Live the Magic of Africa

In case you missed Part I of Adrenaline Rush: Top 10 Adventure Safari Tours, you can view the post here.

Below is Adrenaline Rush: Top 10 Adventure Safari Tours Part II:

6. White water rafting at Victoria Falls: Known for its 300-foot cliff, lush rainforests, mysterious creatures, and unspoiled wilderness, Victoria Falls is arguably the greatest place to visit while on an African safari tour. The locals refer to Victoria Falls as Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning the smoke that thunders.

Whether on an African family safari, honeymoon safari, or any safari in between, white water rafting at Victoria Falls is an exciting group adventure. Only while white water rafting can you experience the magnificent size and sheer power of Victoria Falls.

Image from Greystoke Mahale website

7. Chimpanzee Trekking Uganda: One of the best places to

experience chimp trekking is at Greystoke Mahale in Tanzania. As you enjoy a delightful walk through the lush forest behind Greystoke, a surprising mystery awaits you on the soft green slopes of the Mahale Mountains. With nearly 1,000 chimps living in the surrounding Gombe National Park, you’ll see a variety of chimp families playing, foraging, and socializing.

After just a few minutes with these magnificent creatures, you’ll begin to see unique characteristics that separate each chimp from the next. You’ll also immediately notice distinct correlations between the behavior of these chimps and that of humans.

In addition to the impressive chimps, you’ll also encounter eight other species of primates, leopard, buchbuck, bushpigs, and a wide spectrum of exotic bird and insect species, while on your tropical forest hike.

Crocodile pens at Camp Mongu

8. Crocodile Farm Tours: The mere sight of a 16 ft. croc in the distance is a heart-pounding observation, but getting up close to one on a crocodile farm tour is sure to send your adrenaline spiking. With a mouth riddled with razor sharp teeth and a prehistoric appearance, the crocodile is one of the most fascinating creatures to witness in nature.

On a crocodile farm tour, you’ll have a personal guide take you through the farm, introducing you to the ferocious inhabitants. Here, you can ask questions about the crocs and learn interesting and bizarre facts about their behavior. Many crocodile farms also allow visitors to witness croc feedings.

Photo of Tigerfish from Fisheastafrica.com

9. Fishing Tours: Whether you’re interested in big game

saltwater fishing or freshwater fishing, African fishing tours are always filled with excitement and adventure.

For those interested in freshwater fishing, 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. One of the most popular and aggressive freshwater fish is the tigerfish, which can weigh in anywhere from 10 – 25 lbs. Some of the best places for freshwater fishing include Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park, and Zimbabwe’s Zambezi River and Mana Pools National Park.

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. 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.

10. Night Game Drives: During night drives you get the chance to observe nocturnal animals, and view the different behavior patterns of animals you spot during the day. Although photography doesn’t turn out as well as it does on day game drives, night game drives offer a completely new experience as predators search for their prey in the dark. Hearing a hippo grunting in the dark or a lion growl at its prey is completely different when you’re in the dark.

Are you adventurous enough for one of these top 10 adventure safari tours? Let us know what tour you would love to experience in our comments section.

The wonderful thing about a trip to Africa is the combination of relaxation and adventure visitors to Africa experience. Whether you want to spend your African vacation relaxing on a beach or trekking through the wilderness, Africa has it all.

For the highly adventurous type, below are Africa’s top 10 adventure safari tours:

1. Walking with the lions: On this activity, you will visit with lion cubs at an ongoing research project, which is a captive breeding program to safeguard the genetic diversity of Africa’s greatest carnivore. On this activity you will join a professional guide in the national park, while he walks with his cubs. A truly exciting and rewarding experience to take part in!

2. Shark Diving: Shark diving in Gansbaai, Western Cape, South Africa is the perfect solution to satisfy your deep-rooted hunger for adrenaline. In Gansbaai there are a variety of shark dive safari providers and excursions to choose from—some including cages, photography opportunities, manta rays, hammerheads, tiger sharks, great whites, bull sharks, and more.

Depending on the type of shark safari you choose, you can observe a large variety of sharks as you float safely behind the iron bars of a shark cage, view shark feedings from the comfort of a boat, or scuba dive with one of the ocean’s largest and most gentle creatures, the whale shark. Or, scuba dive through a handful of wrecks and reefs to photograph enormous manta rays, moray eels, dolphins, colorful reef fish, turtles, seals and wreck sharks.

3. Hot air balloon: View the world from a birds-eye-view and take flight above the mountains, over the treetops, and through the light winds of Africa on a hot air balloon safari. If you’re looking for some exceptional photography opportunities, this is the safari for you.

One of our favorite hot air balloon rides is in South Africa’s Kruger National Park. Here, as the hot air balloon rises at dawn, you’ll be able to see the perfect curves of the earth and the glistening hues of the sun reflect on the Park’s lush wilderness. During your smooth flight, expect to see rolling hills, quaint countryside, orchards, mountain tops, thick forests, and the famous Blyde River Canyon.

If you’re looking for a completely exclusive experience, most lodges offer extremely detailed hot air balloon itineraries that cater to your every wish. Whether you want to enjoy a bottle of champagne above the treetops with your loved one, or have a professional photographer accompany you and your family in the sky, your requests will be fulfilled.

Image from africanhorse.com

4. Horseback safari: Feel the exhilaration as you encounter a lion stalking its prey, or trot next to a baby elephant and its mother. From the very beginning of a horseback safari to the very end, you’ll come face-to-face with some of the world’s most photographed creatures and experience what it’s like to run with the herd.

A horseback safari allows you to immerse yourself in the mountainous terrain of some of Africa’s most amazing countryside. Depending on which horseback safari you choose and which lodge you stay at, you can travel through cascading waterfalls, old mining towns, sunken valleys, bushveld, rolling terrain, sprawling countryside, and mountainous regions, while viewing nature from horseback.

Image from botswanaluxurysafari.com

5. Elephant back safari: Several lodges throughout southern Africa offer elephant back riding—one of the most exciting and unique experiences to be had in Africa. As you sit behind an experienced guide, you’ll feel the sheer power of the elephant as it walks slowly across the earth.

On elephant back, you’ll pass through the bush and encounter some exciting game viewing opportunities from a unique perspective. Frequently spotted animals on an elephant back safari include lion, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, and other elephants. Once your journey is at its end, you’ll be able to feed the elephants and learn about their behavior, eating habits, and physical characteristics.

One of the best places to experience an elephant back safari is Kruger National Park.

Stay tuned for Friday’s post, Adrenaline Rush: Top 10 Adventure Safari Tours Part II.