Africa is blessed with a few of the rarest and most beautiful animals on this planet — a undeniable fact that entices tourists to book safaris year-round.
But safaris only scratch the surface of what the continent has to supply.
From wine tours to vibrant coastal cities, other experiences await those that are willing to transcend game drives and delve deeper into the core of the continent.
Mountains, dunes and rivers
For individuals who love mountaineering, Africa is blessed with many peaks — from Morocco’s Mount Toubkal to the continent’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
But there’s also Mount Nyangani in Zimbabwe, which has a skywalk atop the Mutarazi Falls, the country’s highest waterfall.
South Africa’s Table Mountain might be climbed in a matter of hours, but adrenaline junkies may prefer to bungie jump from Johannesburg’s Soweto Towers, or the Bloukrans Bridge along the country’s famous “Garden Route.”
Bungy jumping at Soweto Towers, a decommissioned power station in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Thomas Janisch | Moment Mobile | Getty Images
Africa is good for travelers who crave adventure, said Zina Bencheikh, managing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Intrepid Travel.
She recommends Madagascar’s Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, which has two geological zones called the “Small Tsingy” and “Big Tsingy,” which within the local language of Malagasy, refers to a spot “where one cannot walk barefoot.”
“Big Tsingy Trek is just not your usual hike!” she said, describing it as a “labyrinth of limestone formations that resemble a forest fabricated from rock.”
The limestone formations of Madagascar’s Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park.
Carlo Morucchio | Reda&co | Universal Images Group | Getty Images
In Namibia, travelers can climb the long-lasting Dune 45 to admire the sand dunes of the Sossusvlei, explore the eerie white clay pan of Deadvlei, or hike through the picturesque Sesriem Canyon.
At Victoria Falls, along the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, travelers can whitewater raft, bungee jump or swim on the Devil’s Pool, which is on Zambia’s side of the falls. Similar adventures might be present in Jinja, Uganda, where the River Nile begins.
Hot air balloons are a well-liked and adventurous approach to explore too, with a bird’s eye view of the berber villages of Morocco to Kenya’s Masai Mara.
Explore the beach
African beach towns mix beauty and culture, in places like Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Mozambique, Mauritius, Zanzibar, Ghana, Namibia and Egypt.
Mombasa, a coastal city in Kenya, is one example.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla visit Mombasa’s Fort Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on Nov. 03, 2023
Samir Hussein | Wireimage | Getty Images
“Here, you will experience African, Indian and Arab cultures in a single place. Fort Jesus is one in every of Mombasa’s notable sites and was built by the Portuguese in 1593. In lower than 200 years, the fort modified hands nine times,” said Luciemarie Swanepoel, owner of African Sky of Diamonds Tours & Safaris.
She recommends visiting Zanzibar to wander the Stone Town’s labyrinthine alleys together with Kenya’s Swahili Coast, the historical Gede ruins, and the UNESCO-named Mijikenda Kaya Forests.
The rooftops of Zanzibar’s Stone Town.
Jeremy Villasis | Moment | Getty Images
“Madagascar … is one other island gem, with beaches like Nosy Be and Ile Sainte Marie boasting palm-fringed coasts and vibrant coastal villages,” said Swanepoel.
Durban and Cape Town are two of one of the best beach destinations in South Africa, she said, adding that travelers can kitesurf, snorkel, kayak or seek for dugongs and whales there.
Go on a cruise
From budget-friendly houseboats to luxurious all-inclusive boutique lake cruises, Africa has a spread of unique boating experiences.
Cruises along the Nile, Zambezi and Chobe rivers, in addition to a cruise along Rwanda’s Lake Kivu, come highly really useful, as water journeys can offer a spectacular viewing platform for wildlife.
A ship on Botswana’s Chobe river at sunset.
Peter Unger | Stone | Getty Images
“During a river cruise, chances are you’ll spot a herd of elephants wading through shimmering water, witness great buffalo gathering along the water’s edge, and even observe crocodiles stealthily slicing through pools. A whole lot of hippos also wallow within the river with just their nostrils poking out,” says Kate Powell, general manager of the houseboat company Zambezi Queen Collection.
Travelers may cruise between villages, fish, and bask within the tranquil waters.
“One can explore the Manambolo River on a pirogue, or picket dugout canoe, under the shadow of towering rock cliffs [or] stop to explore a cave and the eerie tombs of the Vazimba, said to be the earliest inhabitants of Madagascar,” said Intrepid’s Bencheikh.
Along with being a well-liked stop for world cruises, East and South Africa have their very own ocean cruise routes which follow the coastlines and visit offshore islands. Silversea, Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC have cruises departing from Africa.
Maritime journeys in Africa allow visitors to experience the continent’s wildlife, cultures and landscapes from a novel vantage point, said Kevin Bubolz, Norwegian’s vp for Continental Europe, Middle East and Africa.
“In Port Elizabeth, the Penguin Island Cruise tour is a standout experience. You may journey to the world’s largest colony of African penguins of their natural habitat,” he said. “In the event you’re lucky, you may additionally catch a glimpse of playful humpback and bottle-nose dolphins.”
Wine tours
Countries like Morocco, Namibia and Ethiopia have established wine regions. But South Africa is the continent’s crown jewel.
“South Africa is renowned for its world-class wine regions, with the Western Cape being the center of the industry,” said Wrenelle Stander, CEO of Wesgro, Cape Town’s tourism and trade agency.
“The areas around Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl comprise the famous Cape Winelands, where visitors can tour historic estates, taste award-winning wines, and learn in regards to the winemaking process.”
The wine country of Franschhoek, outside of Cape Town, South Africa.
Michele Westmorland | Corbis Documentary | Getty Images
Not only is Stellenbosch among the best places for wine tours, it is also a culinary hot spot, known for its progressive food scene. Elmarie Rabe, the marketing manager at Visit Stellenbosch, advises travelers to pick wineries which are committed to sustainable and organic practices.
“Also consider the traveling distance between farms, as Stellenbosch stretches over 60 square kilometers,” she said.
The most effective time to go to is in the course of the harvest season from late January to March, when the vineyards are in full swing. But every season has its own charm, she added.
“Spring offers lush landscapes and ideal weather, while winter is ideal for having fun with daring red wines by the hearth. Summer provides sunny days perfect for outdoor wine tasting,” Rabe said.
