Adventures In The Wild (African Safari Activities)
Adventures In The Wild (Most Incredible African Safari Activities). The word ‘safari’ evokes feelings of adventure and discovery, with its Swahili roots – ‘kusafari’ – inviting you to participate in Adventures In The Wild activities in Africa while discovering the continent’s diverse landscapes. It’s a journey of exploration, with the opportunity to experience the most unique African safaris. As you travel across the African bush, the possibilities unfold like the savannah itself.
This Article will take you through the best Adventures in the Wild or safari activities in Africa to make your safari experience unforgettable. Each is meticulously assessed based on physical needs and adrenaline levels, allowing you to select the ones that best suit your adventurous attitude.
Adventures In The Wild
1. Canoeing Down the Zambezi
Kayaking down the Zambezi river at highwater!
Mana Pools National Park, located deep in Zimbabwe’s lower Zambezi region, unfolds a magnificent tapestry. The name’mana’, which means ‘four’ in Shona, refers to the four large pools formed by the Zambezi River’s serpentine flow. This 219,600-hectare haven exemplifies Africa’s untamed grandeur, with a remarkable array of species. From royal elephants and buffaloes to elusive wild dogs, lions, leopards, and cheetahs, each species contributes to the vast symphony of the wild.
As you canoe down the Zambezi River, the line between you and the wilderness blur. Witnessing wildlife at water level is quite beautiful, with buffaloes, elephants, and antelopes grazing on the riverbanks as crocodiles and hippos lurk beneath the surface. Your guide will point you the amazing birdlife, aquatic life, and fauna while telling stories that reveal the intricate tapestry of this environment. With each stroke of the paddle, the excitement grows: will you see a crocodile sliding silently into the water, or a hippo’s yawning mouth showing its lethal teeth? The uncertainty is thrilling, and the experience unforgettable.
Location: Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
Fitness Level: Medium
Adrenaline Level: 6/10
2. See The Great Migration from A Hot-Air Balloon
Serengeti Hot Air Balloon Safari
Consider watching the world’s largest show, the Great Migration, also known as Africa’s “race for life”. This epic trip takes place across the Serengeti’s sun-kissed grasslands, as 2 million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles seek sustenance and survival. The journey starts in the southern Serengeti, where the aroma of lush grass and the prospect of new life beckon. As the herds move over the environment, they are met with the fundamental rhythms of birth and predation, which serve as a reminder of life’s endless cycle.
The migration’s ancient pathways are carved across the earth, tracing a clockwise trip that spans the seasons. The herds migrate from the southern Serengeti to the Masai Mara in search of grazing pastures, motivated by a primordial will to survive. River crossings provide a dramatic spectacle as wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles brave the hazardous waters, while crocodiles lie in wait with their mouths open. The cycle concludes as the herds return to their calving sites, their footfall resounding across the plains.
Take the experience to new heights by soaring over this magnificent environment, the wind whispering secrets in your ear. A hot air balloon safari provides a unique view of the Great Migration as you fly above the landscape. From this high vantage point, the rhythms of the wild unfold below: the hunt, the chase, and the never-ending dance of predator and prey. As you float above the herds, the noises of the wild surge up to greet you: hippos grunting, lions roaring, and bushes rustling as wildebeest make their way to the river’s bank.
Location: Masai Mara, Kenya
Fitness Level: Low
Adrenaline Level: 7/10
3. Sand Boarding on Dunes
Epic SANDBOARDING in the Namib Dunes
Consider the thrill of surfing, but instead of riding the waves, you’re carving through the dunes of the Namib Desert, one of the oldest and most beautiful deserts on the planet. This immense expanse of sand, which stretches over 2,000 kilometres (772 square miles) along the Atlantic coasts of Namibia, Angola, and South Africa, is a veritable adventure playground. The Namib’s sand dune sea is a natural wonder, with dunes standing up to 300 meters high and glowing pink and orange in the sunlight. The Atlantic Ocean may be seen extending out to the horizon from the crests of these giants.
Sand boarding is the ultimate way to experience the Namib’s majesty, using gravity to carry you down the dunes at heart-pounding speeds of up to 80 km/h. Sand surfing, with two techniques to learn (stand-up and lie-down boarding), provides an adrenaline rush unlike any other. For the inexperienced, the sensation is amplified by the loose, powdery sand, which threatens to send you flying. However, with each fall, you’ll crave the next, as the exhilaration of sandboarding becomes addictive.
