi and Odzala prioritise conservation and community engagement, inspired by Volcanoes National Park. The parks offer not only exceptional wildlife encounters but also the chance to support communities and businesses that protect habitats and empower locals.
By choosing quieter parks, supporting community-led conservancies, and travelling outside peak seasons, we not only enrich our own experiences but also help safeguard Africa’s wild spaces for future generations.
“At Steppes Travel, we believe the best journeys are those that tread lightly, connect deeply and give back generously. By travelling outside peak seasons and exploring beyond the busiest reserves, you not only enjoy a more personal, insightful and engaging experience but also help protect fragile ecosystems and support the communities who preserve them. It’s a win for wildlife, for people and for you.” – Justin Wateridge, Managing Director
This blog was written by university students Meg Topps and Millie Szczerkowska during their work experience with us.