Activities worth building a journey around

Bambata Cave hike

Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe

A guided 4 km hike through Matobo National Park to Bambata Cave, with rock art and views over the Whovi Game Park.

Banana plantation and banana beer visit

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Join a local family on their banana plantation near Volcanoes National Park and learn to make banana beer.

Banana wine workshop

Kigali, Rwanda

A 90-minute workshop on Rwanda's traditional banana wine at Heaven Restaurant in Kigali.

Birdwatching

Birdwatching adds a focus on birds to an African wildlife trip, with opportunities in wetlands, woodland, grassland and coastal habitats. Wilderness offers birdwatching alongside its Botswana and Zimbabwe safaris, with private guides and vehicles available for guests who want more time dedicated to birds. In the Okavango Delta, boat outings can reveal wetland birds, while purpose-built hides offer quiet observation without disturbing wildlife. South Africa's Garden Route National Park has bird hides, estuaries, forests and coastal viewing areas. Timing depends on the destination and species: Wilderness highlights green-season migrants and breeding plumage in Botswana and Hwange, while SANParks identifies both summer visitors and year-round residents around Knysna.

Blood River battlefield tour

Zululand, South Africa

A guided day trip to the 1838 Blood River battlefield, marked by 64 life-sized bronze ox wagons.

Boat safaris

Chobe, Botswana

A boat safari explores rivers, lagoons and floodplains by boat, pontoon or barge. It is a different way to view wildlife from a game drive, with guides travelling along waterways where animals come to drink, feed or cross. Depending on the destination, guests may see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffalo, waterbirds and smaller wetland species from the water. Experiences range from daytime wildlife viewing to sundowner cruises. They are offered in several African environments, including Botswana's Okavango and Linyanti waterways, the Chobe and Zambezi river systems, Namibia's Kunene River and Rwanda's Lake Rwanyakazinga. Water levels and local conditions determine where boats can operate and what route is used.

Botswana aerial conservation flight

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Join an active aerial monitoring or research flight as a passenger, subject to the conservation team’s current mission and operating conditions.

Botswana bespoke helicopter expedition

Okavango Delta, Botswana · Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana

A private, tailor-made helicopter expedition combining aerial wildlife viewing with remote landings across Botswana’s Delta and salt-pan landscapes.

Canoeing in the Lower Zambezi

Lower Zambezi, Zambia

Paddle quiet channels of the Zambezi with a guide, gliding past elephants, hippos and birdlife at water level. Offered as part of the stay at Royal Zambezi Lodge.

Cape bike and wine tour

Cape Town, South Africa

A guided cycling experience through Cape wine country, pairing active exploration with local estate visits.

Cape culinary and foraging adventure

Cape Town, South Africa

A private food-focused day combining local markets, tasting tables, wild or urban foraging and a guide-led introduction to Cape flavours.

Cape Town Diamond Museum tour

Cape Town, South Africa

A guided museum, factory and showroom visit tracing diamonds from geological formation to finished jewellery.

Cape Winelands wine adventure

Winelands, South Africa · Cape Town, South Africa

A private guided day meeting local wine people, visiting boutique estates and pairing tastings with active exploration of the Winelands.

Chobe day trip from Livingstone

Chobe, Botswana

A cross-border day trip from Livingstone to Botswana's Chobe River and National Park.

Cyrene Mission tour

Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe

A guided visit to Cyrene Mission near the Matobo Hills, known for the murals painted by its students.

Dusty Road township dining experience

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

A bookings-essential Zimbabwean lunch or dinner cooked over open fires in Chinotimba, with community stories at its heart.

Flight of the Angels

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

A short scenic flight revealing Victoria Falls, its gorges and the upper Zambezi from the air.

Fugitives’ Trail

Zululand, South Africa

A guided walk of about 8 km following the escape route of British survivors from Isandlwana back to Fugitives' Drift.

Game drives

The classic open-vehicle safari drive at dawn and dusk, when predators are most active, led by an expert guide and tracker.

