This page covers all the different activities and experiences that are possible across safari Africa.
More detailed information on some of the most popular or specialist activities can be found in our Special Interest section.
Game Drives
GAME DRIVES
Most big-game viewing in Africa occurs on game drives in either open or closed 4×4 vehicles. Open vehicles may or may not have a shade roof, and closed vehicles will always have roof hatches, as well as normal windows. The safaris we arrange do not use minibuses for game viewing unless it is specifically requested. It is usual for game drives to take place in the early mornings and late afternoons, avoiding the heat of the day when animals are least active. However, in certain regions longer half day or full day drives are possible or required. Game drives allow you to cover a wide area and get closest to big game species such as elephant, lion and leopard.
In certain game conservancies and private concessions, driving ‘off road’ is permitted, whilst in designated National Parks and Reserves this is usually not allowed. Your guide will nearly always drive the vehicle, and in some cases may be supported by a ‘tracker’ or ‘spotter’ who will sit up front and help find the animals. Most game drive vehicles can cater for between 4 and 10 guests, though the better operators will try and keep to a maximum of 6 guests per vehicle. It is possible at many properties to pay extra to book your own private vehicle which gives you complete freedom and exclusivity when game viewing.
Night drives are often possible and interesting because you are specifically seeking out nocturnal species which you are unlikely to see during the day. Your guide, or their ‘spotter’, will use a powerful spotlight to find the animals. The animals are located by the reflection of their eyes, and whilst the quality of viewing and photographical opportunities may be more limited at night, the search can be exciting and night drives do throw up some really rare and unique sightings. Night drives are not always possible as many National Parks and Game Reserves do not permit them.
RIDING SAFARIS
RIDING SAFARIS
Riding Safaris are available in limited places across Africa. Most countries will offer some form of riding opportunities, though Kenya, Botswana and South Africa are particularly known for the variety of options they offer. Exploring the bush on horse-back is a real privilege and can throw up some unique experiences, especially when getting close to plains game.
For more detailed information on Riding Safaris and the different options across safari Africa, please see our dedicated Horse Riding Safaris page.
SPECIAL INTERESTS
SPECIAL INTERESTS
Our specialist knowledge and experience allow us to arrange holidays that include a wide variety of specific interests. Some of the subjects we are able to cover include specific photography tours, wild flowers and botany, dendrology, lepidoptera, archaeology, historical tours and battlefields, wine farms and wine-tasting, rail journeys, golf and health spas.
Please see our Special Interest section for more detailed information on many possible activities, or Contact Us and let us know your specialist interest and to find out how you can build a holiday around it.
WALKING SAFARIS &
MOUNTAIN TREKKING
WALKING SAFARIS &
MOUNTAIN TREKKING
Walking is widely available throughout Africa and allows you to experience the bush in a totally different way to a game drive. Without the sound of an engine, your senses come alive and you hear, smell and see things that you miss from a vehicle. In addition to getting a little exercise, walking safaris also allow you to learn about the smaller aspects of the bush – plants, tracks, insects, birds, dung etc. Of course, coming across big game on foot can also be highly rewarding and can occasionally get the heart racing!
Many safari properties offer nature walks as an individual activity (for just a few hours), whilst across Africa there are a limited number of more serious walking trails, which can include walking for several days in the wilderness, staying in more adventurous camps. There are also certain permanent camps which offer comfortable accommodation but specialise in walking. A crucial element to any walking safari is the guide, not only from an enjoyment point of view but also in terms of safety. Rules and regulations on carrying firearms do vary, but it is usual for either your guide to carry a firearm when walking, or for you to be accompanied by an armed ranger. In a few places walking is conducted without a firearm. It is usual for a maximum of six guests to accompany one guide on a walking safari.
If you are keen to learn more about walking safaris across Africa, please visit our dedicated Walking Safaris page.
In terms of more serious mountain trekking, Africa offers limited options. For information about climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya, as well as trekking in The Ruwenzori or Drakensberg Mountains, please see our dedicated Mountain Trekking, including Kilimanjaro page.
