Once you hit the continent, your mind will be blown by some of the best safari activities you can do in Africa.

It’s not all game drives, game drives, game drives. Although, if that’s what you want, you can do that too!

From adventurous game drives and peaceful mekoro trips to amazing hot air balloon rides and visits to local villages, each experience shows a different side of Africa’s beauty.

So, make sure your phone or camera is charged so you can snap away at all the shenanigans you get up to.

Being in Africa could be one of your best travel experiences ever.

Game Drives

Every safari lodge will offer game drives and it always has been, and most likely always wiill be, one eof the best safari activities that you can experience in the bush.

You can’t drive (I have been asked this before), the experienced guide allocaated tto you will take you out in search of various species of African wildlife, offering a close-up view of animals in their natural habitats.

9 out of 10 times, the vehicles are open – meaning there aren’t any doors and windows, but there is a roof to save you from turning completely red while you’re out in the sun.

But, SOMETIMES, not often, they are not open.

Another thing to note is that lodges limit the number of people per vehicle, unless you’re a family or friends group travelling together.

This is generally done so that everyone has a ‘window” seat and isn’t stuck in the middle, trying to peer over the other people to view the animals.

If you want to know the seating configuration, ask you agent to check with the lodge before you book.

Morning game drives are ideal for catching animals during their most active hours, often at sunrise, while evening game drives offer the chance to see nocturnal species and enjoy breathtaking sunsets.

Night Drives

Night drives offer a unique and thrilling way to explore the African wilderness after dark, to see which cats are out and on the hunt.

It’s also when the more timid creatures appear, such as porcupines, bush hares, and aardvarks.

What’s fun about a night drive is that it’s like a mystery, and its unpredictable. There aren’t any streetlights, in fact, there is no light pollution at all.

It’s only you in the vehicle the moon, and your guide with his torch.

Unlike day drives, night safaris allow you to experience the silence of the bush, broken by the roar of a lion, or the cackle of a hyena.

Your guide will use a high-powered torch to spot the animals in the dark.

It’s also pretty amazing when your guide stops the vehicle, walks to a tree, and comes back with a chameleon to show you. This doesn’t happen everywhere, and certainly not all the time, but I promise if it happens to you, you will be gob smacked.

Bush Walks

Bush walks, not available all safari lodges, offer an immersive and intimate way to experience Africa’s wilderness, particularly in Zambia and Zimbabwe.

You cannot walk on your own, your guide will take you, and he will be armed.

This is pretty cool as you really do get to enjoy a deeper connection to nature.

Safety is paramount, with guides providing instructions on how to behave around wildlife and maintaining a safe distance from animals.

Expect to learn about tracking animals, learning about patterns and prints in the sand, observing smaller flora and fauna often missed from a vehicle, and experiencing the sounds and smells of the bush up close.

There is something thrilling about this, because in the back of your mind, you’ll know that there isn’t the barrier of a vehicle between you and the wild.

Hot Air Balloon Trips

There are only a few places in Africa where you are able to experience the absolute beauty of a hot air balloon flight, and if you are in one of these areas, you should jump at the opportunity to do it.

A silent flight is one of the best ways to enjoy the breathtaking views of Africa’s landscapes and wildlife from the sky, with Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara being the most popular destinations for these experiences.

Safety is a top priority, with trained pilots guiding the balloon gently through the skies.

The experience typically includes a flight at dawn, when wildlife is most active, followed by a champagne breakfast upon landing.

Compared to traditional vehicle safaris, hot air balloon trips offer a unique, tranquil perspective, giving travelers the chance to observe the scale of the landscape and spot animals without the noise of an engine, making it a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Mekoro Trips

Mekoro trips are a silent way to explore Africa’s waterways, particularly in Botswana’s Okavango Delta.

These traditional dugout canoes are expertly maneuvered by local guides through tranquil waters, allowing travelers to silently glide past wildlife such as elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and an array of birdlife.