Gorilla family storytelling

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

An evening talk on the gorilla families of Volcanoes National Park, ideal before a gorilla trek.

Gorilla trekking

Bwindi, Uganda

A guided hike to a habituated mountain-gorilla family. Requires a permit, booked well ahead.

Guided Sossusvlei and Deadvlei excursion

Sossusvlei & the Namib, Namibia

An early start into the Namib-Naukluft Park to climb the red dunes of Sossusvlei and walk to Deadvlei, the white clay pan of ancient camel thorn trees.

Guided Victoria Falls tour

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

A guided visit to the Zimbabwean rainforest viewpoints and gorge, with current park-entry requirements confirmed at the time of travel.

Horse riding

Horse riding lets guests explore selected African lodge landscapes at a slower pace with an experienced guide and a horse matched to the rider where the operator offers this. Experiences range from relaxed rides on reserve trails to mobile horseback safaris with overnight camping. At Grootbos in South Africa, riding takes place on reserve trails and is offered to novice and experienced riders. Ol Malo in Kenya includes horseback riding among its lodge experiences and also offers a mobile Nomad Horse experience using a camp supported by camels. The exact terrain, wildlife setting, riding level, duration, age rules and whether the activity is included depend on the stay. Check the individual lodge before booking.

Hot-air balloon safaris

Maasai Mara, Kenya

Drift over the plains at sunrise, then a champagne bush breakfast on landing. Booked direct, at extra cost.

Hout Bay guided kayak tour

Cape Town, South Africa

This two-hour guided kayak tour explores Hout Bay with Cape Town Kayaks, part of Cape Adventure Brands. Guests paddle in stable double kayaks after a safety briefing and basic paddling instruction. The price includes a kayak, paddle, life jacket and qualified guide. Seals, dolphins, seabirds and sunfish are among the animals the operator mentions, but sightings are not guaranteed. Children must be at least six and accompanied by a responsible adult. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended, and guests should be comfortable in the water and able to keep themselves afloat. The operator discourages non-swimmers from participating. Tours operate throughout the year when weather permits; unsafe conditions can lead to postponement, rescheduling or cancellation. Advance booking is required, and a minimum of two guests is needed for a departure.

Iby’iwacu Cultural Village visit

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

A visit to a community cultural village outside Volcanoes National Park, with drumming, dance and traditional skills.

Inanke Cave hike

Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe

A full-day guided hike to Inanke, the remotest of the famous Matobo rock art caves.

Isandlwana battlefield tour

Zululand, South Africa

A morning with a Fugitives' Drift guide on the battlefield where a British force was overrun by the Zulu army on 22 January 1879.

Khami Ruins and museum tour

Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe

A half-day outing from Big Cave Camp to the Khami Ruins World Heritage Site and the Natural History Museum in Bulawayo.

Kigali art and culture tour

Kigali, Rwanda

A half-day guided tour of galleries and creative spaces in Kigali's Kacyiru and Kimihurura neighbourhoods.

Kigali cooking and market tour

Kigali, Rwanda

Shop at Kimironko Market, then cook and eat a Rwandan lunch at Heaven Restaurant.

Kigali fashion and fabric tour

Kigali, Rwanda

A half-day guided look at Kigali's fashion and fabric scene in Nyamirambo, Kimihurura and Kiyovu.

Kigali Genocide Memorial visit

Kigali, Rwanda

A visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, the final resting place of more than 250,000 victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, with exhibitions on its history and Rwanda today.

Kigali nature walks

Kigali, Rwanda

A guided half-day walk at Mount Kigali, Umusambi Village or Nyandungu Eco Park.

Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee tracking

Queen Elizabeth, Uganda

Walk with a Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger into the forested Kyambura Gorge, a sunken valley in Queen Elizabeth National Park, to look for its small community of habituated chimpanzees.

Laikipia bespoke helicopter safari

Laikipia, Kenya

A privately designed helicopter journey through Kenya’s remote northern landscapes, shaped around wildlife, scenery and culture.

