thrillophilia-logo
INR
Login

Adventure Sports in Africa

Adventure in Africa

Wildlife Safari, Skydiving, Hiking, Helicopter Tour, Rafting, Snorkeling, Hot air Balloon safari, Cycling, Bungee Jumping, Quad biking and many more.

Challenge your inner self and test your limits by enjoying the thrilling activities that will ensure limitless adventure in Africa. Africa is an adrenaline junkie's dream destination, and there's an adventure out there for every person ranging from wilderness lovers to beach bums and hardcore adventure enthusiasts.

Some sites are easily accessible to everyone, while others require a high level of stamina and fitness. You can go on an exciting game drive through the Serengeti, camp in the middle of the game reserve, and spot the rarest species of birds and animals. If you're an old-fashioned adrenaline junkie and wish to do extreme stuff outdoors, you can make your way to the summit of the Atlas Mountains.

Kenya is the top adventure destination in Africa, where you can enjoy a tandem or solo skydiving experience, snorkel off the Kenyan coast, and enjoy paddle-boarding. Ghana and Cameroon are also some of Africa's best adventure spots destinations where you're bound to get an overdose of the adrenaline with various activities on offer, such as diving, snorkeling, and fishing. So get ready for unforgettable adventures and limitless thrills by planning your visit to Africa, the mecca for adventure sports.
Read More

Our Partners

Africa Adventure FAQs

What are the best adventure activities to do in Africa?

1. Wildlife Safari: Get ready to relive your jungle book fantasies as you enjoy a wildlife safari in South Africa. From up-close encounters with the iconic wildlife of Africa to authentic cultural experiences, you'll have tons of exciting interactions during the safari tour. If you want to have a rare look at the world's remaining gorillas, you can make your way to Uganda and Rwanda. You can also head to Kenya, Africa's prime game-viewing area, known for its magnificent game parks, dramatic scenery, and abundant wildlife.

Location: Malawi, Kenya, Namibia, Uganda and Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania
Best Time: October-December

2. Skydiving: South Africa is renowned for its clear skies and warm climate, making it the perfect skydiving destination. First-time jumpers can take part in a tandem introductory skydiving session, and the daredevils can opt for solo skydiving. You can take the jump of your life at the various drop zones scattered throughout Africa. For people who cannot think of falling from the airplane towards the ground, indoor skydiving can be the best option. All you have to do is take yourself to a tunnel chamber that consists of a consistent and strong stream of air usually generated by fans.

Location: Durban, Johannesburg, Knysna, Plett, Melkbosstrand and Mossel Bay
Best Time: October-March

3. Hiking: If you're looking for an adrenaline rush while taking in the breathtaking views, you should definitely try trekking at the popular spots in Africa. Mt Kilimanjaro is the highest peak of Africa, and getting to the top requires excellent physical fitness in hiking at high altitudes. The Rwenzori Mountains are another favorite hiking spot where you can experience mountains, jungles, and glaciers. You can also hike to Siemens Mountains that offers stunning sceneries and gives you a chance to meet the locals. You'll be amazed at the transition of vegetation and land as you make your way to the summit of the Atlas Mountains.

Location: Rwenzori Mountains, Mt Kilimanjaro, Atlas Mountains, Mount Ololokwe, Sentinel Peak and Livingstonia
Best Time: April to May

4. Helicopter Tour: The ultimate way to experience the breathtaking splendor of Africa and its surrounding areas is by taking a helicopter ride. Helicopter rides offer an opportunity to explore the African continent, forests, and impressive canyons, waterfalls, valleys, and more.
You can take a private helicopter ride from Cape Town to view two oceans on twenty-five minutes flight. Enjoy a bird's eye view of the sweeping panoramas of mountainsides and coastlines while enjoying this activity.

Location: Natal Midlands, Zululand, Umgeni River Valley, Cape Town
Best Time: Morning

5. Rafting: If you're looking for the best adventure in Africa, you should definitely try rafting to immerse yourself in a blissful experience. Africa has the world's best rapids with untouched and pristine scenery and magnificent landscapes nearby. River Zambezi offers Class V rapids and can only be taken on by expert rafters. During your rafting expedition, you will be greeted with breathtaking views of geological wonders. You can also enjoy rafting in Uganda on River Nile that has international standard rapids.

Location: White Nile, River Zambezi, Mangoky River, Rufiji River, Doring River, Orange River
Best Time: May and August

6. Snorkeling: Dive into the blue water and get up-close and personal with the marine species at the famed diving spots in Africa. From the KwaZulu-Natal coastline's inviting, warm waters to the Atlantic Ocean's icy chilly water in the Western Cape, the African coastline is ideal for snorkeling. The underwater life includes cow sharks, seals, and many species of cold-water fishes.