SPECIES SPECIFIC
INTERESTS
SPECIES SPECIFIC
INTERESTS
Africa offers a very wide range of wildlife viewing, but some of the key species that can be specifically focused on include the big cats (lion, cheetah and leopard), black & white rhino, wild dog, gorilla, chimpanzee and elephant. Specific species of birds can often be made the focus for a safari, whilst there are many other mammal species that may really capture your imagination. Rarer species are obviously much harder (or impossible) to guarantee, but we have the expertise to be able to suggest where you need to go to see more unusual or rare species. Not all animals and birds are found in all safari destinations, so it is important that you tell us if there are specific species you are very keen to see.
Whilst elephants can be viewed throughout East and Southern Africa, there are regions where elephant viewing is incredible simply amazing and a limited number of properties that focus specifically on elephant viewing, elephant research and/or specific elephant interaction (elephant-back safaris are no longer recommended). See our Species Search page and our blog on the Best Places to see Elephants.
Mountain Gorillas are wonderful to see and, within the countries we specialise in, can only be found in south-west Uganda and northern Rwanda. Truly a unique and often moving experience, gorilla tracking can be hard work and a reasonable level of fitness is required. All gorilla families visited by tourists have been habituated to human presence. Permits to see them in Rwanda cost US$1500 per person per trek and in Uganda cost US$700.00 per person per trek. They are often booked out well in advance. Please see our our dedicated page on Gorillas & Other Primates, and our specific blog on Gorilla Tracking.
Chimpanzees can be viewed in fewer than ten destinations throughout East Africa (Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya). This includes a few chimp ‘orphanages’ which do not offer wild ‘chimp tracking’ experiences. However, where chimps can be genuinely seen in the wild, it is a fantastic experience. Chimps are smaller than gorillas, but live in larger groups and are often more vocal and more active. However, like gorillas they need to be habituated in order to allow tourist viewing (otherwise you would barely glimpse them). You need to be reasonably fit and capable of walking ‘up and down’ slopes for several hours to track chimps in the best places. Please see our our dedicated page on Gorillas & Other Primates.
Whale-watching is possible off East Africa at certain times of year (Humpback whales – August to October is best) though the best whale-watching in Africa is found off the southern coast of South Africa, where for five months a year (July to November) Southern Right whales can be seen very close to shore or on dedicated boat excursions.
We do not specifically arrange birding group tours, but many of our customers are keen birders and we often arrange tailor-made itineraries that focus on birding. East and Southern Africa, together with the Indian Ocean Islands, offer fantastic diversity in terms of habitats and ecosystems, which in turn creates varied birding experiences. Migrant species pass through East Africa in September/October on their way south, and come back through in March/April, settling in Southern Africa between these times.
Please see our Species Search page for more detailed information on a wide variety of specialist species, including the major predators.
Cultural Experiences &
Community Lodges
Cultural Experiences &
Community Lodges
Africa is almost as well known for its colourful peoples as it is its wildlife, and many African holidays will include some form of cultural interaction without any specific cultural activities being arranged. Whilst it may be the wildlife that draws you to Africa in the first place, sometimes the people of Africa can provide some of your most compelling memories.
When staying within designated National Parks & Reserves (where there are usually no local villages), you will still meet local people in the form of guides and staff. In particular, local guides will be able to offer an insight not only into the natural world but also their lives in general. Outside these dedicated wildlife sanctuaries, much of the land is owned and/or occupied by local communities.
Safari camps and lodges in these regions (even when located just inside a wildlife reserve), will usually work very closely with local communities and you will often be able to visit villages and learn as much about the local community as you desire. In some countries, specific camps and lodges are owned and run totally by the local community offering an even more in-depth experience, whilst in more remote, less visited regions it is possible to visit nomadic tribes who have had little exposure to western influences.
Cultural experiences are widely available away from core wildlife regions, including the coastal destinations. The entire length of the East African coast is teeming with people and culture, from large ports to sleepy fishing villages on remote islands. Most beach holidays will offer opportunities to explore local life.
If you are interested to hear more about how wildlife and local communities co-exist alongside each other, and how the safari industry in general is closely linked to communities in rural Africa, please see our Responsible Tourism page.
WATER BASED
SAFARIS
WATER BASED
SAFARIS
Water is the ‘source of life’ and Africa is blessed with many wonderful rivers, great lakes and tranquil lagoons which support abundant wildlife. Boats, canoes, and local dug out ‘mekoros’ are the usual ways to enjoy fantastic viewing of species that live in, or rely heavily upon the water. Hippo, crocs, otters and water birds are the most obvious examples, but elephant, buffalo and certain species of antelope are also heavily associated with wetland regions.