Lake Duluti guided forest walk

Arusha, Tanzania

Walk beneath the Lake Duluti forest canopy with a guide focused on birds, trees and the lakeshore ecosystem.

Lake Ihema boat safari, Akagera

Akagera, Rwanda

A boat trip on Lake Ihema in Akagera National Park for hippos, crocodiles and water birds, with a sunset departure available.

Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro day trips

Lake Manyara, Tanzania

Private full-day game drives from Tarangire to Lake Manyara National Park or the Ngorongoro Crater.

Live sundowner music

Lake Malawi, Malawi

A local Likoma Island band plays on the beach at Kaya Mawa as the sun sets over Lake Malawi.

Livingstone Island and Devil’s Pool

Victoria Falls (Livingstone), Zambia

A boat trip to the island at the lip of Victoria Falls, with a swim in Devil's Pool or Angel's Chair when conditions allow.

Livingstone town and market tour

Victoria Falls (Livingstone), Zambia

A guided look at colonial Livingstone, its museum and the busy Maramba Market.

Lunch trip to The Rock, Michamvi

Zanzibar, Tanzania

A boat trip from Pongwe down the east coast for lunch at The Rock, a restaurant built on a rock in the sea off Michamvi.

Maasai Mara dawn balloon safari

Maasai Mara, Kenya

Float over the Mara at dawn before a sparkling-wine toast, bush breakfast and game-drive return.

Maasai song and dance

Tarangire, Tanzania

Traditional Maasai song and dance performed for guests at Nimali Tarangire.

Mangeni Falls tour

Zululand, South Africa

A scenic guided trip to Mangeni Falls, where Lord Chelmsford was during the Battle of Isandlwana.

Masondo tour

Zululand, South Africa

A short drive and walk to the Buffalo River crossing used by the Zulu army on its way to attack Rorke's Drift.

Matobo rock art galleries

Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe

A guided outing to the Khoisan rock paintings of the Matobo Hills, one of the richest rock art areas in the world.

Melvill and Coghill graves walk

Zululand, South Africa

A guided walk on the lodge reserve to the graves of Lieutenants Melvill and Coghill, who died trying to save their regiment's colours after Isandlwana.

Microlight flights over Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls (Livingstone), Zambia

An open-air microlight flight low over Victoria Falls and its gorges.

Mokoro excursions

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Mokoro excursions explore the shallow channels and floodplains of Botswana's Okavango Delta in a narrow canoe. The guide, often called a poler, stands at the stern and uses a pole to move the craft through reeds and open water, while passengers sit close to the surface. This slow form of travel suits observing water birds, frogs, lilies and wildlife along the channel edges without the noise of a motorboat. Mokoros were traditionally made from tree trunks, although the Botswana Tourism Organisation and Wilderness both note that fibreglass versions are now used to reduce pressure on hardwood trees. Availability is determined by the water level and the particular camp or concession, so guests should confirm the activity with their linked stay when planning a safari.

Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

A guided trek in Volcanoes National Park to spend one hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family. Treks range from about two to six hours depending on the family. Permits are limited each day and should be booked well ahead.

Ngorongoro Crater game drive

Ngorongoro, Tanzania

A full-day game drive on the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater, a collapsed volcano home to lion, elephant, buffalo, hyena and one of the best chances of black rhino in East Africa.

Night drives

Night drives are guided vehicle safaris that take place after sunset, when different wildlife may be active. Operators use a spotlight or, at some lodges, thermal viewing equipment to help guests observe animals in the dark without self-driving. The experience is available only where the reserve, concession or park permits after-hours game viewing, so it should be checked with the specific stay. Departures and access rules can change with daylight hours and local operating arrangements. Official examples include lodge-based night drives after dinner and public-park night drives. SANParks pages for Addo, Karoo and Kruger specify a minimum age of six for guided drives. Families should check the child policy for their chosen stay or park rather than assume this minimum applies everywhere.