Location: Long Beach, Sandy Cove, Windmill Beach, Pyramid Rock, Hout Bay, Miller's Point, Shark Bay
Best Time: December to February

7. Hot air Balloon safari: If you're looking for unlimited adventure in Africa, you should definitely try a hot air balloon safari ride. Floating into the air while gazing over the splendid sceneries and captivating landscapes from your airplane window is one experience that you'll never forget. You'll drift through the vast sky for an hour or two, keeping an eye out for elephants, lions, wildebeests, and other species in their natural habitat. When you're back on the solid ground, you'll be treated to a champagne breakfast outside in the African bush.

Location: Masai Mara, Serengeti, Okavango Delta, Sossusvlei, Kafue National Park, Tarangire National Park.
Best Time: December to March

8. Cycling: Several African cycling routes offer breathtaking scenery and the means to see various parts of the country that are not easily accessible by motor vehicles. The breeze in your hair, the open road in front of you, and the sun on your back make cycling the best way to explore Africa. The town of Paarl in Cape Winelands offers diverse cycling routes that take you through luscious vineyards and tree-lined streets. Port Elizabeth also has many dedicated cycling trails that cut through the middle of the city.

Location: De Hoop National Park, Port Elizabeth, Paarl, KwaZulu Natal, Helshoogte Pass, The Owl Route.
Best Time: March and April

9. Bungee Jumping: If you're looking for the best adventure in Africa, you should definitely try adrenaline-intensive bungee jumping. As you free-fall towards the earth's surface from the top of a bridge or out of a plane, you'll have the best experience of your life. You can jump off the Victoria Falls Bridge while having a splendid view of the majestic Victoria Falls. The Krugersdorp bungee jumping site is perfect if you're a beginner and a little afraid as it has provisions of a bridge swing, 320 m foofie slide, and Burma bridge.

Location: Bungee Mogale, Orlando Towers, Graskop, Bloukrans Bridge, Victoria Falls Bridge.
Best Time: November to March

10. Quad biking: Push your limits as you explore the rough terrains of Africa on an automated four-wheeled quad bike. Both experienced, and novice riders can explore the surrounding areas at their own pace on the quad bike, under the supervision of an experienced guide. The quad bike trips might vary from shorter eco-trail experiences to bush track riding. Depending on your energy level, you can opt between a two-hour, half-hour, or one-hour tour hosted by experienced guides. Halfway through the ride, you can pause for drinks, and food and your guide will share historical information about the town.

Location: Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Overberg, South Coast KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Garden Route
Best Time: November to February

Which are the best adventure places in Africa?

1. Morocco: If you're a thrill-loving soul, you must visit Morocco as it offers a host of adventurous activities for the daring ones. You can enjoy a camel ride in the Sahara desert to experience the day-to-day lives of the nomads. For added fun and thrill, you can descend to The Draa valley on a mountain bike while gazing at its contrasting tones of red rocks and sands. You can also swim in lakes, abseil from waterfalls and slide down natural rock slides in the Middle-Atlas. During the winter months, you can enjoy skiing at the ski slopes throughout the High and Middle Atlas Mountains for an adrenaline-charged experience.

Highlights: Canyoning, camel ride, camping, mountain biking, Cross-country skiing, rock climbing.
Best Time: December to April

2. South Africa: Whether it's swimming with seahorses or enjoying the highest bungee jump in the world, there is a limitless adventure in Africa that will leave you blown away. You can abseil down Table Mountain, hike the Otter Trail, Zip-Line over The Koekedouw River, explore the Cango Caves, and Kayak with crocodiles and hippos in KwaZulu-Natal.

Highlights: Bungee jumping, zip-lining, hiking, canyoning, archery, aquarium diving.
Best Time: May to October

3. Kenya: Kenya is the top adventure destination in the world, where you can challenge yourself, test your inner limits, and step outside your comfort zone by enjoying the most heart-wrenching adventures. It has some of the best hiking trails ranging from nature trails to arduous mountain hikes. You can enjoy a tandem or solo skydiving experience at Diani Beach, snorkel off the Kenyan coast, relive your jungle fantasies by enjoying safari tours and enjoy paddle-boarding in Malindi.