Spot tiny tree frogs, often overlooked when on a vehicle, clinging to aquatic plants. Or silently and smoothly float up to a tree where a Pel’s Fishing Owl is perched.

Safety is key, with experienced polers ensuring a smooth journey while maintaining a respectful distance from dangerous animals. Expect a peaceful, slow-paced adventure, with opportunities to observe the flora and fauna up close, including aquatic plants and .

Mokoro trips offer a distinct advantage over traditional game drives by providing a unique water-based perspective of the landscape.

Canoe Trips

Canoe safaris are a different way too explore Africa’s wilderness from the water, offering close encounters with wildlife in their natural habitat.

While paddling along the river, you can spot a variety of animals, including elephants drinking at the water’s edge, hippos lounging in the cool waters, crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks, and a wide range of bird species.

Canoe trips offer a different kind of safari experience that blends adventure and tranquility.

Bird Watching

Personally, I am not a big birder…. yet…. but when you are in Africa and your guide is telling you all about their uniqueness, I’m sure you will find something that interests you.

The rollers that roll, the Jacanas that tiptoe across the tops of lily pads, or the incredibly rare Pel’s Fishing Owl, which just about every twitcher has on their list.

Every country in Africa has a unique or special bird that is worth looking for.

Uganda is home to iconic species like the rare shoebill stork, which is certainly pre-historic looking, partially resembling a dinosaur. In addition, you might also find free-flying African grey parrots, and gorgeous Great blue turacos.

Zimbabwe and Zambia are the best places to see the candy-coloured Carmine bee-eaters, usually between August and November which is their breeding season, digging vertical nests in small salt islands and vertical banks.

And South Africa is renowned for its diverse birdlife, including vibrant sunbirds, giant, flightless ostriches, African penguins, the majestic martial eagle, and endemic species like the Knysna turaco.

Bird-watching safaris can easily be combined with traditional game drives, providing opportunities to view both wildlife and bird species in their natural habitats.

Bush Picnics

Most safari lodges can arrange a bush picnic for you, and sometimes they will do it as a surprise.

If this is something you do want to experience, be sure to let the lodge, or your agent, know.

A safe place will be found in a gorgeous setting and each set up is different. The chef will prepare your picnic basket, and I promise you will be in for a treat.

You’ll get to spend a lazy afternoon in peace, listening to crickets chirping and birds twittering, while enjoying top notch delicacies, and sipping on your favourite drinks.

You guide will stay with you for safety. After all, you are in the middle of the wild.

Sleep Outs

I’ll be honest, a lot of people say they want to do this, but when they get to the sleep out and the sun goes down, many change their minds and go back to camp.

A sleep-out is an adventurous way to experience the true African wilderness, as the nocturnal animals come to life after dark.

Expect to hear the sounds of lions, hyenas, and leopards, creating a one-of-a-kind connection to nature.

They are open-air and often take place on raised platforms or simple bedrolls, giving guests an unobstructed view of the night sky.

While thrilling, safety is a priority, with experienced guides ensuring that the camp is secure and all safety protocols are followed.

Compared to traditional lodge stays, sleep-outs offer a raw experience, blending the beauty of the African bush with the excitement of being truly in the wild.

Village Visits

Every village, every tribe, and every culture is as unique as a snowflake.

These visits provide a deeper understanding of the people who call these wilderness areas home.

Countries like Kenya, Tanzania, and Namibia are known for offering authentic village experiences where travelers can meet indigenous communities, such as the Maasai, Samburu, or Himba people.

These visits often include guided tours where the villagers welcome you into their homes and you might even be lucky enough to taste their food, or try their homemade beer.

You will really gain insight into daily life, and enjoy demonstrations of customs like crafting, dancing, or storytelling.

Unlike the wildlife focus of typical safaris, village visits offer a human element, providing guests with a meaningful connection to the land through its people, making the safari experience more holistic and immersive.