Kenya's Samburu National Reserve is having a moment, and it's not just because of the elephants. Intrepid Travel's annual Not Hot List, created with forecasting agency Globetrender, spotlights ten places that are ready for more visitors without losing their soul. Samburu takes the top spot, and for good reason.
This northern Kenya reserve sees roughly 30,000 to 40,000 visitors a year, a fraction of the Maasai Mara's crowds. Here, you can track the Samburu Special Five, a lineup that includes Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, beisa oryx, and the gerenuk, a long-necked antelope that stands on its hind legs to nibble acacia leaves. Community-led tourism projects help fund conservation and local services, so your safari dollars go further than a game drive.
If you're curious about what else this region holds, our guide to North Kenya's best-kept secret offers a deeper dive.
From Georgian Towers to Greek Islands
Second on the list is Mestia, a mountain town in Georgia's Upper Svaneti, a UNESCO-listed region of medieval defensive towers and traditional villages. Improved access and new tourism investments are turning it into a year-round base for hiking and skiing. Then there's Jordan's Northern Highlands, a greener side of the country that pairs Roman ruins with forest reserves and mountain trails, a far cry from the desert drama of Petra and Wadi Rum.
Greece's Alonnisos takes fifth place, and it's a gem. With about 70,000 visitors in 2024, compared to Skiathos's 500,000, this island sits inside Europe's largest marine protected area, home to the endangered Mediterranean monk seal. You can also explore the Peristera shipwreck, Greece's first underwater museum. The island is investing in recycling, desalination, and renewable energy to keep things sustainable.
Off the Beaten Path in Asia and Beyond
Dili, Timor-Leste, lands at number six, thanks to new air connections that make this Southeast Asian nation easier to reach. The capital opens up reefs, beaches, and mountains, and the Tais Market showcases traditional woven cloth. Sri Lanka's Pekoe Trail, a 300-kilometer route through tea estates and rural villages, comes in seventh. Tourism spending here reaches local guides, farmers, and guesthouses along the way.
Latvia's Liepāja, a European Capital of Culture for 2027, takes eighth place with its Baltic beach and musical heritage. Chile's Carretera Austral, a 1,240-kilometer road through Patagonian fjords and forests, is ninth. And Dalsland in Sweden rounds out the list, a lake-filled region perfect for kayaking and wild camping, now easier to reach thanks to a new Malmö–Oslo railway.
These picks aren't just about avoiding crowds. They're about traveling in a way that supports communities and conservation. As Intrepid's Erica Kritikides puts it, "If we want tourism to continue to be a force for good, we need to constantly rethink how and where we travel."
Of course, promoting overlooked places raises concerns about overtourism shifting elsewhere. Globetrender's Jenny Southan notes, "The real test is whether tourism can grow without overwhelming local communities, ecosystems, and infrastructure." But the track record is promising. After Gilgit-Baltistan appeared on a previous list, Intrepid's Pakistan bookings jumped 67%, and Kyrgyzstan saw a 62% increase.
So, if you're planning ahead, consider a place that's ready for you, not the other way around. And if you're worried about the heat in Europe's popular spots, check out what travelers need to know about Europe's sweltering destinations. Or, if you're dreaming of a quieter escape, maybe it's time to look at where expats actually want to live for inspiration.
