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A safari in Africa will undoubtedly be one of the most exciting and memorable experiences of your lifetime. As you can see from our extensive but by no means complete list, we have a wonderful array of activities or experiences to offer you, ensuring there is something available to suit all our guests’ sense of adventure. Call us to discuss your preferences in more detail.
The most popular safari experiences are guided game drives in 4×4 safari vehicles. These are often open sided vehicles, where in most cases our guests benefit from a side seat to maximise your game viewing experience and photography. Safari Club consultants know some of the best places to see the ‘Big Five’: lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant, the endangered wild dog and mountain gorilla, or other game such as cheetah, hippo, crocodile, and chimpanzee.
Camel safaris are a great way to experience the bush. Northern Kenya is the place for camel safaris, where your guides are likely to be local tribesmen who have unparalleled knowledge of the local fauna and flora and a safari atop a humped camel will give you an entirely different perspective of Africa! Camel safaris can range from half day treks to longer trips camping out overnight and travelling through wild and beautiful country.
Canoeing down the pristine Zambezi River, is a superb and exhilarating way to see the wildlife action from a different perspective. Paddle past elephants, hippos and crocodiles and watch other game visiting the river to drink. Many species of bird can be spotted on the riverbanks and in the shallows. Canoeing is particularly good on the Lower Zambezi. With Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe on one side and Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia on the other, perhaps the best places for a canoe safari. Botswana has some interesting options too as do the rift valley lakes of Malawi and Tanzania. Most canoe safaris are short trips gently paddling downstream usually of two to three hours’ duration and require no great physical fitness. Longer trips of several days are also possible camping out on islands overnight.
Elephant-back safaris are available in Botswana, South Africa and at Victoria Falls in Zambia. Walking or riding through the African bush with these gentle giants is an unusual and fascinating experience, with the chance to study the elephants at close quarters.
Whether you’re an experienced fisherman after the ferocious tiger fish of the Zambezi River in Zambia or Zimbabwe or the Rufiji River in Tanzania’s Selous Game Reserve or maybe want tussle with a giant Nile perch in Lakes Victoria and Tanganyika our expert consultants will be able to guide you to the best spots. Good fishing is also available in South Africa and Malawi.
Anglers with an interest in sea fishing will find that Africa has some of the best marlin, shark and tuna fishing anywhere. The coast and islands of Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique are the hot spots for anglers. Most sport fishing both in fresh and salt water is on a strictly “catch and release basis”.
Take flight over Kenya in a bi-plane. A rare opportunity only available at Lewa Downs, Kenya. Fly in the open cockpit biplane with pilot, Will Craig. Will takes guests right above the treetops and weaves through inaccessible gorges and over herds of game to show off the beauty of his homeland.
The Skeleton Coast flying safari is another superb experience taking you over Namibia’s, desolate coast, colossal sand dunes and spectacular mountains one of Africa’s finest safari experiences.
Many transfers in Africa are by light aircraft, particularly in the more remote areas like Botswana’s Okavango Delta. This is the only practical way to travel so guests may enjoy a superb flying experience over Africa’s incredible landscapes as an essential part of their African holiday.
Experience a unique, moving and memorable wildlife experience like no other. Many say that the gorilla encounters they’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy with these gentle giants will stay with them forever.
Mountain gorillas can be seen in Rwanda and Uganda and most people with a reasonable level of fitness will be able to trek up the heavily forested mountain slopes to enjoy one of nature’s greatest wildlife experiences.
Gorilla tracking to see lowland gorillas is also possible in the Republic of Congo. Many guests choose to combine a gorilla tracking experience with a traditional safari to the nearby Maasai Mara in Kenya and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.
A truly unique way to do safari! There are many places that offer short half-day rides, but experienced riders can choose a specialist horseback safari, riding alongside herds of game and covering significant distances over remote regions and sleeping under the stars in a fly camp. Some of the best riding destinations include the Chyulus Hills and Laikipia Plateau in Kenya, the Waterberg and Kruger areas of South Africa and Botswana’s Okavango Delta and Mashatu Game Reserve.
Drift slowly and silently over the game rich plains of East Africa for that once in a lifetime experience. Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti Reserve are two of the top destinations for a balloon flight along with the spectacular deserts and dunes of Namibia. This superb experience is complimented by a champagne breakfast. A fabulous way to enhance your holiday and is definitely one not to be missed if the opportunity is there!
Mobile safaris offer a high degree of flexibility taking in the full range of accommodation options ranging from temporary fly-camps to luxury lodges.
Most affordable mobile safaris are small group safaris, usually 4 to 10 guests and have a set departure but offer considerable flexibility on routing and daily activities. This type of mobile safari is popular in Botswana’s Okavango and Chobe areas and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park as well as in Namibia.
The compact safari area of Northern Tanzania is particularly well suited to mobile safaris and best enjoyed as a private 4×4 safari for two or more people.
Mokoro safaris are a “must do” when you visit the Okavango Delta in Botswana. Be gently poled down a quiet channel by an expert local guide in a mokoro – the handmade, local version of a dugout canoe, as you enjoy the spectacle of stunning wildlife and superb birding.
Many Okavango Delta camps offer mokoro trips, often combined with some walking. Most guests take two to four hour trips but longer journeys are also possible over several days camping out in the wild and pristine environment.
Note: This experience is only available when water levels allow, our consultants can advise you.
