When you think of Africa what are some of the first visions that come to mind? For many, safari tours and the Big Five are some of the first thoughts that arise. Of course, Africa is the ultimate destination for safaris and game viewing, but there is so much more to do in Africa besides exceptional safari experiences.

One of the most fascinating elements about Africa is its extensive diversity. Comprised of 53 countries that range in climate, culture, history, landscape, cuisine, activities, accommodations, and wildlife, Africa is one of the world’s most astonishing and eclectic continents. Attracting everyone from beach addicts to ocean enthusiasts, romantics to spa lovers, and cultural buffs to wine connoisseurs, Africa is a destination for almost everyone.

Although Africa does attract a variety of different people with different interests, needs, desires, and preferences, visitors to Africa do have something in common: the desire to discover and grow.

So, what else is there to do besides game viewing? Tons! See below for an insight into the real Africa:

Cape Town City Tours: Grow, learn, discover, and uncover on a tour through the glowing city of Cape Town, South Africa. With a bustling atmosphere filled with architectural fascinations, shopping hubs, gardens, beaches, quaint bistros and cafes, mouth-watering seafood, hiking trails, and the infamous Table Mountain, Cape Town invites all sorts of individuals and various interests.

Cultural Visits: An absolute highlight among visitors to Africa, cultural visits are not only enlightening and rewarding, but they’re also often the gateway to an entirely new perspective on Africa and life in general. Almost all of the most popular destinations in Africa offer exceptional cultural visits that allow travelers to immerse themselves into local cultures and customs. Some of the best cultural tours take visitors to local schools, orphanages, and private homes, while others consist of exciting interactive bush walks or bicycling tours through local villages.

World Heritage Sites: Southern Africa is home to some of the most intriguing World Heritage Sites on earth. From cultural sites such as the Fossil Hominid Sites, Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape, Robben Island, Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape to natural sites including Vredefort Dome and the Great St. Lucia Wetland Park, Africa holds captivating secrets of the past in what remains in the present.

Golfing: As one of the top golf destinations in the world, South Africa is speckled with stunning courses that provide the avid golfer with exciting challenges around every corner. Whether looking for a five-day golf safari tour or half a day of golf, South Africa’s renowned courses can accommodate.

Each and every day (and hole for that matter) provides seasoned golfers with new challenges and experiences. For example, Leopard Creek County Club’s sixteenth hole requires balls to pass over hippo-populated waters onto a fresh green while Links at Fancourt is South Africa’s most challenging course, providing visitors with surprising twists, dips, and obstacles.

Ocean Visits: The coastline and archipelagos of Africa are bustling with beauty and infinite opportunities for exploration.

Africa’s coastlines and islands are so diverse and spectacular that they’re known for being some of the world’s top beach, scuba diving, and snorkeling destinations in the world. Africa’s waters are also home to whales, the African penguin, sharks, dolphins, and other aquatic creatures, making shark cage diving, whale watching, and swims with the penguins some of Africa’s most exciting ocean activities.

Wine Tours: There is no shortage of wine tours in Cape Winelands, South Africa. With dozens of types of tours to choose from, visitors find their time in Cape Winelands isn’t long enough. Some of the most acclaimed wine tours include wine making, personal wine tasting, VIP wine tasting, one-day village tours, horseback riding, bicycling, and hiking tours.

Fishing: Whether you’re interested in big game saltwater fishing or freshwater fishing, Africa’s rivers, lakes, and surrounding ocean are always teeming with adventure and thrilling catches.

Travelers interested in freshwater fishing have the opportunity to observe large land game and other lake dwelling creatures such as a wide variety of birds, hippos, and crocodiles as they enjoy an exciting day of fishing. One of the most popular and aggressive freshwater fish is the tigerfish, which can weigh in anywhere from 10 – 25 lbs.

Deep sea fishing, on the other hand, typically consists of larger and stronger fish depending on the time of year. Sailfish are caught the most as they are found in the area year round, while species of marlin, wahoo, kingfish, yellowfin tuna, and swordfish are typically caught between the months of October and March.

Photo of Tigerfish from Fisheastafrica.com

When planning a trip to Africa there’s a variety of factors to consider. But one of the most important things to reflect on is the activities you wish to take part in while on your African safari vacation. Most likely, you can find an African safari tour or activity in the region that is related to your favorite past time or interests.

Fishing is one such activity that can be enjoyed throughout many regions and coastlines of Africa. Whether your interest lies in deep sea fishing or freshwater fishing, Africa has it all. But an important question to ask yourself before choosing your fishing excursion is, “What type of experience do I wish to have?” Freshwater fishing is a completely different experience from deep sea fishing as you have the opportunity to observe large land game and other lake dwelling creatures such as a wide variety of birds, hippos, and crocodiles as you enjoy an exciting day of fishing.

Deep sea fishing, on the other hand, typically consists of larger and stronger fish depending on the time of year you choose to go out, and the fishing line also reaches depths of over 1,000 ft.

Below are details and highlights from deep sea fishing and freshwater fishing:

Deep Sea Fishing in Africa

Some of the best African coastlines to go deep sea fishing off of are Kenya, Tanzania, and the Mozambique Channel. Typically, October through March yield the most catch, which often consist of a variety of marlin species, wahoo, kingfish, yellowfin tuna, and swordfish. But often, sailfish are caught the most as they are found in the area year round.

Night fishing tours also yield a wide variety of big game fish. Arguably the greatest fighter and possibly the most popular fish caught during the night is the broadbill swordfish. The broadbill swordfish’s exhilarating fight is often a highlight among participants on a deep sea fishing excursion.

Below is a video from BBC Planet Earth of sailfish as they’re on the hunt:

Freshwater Fishing in Africa

Weighing in at an average of 10 – 25 lbs., the tigerfish is arguably the most popular freshwater fish to catch in the world. For most anglers, the tigerfish is as worthy of an opponent as its name may lead you to believe. With an immediate and aggressive strike, this fish is characterized by its velocity and fight, and takes the chart as the top freshwater sporting fish in Africa. And the tigerfish’s larger cousin, the goliath tigerfish, can reach staggering weights of up to 100 lbs but is much harder to catch.

Some of the best places to fish for tigerfish include Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park, and Zimbabwe’s Zambezi River and Mana Pools National Park.

Coming in at twice the weight of the goliath tigerfish is the Nile Perch. This 200 lb. highly-pursued big game fish is usually caught using 40 lb. tests and large crankbaits and is the largest freshwater fish found throughout Africa. These exceptionally large fish can be found Lake Victoria, Lake Turkana, Lake Tanganyika, and Uganda.