Safaris aren't the only tourist attraction in Africa. From cruises to wine tasting, here's what else you can do
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A hot air balloon ride over the deserts of Morocco |
Africa is blessed with some of the rarest and most beautiful animals in the world — a fact that entices tourists to book safaris year-round.
But safaris only scratch the surface of what the continent
has to offer.
From wine tours to vibrant coastal cities, other experiences
await those who are willing to go beyond game drives and delve deeper into the
core of the continent.
Mountains, dunes and rivers
For those who love hiking, Africa is blessed with many peaks
— from Morocco’s Mount Toubkal to the continent’s highest peak, Mount
Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
But there’s also Mount Nyangani in Zimbabwe, which has a
skywalk atop the Mutarazi Falls, the country’s highest waterfall.
South Africa’s Table Mountain can be climbed in a matter of
hours, but adrenaline junkies may prefer to bungie jump from Johannesburg’s
Soweto Towers, or the Bloukrans Bridge along the country's famous "Garden
Route.”
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Bungy jumping at Soweto Towers, a decommissioned power station in Johannesburg, South Africa. |
Africa is ideal for travelers who crave adventure, said Zina Bencheikh, managing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Intrepid Travel.
She recommends Madagascar’s Tsingy de Bemaraha National
Park, which has two geological zones called the “Small Tsingy” and “Big Tsingy,”
which in the local language of Malagasy, refers to a place “where one cannot
walk barefoot.”
“Big Tsingy Trek is not your usual hike!” she said,
describing it as a “labyrinth of limestone formations that resemble a forest
made of rock.”
In Namibia, travelers can climb the iconic Dune 45 to admire
the sand dunes of the Sossusvlei, explore the eerie white clay pan of Deadvlei,
or hike through the picturesque Sesriem Canyon.
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The limestone formations of Madagascar's Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park |
At Victoria Falls, along the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, travelers can whitewater raft, bungee jump or swim at the Devil’s Pool, which is on Zambia’s side of the falls. Similar adventures can be found in Jinja, Uganda, where the River Nile begins.
Hot air balloons are a popular and adventurous way to
explore too, with a bird’s eye view of the berber villages of Morocco to Kenya’s
Masai Mara.
Explore the beach
African beach towns combine beauty and culture, in places
like Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Mozambique, Mauritius,
Zanzibar, Ghana, Namibia and Egypt.
Mombasa, a coastal city in Kenya, is one example.
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King Charles III and Queen Camilla visit Mombasa's Fort Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on Nov. 03, 2023 |
“Here, you’ll experience African, Indian and Arab cultures in one place. Fort Jesus is one of Mombasa’s notable sites and was built by the Portuguese in 1593. In less than 200 years, the fort changed hands nine times,” said Luciemarie Swanepoel, owner of African Sky of Diamonds Tours & Safaris.
She recommends visiting Zanzibar to wander the Stone Town’s
labyrinthine alleys along with Kenya’s Swahili Coast, the historical Gede
ruins, and the UNESCO-named Mijikenda Kaya Forests.
“Madagascar … is another island gem, with beaches like Nosy
Be and Ile Sainte Marie boasting palm-fringed coasts and vibrant coastal
villages,” said Swanepoel.
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The rooftops of Zanzibar's Stone Town. |
Durban and Cape Town are two of the best beach destinations in South Africa, she said, adding that travelers can kitesurf, snorkel, kayak or search for dugongs and whales there.
Go on a cruise
From budget-friendly houseboats to luxurious all-inclusive
boutique lake cruises, Africa has a range of unique boating experiences.
Cruises along the Nile, Zambezi and Chobe rivers, as well as
a cruise along Rwanda’s Lake Kivu, come highly recommended, as water journeys
can offer a spectacular viewing platform for wildlife
“During a river cruise, you may spot a herd of elephants
wading through shimmering water, witness great buffalo gathering along the
water’s edge, and even observe crocodiles stealthily slicing through pools.
Hundreds of hippos also wallow in the river with just their nostrils poking
out,” says Kate Powell, general manager of the houseboat company Zambezi Queen
Collection.
Travelers can also cruise between villages, fish, and bask
in the tranquil waters.
“One can explore the Manambolo River on a pirogue, or wooden
dugout canoe, under the shadow of towering rock cliffs [or] stop to explore a
cave and the eerie tombs of the Vazimba, said to be the earliest inhabitants of
Madagascar,” said Intrepid’s Bencheikh.
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A boat on Botswana's Chobe river at sunset. |
In addition to being a popular stop for world cruises, East and South Africa have their own ocean cruise routes which follow the coastlines and visit offshore islands. Silversea, Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC have cruises departing from Africa.
Maritime journeys in Africa allow visitors to experience the
continent’s wildlife, cultures and landscapes from a unique vantage point, said
Kevin Bubolz, Norwegian’s vice president for Continental Europe, Middle East
and Africa.
“In Port Elizabeth, the Penguin Island Cruise excursion is a
standout experience. You’ll journey to the world’s largest colony of African
penguins in their natural habitat," he said. "If you’re lucky, you
might also catch a glimpse of playful humpback and bottle-nose dolphins.”
Wine tours
Countries like Morocco, Namibia and Ethiopia have
established wine regions. But South Africa is the continent’s crown jewel.
“South Africa is renowned for its world-class wine regions,
with the Western Cape being the heart of the industry,” said Wrenelle Stander,
CEO of Wesgro, Cape Town’s tourism and trade agency.
“The areas around Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl
comprise the famous Cape Winelands, where visitors can tour historic estates,
taste award-winning wines, and learn about the winemaking process.”
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The wine country of Franschhoek, outside of Cape Town, South Africa. |
Not only is Stellenbosch one of the best places for wine tours, it's also a culinary hot spot, known for its innovative food scene. Elmarie Rabe, the marketing manager at Visit Stellenbosch, advises travelers to select wineries that are committed to sustainable and organic practices.
"Also consider the traveling distance between farms, as
Stellenbosch stretches over 60 square kilometers," she said.
The best time to visit is during the harvest season from
late January to March, when the vineyards are in full swing. But every season
has its own charm, she added.
"Spring offers lush landscapes and ideal weather, while
winter is perfect for enjoying bold red wines by the fireplace. Summer provides
sunny days perfect for outdoor wine tasting," Rabe said.