12 Best active holidays in African
Rafting, diving, trekking, riding. Active holidays are a great way to see Africa. Rhiannon Batten picks the best
Published: 11 June 2006
1. Go with the flow in Ethiopia
You get to see Ethiopia's historic landscape and tribal villages from a novel point of view with a rafting trip down the Upper Omo river. Putting in near Albelti and paddling down through the gorges of the Gibe and Omo rivers for several days, it's a challenging journey through deep, forested gorges. The
rafting ranges from fast rapids to calm pools but there's also plenty of time scheduled in for sunbathing on sandy beaches, dipping into shady canyons, wallowing in hot springs and gazing at waterfalls.
Why go? It's also a great way to see local wildlife. Pods of hippo, troops of baboon, crocodiles and Colobus monkeys are all commonly seen.
Details: The next trip takes place from 28
October to 20 November. Prices start from £1,835 per person including international flights, accommodation, transfers, rafting equipment, guides and most meals with Adrift (01488 71152; adrift.co.uk).
2. Dive with great white sharks
If you're getting a little tired of paddling past pretty parrot fish and want a bit more of an adrenaline rush, then you might like to try diving with great white sharks. From September to May, Black Tomato runs
five-night trips to Cape Town which include an appointment to come face-to-face with these majestic creatures.
Why go? It isn't all splashing and sharks: guests are based in the upmarket 12 Apostles Hotel in Cape Town, and as well as having access to the hotel's spa facilities, there's plenty of time to take in the view from Table Mountain, sunbathe, or explore the local nightlife - you'll be able to find out where's hip through the company's complimentary social concierge.
Details: Five-night trips start at £1,999 per person, including flights, private transfers and accommodation (020-7610 9008; blacktomato.co.uk).
3. The search for Mma Ramotswe
If Alexander McCall Smith's good-natured No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency books are just your cup of (redbush) tea, you can sign up for one of Africa Insight's specialist tours of Botswana. The company offers two Mma Ramotswe-themed day trips leaving from the capital, Gaborone. The first tour takes in the President Hotel, the locations of the detective agency and Mma Ramotswe's house. The second one is designed to be taken next and sets out for some of the remoter locations covered in the later books, as well as an afternoon game drive and an early evening bush braai (barbecue).
Why go? To beat the BBC, which is about to film the tours this month with McCall Smith in tow.
Details: The tours cost $104-$154 (£56-£82)
and can be booked through Africa Insight (00 267 72 654323; africainsight.com).
4. Off the beaten track in Guinea
You can get a good taste of Sao Tome, a former Portuguese colony off the coast of Guinea in West Africa, on Undiscovered Destinations'
Sao Tome Discovery tours. These eight-day trips start in the interior with a stay at a traditional coffee plantation house, followed by a trek towards the coast and a night at another plantation house. From here on it's all about relaxation, with a couple of nights on Rolas Island, a luxury resort whose claim to fame is that it straddles the equator, before heading back via one of the island's famed chocolate plantations.
Why go? Perfect if you want to escape the crowds; Sao Tome currently gets less than 20 tourists a week.
Details: Undiscovered Destinations (0191 206 4038; undiscovered-destinations.com) offers itineraries from £1,290 per person including accommodation, flights, transfers, tours, some meals and an English-speaking guide.
5. Nature through a camera lens
Shooting animals is fine provided you're on one of African Safari Roots' photographic safaris and your weapon is a camera. Operating in Kenya's Masai Mara, the seven-night trips involve two nights at Kicheche Camp and two nights under the stars. As well as photographing wildlife, you can benefit from critiques and photography lectures as part of the package.
Why go? Spend time with a dedicated Masai guide and an experienced photographer.
Details: Prices from £1,996 per person include seven nights' all-inclusive accommodation and game drives but exclude international flights, from African Safari (01736 367 635; africansafariroots.com).
6. Discover Malawi on horseback
A horse-riding safari is one of the best ways to get up close and personal with Africa's wildlife, and this journey on Malawi's Nyika Plateau is one of the best places to saddle up. Located in the north of the country, this is a cool grassy area surrounded by rolling hills, forest and millions of wild orchids. Herds of roan, reedbuck, zebra and eland can be seen here, as well as leopard and hyena. Guests stay in luxury log cabins run by Chelinda Lodge, or at the more basic Chelinda Camp. You can also experience fly-fishing, mountain biking or go walking through the bush.
Why go? Specialist riding safaris offer a thrilling perspective on the traditional jeep-based animal viewing.