Highlights: Paddleboarding, snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking, Bungee jumping, windsurfing.
Best Time: January to March

4. Botswana: Travelers will find tons of adventure experiences in Botswana that is renowned for its Game Reserves, the Okavango Delta region, and National Parks. You can traverse the pristine wildlife areas of Chobe National Park and spend your days game driving across vast areas of Nxai Pan in search of spectacular wildlife. If you're a hardcore adventurer, you can also try hiking through the jungles of Moremi Game Reserve, bungee jumping, and cave exploration.

Highlights: Wildlife safari, bungee jumping, cave exploration, hiking, dirt-bike riding, paintballing, horseback riding.
Best Time: September to December

5. Tanzania: If you're an adrenaline junkie looking to satisfy your cravings for ultimate thrill and adventure in Africa, you must visit Tanzania, the country's adventure hotspot. From lush green islands to vast wilderness and colorful corals to Big 5 game Tanzania is known for its rich aquatic life and vivid wildlife. You can enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling at Mnemba Island, undertake a strenuous trekking journey to Ol Doinyo Lengai and spend a night amidst the wilderness of the Selous Game Reserve.

Highlights: Hiking, camping, snorkeling, scuba diving, climbing, wildlife safari, water skiing, diving.
Best Time: Late June to October

6. Cameroon: Add a dash of adventure to your trip to Cameroon by taking the three-day hike up to the imposing volcano of MT Cameroon. You can also enjoy river trips, and canopy walks at Parc National de Campo-Ma'an. If you're a water baby, you can take a plunge into Chutes de la Lobé, where three-wide waterfalls form the sea. You can also enjoy snorkeling, diving, and windsurfing at Tsaben Beach. Spot the wildlife species and interact with the birds as you enjoy a wildlife safari tour at Waza National Park.

Highlights: hiking, snorkeling, scuba diving, wildlife safari, diving, rock climbing, zip-lining.
Best Time: December to February

7. Ghana: If you're hankering for a heart-pumping adventure, you must visit Ghana that is home to soaring mountains, impenetrable jungles, sprawling savannahs, and wild animal safaris. You can enjoy a canopy walk through the tropical forest of Kakum, where you'll find hanging bridges situated one hundred and thirty feet above the ground. Labadi Beach is another popular destination in Ghana where you can enjoy diving, snorkeling, and fishing. You can also go paddling at Busua, hike through Mt. Afadja and enjoy camping at Mole National Park.

Highlights: paddling, snorkeling, diving, camping, cycling, hiking.
Best Time: October to April

8. Egypt: Egypt has been a mecca for adventure lovers and gives you a chance to escape your comfort zone with tons of thrilling activities on offer. If you're truly adventurous and want to do things beyond limits, you can go for a camel ride to Mount Sinai or enjoy hot air ballooning in Luxor. You can also sail down the Nile River, enjoy deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, and camping at the Red Sea Coast. If you're looking for a desert adventure, you can enjoy horseback riding through the Great Pyramids of Giza and capture beautiful memories.

Highlights: hiking, sailing, diving, camping, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, hot-air ballooning.
Best Time: October to April

9. Mozambique: Mozambique is the greatest treasure of Sub-Saharan Africa and has been tipped as the hot destination for adventure, leisure, and thrill. It has some of the most splendid beaches like The Lighthouse Beach, Ponta Manoli, Vilanculos, where you can try some of the most thrilling water sports activities like snorkeling, diving, and jet-skiing. There are six diving sites around the western and southern parts of Inhaca Island. The stunning coastlines and untamed wildernesses combine here to create a safari experience like no other.

Highlights: snorkeling, diving, jet-skiing, jungle safari, hiking.
Best Time: September to November

10. Namibia: From four-wheeled drive tours to white-water rafting down beautiful rivers, Namibia will accelerate your heartbeat with its thrilling activities and adventurous tours. It is home to soaring red dunes, rolling gravel plains, the rusting ribs of shipwrecks, ossified trees, and the most exhilarating locations imaginable where you can test your inner limits and create new memories. You can hike up the dunes outside Swakopmund, enjoy skydiving over Swakopmund and float over the Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon in a hot air balloon.

Highlights: skydiving, white-water rafting, hiking, hot air ballooning, paragliding.
Best Time: May to October

What is the best time to visit Africa for adventure?

Springtime (August-October) is considered the ideal time to visit Africa for safaris as the weather remains pleasant and cool, increasing the chances of spotting the animals.

December to April is considered the ideal time for enjoying a water-based adventure in Africa, such as scuba diving, snorkeling, and fishing, due to the calm wind and the warm water.

Which are the best places for snorkeling in Africa?

