If you're seeking inspiration for exciting and unique destinations to visit in 2024, look no further.

We've seen a number of articles and newsletters flying around recently with subjects akin to '10 Most Popular Destinations in 2024', 'Where's Fashionable to Travel in 2024' and 'Travel Hot Spots for 2024'. 

It's undeniable that these articles show off beautiful destinations, many of which we adore ourselves. However, personally, here at Bonamy, we love unearthing off-the-beaten-track locations; places that aren't necessarily 'on trend', but are slightly out of the ordinary. 'Hidden gems', if you will. We crave individuality, uniqueness, and a sense of adventure on our holidays. Destinations that are personal; that offer escapism; and leave incredible memories. Stories that, when regaled, can silence a dinner table as all ears hang on your every word.

That's why we're going against the grain with our 2024 travel suggestions. Come and travel with us to some of Africa's 'hidden gems', away from the crowds. Destinations that offer personality, charm, and substance.

January to March

Namibia, a country well-known as being one of the driest on the planet, is a brilliant destination for so many different types of adventure. This extremely safe country is perfect for family self-drives, romantic honeymoons, multi-day hiking expeditions, and high quality safaris. We love the country's 'emerald season' in January and February where, if you're lucky, the infamous deserts and dunes can be carpeted with a lush green canvas after incredibly rare rains. The scenery is unlike anywhere on the planet, and you'll be treated to utterly otherworldly vistas, unfathomably low rates, and it's likely that you wont see more than a handful of other tourists during your travels.

If you're looking for a beach escape during the Northern Hemisphere's winter, we suggest heading off the beaten track and away from busy destinations in the Indian Ocean; look at visiting the tiny islands of São Tomé and Príncipe. This is where the 'Garden of Eden meets Jurassic Park', and where a fascinating melting pot of culture and history can be found. With picture perfect beaches, lush rainforest and a collection of outstanding accommodation, a visit to this jewel off the western coast of Africa is the holiday destination you wish you knew about sooner.

Another fantastic place to visit during these months is Zambia, to the under-visited Liuwa Plain National Park in the far west of the country. The lodge to stay at, King Lewanika, is only open for half of the year and focusses on the lesser-known migration of wildebeest as they make their way through the park. King Lewanika is a wonderful place to spend a week, or it could be combined fantastically with time in Victoria Falls or down in Botswana's Okavango Delta.

If you're craving a bit of civilisation (and good wine), head down to South Africa's Cape Winelands (our recommendation would be in March) to stay at the dreamy 7 Koppies. This small guesthouse with only a handful of rooms is a home away from home, and has undoubtedly the finest views of anywhere in this stunning corner of the world. 7 Koppies is a perfect place to call home for 4 - 5 nights, where you can relax, explore some of the fantastic vineyards (learning about the grape harvest which takes place during this period), and enjoy beautiful sunsets every evening from the swimming pool.

April to June

It's shoulder season across 'safari Africa' during this period, and, for us, two particular destinations really come into their own during this time. This is not to say that other areas shouldn't be visited, but these two hold a special place in our collective hearts. The two are the Ruaha National Park in Southern Tanzania, and the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia. 

Both of these parks are, scenically, some of the most beautiful places we know in Africa, and, in May & June the safari experience is phenomenal. As it's not yet peak season, the value for money is superb too, meaning you are able to make your budget work so much better for your itinerary, enabling you to stay on safari for longer, getting to know the ecosystem, the amazing people who keep these lodges operating in these incredibly remote locations, and the wildlife that inhabits the surrounding area. 

Alternatively, this time of year is a great to plan a visit to Uganda to trek to see the Mountain Gorilla that call the Virunga Mountains their home. Our favourite lodge to stay during a visit is Mount Gahinga in the very south eastern corner of Uganda. Nestled with forest to the south and surrounded by small villages and farmland to the north, this quaint lodge offers a wonderfully authentic and luxurious experience. 