As the sun sinks, wrap up and venture out for a new experience as you see the wildlife in a completely different light. Nocturnal animals awaken allowing guests the opportunity to observe many species you would not ordinarily see during a daylight game drive. Predators become active and their senses heightened as they go on the prowl and stirrings of all sorts occur in the African bush. Night game drives are only permitted in certain areas, normally private reserves and concessions.
For those adrenaline seeking guests, exploring wild terrain on a quad bike, accompanied by an experienced guide, is an excellent way to see some remote areas. Enjoy the solitude and majesty of the desert as the trail winds over the dunes and rocky outcrops.
Guests visiting the Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana and Namibia’s Skeleton Coast and Namib Deserts may get the chance to try this enjoyable experience. These activities are only available in in selected areas so as not to disturb the natural rhythm of nature and wildlife.
Many safari camps and lodges work with local communities in their area to support the local school and to educate young children in the importance of wildlife conservation.
Visits to local schools can be arranged for guests who are interested in seeing how these often underfunded schools with their large class sizes and dedicated teachers work to provide a good education for children who live in rural communities.
Guests usually get the chance to meet pupils and teachers and if they wish can voluntarily offer to assist and make a difference.
The Indian Ocean has some superb scuba diving and pristine reefs teeming with colourful fish both large and small and fully equipped PADI dive centres and all the equipment you need to discover the depths of the underwater world. There is also the chance of diving with whale sharks in places like Mafia Island and off the coast of Mozambique.
The diving off the Quirimbas and Bazaruto Archipelago’s in Mozambique is superb and has hardly been explored, whilst other excellent destinations include Mafia and Pemba Islands in Tanzania and Watamu in Kenya.
It is also possible to dive in the clear freshwater of Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika.
Some of our consultants are keen scuba divers and will be happy to advise on when and where to go for the best diving.
Nothing compares to the thrill of sleeping under the stars with the sounds of the African bush all around. The ‘Sleep out’ experience usually involves either sleeping out on an elevated platform, sometimes called ‘Star Beds’ in which case guests are usually provided with a radio to communicate with the lodge. Alternatively, the experience may involve sleeping under a mosquito net on a bed roll or camp bed sometimes called ‘Fly Camping’ in the company of a team comprising a guard and cook, a guide and helpers.
Often the ‘Sleep-Outs’ are combined with a walking safari which can be of any length, usually starting from the main safari camp and finishing at the chosen camp site. Camps are usually pre erected by the team so you need to carry very little on your walk.
This activity is available in most safari countries with some of the best being in Tanzania’s Selous Game Reserve and Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park.
You do not have to be a qualified diver to enjoy the coral reefs and crystal clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean. A beautiful and fascinating array of marine life and coral can be seen on snorkelling trips close to shore in a number of places and most beach hotels will supply snorkelling equipment.
Good snorkelling can be found in Watamu in Kenya, Zanzibar and other islands in Tanzania and in the Quirimbas and Bazaruto archipelago’s in Mozambique. Fresh water snorkelling is also excellent in Lake Malawi where you will feel like you are swimming in a tropical fish tank. Lake Malawi is famous for its one thousand separate species of Cichlids.
Africa’s skies, like all skies of the Southern Hemisphere are simply mesmerising with a wonderful view of our galaxy, the Milky Way stretching across the sky. The lack of artificial light results in the most beautifully lit canvas that sparkles with the clearest jewels. Many camps and lodges offer star gazing with their resident experts on hand to point out the brightest and most beautiful constellations. Be dazzled like never before!
Most African destinations have great star gazing with the pollution free desert areas in Botswana and Namibia perhaps the most impressive of all.
Guest who wish to understand more of the local traditions and cultures do have the opportunity to visit a local village with their guide. The villagers welcome the opportunity to showcase their handmade crafts so be prepared for some haggling if you would like to purchase some keepsakes, where all proceeds support the community. Visit the Maasai warriors of Kenya or the Himba people of Namibia.
A special opportunity to get close to nature and explore the interesting fauna and flora of Africa, whilst being aware of your surroundings and identifying various animal tracks with your experienced guide. Many private reserves allow you this opportunity in Africa, whilst Zambia is home to the walking safari. In South Luangwa National Park the concentration of wildlife around the Luangwa River and its oxbow lagoons make this an ideal location for a truly exhilarating way to experience the African bush on foot, take in the sights, smells and sounds of the African bush at close quarters.
Walker Bay and Hermanus in the Western Cape Region of South Africa is famous for some of the best shore whale watching in the world. Every year southern right whales visit Walker Bay to calve offering some spectacular sightings as these enormous creatures breach the water before you.
Other good spots for whale watching are Mafia Island in Tanzania and the Tofu area of Mozambique where humpback whales are the attraction as well as whale sharks.
Our consultants will be happy to advise you on the best time and places to see whales.
South Africa is rightfully known for its fabulous wines. Soak up the sun and drink in the flavours of this beautiful country. The winelands of the Western Cape are the place to indulge yourself with many excellent vineyards open to the public for tasting, usually in conjunction with some fine dining.
Many of our premium lodges across Africa have well stocked wine cellars, some employing resident sommeliers to help and guide you through the joys of a well-stocked cellar.
The range of activities available on a Safari Club holiday varies from camp to camp and region to region. Here is a full list of some of the activities or experiences available at our camps:
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