Nyamata Genocide Memorial and reconciliation visit

Kigali, Rwanda

A half-day visit to the Nyamata church memorial in Bugesera District, about 40 minutes from Kigali.

Okavango conservation and co-existence experience

Okavango Delta, Botswana

A helicopter-supported day visiting community-led human-wildlife coexistence projects in the Okavango Panhandle.

Okavango doors-off scenic flight

Okavango Delta, Botswana

See the Okavango Delta’s channels, islands and wildlife from a private helicopter, with every guest in a window seat.

Premium Zambezi river safari

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Cruise quieter channels above Victoria Falls with wildlife viewing, refreshments and a small-group river experience.

Prince Imperial site tour

Zululand, South Africa

A guided visit to the monument where the Prince Imperial of France, the last Bonaparte heir, was killed in 1879.

Quad biking

Quad biking is offered by selected lodges and camps as a guided, motorised activity on designated trails or in suitable desert terrain. At Mabula Game Lodge, guests use quad bikes on an eco-adventure trail with required safety gear. Wilderness also lists low-impact quad bikes among the ways guests can explore the Namib landscape at Little Kulala. Routes, riding time, age limits, supervision and any extra charge are set by the individual lodge or operator, so these details should be checked for the stay being booked. This tag helps identify properties where a quad-bike experience may be available; it is not a single tour or a promise that the activity is included.

Rhino tracking on foot

Rhino tracking on foot takes guests into wildlife habitat with specialist guides or trackers to observe rhinos outside a vehicle. Wilderness offers encounters with desert-adapted black rhino in Namibia and white rhino in Zambia's Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Its experiences are led by Save the Rhino Trust rangers or Zambian National Parks and Wildlife scouts. In South Africa, SANParks lists tracking rhino on foot among the wildlife experiences at Talamati in Kruger National Park. These examples combine walking and wildlife observation, with conservation work highlighted by Wilderness and learning about the African bush highlighted by SANParks. This catalogue tag describes the activity, rather than one bookable departure.

Rhodes Grave and World's View

Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe

A guided drive to World's View in Matobo National Park, the granite dome where Cecil Rhodes is buried.

Rorke’s Drift battlefield tour

Zululand, South Africa

An afternoon at the mission station where about 139 British soldiers held off thousands of Zulu warriors through the night of 22 January 1879.

Rwandan coffee tasting

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

A 60-minute tasting of Rwandan coffee, ending with a walk to the resort's coffee garden.

Sani Pass tour

Drakensberg, South Africa

A full-day 4x4 trip up the Sani Pass into Lesotho, run by Major Adventures from Underberg.

Serengeti balloon safari with Miracle Experience

Serengeti, Tanzania · Tarangire, Tanzania

A dawn balloon flight with champagne celebration and bush breakfast from a seasonally appropriate Serengeti launch area.

Serengeti walking safari

Serengeti, Tanzania

Leave the vehicle for a privately guided wilderness walk with a qualified walking guide and park ranger.

Silozwane Cave hike

Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe

A guided visit to Silozwane Cave in the Matobo Hills, reached by a short, steep climb.

Skeleton Coast shoreline walk

Skeleton Coast, Namibia

A guided walk from Shipwreck Lodge to the Skeleton Coast shoreline to comb for whale bones, driftwood and shipwreck debris.

Sleep-outs

Sleep-outs give safari guests an opportunity to spend the night outside the main lodge, with settings that include raised treehouses and hides. Wilderness describes beds protected by mosquito nets, while Ngala combines an outdoor sleeping platform with a weatherproof bedroom. At Ngala, guests have a radio link for assistance and keep a lodge room available for bad weather. Its overnight provisions include a picnic dinner and breakfast snacks. Morukuru offers a hide sleep-out at no additional cost, while Ngala charges separately alongside the lodge stay. These are examples, not standard inclusions for every sleep-out. Check the individual lodge's age restrictions, sleeping arrangements, access and weather policy before choosing an experience.

Table Mountain Rise & Climb

Cape Town, South Africa

A private guided ascent of Table Mountain, paced to the group and finished with a cableway descent when operating.