Location: Namib Desert, Namibia
Fitness Level: High
Adrenaline Level: 9/10
4. Traditional Mokoro Safari
Botswana: Explore the Magical Okavango Delta in a Traditional Mokoro Boat
In the heart of the Okavango Delta, a timeless method of transportation awaits: the beautiful mokoro. For decades, the Bayeyi tribe has relied on these dugout canoes made from the ancient trunks of Sausage trees, Jackalberry trees and Mangosteen trees. With their slim profiles and short drafts, mokoros glide gracefully over the Delta’s shallow waters, lily pads, and reeds, transporting passengers on a calm and immersive experience.
As you settle into the mokoro’s steady pace, the Okavango’s secrets begin to emerge. Your standing boatman, an expert in the Delta’s traditional customs, paddles the canoe along with a long stick while telling stories about the country, its creatures, and the mysteries hidden beneath the water’s surface. With the mokoro’s languid speed, the Okavango’s wildlife emerges in spectacular detail: elephants drinking from the Delta’s waters, hippos and crocodiles lounging in the golden sunshine, and a kaleidoscope of birdlife fluttering through the reeds. As you glide along, the water-level perspective allows you to fully appreciate the immense vastness and beauty of this African wonderland.
Location: Okavango Delta, Botswana
Fitness Level: Low
Adrenaline Level: 4/10
5. Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda – FACE TO FACE WITH WILD MOUNTAIN GORILLAS | Volcanoes National Park
Rwanda, nestled in the heart of Africa, invites you to embark on an unforgettable journey. This magnificent country, sandwiched between Kenya and Tanzania, is a tapestry of lush rainforests, emerald hills, and undulating mountain ranges. The majestic gorillas call this place home, nestled among the breathtaking scenery. These magnificent creatures, known for their intelligence, power, and loving temperament, have captured many people’s hearts.
Rwanda’s national parks protect these endangered giants, which are divided into two species: mountain and lowland gorillas. Each troop is commanded by a smart and powerful silverback who governs in a kind yet stern manner. Going on a gorilla trekking expedition is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is frequently described as amazing, humbling, and transformative. It has undoubtedly earned a place on our list of the finest adventure activities in Africa/adventures in the wild.
As you journey into the heart of the forest, guided by skilled trackers and guides, the thrill of witnessing these gentle giants only meters away is tangible. The expedition begins with a walk that might last anywhere from 30 minutes to four hours, travelling through the mountains to get to the gorillas’ area. The height might be challenging, with excursions reaching up to 4,000 meters, but the reward is well worth it.
Location: Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Fitness Level: Medium to High
Adrenaline Level: 7/10
6. Sleep Out Under the Stars
Epic Sleepout Fail – Makgadikgadi Salt Pans & Planet Baobab, Botswana
In the past, the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans were a very different terrain. A vast lake spanned the region, surrounded by lush bogs, wetlands, and plenty of life-sustaining water. In the present, the Pans have turned into a bizarre expanse of salt and sand, covering 16,000 square kilometres (6,200 square miles). This harsh, yet eerily beautiful landscape is one of extremes, with the seasons dictating the pace of existence.
During the dry season, the Pans are a bleak but captivating sight: a seemingly infinite white plain that shimmers like a mirage. However, with the entrance of the rains, the Pans turn into a vibrant savannah brimming with activity. It’s a place where the lines between truth and illusion blur, where the silence is practically palpable, and the stars shine with such intensity that it’s nothing short of thrilling. Staying at Leroo La Tau allows you to sleep under the stars, taking you into the heart of seclusion. As night falls, the Milky Way lights up the sky, and the silence is almost deafening.
As you fall asleep, surrounded by the huge, dark expanse of the Pans, the shooting stars shine like jewels above you, lulling you into a deep, refreshing sleep. And when the sun rises and shines its golden light on the Pans, you will be transported to a new world full of life, beauty, and magic. By day, you will embark on exhilarating excursions such as quad riding across the Pans, Jeep rides to the salt pans’ margins, and trips to the meerkat colony, where you will meet the amazing species that inhabit this bizarre region.
Location: Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Botswana
Fitness Level: Low
Adrenaline Level: 5/10
7. Scuba Diving & Snorkelling in Paradise
Snorkelling in the Seychelles
There is a spot where turquoise waves wash against immaculate white sandy beaches, granite boulders tower over the horizon, and the delicate flutter of palm trees whispers secrets to the breeze. Welcome to the lovely islands of Praslin and La Digue, located in the centre of the Seychelles archipelago. These two islands, only 50 miles from the main island of Mahé, are a retreat for individuals seeking a calm, laid-back attitude where the cares of everyday life melt away under the warm tropical sunshine.
