Top 10: Awesome African Adventures to Experience

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For those who love adventure, Africa is the place to be. From the Bloukrans Bridge to the “Mountains of the Moon”, to diving with tiger sharks off Aliwal Shoal and riding the rapids of the Zambezi.  Whether you like your adventure served up hot or cold, as they say, this is not the continent for “sissies”

Awesome African Adventures

1. Bungey-jumping at Bloukrans

Yes, we know it’s a cliché, but you haven’t earned your stripes as an adventurer if you haven’t jumped off Bloukrans Bridge – at 216m high it’s the highest commercial bungey-jump in the world.

2. Gorilla trekking

Definitely one for the bucket list, gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda is the travel opportunity of a lifetime. Watch the moving video, Touched by a Mountain Gorilla that went viral in 2011 to find out why.

3. Diving with sharks

Gansbaai is the shark cage diving capital of the country, but make sure you hook up with a reputable operator. Another option is free diving with tiger sharks at Aliwal Shoal on the KwaZulu-Natal coast?

4. Rafting

How about rafting the White Nile from Uganda? According to adventure author Jacques Marais – it’s a rush you can’t afford to miss. Of course, rafting down the great Zambezi River and the choppy waters of the Orange River (Northern Cape) are also fun options.

5. Mountains for miles

Yes, we have Table Mountain and the Drakensberg mountain range in our own backyard, but how about adding Mount Kilimanjaro or Mount Kenya to your list? Then there’s Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains, the Great Spitzkoppe of Namibia or the Hand of Fatima in Mali to consider.

Mt Kilimanjaro, with a summit of 5.895m, is Africas highest mountain. Image: iStock

6. Helicopter flip over Victoria Falls

The Victoria Falls are the widest in the world and seeing the Victoria Falls from a helicopter is an exciting activity for those with a taste for adventure. The unique perspective of the Falls as you fly over them is unmatched, plus you might even spot some lazy hippos in the mighty Zambezi river below.

7. Kayaking/  mokoro-ing

Taking a mokoro (dugout boat) or kayak journey is a great way to enjoy nature’s fine offerings. Nothing beats the romance of a mokoro out in the Okavango swamps. Sea kayaking safaris are also on offer around Lamu Island off the coast of Kenya and in places like the Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar and Mozambique.

Mokoro journey, andBeyond Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp. Image courtesy andBeyond.

8. Hot air ballooning safari

For those who prefer their adventures served up soft –  a hot air balloon safari is a gentle way to experience the magic of Africa, as you float over the winelands or the Magaliesberg. Or how about a hot airballooning safari over the desert in Namibia or over the Serengeti during the migration?

Hot air ballooning in the Magaliesberg. Image courtesy Bill Harrop’s Original Balloon Safaris.

9. Gliding the thermals off Lion’s Head

Paragliding along the Atlantic seaboard seems to be a popular pasttime and Lion’s Head is a favourite spot. Base jumping is another adventure option when visiting the Mother City.

10. Hiking the Fish River Canyon

The Fish River Canyon in Namibia is the second largest in the world (only the Grand Canyon is bigger). Hiking the 90kms length of the route from Hobas to Ai-Ais is certainly an adventure activity completing at least once in your lifetime!

One thing’s for sure, there’s no shortage of amazing adventures on offer on the African continent. Which of these adrenalin pumping adventure activities have your tried… and which is still on your bucket list?

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