1. Sodwana Bay: Snorkeling is the best adventure in Africa that you must try at Sodwana Bay as it offers a huge variety of tropical reefs and sea life. It is a year-round diving destination that offers a world-class diving experience.

2. Aliwal Shoal: Aliwal Shoal, located on the Southern Coast of Kwazulu Natal, has been rated as the top ten diving sites in the world owing to its array of soft and hard corals, sponges, and warm and cold water reefs.

3. Maputaland: If you're looking for aqua exploration, there can't be any site better than Cape Vidal at Maputaland. You can snorkel here at low tide and marvel at the endless varieties of colorful marine life.

4. Knysna: Knysna is a splendid spot filled with the best diving and snorkeling spots where you can head on for a memorable aquatic excursion. It also offers rock pools for leisurely snorkeling in the sun.

Which are the best places for wildlife safari in Africa?

1. Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya: If you're looking for the best adventure in Africa, you should definitely try a wildlife safari tour of Maasai Mara National Reserve. From shutter shooting to having an up-close interaction with the wild beasts, the safari experience here will leave you coming back for more.

2. Kruger National Park: Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in South Africa that gives you excellent opportunities to encounter the Big 5 and a diverse range of indigenous wildlife. At night, the bush comes alive as the nocturnal animals emerge, making it the best place for a memorable adventure in Africa.

3. Mala Mala Game Reserve: Mala Mala Game Reserve is the largest Big Five game reserve in South Africa, with thirty-three thousand acres of pristine wilderness that supports an abundance of birds and wildlife.

4. Chobe National Park, Botswana: If you're looking for an awe-inspiring safari experience, you should definitely visit Chobe National Park. You can have an eye-to-eye interaction with the grey giants, watch the colorful birds and hear the roaring of tigers for the best adventure in Africa.

Which are the best places for hot air balloon safari in Africa?

1. Serengeti National Park: There can't be any adventure in Africa better than a hot air balloon safari where you'll be taken to the launch site, and you'll be up in the air watching the beautiful sun rise over the Serengeti. You'll also witness herds of animals moving through the incredible landscape.

2. Kafue National Park: Kafue National Park is considered to be a remote safari destination that has spectacular wildlife and water sources. While enjoying your hot air balloon ride here you can spot Namib Desert elephants, hippos, and buffalos.

3. Masai Mara National Park: Get ready for an evocative experience as you enjoy a hot air balloon safari in Masai Mara National Park. The balloon takes off at the break of dawn, gliding silently over the savannah grasslands, where you can spot a wide variety of wildlife.

4. Namib Naukluft Park: There's no more exciting way to see Africa's animals and incredible landscapes than from a hot air balloon safari in Namib Naukluft Park. Silently float over the pristine landscapes and see breathtaking vistas from the vantage point in the air.

Which are the famous places in Africa for adventure camping?

1. Beaverlac Camping, Cederberg: Pitch your tent and spend your night beneath the stars at the Beaverlac Camping site that has many rock pools and rivers. It gives the campers the chance to get up close and personal with the scenic surroundings.

2. Golden Gate Highlands National Park: The scattered peaks and lush green grasslands of Golden Gate Highlands National Park make an incredibly splendid backdrop for a camping trip. While camping here, you can spot the colorful birds and have an up-close and personal interaction with the animals.

3. Namaqua National Park: If you're looking for the best adventure in Africa, you can't miss camping amidst the wilderness of the Namaqua National Park that puts on an impressive show of colors during the spring.

4. Royal Natal National Park: Camping at Royal Natal National Park is considered every wanderlust's daydream as it has some of the best mountain sceneries and world famous Amphitheaters. The park is dotted with rustic cabins to remote shelters, all with facilities for a campfire, making it the best place for adventure in Africa.

Which are the best places to go in Africa for a desert safari?

1. Kalahari Desert: If you're looking for the best adventure in Africa, you must try a safari tour in the Kalahari desert. From dry river beds to red sand dunes and incredible wildlife and birdlife, you'll have an experience of a lifetime during the safari tour.

2. Sabi Sands Game Reserve: It is the leading private game reserve in the Kruger National Park and offers spectacular wildlife and game watching experience. It is also the best location in the world to catch the sight of a normally-elusive leopard.

3. Namib Naukluft National Park: Namib Naukluft National Park is the ultimate desert safari destination with sand dunes up to three hundred meters high. You can spot here desert-adapted rhinos and elephants alongside spectacular sand dunes.

4. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is an ideal desert location for photographic safaris and game viewing. You can spot here a wide variety of South African wildlife species making it the best destination for never ending adventure in Africa.

Why Choose Thrillophilia