Tanzania dawn balloon safari

Serengeti, Tanzania · Tarangire, Tanzania · Ruaha, Tanzania

A dawn balloon flight followed by a celebratory bush breakfast, offered in the Serengeti, Tarangire or Ruaha.

The Boma – Dinner & Drum Show

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

An evening of Zimbabwean food, music, dance and interactive drumming in Victoria Falls.

The Royal Livingstone Express

Victoria Falls (Livingstone), Zambia

A steam train journey to the Victoria Falls Bridge for sundowners, followed by a five-star dinner on board.

Trail running

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

A guided trail run and workout on the forested, hilly grounds of One&Only Gorilla's Nest.

Tsodilo Hills helicopter experience

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Fly from the Delta to Tsodilo Hills for an aerial perspective and a guided visit to this culturally significant landscape.

Under the Spray

Victoria Falls (Livingstone), Zambia

A low-water adventure rafting up to the base of Victoria Falls to scramble and swim in the rock pools.

Victoria Falls Bridge tour

Victoria Falls (Livingstone), Zambia

The story of the 1905 Victoria Falls Bridge, followed by a walk along the engineers' path beneath it.

Victoria Falls Safari Spa treatment

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Choose a massage, facial or beauty treatment in a purpose-built safari spa overlooking indigenous woodland.

Walk with Rhino

Walk with Rhino describes guided outings that take visitors on foot into areas where rhinos live. In Zimbabwe's Matobo Hills, Black Rhino Safaris offers rhino walks within half-day and full-day tours, as well as a dedicated black rhino tracking day with a private guide. At Uganda's Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, rangers lead visitors through the bush to observe southern white rhinos. A vehicle journey may precede the walk there, depending on where the animals are. Ziwa also gives a safety briefing and asks visitors to follow its rules. This catalogue tag identifies the activity rather than a single tour, itinerary or booking arrangement.

Walking safaris

Track wildlife on foot with an armed guide: the bush at eye level, for the details a vehicle flies past.

WildEarth virtual safari (live-streamed game drives)

WildEarth lets viewers follow African wildlife from home through live broadcasts led by expert guides. Its programming includes morning and evening game drives, with SafariLIVE Sunrise and SafariLIVE Sunset alongside KenyaLIVE broadcasts from the Masai Mara and other Kenyan national parks. Viewers can ask guides questions in real time during SafariLIVE Sunset. The service also offers a wildlife channel running around the clock, recent safari recordings and programmes featuring wildlife footage and natural sounds. Viewing is available through online services, apps and television platforms listed on the official website. This catalogue tag describes the virtual broadcasts, rather than participation in a physical game drive.

Zambezi island picnic

Victoria Falls (Livingstone), Zambia

A boat trip to a sandy Zambezi island for a champagne picnic served by your own butler.

Zambezi River cruise

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

A river cruise above Victoria Falls, generally offered as a morning, lunch or sunset excursion through a licensed local operator.

Zambezi Royal sunset cruise

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Board Wild Horizons' Zambezi Royal for a late-afternoon cruise on the upper Zambezi above Victoria Falls. The two-hour outing follows the sunset, with a captain's introduction to the river and opportunities to watch hippos, crocodiles, elephants and birdlife from the boat. Return transfers are provided from hotels and B&Bs in Victoria Falls town. The shared cruise carries from two to 28 guests, while a private charter can be arranged with a minimum charge for 22 guests. Hot and cold canapés, cocktails and premium beverages are served on board.

Zambezi white-water rafting

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

A guided rafting day through the Batoka Gorge below Victoria Falls, subject to river conditions.

Zanzibar Classic Reef semi-submarine tour

Zanzibar, Tanzania

View the reefs near Bawe Island through underwater windows without entering the water.

Zanzibar spice farm tour

Zanzibar, Tanzania

A guided walk through a working Zanzibar spice farm to see, smell and taste cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and tropical fruit, with the story of the island spice trade.