How to Stay Active on the Wildlife Safari

 

Viewing Africa’s iconic wildlife from the safety of a safari Land Cruiser is great for closeup photos, but it’s not the best way to stay fit. Even if you are not an exercise buff, daily outings in the safari jeep can leave you longing to stretch. So, while wildlife viewing from your Land Cruiser is great, consider adding some action to your safari. There are many ways to keep moving while enjoying wildlife.

Guided Walking Safaris   Walking the wilds with a skilled wildlife tracker is a grand way to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and fragrances. A walking safari will widen your horizons and quicken your mind. You will find yourself admiring nuances such as which track belongs to whom. Is this plant edible, medical, or poisonous?  What is that rustling sound in the bushes? A walking safari really allows you to develop a deeper understanding of the ecosystems you are exploring.  In Botswana you can join with San Bushmen who will guide you into their wilderness.

Wildlife Tracking on Foot   It’s exciting to trek rhino on foot with your safari guide and rangers accompanying. That’s available in Namibia, Kenya and Tanzania's Serengeti. Botswana offers meerkat habituation walks, and in Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking is something special. Deeper Africa primate guides can move you into the high montane forests of Uganda and Rwanda for close viewing of chimps, gorillas, and golden monkeys.  (Mountain gorilla trekking is an up-hill and high-altitude challenge but we have a training program to get you ready to trek in these beautiful forests)  Looking for something more leisurely? How about watching the Southern Right whale migration off the coast of South Africa’s De Hoop Nature Reserve.

Safari Yoga   There is nothing better than stretching, breathing, and centering—especially in the wild. Some safari camps have dedicated yoga facilities such as &Beyond’s Phinda Forest Lodge in South Africa. And in virtually any camp or lodge you will find a deck for you and your mat, often with ecstasy inducing views. So, bring your mat and be prepared for the yoga session of a lifetime.

Mountain Biking   Some safari parks are perfect for mountain biking. Whether it’s a brief jaunt through a little village or a multi-day expedition, the mountain biking options are endless. It’s a wonderful way to take in the landscape, meet new people, and keep up with your aerobic needs. Tanzania’s Wayo Africa has a range of biking opportunities that blend well with any safari itinerary. You can enjoy easy rides through farming villages on single-track trails. You can mountain bike in Arusha National Park where you are likely to see giraffes and monkeys along the way.  A very popular adventure is biking on dirt roads and paths though farming villages to arrive at Lake Manyara National Park where you camp overnight.  You can even be a trailblazer on a six-night mountain biking adventure through the Okavango Delta riding 18 to 25 miles a day.

Hot Air Ballooning    What ballooning lacks for exercise, it makes up for in awe inspiring relaxation. Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti are famous ballooning locales. Nothing is more wondrous than floating above the thundering herds of the Great Migration in the light of an African sunrise.

Boating Activities    All across Africa’s safari lands there are boating adventures. You can paddle your own canoe in Tanzania’s Lake Manyara and Arusha National Park. There are all kinds of ways to navigate the Zambezi River, including dinner cruises, white water rafts, and even kayaks and canoes. Do mind the crocodiles. If your dream is to shoot the rapids in the heart of Africa, go to Jinja in Uganda where Lake Victoria cascades into the River Nile’s churning headwaters. Or canoe Zimbabwe’s famous Zambezi River.  Perhaps a mokoro float in Botswana’s Okavango Delta is more your style? If that’s too much, there is always paddleboarding in Cape Town.

Horsing Around  It doesn’t get more thrilling than horseback riding in Africa.  Even today, Africa is wilder than the American Wild West ever was. So, saddle up and have an adventure. There are ample opportunities to ride in Kenya, Namibia, Botswana and elsewhere. Our favorite is Ride Botswana operated by David Foot Safaris. Here it’s the depts of experience that truly pays off.  Owners David and Robyn Foot were both born and raised in Africa. They have been running African horse safaris since 1993. Face it, if you are going to ride where lions roam, you want the best. Over the last 40 years David, Robyn and their kids have ridden with guests in Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi. Today they are outfitting rides the Okavango Delta, Kalahari Desert and along Botswana’s Thamalakane River. They know the ropes.