Details: Typical prices start from £2,466 for a five-night trip split between Chelinda and Kazuni Camp, and include all flights, transfers and meals. Riding can be booked on an ad hoc basis, for around
£13 per morning if booked through Expert Africa (020-8232 9777; expertafrica.com).
7. Eco-safari and luxury in Kenya
For a safari run along tight ethical lines, visit Kenya's Campi Ya Kanzi,
a collaboration between the owners and the local Masai people. The Masai were involved in building the camp and they help to manage it. Campi Ya Kanzi has founded a trust that aims to preserve the Masai heritage. It is also environmentally friendly, being built with local materials and run on solar power. Cooking is done with eco-friendly charcoal and dirty water passes through lava filters before running into two wildlife ponds. Sound a bit rustic? It's not. The accommodation is in
luxury tented cottages, all with hot and cold running water, eco-friendly flush loos and showers.
Why go? Going local in style - you even get to slip between Italian linen sheets at night.
Details: Overnight stays from £212 per person - including full board, all land-based activities and house drinks but not international flights - are available through Travelroots (020-8341 2262; travelroots.com).
8. Kilimanjaro on two wheels
KE Adventure's Out of Africa trip is a 14-day, 480km journey through Tanzania, pedalling from Mount Meru to the Ngorongoro Crater via Kilimanjaro, the baobab-studded Masai plains and the Great Rift Valley. A one-day jeep safari is included at the end of the trip. Coming face-to-face with a cheetah on the trail or hearing an elephant moving near the camp at night are all part of the experience. So too, presumably, are punctures. The chances are you'll be saddle sore by the end of the trip, but after all the adventure you probably won't care.
Why go? If you're an avid cyclist and up for a challenge, it's got to be one of the world's most spectacular journeys.
Details: KE Adventure's (01768 773 966; keadventure.com) next trip runs from 23 September to 6 October. Prices start from £1,195 per person including accommodation (mainly camping), all meals and 4x4 vehicle back-up, but not international flights.
9.Sail into the Zanzibar sunset
If you're seeking glamour as well as adventure, get a group together and charter Midsummer. Built in 1910 and now fully refitted, this stylish old schooner is based in Tanzania and offers visitors an elegant way to see the islands off Africa's east coast. The boat has three cabins, each sleeping two peple; all the rooms are en-suite with showers, though one also has a freestanding bath. Once all are aboard, stow your trunk and set off for the tropical perfection of the Zanzibar archipelago, pulling in at whichever secluded powder-white beach takes your fancy.
Why go? There's little chance of getting cabin fever while onboard
Midsummer, with diving (the Pemba channel has some of the finest in the region), snorkelling and fishing equipment on hand and an inflatable boat for getting to those tucked-away beaches.
Details: Prices start from £2,962 per person, based on six people travelling, including international flights, seven nights' full-board accommodation and a full sailing crew with Cazenove and Loyd (020-7384 2332; cazloyd.com).
10. Bush skills course in Zambia
What should you do if an elephant charges towards you? How would you track a leopard? Find out on one of Farside Africa's Zambian bush skills trip. Running in November and December, the courses are split between Mfuwe Lodge and the chic Kapamba bush camp, both in South Luangwa National Park. Instruction consists of a mix of lectures and
practical exploration. During the week you'll pick up a wide range of skills, from finding and identifying wildlife, spoor identification, local medicine use and radio procedures, to finding water, first aid and cooking in the bush.
Why go? If you're more than a little envious of your safari guide's knowledge, then this is the one for you - although you need to be an early riser: each day starts with a 5.15am wake-up call.
Details: Prices start from £2,200 per person, including international flights, transfers, seven nights' full-board accommodation, a bush skills manual, all activities and lectures but not international flights, with Farside Africa (0131 315 2464; farsideafrica.com).
11. The best holistic break: Get in position on Meru
You can do more than watch wildlife in Tanzania. In addition to yoga classes, Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge, on the slopes of Mount Meru, offers ayurvedic therapies, massage and guided meditation. Those who want to venture into the wild can try horse-riding, safaris or a trek up Mount Meru. The next course is 10 to 20 November, from £2,000 per person including accommodation, meals and most activities, but not flights (020-7730 7473; yogoloji.co.uk).
12. The best tourist trail: Take a different view
Soweto might not be an obvious stop on the tourist trail but this township has seen a surge in popularity, mainly because of its links with the struggle against apartheid. Tourists can see Nelson Mandela's old house and Desmond Tutu's home, and taste traditional cuisine at local restaurants. Rainbow Tours (020-7226 1004; rainbowtours.co.uk) offers guided sightseeing, including accommodation, meals, entrance fees and airport transfers, for £80 per day.
