Things to do on southern African holidays
Many people come to Africa in search of adventure and they aren’t disappointed.
If you’re looking for an adventure holiday you can start with bungee jumping off the Victoria Falls Bridge. The jump is an adrenalin-thumping 111m and attracts bungee enthusiasts and extreme adventure seekers from all over the world.
Aviation-related adventures
Microlights
If heights are your thing then you should definitely try flying some microlights. There are clubs al...
Things to do on southern African holidays
Many people come to Africa in search of adventure and they aren’t disappointed.
If you’re looking for an adventure holiday you can start with bungee jumping off the Victoria Falls Bridge. The jump is an adrenalin-thumping 111m and attracts bungee enthusiasts and extreme adventure seekers from all over the world.
Aviation-related adventures
Microlights
If heights are your thing then you should definitely try flying some microlights. There are clubs all around southern Africa and most offer scenic trips over sprawling cities, picturesque valleys and, occasionally, waterfalls. Depending on the length of your stay and your level of dedication you can sign up for training so that you can fly a microlight solo over the landscape or you can go on a tandem flight with an experienced pilot.
Hang gliding
Some of the best aviation holiday adventures are available in the form of hang gliding. Many mountainous regions have hang gliding tours that allow you to soar above peaks and winding rivers. If you’re feeling brave you can try flying solo but most people choose to go on tandem hang gliders with professionals.
Hot air balloons
Hot air ballooning is a more sedate option. The best time to go on a hot air balloon ride is at dawn, when you can see the sun rise over the African savannah, or at sunset, which is when the day is at its most romantic and flights are accompanied by champagne. Hot air balloon rides are an optional extra on a lot of African safaris, but many mountain lodges and lakeside resorts also have balloons to entice their guests.
Parachuting
Adrenalin junkies and extreme adventure enthusiasts might leap at the chance to go parachuting over Sun City in South Africa or at any one of the other skydiving sites in the region. Beginners always jump with seasoned professionals. Note that all holiday tandem skydiving opportunities are weather dependent, as aeroplanes won’t risk flying in high winds or stormy weather.
Helicopter rides
Lastly we have helicopter rides. Helicopters are available for hire at the Vic Falls and around Cape Town’s Waterfront. They are an excellent opportunity to view your destination from above and provide you with a whole new perspective of your destination.
Water sports
Underwater adventures abound with scuba diving in exotic locations such as Madagascar, Lake Malawi and Mozambique, while shark cage diving with the legendary great whites is available in South Africa.
Scuba diving
Most scuba diving holiday hotspots offer certified diving training in the form of the internationally accepted PADI course. Dive instructors provide courses for absolute beginners as well as those wanting to refresh their diving techniques.
Dive sites in southern Africa provide all kinds of scuba experiences, including reef and wreck diving, night dives and cave diving. Speak to your travel agent about putting together exclusive scuba diving holiday packages, alternatively contact local dive companies directly to arrange for charters and equipment and for any additional information. If you can’t find diving companies listed at your destination, ask some local dive centres.
Surfing and paragliding
If you prefer your action above the waves you can always go surfing. Jeffrey’s Bay in South Africa and some of the beaches in the Seychelles have excellent surfing conditions. You can also try your hand at paragliding at Sun City in South Africa or at any one of the beach resorts and lodges on any one of the tropical islands. You can go paragliding on your own or opt for a tandem ride.
Fishing
Then there is fishing. Despite its reputation as a dry continent there is an awful lot of water in southern Africa that provides no end of fishing opportunities. Many of the rivers in South Africa allow for fly-fishing with damns and rivers well-stocked with trout and carp. Lake Malawi and the Zambezi River also have a lot of fishing and even provide fresh water fishing safaris. For deep-sea fishing you can’t beat the south coast. Some of the best destinations for striped marlin fishing are in Kenya, while the coast of Mozambique has barracuda aplenty.
There are plenty of salt water fishing and angling opportunities on the rocky sea shores of southern Africa, especially in Namibia. You can also charter boats to go angling on the various rivers for bass and carp.
Rafting and kayaking
Other river adventure activities include white water rafting and kayaking trips. Rivers are graded according to their difficulty. Some rivers are graded differently at different times of the year; it depends on the amount of rain that falls during the rainy season. For this reason you might want to check with local authorities before planning your river rafting vacation. As well as kayaking on a river, you can also take to the sea for a kayak adventure. Kayaks will give your entire body a work out, so be warned that unless you’re very fit you will be very stiff when you get out of the sea.
Land-based activities and adventures
If you like to keep your feet firmly on the ground your options are virtually limitless. There are several indoor and outdoor adventures and activities to keep you occupied, from luxury day spas and their healing treatments to rugged 4x4 trails.
4x4
Most of the terrain in southern Africa is ideally suited to 4x4s and given that some of the best adventures are to be found off-road, driving a 4x4 makes perfect sense. Quad bikes are also popular, particularly on the sand dunes in Namibia. You can either bring your own quad bike or hire one when you get there.
Mountain climbing
All of the mountainous terrain lends itself to mountain climbing. Steep cliff faces allow for tricky rock climbing while gentle foothills are perfect for hiking and trekking. Mountain biking is also popular among those who like to do their cycling off-road. The best hiking is to be found in the mountains of South Africa and the DRC where they are variety of day hikes and extended hiking trails available.
Golf
Golfing is a far more sedate activity and far better suited to relaxing holidays. The best golf courses to be found in the region are in South Africa, especially around Cape Town and George. The Lost City in Sun City is also a premier golf resort with plenty to challenge seasoned golfers. Training for novice golf players is generally widely available.
Sport
The southern African region is becoming known for its sporting prowess, especially in the fields of cricket, rugby, soccer, tennis and running. As a result, sports tourism is growing in leaps and bounds. People come from all over the world to compete in sports events, including running in ultra-marathons (the Comarades and Two Oceans) and extreme cycling races (The Cape Argus and the Mount Kenya 10 to 4 downhill mountain bike race).
Health and fitness
While maintaining your fitness levels shouldn’t be of primary concern while you’re on holiday, many people do worry about it. Fortunately, most 4- and 5-star resorts and hotels have fully equipped gyms where fitness fanatics can indulge in training and workouts with or without personal trainers and without having to go to the extent of joining local clubs.
There are also health clubs where you can go to detox, start fitness programmes and even get pampered in luxury spas.
Archery and shooting
Archery and shooting clubs also operate in select towns and cities in southern Africa. Generally you can hire a bow and arrow or rifle for your shooting sessions. There are indoor and outdoor shooting ranges where you can get some training or go straight into firing at targets. Clay pigeon shooting is also available at certain resorts.
Odds and bobs
Other indoor activities include squash and action cricket, while additional outdoor activities include motor racing, both cars and motorcycles.
Zoos
Not everyone likes to go on safaris but still like to see wild animals. A visit to the local zoo will allow you to see the animals of the region, as well as a few exotic species that you wouldn’t ordinarily see.