For more detailed information please visit our Water Based Safaris page.
AFRICA FROM
THE AIR
AFRICA FROM
THE AIR
Africa is a scenically stunning continent and whilst game viewing usually takes place at ground level, there are various ways you can enjoy the African scenery and sometimes its unique wildlife from an aerial position.
Scenic flights by light aircraft and helicopter flights are quite widely available, whilst hot-air balloon safaris and micro-lighting are possible in more limited regions. For more information please visit our dedicated Safari from the Air page.
WATER SPORTS, FISHING,
DIVING & SNORKELLING
WATER SPORTS, FISHING,
DIVING & SNORKELLING
Our destinations including thousands of miles of tropical coastline, hundreds of islands surrounded by the clear Indian Ocean and many beautiful freshwater lakes.
Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, Malawi and South Africa all offer fantastic diving and snorkelling opportunities.
The east coast of Africa is very tidal, usually with a prominent offshore reef, which is good for diving but makes snorkelling from the shore limited in most places (snorkelling from boats can be excellent). However, wonderful ‘snorkelling from the shore’ is possible from various islands off East Africa and in the Seychelles. It is also possible to snorkel with dolphins in a variety of places (dolphins are very common along the whole African coastline and around the Indian Ocean Islands), whilst it is also possible to snorkel with whale sharks in a couple of specific areas, notably off the west coast of Mafia Island, Tanzania.
Diving highlights include dolphins, turtles, rays, eels and various species of shark, with Tanzania (Pemba, Mafia and Mnemba Islands), Mozambique, Seychelles and South Africa being especially good diving destinations. For something different, snorkel or dive with the colourful cichlid fish in Lake Malawi.
We do not tend to specialise in dedicated sailing holidays, though it is possible to rent sailing yachts in destinations like the Seychelles. If it is just a bit of fun you are after, sailing boats such as lasers and hobie-cats are available in a limited number of beach resorts.
A wide range of fishing is available throughout Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. The Indian Ocean offers fantastic deep-sea/ game fishing and countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa, Mauritius and The Seychelles all have access to good fishing grounds. Bone fishing and shore-based fly-fishing is possible in a few destinations, but is best in Mozambique and The Seychelles, whilst freshwater fly-fishing is possible in Kenya and South Africa (for trout mainly). One of Africa’s most charismatic fish is the Tiger fish, which are principally found in southern Africa’s great rivers and lakes, including the Zambezi River and Lake Kariba. There are many places along the Zambezi that offer ‘tiger fishing’ and fly-fishing is an increasingly popular alternative to traditional lure fishing. One of Africa’s largest fish, the Nile Perch, can be fished on Lake Victoria, whilst general freshwater fishing is possible in many places where there is permanent deep water.
Because much of East Africa has an ‘offshore reef’, the best surfing is found around the coastline of South Africa, including the Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town regions. Wind-surfing is possible at many beach destinations, whilst more specialist kite-surfing is available in fewer places, predominantly Kenya, South Africa and Mauritius.
Kayaking is available at many beach resorts, but some of the best kayaking is offered on Africa’s great lakes, in particular Lake Malawi. Motorised water sports such as water-skiing, para-sailing, jet-ski’s etc. are most widely available in Mauritius.
ADRENALIN SPORTS &
ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES
ADRENALIN SPORTS &
ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES
Whilst South Africa is a highly developed country offering by far the widest range of outdoor adventure sports, including rock-climbing, abseiling, paragliding, bungee jumping, white-water rafting, tubing and much more, Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) and nearby Livingstone (Zambia) have become known as the ‘adventure’ capital of Africa. The Batoka Gorge (in to which the falls plummet) is home to bungee jumping, gorge swings, jet-boating and arguably the best white-water rafting experience in the world. Quad-biking, horse-riding, canoeing safaris, microlighting and helicopter flights are all available in the region.
In Namibia, the coastal town of Swakopmund offers dune boarding, quad-biking and sky-diving, whilst excellent white-water rafting is also available on the Nile in Uganda.
Quad-biking is not especially associated with game viewing but is available as a fun activity in a number of spots across Africa. Some of the best experiences include desert exploration in Namibia and trips across the stark Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana’s Kalahari Desert. You do not usually need any experience to enjoy quad-biking.
Mountain biking is available in a variety of locations, from rugged mountain environments to wildlife viewing areas and beach destinations.