Soft adventures in Africa
Soft adventures in Africa is known as a term used in describing the type of adventure tourism that need little or no experience and is low risk. This is opposed to hard tourism which needs greater levels of skill and incorporates more of significant risk. When anyone thinks of Africa, the thoughts go to the grasslands with rich wildlife, the mighty Mt Kilimanjaro and the activities of great adventure.
In case you have a picture of Africa as too exotic or beyond your physical capabilities for a vacation destination, you have to think again. Below are the 5 adventures in Africa (East Africa).
The expansive landscapes
Great inspiring wildlife, final isolation and the most thrilling of adventures are just a hand full of things that you find with in East Africa. The place of countless species and the epicenter of the nature’s wildest greatness, Africa is known to be a journey into the history of man and not a journey to the unknown lands.
Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda
It’s a natural treasure located in south-western part of Uganda. It’s an unspoiled, great beauty filled with 29 islands in varied sizes and unique shapes amidst the plush green of the nearby hills. It’s located between the two districts of Kisoro and Kabale and so close to the border of Rwanda, Lake Bunyonyi is Africa’s second deepest fresh water lake.
With depths that vary between 144ft to 2952ft, having a swim in this lake is so thrilling experience for the swimmers and boaters alike. Lake Bunyonyiis home to over 200 species of birds and the name Bunyonyi means a place of many little birds. This lake is only 16mile long and 4.3 miles wide. It came to life as an aftermath of a volcanic eruption that occurred 8000 million years ago.
The Big game and the great wildebeest Migrations in Kenya and Tanzania comes on top adventures in Africa;
One of the most unique experiences that one can be involved in when visiting Africa is the great land of zebras which makes one of the most jaw dropping natural acts that you would ever witness, as the endless Serengeti plains shake under the agreement of these great creatures. This is a circular grazing path populated by over a million wildebeests.
You can find expansive safari expeditions with accommodations of great luxury awaits you in the middle of the vast plains, as you see the big five in their habitant including the lions, elephants, leopards, Rhinoceros and cape buffalo.
The Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique;
Located in the middle of nowhere, the Bazaruto archipelago is a gather of 15 islands off the coast of Mozambique and makes the perfect setting to unwind while witnessing relatively unseen beauty. Thus making Bazaruto an adventures in Africa that one must not miss where visiting Mozambique.
Dozens of bird species like flamingoes and fish eagles, as well as dolphins, crocodiles and elusive dugongs will appear out of the clear waters as you sit at a serene white sand beach with no other noise to disturb you. Get to find a blend of remote serenity, luxury and natural beauty for the travelers, the Bazaruto Archipelago would be on top of the menu.
The Azura retreats lodge at Benguerra Island is a midst the Marine national park and has won a few awards for luxury and location, that allows for some of the clearest and most supreme whale and the dugong viewings.
Victoria falls
Another adventures in Africa that is a must see is Watching Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe: In case you find the great migration and lion watching not so satisfying, take yourself to a little plunge pool right at the edge of the world’s largest waterfalls, the Victoria Falls. The Mosi –oa- Tanya, the smoke that thunders on the Zambezi River forms one of the most colossal water spectacles in the world as more than 10000 cubic meters of water pass down 108 meters every second.
When the water of the Zambezi recedes marginally and its possible to walk along the lip of the falls and plunge into one of the many rock pools that are formed through erosion over many years. Get to enjoy the view from the edge of the falls makes for one of the most exciting experiences one could imagine. Apart from the fact that you might not be able to hear yourself think, the experience of plunging along the edge of the world’s highest waterfall will certainly raise your heart rate and stay with you forever.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park as well as chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park;
This is the most exciting amongst all adventures in in Africa and safari in Uganda; most tourists who come to Uganda usually put it on their schedule for the Ugandan trip.
The gorilla permits and chimpanzee permits are bought from Uganda Wildlife Authority and need to be booked in advance. Bwindi is home to half the world’s mountain gorilla’s population and is divided into four zones for tracking the mountain gorillas. This is the oldest site for tracking the gorillas and is sure to provide you with the most exciting chance ever! Its only 8 people that are allowed to track gorillas per day.
Kibale is a national park in Uganda and is part of the Volcanoes National Park comprised of a chain of nine active and dormant volcanoes. The chain runs along the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and Congo and sometimes the gorillas might cross the political boundaries too. Chimpanzees can be tracked after tracking mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park.
Kibale National park is famous for its wide range of primates and is exceptionally well known for chimpanzee trekking. You will be required to take prior permission from the Uganda Wildlife Authority as they permit a limited number of people in the morning and afternoon sessions.
Mount Longonot in Kenya
Regarded as the best adventures in Africa and “Sheer Adventure”
Rising from the floor of the Great Rift Valley like a monolith is the extinct volcano of Mount Longonot. Within it is a unique feature is the thick forest that lies within the crater of the mountain. The crater rim provides great scenic views across the beautiful Rift Valley all the way to Lake Naivasha. Major wildlife attractions at Mount Longonot include buffaloes, elands, lion, leopard, bushbucks, common zebra, giraffe and Grant’s gazelles. Adventures in Africa that one can do here includes biking, rock climbing, hiking, game viewing, walking and viewing of Lake Naivasha
Hell’s gate national park in Kenya is where adventures in Africa meets the boots.
A place where rock climbing, walking down the gorge and bike riding in the midst of wildlife is a must. Other popular adventures in Africa (East Africa) includes Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya climbing. Snorkeling at Kenyan coast in Mombasa, skiing at the Indian ocean and walking safaris at Masai mara among others.
Mount Kenya
The Mount Kenya trek is a challenging and enjoyable trek to Mount Kenya’s highest trekking peak (Point Lenana) at 4985 metres. From the summit there is a beautiful view of the dramatic volcanic massif and the two main peaks of Batian and Nelion, as well as views over the central plains of Kenya. Popular and very attractive hike through an ancient landscape with glaciers, rock spires, high tarns and beautiful unique flora and fauna like the giant groundsels and the odd looking rock hyrax which are said to have evolved from the elephant.
Day trip is tailored to those who are interested in seeing the fascinating vegetation zones of an equatorial mountain and the associated rich animal and bird life. However to get to the 3 peaks, a minimum of 4 to maximum of 6 days is needed depending not only on the route used but also physical of oneself.
Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcanic mountain in Tanzania and an icon of adventures in Africa. It has three volcanic peaks or cones, that is Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. It is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest single free-standing mountain above sea level in the world: 5,895 metres above sea level and about 4,900 metres above its plateau base.
Among the best Mount Kilimanjaro climbing routes in Machame route; his is probably the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro. Marangu route; Affectionately known as the “Coca-Cola route“, Marangu is by far the most popular route among Kilimanjaro climbing routes to the summit of Kilimanjaro.
Rafting in Kenya
The perfect adventures in Africa and place for the adventurous who would like to see their adrenaline rush high when rafting in River Tana which provides grade3- 5 rapids depending with seasons. you can Kayak or plunge in a height of 40 ft waterfall into the wild waters of Sagana river. Rapids camp was privy to have hosted the first ever Africa Olympic Canoe qualifier /Kayaking championship in January 2008 with over 16 African countries participating in breath taking event.
In 2015 we hosted again for second time the RIO 2016 qualifiers after a request from International Canoe Federation (ICF). Rapids Camp has the best site to capture life photos for rafting and Kayaking Junkies in Kenya, being the only camp in with a massive waterfall.