But Praslin and La Digue have a secret: a treasure trove of underwater wonders that draw scuba divers and snorkelers like a siren’s call. The crystal-clear seas surrounding these islands are a haven for marine life, ranging from the magnificent eagle ray to the playful sea turtle, the brilliant reef fish to the cautious octopus. Divers of all levels may enjoy the thrill of discovering an underwater world filled with life, colour, and beauty, thanks to over 17 dive sites to choose from. As you dive deeper, the delicate swaying of sea anemones, the subtle undulations of coral reefs, and the quick motions of reef sharks combine to create an astounding symphony of sights, sounds, and sensations.
Location: Praslin and La Digue, Seychelles
Fitness Level: High
Adrenaline Level: 7/10
8. Kayaking and Sailing
The Kayak Africa’s Mumbo Island, a unique Island on southern Lake Malawi
Lake Malawi is a natural wonder that spans the borders of Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. Lake Malawi, the world’s fourth biggest freshwater lake by volume and ninth largest by area, is a paradise for aquatic life, with an astounding variety of fish species inhabiting its translucent waters. This magnificent lake is protected by Lake Malawi National Park, the world’s first freshwater national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As you look out into the lake’s glistening surface, you will be captivated by the magnificent show of tropical fish darting and weaving through the smooth water. The lake’s inhabitants are so friendly that they will even feed from your palm, providing a magical element to your experience. Lake Malawi, with its waters gleaming silver and white, is a kayaker’s and sailor’s dream, providing a one-of-a-kind African safari experience unrivalled anyplace on the continent.
The lake’s huge expanse and placid waters make it an excellent playground for kayaking and sailing enthusiasts, with winds that rise and fall at their leisure, creating an ever-changing pattern of waves and currents. And, with no tides or currents to fight with, sailors of all skill levels can easily navigate the lake’s waters, making it an ideal location for the annual Lake Malawi Sailing Marathon, a highlight of the international sailing schedule. Whether you are a seasoned sailor or a rookie kayaker, Lake Malawi’s serene waters and breathtaking scenery will captivate you, leaving you with memories that will last long after your adventure is over.
Location: Lake Malawi
Fitness Level: Medium
Adrenaline Level: 6/10
9. Explore the Bush on Foot
5 Days in South Luangwa National Park
The South Luangwa National Park, a true Eden with mature forests, broad grassy plains, and the majestic Luangwa River, is tucked away in the centre of Zambia. Because of the park’s pristine vegetation and profusion of species, every excursion is guaranteed to be an unforgettable and breathtaking experience. The park, which covers 9,050 square kilometres (3,500 miles) of the Luangwa valley bottom, is a patchwork of rocky terrain and abundant species.
Walking safaris are a requirement if you want to fully experience the drama and beauty of the African wilderness. This one-of-a-kind experience lets you blend in with the environment. There are several possibilities for walking safaris, ranging from short three-hour walks to extended day hikes between camps. You will come across an incredible variety of species, including as elephants, crocodiles, buffaloes, hippos, and elusive leopards, as you make your way through the jungle on foot under the guidance of professionals who have a thorough understanding of the flora and fauna. Along with zebras, wildebeests, and numerous other famous African animals, the park is home to the endemic Thornicroft’s giraffe.
Location: South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
Fitness Level: Medium
Adrenaline Level: 10/10
10. Swim on the Edge of Vic Falls
Swim To The Edge Of A Waterfall At Devil’s Pool
The Victoria Falls, which are on the boundary between Zimbabwe and Zambia, are a breathtaking sight that is beyond words. It plunges 105 meters deep into a precipice, forming the greatest sheet of falling water in the world. The resulting hazy veil reaches 500 meters into the air. The falls are known as Mosi-Oa-Tunya, or “The Smoke That Thunders,” because of this breathtaking demonstration of the might of nature. Swimming at Devil’s Pool is one experience that stands out above the others for those who are truly courageous. This natural rock pool, which is just three meters deep and situated on the edge of the falls, provides an experience that cannot be matched. The river’s might propels you to the edge of the pool as you jump in, where a narrow granite lip divides you from the rushing waters below.
It’s an absolutely thrilling experience, a combination of heart-pounding terror and breathtaking beauty. Only the bold and courageous, those who are prepared to push themselves literally to the limit and beyond, are allowed to have this experience. The low water season, which runs from August to January, is the ideal time of year to visit the Victoria Falls. The Devil’s Pool is open at this period, providing those who dare to jump with a singular and unforgettable experience.
Location: Victoria Falls, Zambia
Fitness Level: Medium – High
Adrenaline Level: 13/10
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