Different Safari Travel Activities in Africa

Safari Activities on Africa Travel

Game Drives/ Game Runs/ Night Game Drives in Africa

One of the most exciting activities is that of tracking and sighting wildlife in the parks and reserves – game viewing.

When done using a vehicle, game viewing is called Game Drive or Game Run. The vehicles used for game drives are normally customized for this purpose – either open 4x4 type or safari vans with hatch roof to allow for game viewing and photography. Binoculars are useful for game viewing drives.

Game drives typically take place in the early morning, just before sunrise and before breakfast. The second session generally begin in the late afternoon running till sunset. The possibility of doing a third game drive between the late morning and late afternoon is always there but such drives offer fewer opportunities of seeing some of the wildlife especially the big cats who will be hiding under the bushes due to the heat. However, at this time, you can still see the elephants, rhino, giraffe and many others.

Some destinations and reserves allow night game drives. That means tracking game drives using a spotlight. Some ranches in Maasai Mara allow night game drives.

Game Walks and Bush Walks in Africa

Walking safari, bush walks or game walk, all terms refer to tracking wildlife on foot. You are accompanied by an experienced local guide and an armed ranger. Walking safaris give you the ultimate safari feel - of being in the African wilderness, being able to experience both the flora and fauna up close. African bush walks are of different types. It could be leisurely 2-hour walks around your lodge or camp within the reserve, or a full day trip as you move from your last night-stop camp to the next one, or a half-day trek to a selected area within the reserve for exploration. Depending on the nature of your particular walk, you may or may not have support in terms of porters or even vehicles carrying your supplies and items.

Camel and Horse back Safaris in Africa
Camel and Horse back Safaris is the best example of the ‘off-the- beaten- track’ safaris.

Horse riding safaris are offered in South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Botswana. Such safaris can be offered as multi-day itinerary where you move from one set-up camp to the next. Besides the multi-day safari programs, some game lodges and camps also offer game viewing day excursions on horse back instead of using vehicles.

Camel-back safaris :The most notable areas where you can undertake camel-back safaris is the northern frontier district of Kenya. Just like the horse- back safaris, camel back safaris can be designed with set-up camps on the route as you move from one to the next. The camels are led by experienced, skilled members of the local communities – the Borana and Samburu

Short camel-back excursions in private conservation areas are offered as alternatives to game viewing on vehicles.

Elephant Safaris – Viewing, Riding, Adopting

Elephant Safaris can be experienced in 3 ways in Africa.
In Zambia, at Mosi-O- Tunya national park, and in Botswana, at Abu Camp you can ride on the back of the elephant and interact with them. You can take short excursions within the parks.

At the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, you can interact with young orphaned elephants being nursed after rescue from the wilderness. After the care and training, the elephants are later released back into the wilderness to fend for themselves.

You can also enjoy elephant safaris through the traditional game viewing in the parks and reserves with large populations of Elephants. An example park with a big number of elephants is Amboseli National park in Kenya.

Primate Safaris – viewing Gorillas and Chimpanzees

Gorillas and Chimpanzees are part of the ape family that share over 98% of the genetic make up with human beings. They are fascinating in their sophisticated behavior and characteristic.

These apes are found mainly in sub-saharan countries – mainly the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi. Tanzania has only Chimpanzees.

Aerial Safari Activities – Hot Air Balloon Flight, Helicopter Scenic Flights

You can enjoy the splendour of African wildlife and landscape by adding activities like hot air balloon flight over the Maasai Mara or Serengeti. You can enjoy a scenic flight over the Laikipia plains in a small plane or helicopter. Such activities can be arranged as add-ons to your tour.

Bird-watching Safaris in Africa
Africa is home to hundreds of bird-species. And there are literally hundreds of sites you can choose to visit in Africa for bird-watching and they are located in diverse habitants – simmering hot soda pans, papyrus swamps, cool alpine zones, tussock grasslands, desert scrub etc. Bird-watching in Africa is made easy by an extensive road networks in most parts of bird-watching areas, numerous pleasant, comfortable and luxurious guest facilities with great food. We design your birding itinerary with birding sites in mind all the way. You get the leading birders and guides in the country.

Visits to African Communities and Tribal villages

Opportunities are ever present for you to interact with the local African communities as they go about their day-to-day activities. This can usually be arranged as an excursion or visit during the Safari.

Fishing – Deep Sea Fishing and River Lake Fishing

Fishing excursions are mostly done as add-on excursions. But you can also have a fishing-only safari in East African or southern Africa coast.

Deep Sea fishing is available and enjoyable in the Indian ocean islands of Mombasa, Zanzibar and Seychelles.
You can also enjoy River and Lake fishing in the Zambezi River in Zambia and on lake Victoria in Kenya

Boating Safari

River boating as a safari activity presents African safari enthusiasts with the unique opportunity of viewing the wildlife and birdlife by accessing areas they would not access by foot on by vehicles. The provides safari participants to see animals in the river like hippos and crocodiles as well as those on the banks – elephants, water bucks etc

An evening sun-downer cruise on the boat also offers the opportunity to watch the African sunset as you sail along the river enjoying your evening drinks. This is a relaxing and fulfilling experience of enjoying the African wilderness.

Biking and Cycling

Cycling and biking are an adventure activity that is also fun and easy to undertake. It provides the to see the local people and communities up and close. The trails are designed to give you the best experience of enjoying the surrounding landscapes. However, note that it will not be possible to do this activity in places – especially within designated wildlife parks or reserves. Only some conservation areas have the permit to organize such excursions. In Kenya, it can be done in and around lake Naivasha and in Borana Lodge. In Tanzania it can be done in Lake Manyara and Lushoto. In Zambia, South Luangwa.

Hiking and Mountain Climbing

Africa is home to some of the most fascinating mountains. From the highest peak of the Kilimanjaro to the Simien Ranges in Ethiopia.

East Africa alone hosts 3 of the highest peaks in Africa. These 3 are the Mt Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya, and Mt Ruwenzori. Of the three, mount Kenya offers the most challenge even though Mt Kilimanjaro is the highest.

Mount Kilimanjaro remains Africa’s – at 19,336 feet, most popular trekking destination – over 20,000 people attempt to reach the peak yearly! The routes vary in terms of difficulties, with Marangu route being the least challenging. The longer routes means they are more challenging but the trekkers are also better acclimatized therefore increasing the chances of reaching the peak.

Other trekking destinations in Africa are Atlas Mountains, in Morocco, The Drakensburg, South Africa, Mount Meru in Tanzania, Mt Longonot in Kenya, Ruwenzori in Uganda, And Mount Elgon on the border of Kenya and Uganda.

Depending on your budget, experience and interest, you are guided to choose the most suitable route for your climb. You are provided with excellent guides, porters and cooks.