Exploring Africa

The Zambezi River flows from its source in the Zambian highlands out to the Indian Ocean. Rafting stretches of white water can be electrifying, but for a more sedate adventure we recommend a canoe safari amongst the river islands between the Lower Zambezi and Mana Pools National Parks.

Base yourself at a luxurious camp and take an afternoon canoe excursion through winding channels, drifting silently past birds, crocodiles, and bathing mammals.

Get in the driving seat and zip across plains and dunes on an adrenaline fuelled and decidedly nippy quad bike safari. You can cover far greater distances than on foot, and aren’t limited to roads and tracks. It’s a perennial favourite for teens.

In the Makgadikgadi Pans, set off across the desolate moonscapes and sleep out amongst the stars. Your small, guide-led convoy is hugely flexible, so you can dictate the pace of travel and follow animals and birds. In Namibia ride across the sand dunes from Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, or pursue the herds through the Lewa Conservancy from Sirikoi Lodge in Kenya.

The pioneers of exploration in Africa travelled on foot and by horse. Even amateur riders can follow in their hoof prints on a short ride, and for those more experienced in the saddle, the thrill of a week-long horse safari is second to none.

In Botswana, Kenya’s Borana Conservancy, and South Africa’s Waterberg Biosphere Reserve you’ll find well trained horses and guides. Riding in the Masai Mara is a particularly emotional experience, as not only will you be able to appreciate the beauty of the landscapes from on high, but you can ride alongside the zebra herds of the Great Migration.

Just as animals move through reserves to find the best places to drink, eat, bathe, and sleep, so too can you. On a mobile safari you’ll experience your own mini migration, hiking by day and arriving at a new location each night for dinner around the campfire and a deep sleep beneath the canopy of stars.

If you’re not too sure about it, opt for a single night fly camping when at Jack’s Camp in Botswana or in Tanzania’s Selous Game Reserve. Otherwise dive in the deep end with a multi-day camping trip in Kenya, with camels to carry your bags.

The open road beckons keen cyclists, and by mountain bike you can experience firsthand some of the most remote, inaccessible — and therefore least visited — parts of Africa. Short safari rides are environmentally friendly and thrilling, and there are also possibilities for multi-day bike expeditions with a support vehicle to carry your bags.

From Gibb’s Farm in Tanzania, you can cycle through villages and around the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. Mountain bike through the Loisaba Conservancy and get close to zebra and giraffe, or swap the plains for desert sands when you plan a bike trip in Namibia.

In Kenya you’ll marvel at the majesty of the natural world, but to fully understand the interplay between man and his environment, you need to immerse yourself in local culture. In a gripping adventure, you can explore Laikipia or Lewa on foot over several days with Samburu or Maasai guides. Learn their traditional ways and see the world through their eyes.

Your baggage will be carried by camel, reducing your carbon footprint whilst ensuring everything you need for your luxury safari camp is to hand. And if you’re tired towards the end of the day, you can always climb up and ride!