When was the last time you and your best friend embarked on a journey so monumental that it became the stuff of legend, retold time and again at gatherings around a roaring campfire or over the sizzling sounds of a braai? Think of those unforgettable tales punctuated with laughter, wide-eyed reactions, and every thrilling escapade recounted in vivid detail.
By: Kim Barnett
As life’s daily routines take over, and the mundane creeps in, it’s not uncommon to feel trapped in a cycle of ordinariness. However, there’s no better time than now to reignite that spark of adventure—that vibrant spirit of youthful enthusiasm.
It’s crucial to carve out opportunities for making new, exhilarating memories with your closest friends. For those ready to break free from the everyday and dive into the extraordinary, here are our top picks for unforgettable adventures in the majestic wilds of Africa’s Eden.
Bike Tours – Namib desert, Namibia
Namibia stands as the quintessential destination for a road trip, offering a perfect mix of stunning landscapes, excellent road infrastructure, and ample opportunities to bond with your travel companions.
You can then stretch your legs and get some exercise in the Namib desert on a bike while at Kulula Desert Lodge. Race along the golden sand with your best friend as the wind whips through your hair, and nothing lies in your path but kilometres and kilometres of Namib desert.
Okavango Delta – Maun, Botswana
One of the finest ways to see the Okavango Delta is by the local canoe called the mokoro. This wooden dugout can fit you, your best friend and a guide to take you through the reeds and channels as you get up close and personal with wildlife.
Share the relaxing journey and exhilarating close encounters with your best friend, all while having precious time to quietly chatter along the way. Ker & Downey Botswana are spearheading a female guide empowerment program well worth supporting.
Bridge Swing – Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Zambia
If you are feeling a need for a shared adrenaline fix, why not test out the Bridge Swing at the historic Victoria Falls Bridge? After all, you jump off in tandem! The whole experience is recorded, so you and your bestie can laugh at your reaction when braving the heights of one of the seven natural wonders of the world – Victoria Falls.
Walk with Rhinos – Livingstone, Zambia
Walking with an endangered species such as a white rhino is an incredible way to bond with a special friend. Seeing rhinos in their natural habitat and understanding how few of them remain on the planet is awe-inspiring and a genuinely unforgettable experience in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.
Retail Therapy with A Purpose- Livingstone, Zambia
Shop and feel good about it in Livingstone, Zambia! Sishemo Beads crush and melt recycled glass bottles before stringing them into gorgeous designs. You’ll have an intriguing story to tell when your jewellery is complemented and an excuse to enjoy that extra bottle of bubbly guilt-free! WAYAWAYA is a social enterprise based in Zambia’s tourist capital that offers a range of luxury leather handbags and accessories. Make time to treat yourself, or surprise your best friend with matching bespoke travel bags.
Extend a Helping Hand
Wild Horizons Shop with a Purpose Tour not only offers a captivating tour of the lesser known spots in Victoria Falls town, but gives you the opportunity to purchase requested supplies for those that need it most. It’s win-win situation, all while having a great time! If you don’t have time to do a tour, check out Pack for a Purpose and use that extra luggage allowance to bring gently used or new items to charities in your chosen holiday destination.
White Water Rafting – Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe or Livingstone, Zambia
People travel the world to experience the rapids of the Zambezi River first-hand. Enjoy the whirlwind experience with your closest confidante while diving and dodging the waves of the Zambezi River. You’ll be laughing and occasionally screaming – an experience to remember! Check out Wild Horizons or Shearwater Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwean side and Safari Park Excellence from the Zambian side.
Livingstone Island – Victoria Falls, Zambia
Apart from witnessing one of the world’s seven natural wonders, you and your bestie can also swim on the lip of the Victoria falls in the Devils Pool. Take the most amazing photos, and feel your heart race while overlooking the 350-foot drop. The ideal time for swimming is during the drier months of the year from June through November.
Shared Sundowners – Everywhere!
No journey through Africa is truly complete without pausing to savour a sunset, cocktail in hand. Whether you find yourselves on the tranquil banks of Lake Kariba, amidst the wild beauty of Botswana’s Chobe National Park, or under the twinkling city lights of Windhoek, there’s something profound about sharing these moments with a best friend. Each setting offers its own unique backdrop for those perfect end-of-day reflections. And if you can’t get away, recreate amazing sundowner cocktails at home.
If the idea of these adventures excites you, imagine experiencing them first-hand with your best friend by your side. There’s nothing quite like the bond that forms through shared adrenaline-pumping moments or the peaceful companionship that comes from witnessing the breath-taking beauty of nature together.
Navigating the serene channels of the Okavango Delta, dangling from a rope at Victoria Falls, or cycling through the vast openness of the Namib Desert—these experiences are guaranteed to forge unforgettable memories and stories that you’ll be retelling for years to come.
So why wait? Reach out to your best friend, pack your bags, and embark on a journey that will not only rejuvenate your spirit but also strengthen your bond. Africa’s Eden awaits, filled with epic adventures and undoubtedly, the next great story in your collection.