July to September

Moving later into the year, the Southern Hemisphere winter makes up the 'peak' tourism season across the majority of safari Africa, and coincides with phenomenal wildlife viewing in the continent's blockbuster parks like the Serengeti in Tanzania, the Masai Mara in Kenya, and Okavango Delta in Botswana. It's a brilliant time to visit these areas and, if you plan your visit well, you can visit areas and 'concessions' within these parks where the higher density of tourists is hardly noticed at all.

Alternatively, why not travel to Zimbabwe where the safari is of equally exceptional quality, but tourism densities and rates are low. Mainly due to common misconceptions, this beautiful country is far too often overlooked by safari-goers. Travel down to the fantastic Hwange National Park where the volume of wildlife will blow your mind, or up to Mana Pools National Park (on the opposite side of the river to Zambia's Lower Zambezi National Park) where you can be following wild dogs through the African bush all day, and not see another vehicle, or marvel at the mighty Zambezi as it thunders over Victoria Falls. Or, combine all three into a sublime 10 night trip. 

For those looking for something a little bit different, head across to Madagascar where you can marvel at the quite remarkable number of endemic species that inhabit this huge island. To give you some substance, approximately 90% of all plant and animal species found in Madagascar are endemic, including over 850 species of orchids! This magnificent country is HUGE, and organising a holiday here requires some serious planning. We would recommend at least 2 weeks to really make the most of your time abroad, ideally with 4 or 5 nights towards the end of your journey to appreciate the stunning beaches and coves in the north. 

Finally, July to September make up the dry season in The Congo, another off-the-beaten-track destination which has developed rapidly from a tourism perspective in the last 5 years. With huge swathes of land in the country's north now protected thanks to our friends over at African Parks, a number of small lodges have opened which offer a breath-taking experience for adventurous souls. It is the next frontier of safari in Africa, and one that we are delighted to be a part of. A holiday to The Congo (also including time in the Central African Republic too if you have time) will certainly be a truly unique experience, and one that we're certain that will turn a few heads at the dinner party!

October to December

As safari Africa moves back into shoulder season, so much of the continent is fantastic to visit at this time of year. As the dry season enters it's final hurrah, the temperature creeps higher and higher until the rains slowly arrive and the bush refills with lush vegetation and cubs galore. 

We love travelling to the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park during this time of year. This area of Botswana, on the outset, can appear to be no more than a sprawling mass of dust and salt, void of any life. However, look a little closer and you'll find an abundance of wildlife - from aardvark, to meerkats, to zebra and wildebeest, huge committees of vultures, and if you're lucky prides of lion and hyena too. It's in habitats like the Pans where you can really appreciate the hardiness of nature, the symbiosis between all of the individual elements that, at first, seem completely unconnected, however, after spending several days with your highly-trained guide, you can see that every single piece of this intricate puzzle is beautifully and entirely essential.

This is also a wonderful time of year to travel to another hugely under-visited park in Africa - Liwonde National Park in Malawi. Another of African Parks' success stories, this park has achieved nothing short of a miracle and the wildlife and safari experience is now back to its very best. Being off the well-trodden safari path, this park, as you may expect, offers a fantastically exclusive and intimate experience. The guiding is very good, and there is an altogether sense of excitement and belief amongst the Malawians that Liwonde has huge potential to join the other blockbuster parks in Africa that are so synonymous with safari.

Finally, a location that is very close to our hearts in South Africa is Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, around a 2.5 hour drive from Cape Town. If you have even the slightest interest in botany, Grootbos should be at the very top of your travel list. Two utterly glorious lodges operate on the reserve which is dedicated to the conservation of fynbos, the flora that is emblematic of the Cape Floral Kingdom. We couldn't speak more highly of the team that make the experience possible at Grootbos. In our eyes, they are magicians. 

So there you have it - a brief look at our African hidden gems for 2024. There really are so many more that we could have included, but, we'd rather do that over the phone to you, or, even better, over a cup of tea. They wouldn't be 'hidden gems' if we revealed them all anyway, would they?

Reminiscing about and reliving memories from our adventures at some of these magnificent lodges and camps is an all time favourite activity. We know it will be yours too.

We look forward to planning some epic adventures for you and your loved ones in 2024.