African safaris are more than just game drives. Each destination offers unique activities that make the experience distinctive and unforgettable, delivering classic wildlife encounters with adventurous, cultural, or uniquely local activities.

Kenya

Hot Air Balloon Safaris: Dawn flights offer a breathtaking aerial view of the plains, culminating in a champagne breakfast on the savanna.
Guided Walking Safaris: Expert-led walks (usually in conservancies adjacent to the reserve) let guests encounter wildlife and learn about tracking, plants, and smaller animals up close.
Maasai Village Visits: Cultural tours introduce visitors to Maasai traditions, crafts, and daily life.
Night Drives: For sightings of nocturnal predators and rare species not active by day (primarily allowed in private conservancies).
Horseback Safaris: Available in certain conservancies, these offer an intimate and exhilarating way to traverse the bush.

Tanzania

Hot Air Balloon Safaris: Similar to the Mara, these flights offer a panoramic view of migrating wildlife and plains.

Walking Safaris: Some regions permit guided bush walks for a closer appreciation of animals and plants.
Birding Photography: The varied terrain supports over 500 bird species; photographic safaris are especially popular during the migration.
Cultural Visits: Trips to local Maasai or other tribal communities are available for cultural immersion.
Crater Floor Game Drives: The crater is home to high densities of lions, elephants, and rhinos. Drives provide near-guaranteed Big Five sighting.

South Africa

Guided Walking Safaris: Explore the bush on foot, led by armed rangers, to learn about tracking and smaller wildlife.
Birdwatching: The park is a haven for birders, especially during the summer breeding season.
Night Drives: View nocturnal animals like hyena, leopard, and owls on guided drives.
Bush Dinners and Sundowners: Culinary experiences in spectacular wilderness settings.

Botswana

Mokoro Canoe Rides: Glide silently through papyrus channels in a dugout canoe, ideal for birdwatching and aquatic species.
Boat Cruises: Especially in Chobe National Park, view elephants and hippos from the water.
Walking Safaris: Chief’s Island and Moremi allow exceptional guided bush walks.
Game Drives and Night Drives: Explore different habitats for a wide range of wildlife, including rare antelope and big cats.
Helicopter Flights: Soar above the delta for stunning aerial views of game concentrations and landscapes.
Horseback Safaris: Ride amongst wildlife in the floodplains of the Okavango.

Zambia

Walking Safaris: Zambia is famed for guided walking adventures in wild, unfenced land—considered the birthplace of the walking safari.
Canoeing: Especially in the Lower Zambezi, paddle past elephants and hippos along tranquil waterways.
Birdwatching: With hundreds of species, including the African Fish Eagle and the sought-after Shoebill, Zambia is a top birding destination, especially in wetland areas like Kafue’s Busanga Plains and along the Luangwa and Zambezi Rivers.
Cultural Visits: Tours to nearby communities allow guests to experience Zambian culture, traditional crafts, and local customs, especially near South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi.

Zimbabwe

Walking Safaris: Zimbabwe is renowned for expert-guided walking safaris, especially in Mana Pools and Hwange. Walks allow close, thrilling encounters with animals, often led by some of Africa’s most experienced guides.

Canoeing Safaris: The Zambezi River, especially the Mana Pools region, is famous for canoe-based safaris, where you glide past elephants, hippos, crocs, and birds for a truly wild adventure.
Whitewater Rafting and Water-based Adventures: Victoria Falls is a hub for adrenaline activities – grade-5 whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, swimming in Devil’s Pool, and scenic cruises are all available.
Horseback Safaris: Select areas, such as near Victoria Falls and the Hwange surrounds, offer horseback riding for a unique way to approach wildlife and explore scenic terrain.

Namibia

Self-drive Safaris: Explore Etosha National Park, Damaraland, and other reserves for sightings of lions, elephants, giraffes, and rare species such as desert-adapted elephants and black rhinos.
Rhino and Elephant Tracking: Guided on-foot tracking of black rhino in Damaraland and desert-adapted elephants in the northwest is a highlight, offering conservation insights and close wildlife encounters.
Walking Safaris: Available mostly in private reserves and outside Etosha, walking safaris offer intimate experiences with Namibia’s landscapes and wildlife, guided by local experts.
Hot Air Ballooning: Drift above Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert at sunrise for unforgettable aerial views and photographic opportunities.
Stargazing: Namibia is renowned for some of the world’s clearest night skies; many lodges offer astronomy sessions and open-air “star beds” for sleeping under the Milky Way.

Rwanda

Gorilla Trekking: Rwanda's iconic experience, available in Volcanoes National Park, lets you hike through lush bamboo forests in search of endangered mountain gorillas. Standing mere meters away from a family of gorillas is a truly life-changing moment.

Chimpanzee Trekking: Head to Nyungwe Forest National Park for guided treks to watch habituated chimpanzee families. The trek includes birdwatching and encountering other primates.
Golden Monkey Trekking: Volcanoes National Park is also home to golden monkeys, offering a lively trekking adventure as you observe them feeding and playing in the forest canopy

Uganda

Gorilla Trekking: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park offer some of the best gorilla trekking in the world, protecting almost half the world’s mountain gorilla population.

Chimpanzee Tracking: Kibale Forest National Park is the premier spot to track chimpanzees, with the globe’s densest primate population.
Boat Safaris: Experience river cruises on the Nile in Murchison Falls or on Lake Edward in Queen Elizabeth National Park, with sights of hippos, crocodiles, and waterbirds.

If you’re dreaming of a safari but aren’t sure which destination is right for you, Next Adventure is here to guide the way. Whether it’s tracking elephants across Namibia’s salt pans, watching wildebeest cross the Serengeti, or exploring Botswana’s wild waterways, our team helps match travelers with the experience that best fits their interests.

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