Africa's phenomenal ecosystems and famous wildlife can be experienced in a surprising number of different manners.

From balloon trips at sunrise, to night safaris from a game vehicle - every experience will give you a completely different perspective on the bush, and have their own benefits. Some areas are able to offer all of the below variations, while some may be limited to one or two. 

Whenever speaking with your travel planner, it’s good to have a rough idea in mind of what you're keen on experiencing. If you're not sure what's available, read one! We are here to help guide you in the right direction.

Game Drive

The most authentic way to enjoy an African safari is from a comfortable safari vehicle on a 'game drive'. 

This is where you will head out with your professional safari guide on a custom-built safari vehicle in search of lions, elephants and so much more. Depending on where you go on a 'game drive', you might stop off in the morning for a coffee in the bush, or a sundowner watching the sun set over a waterhole.

Night Drive

In certain areas you are able to continue your game drive into the evening after the sun has gone down. This is what's called a 'night drive'.

On a night drive, you will search for more nocturnal animals like aardvark, porcupine, honeybadgers, bushbabies and the like, using sensitive spotlights. Not all areas are able to offer night drives. 

Walking Safari

'Walking safaris', or 'bush walks' can either be done as a part of a typical safari, or, if you prefer, you can enjoy a safari that is entirely made up of walking in the bush. We would also categorise jungle trekking in Eastern Africa to spend time with the Great Apes as a walking safari.

If you are in an area for 3+ nights and walking safaris are possible, we'd recommend heading out on one or two walks with your guide interspersed throughout your stay. 

Walks usually last anywhere from an hour to 3 or 4 hours, and will most often focus on some of the smaller animals that you don’t tend to see from the vehicle, as well as interesting facts about the flora. That said, you will at times also be able to track herds of elephants and the like.

Boating/Canoe Safari

In a number of wilderness areas there is the option to enjoy nature from the water. Water safaris provide a great opportunity to once again experience wildlife from a different angle, and offer some incredible photographic opportunities. 

Boating safaris are on flat bottom boats that whizz up and down rivers and water channels. A canoe safari is generally in a traditional dug-out 'mokoro' which is paddled by your guide and silently drifts through the reeds, past pods of hippos and malachite kingfishers. 

Alternatively, there is also the option of spending a few nights on a houseboat, to really immerse yourself in the river experience. 

Horseback Safari

For those who love to ride on horseback, there are few things more exhilarating than galloping alongside herds of zebra and wildebeest. 

Much like with walking safaris, a horse-riding safari can either be done as a full multi-day experience, or, if you’re more of a casual rider, it is possible to enjoy a morning/afternoon ride from certain lodges and camps. 

Balloon Safari

Floating above marauding herds of wildebeest in the Serengeti with a cup of coffee in hand… need we say more?

The opportunity to head up in a balloon is reserved for only a few safari destinations across Africa. If it is something that interests you do let us know and we can make sure we recommend the right spot.

Conservation Safari

All of the safaris lodges and camps we work with hold conservation at their core. This, for us, is non-negotiable. 

Where a conservation safari differs however, is the level of involvement you play. In certain areas you are able to join conservation and research projects, such as a rhino monitoring program in South Africa, or a giraffe research project in Namibia. 

These are usually incorporated into the rest of your safari, however it is possible to build an itinerary entirely with this focus in mind.

If these safari possibilities have given you an urge to travel to Africa, but you don't know where to start, check out our 'How to Plan your Ultimate Safari Holiday' notebook post below to discover all of the insider tips you will ever need:

These are the 'core' safari experiences that are generally available across Africa. There are of course many, many more, including mountain biking, marathon running etc. We hope that this article has at least given you a taste of what you can do when on safari in Africa!

There is also so much more to Africa than just safari - Click on the bold links here to read all about the Cultural and Beach experiences possible throughout the continent.