Scenic and diverse landscapes, awe-inspiring wildlife, isolation from the hustle bustle, beautiful blue water beaches and rich cultural traditions are just a few among the many experiences Africa has to offer. Whether you are a modern nomad or a person on a short trip, covering the entire continent and truly living through it can take decades. Here a few binding experiences that leave the deepest impressions on you rub in a feeling of leaving with more that what you came with. Don’t miss out on these wonders!
- SAFARI AND THE GREAT MIGRATIONS –
One of the most striking experiences that one can be involved in when in Africa is the great migration. A circular grazing path populated by over a million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebras makes for one of the most jaw dropping natural acts that you would ever witness, as the endless Serengeti plains tremble under the unison of these majestic creatures. Expansive safari expeditions with accommodations of immense luxury await you in the middle of the vast plains, as you witness the big five in their habitat – Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Rhinoceros and Cape buffalo. If the majestic beauty of these does not suffice, the scenic landscapes and rejuvenating sunrises will provide the perfect icing on this humbling journey.
- RELAX ON A BEACH –
While the African mainland offers wonderful beaches and port towns such as Dar-es-Salaam, the real beauty that must be experienced is in the Islands of Zanzibar, Seychelles and Madagascar. The picturesque blue waters have something to offer for every beach lover. From basic huts to luxurious resorts these islands will wrap you in a experience that will last forever. If there was ever a perfect getaway, it would include sailing away on a dhow or unwinding to the soothing sounds of the waves crashing ashore. These islands will most certainly add perspective to all the other experiences that encompass the mysterious lands of Africa.
- CLIMBING KILIMANJARO –
While there are series of natural wonders that will make you gasp, few will ever come close to the feeling of achieving the feat of climbing Africa’s highest mountain, literally soaring above the cloud, atop the world! Not only this, the view throughout the final stretch of the trek to the summit is unbelievable. The Karanga camp just shy of the peak will offer you the opportunity of a lifetime – touching marshmallow clouds while standing above them, as the sun rises in the distance and awakens the world beneath you. You can also spot Meru – Kilimanjaro’s little sister in the distance. The peak itself also offers views of sparkling glaciers and Mawenzi’s spikes breaking through the uniformly ragged cloud cover, as the satisfaction of accomplishing the formidable climb amplifies the humbling yet exciting feeling of standing atop the world. Kilimanjaro climbing is a must when traveling to Africa this year!
- WITNESS THE VICTORIA FALLS, ZAMBIA & ZIMBABWE
If you are the type who is not satiated with the adventure in the great migration and lion-watching, transport yourself to a little plunge pool right at the edge of the world’s largest waterfalls – the Victoria Falls.
Mosi-oa-Tunya (“The Smoke That Thunders) on the Zambezi river forms one of the most monumental water spectacles in the world as more than 10,000 cubic meters of water cascades down 108 meters every second! When the water of the Zambezi recedes marginally, it is possible to walk along the lip of the falls and plunge into one of the many rock pools formed through erosion over thousands of years. While it is impossible to achieve this feat when the Zambezi is raging in full flow, the view from the edge of the falls makes for one of the most exhilarating experiences. 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.
- SHARK CAGE DIVING, GANSBAAI, SOUTH AFRIA
The waters at Gansbaai are brimming with the largest density of shark population on the planet. The great white sharks being one of the most treacherous predators, are ideally something to watch out for, rather than to watch. But at Gansbaai, you defy all fear and logic, and take a dip in the waters to get an unimaginably close look at them. You might as well be a piece of bait dangling from a fisherman’s pole. But don’t you worry, a highly secure galvanized steel cage will keep you out of harm’s way. Hungry white sharks expectantly make their way to your cage and stare at you from a breath away. Feel your goosebumps rise with this madly intimate encounter with danger. Get yourself in ‘deep trouble’ at Gansbaai.
2018 ·