Unique traditional safaris beyond the classic safari experience: The guide to exploring Africa the unique way

Undeniably, game drives are the heart and soul of every African safari and as a result appears on several traveller’s bucket list. This is attributed to the countless wildlife species on the African plains with the most prominent being Africa’s Big 5. Regardless, as the years evolved, travelers have developed a craving for more to an African safari other than simply the classic game drives. They crave a variety of experiences plus deeper meaning and connection to Africa beyond the wildlife viewing.

These additional safari activities are not just an itinerary congestion or a variety of choices a traveler can choose from but rather experiences that create a personal, immersive, sustainable, and unforgettable journey.

Luckily, there are several ways to experience the African safari and its wildlife in a unique way through exploring some alternative activities other than the game drive.

Below are top safari activities that will completely transform your African safari.

1. Gorilla trekking safaris

Beyond the classic game drives, expand your African safari experience with a visit to one of the Great Apes of Africa, the gentle yet highly endangered mountain gorillas. An encounter with the mountain gorillas can be done either in Uganda or Rwanda in areas of Bwindi Impenetrable national park, Mgahinga national park and Volcanoes national park. For several travellers, witnessing the endangered mountain gorillas in their dense natural habitat is a must-do and to many, it has been an experience of a lifetime.

2. Chimpanzee trekking safaris

Visit the chimpanzee community in either Uganda or Rwanda in the tropical, lush rain forests with a guide and armed ranger in an activity famously known as the chimpanzee trekking experience. The chimpanzees are the most social and intelligent of all the primates and this can be witnessed during the one hour spent with them on the chimpanzee trekking experience. Uganda offers breathtaking chimpanzee trekking experiences in Kibale National Park situated in southwestern Uganda, hence a great addition to the gorilla trekking experience in either Bwindi Impenetrable national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park. Alternatively, you can see the chimpanzees in other protected areas around Uganda such as the Budongo forest, Kalinzu forest, and Kyambura Gorge. Chimpanzees in Rwanda are seen in Nyungwe Forest national park which is often combined with a gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park.

As a result of human activities, chimpanzees continue to suffer from habitat loss and over the years the chimpanzee population in Africa has reduced by over 300,000 in the past 50 years.

chimpanzee trekking in nyungwe national park

3. The Great Wildebeest migration

Witness the annual mass movement of thousands of wildebeest along with their companions, zebras and gazelles, under the gaze of predators such as lions, leopards and crocodiles as they transverse the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem of Tanzania and Kenya.

Stay at a tented migration camp on this experience that will transport you for an encounter of the incredible biodiverse Africa’s wilderness giving you a front-row seat to one of the greatest wildlife phenomenal in the world without compromising your comfort.

4. Walking safaris

Have you ever imagined sitting for hours on a wildlife adventure and the urge to take a walk around the park, then the walking safari is just a perfect addition to your African safari. Walking safaris in Africa offer you a different and intimate interaction with the natural flora and fauna within the African wilderness. These walking safaris are often led by a local or native ranger guide and take place in notable sites such as Kenya’s Masai Mara wildlife reserve where you enjoy a walk led by a Masai warrior, and Uganda’s Lake Mburo national park, among others.

5. Boat excursions

Second to the game drive, there is no better way to immerse yourself in the beauty of an African safari other than a boat safari. Take a boat trip down stream on some of the renowned African rivers and as you slowly drift serenely across the water, you will spot several wildlife both at the water edges and within the water. Wildlife encountered include; hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and several bird species most of which are the water birds.

6. Hot Air balloon safaris

Experience the stunning beauty of the Africa wilderness in a truly unforgettable way with a hot air balloon safari starting at sunrise and summing it all up with a champagne bush breakfast surrounded by the sights and sounds of Africa’s wilderness.

Hot Air balloon safaris over the Serengeti, and Masai Mara are some of the most sought for activities in East Africa. This experience is known for offering a liberating sensation as you soar high over Africa’s wilderness on a game viewing experience. It allows you full immersion into a unique perspective of Africa’s varied landscape and wildlife.

7. Cultural experiences

A cultural experience on your visit to Africa is not only an experience of a different and unique culture but also a great contribution to community-based tourism and way to give back to the local community.

The cultural experience in East Africa offers you an opportunity for a visit to one of the unique tribes in East Africa such as the Maasai tribe of Kenya and Tanzania and the Batwa community of Uganda, a tribe that initially inhabited the Bwindi forest. During this experience, travelers can participate in storytelling, traditional meals, and village walks guided by elders.

8. Horseback safaris

Africa is a panorama of diverse landscapes, historic civilizations, and stunning terrain, many of which are easily reachable by horseback. Every horse back safari across Africa is carefully crafted to provide the greatest equestrian experience.

Taking a journey through some of the world’s greatest wildernesses on a horseback is an adventure that will create memories of a lifetime. Undoubtably, Africa offers some of the most thrilling horseback riding safari experiences on the planet. Picture zebras trotting beside you, giraffes staring at you from behind the bush, and elephants peacefully browsing just a few meters away.

9. Primate safaris

Africa is famously known for its humbling and undeniably exhilarating primate safaris. While the destination offers a variety of primates, the gorillas headline the primates experience in Africa particularly the mountain gorillas of Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda and the low land gorillas of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Other than the gorillas, other primates encountered on an African primate safari include; the chimpanzees, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, golden monkeys, blue monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, bonobos, bush babies, Angola colobus among others.

Primates are very rewarding to observe due their unique relationships with each other, communications, mobility, and intelligence, all of which serve as evidence of our kinship with these exquisite animals.

10. Birding safaris

Africa is a biologically diverse content with exceptional beauty that is clearly evident in its ecosystem. The continent boosts of stunning sceneries, water bodies, mountains, wildlife and bird species that comprise of both resident birds and migratory bird thus a great safari destination for birdwatching enthusiasts.

Africa features an impressive variety of bird species ranging from tiny birds to large birds, of which over fifty percent of these bird species are of the global avifauna. These bird species include; the shoe bill stork, African Jacana, great blue turaco, grey crowned crane, bateleur eagle, African hornbills, African fish eagle, among others. The continent’s diverse terrains that range from dense woodlands, wetlands to expansive savannas, serve as a habitat for the bird species and the display of their vivid plumage.

11. African Beach Vacations

Africa comprises about 38 coastal nations and island states possessing a cumulative coastline of over 30,500 kilometres and feature some of the most exquisite and pristine beaches on the planet which offer an exceptional relaxation after an exhilarating African safari.  The African beach vacation allows travelers to experience a bask in the sun on the sand, and engage in several activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, dolphin excursion and several other activities depending on your choice of beach destination.

12. Desert Safaris

Namibia’s Namib and Kalahari deserts offer striking counterpoints to lush game parks for travelers less interested in the wildlife safari. These landscapes come alive with sand dunes, salt pans, and wind shaped formations, which are home to desert lions, oryx, and meerkat colonies. A guided desert safari majorly focuses on adaptation experiences such as snakes that surf down sand slopes, big cats surviving on the edge of nothing, and beetles drinking from a frog.