Explore three African safari and hiking adventures in Tanzania, Botswana and South Africa. Considering climbing Kilimanjaro? Get the scoop here! Your local guide teaches you how to track game in hopes of spotting the “Big 5”: elephants, lions, rhinoceros, African buffalo and leopard. On the Botswana safari, paddle a traditional dug out canoe, called a ‘mokoro’, plus visit Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Regardless of which Bucket List safari adventure you choose, you will see LOADS of exotic animals and will bring home a camera full of memories of your once in a lifetime hiking and jeep safari adventure!
African Wildlife Hiking Safari in Tanzania, Botswana or South Africa – even Climb Kilimanjaro!
On today’s show, I interview Matty Yates from my affiliate Active Adventures about three exciting hiking and jeep safari tours you can take with Active in Africa, plus climbing Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
We talk about the difference between traditional jeep game drives versus a walking safari, where with heightened awareness, you feel a part of the nature unfolding. On Active’s safari tours, you do a combination of both for a truly immersive experience. We also paddle and learn about ‘mokoros’, the traditional dug out canoes. Plus we bike through traditional villages, and take a tour of Cape Town.
Botswana Hiking and Paddling Safari
Seek wildlife from a kayak or traditional dug out canoe, called a ‘mokoro‘, in the Okavango Delta as you paddle Khwai in Botswana with your experienced local guide! While on land, you will hike and learn tracking techniques used for millennia in addition to multiple jeep ‘Game Drives’. You’ll fly across the delta to Moreni Crossing, and you’ll check out Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwe side on this exciting multi-sport safari adventure! 11 days with a difficulty rating of 2-3 out of 5.
Experience both canvas tent ‘glamping’ and eco lodge accommodations on this once in a lifetime African safari adventure.
Botswana has only 2 million people in a land as big as France, so you will feel like it’s just you and your group among the largest contingent of elephants in Africa! This is your tour if you want to feel like you’ve got this amazing wildlife and landscape all to yourself. Complete itinerary further below.
South Africa Kruger National Park Safari and Hiking Tour
It is going to be sooo hard to choose which African safari adventure to go on! But you should definitely consider doing your safari in Kruger National Park in South Africa! You’ll see abundant wildlife and will stay in luxurious family-owned lodges. You’ll visit and learn about the complicated history of Cape Town, plus bike to Franschhoek Winelands where you’ll of course get to taste these amazing wines for yourself. 11 days with a difficulty rating of 1-2 out of 5. If you want to mix your safari with culture, this is the tour for you! Complete itinerary further below.
Tanzania Wildlife Hiking Safari
You will not believe the astonishing amounts of wildlife you will see on the Serengeti plains and in the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania! Witness migrating herds of wildebeest and zebras… hear the roar of a lion after it captures its dinner. Bike through a local village to experience local life, then visit a Maasai village to explore their fascinating and proud culture. Glamp in eco-friendly canvas tents. 6 days with an activity level of 1-3 out of 5. Complete itinerary further below.
Climb Kilimanjaro via Lemosho Route
Check off this Bucket List hike of one of the “Seven Summits” to the highest peak in Africa: Kilimanjaro! Active Adventures prioritizes safety along with fun, and that means climbing Kili slowly to allow your body to acclimatize properly to the high altitude. This is NOT a trek you want to rush as the summit is 19,341’/5895m, so do yourself a favor and choose a tour company that doesn’t race you up the mountain. Rather, choose one that allows your body to adjust and allows you the time to savor the experience.
While not a technical climb, this trek does require appropriate training [see “How to Train for Your Adventure” and “How to Train for High Altitude”] and it is super important that you choose the right tour operator, as there are multiple routes up the mountain and some companies are known to rush you up the mountain or do not adequately take care of their guides and porters that carry most of your gear.
Only about 65% of the folks who attempt to summit Kilimajaro reach the top, and Active’s Lemosho Route has a high success rate because they take it slow and steady, unlike the cheaper and ‘easier’ Marangu Route, which has a high failure rate. Plus, the landscape is especially stunning along Lemosho, so you get a double bonus!
Trekking Kilimanjaro is not the tour to cut corners, so save for an extra year if need be, so you can book a proper tour and improve your odds of success and have the best chance to thoroughly enjoy your Kili adventure.
I interviewed Cindy, an overweight couch potato who decided to climb Kilimanjaro on an earlier show. You will learn a ton about what it takes to successfully prepare to climb and summit Kili by visiting that webpage and listening to the Three Part series.
Regardless of which tour you select, let’s head into the African bush to see lions, elephants, rhinos, zebras, hippos, leopards and cheetahs, primates, hyenas and birds of every size and color!
Check out this short video for a brief overview of your African safari and the types of animals you’ll see!
Your Local Guides
Learn how the local guides track game! It’s amazing how they can ‘read’ the savannah to tell who’s gone where. And their eyes are so well trained that they can spot wildlife from a distance – so much so, that you often won’t really believe them until you confirm through your binoculars!
Speaking of binoculars, be sure to bring a really high quality pair. Even though you will see loads of wildlife up close, some of the more elusive or rare, like the black rhino or leopards, may require binoculars to get a close view! If you don’t want to spend the money on a high end pair, consider renting!
Paddling a Mokoro in Botswana
Paddle the Okavango Delta in the traditional manner: a dug out canoe called a ‘mokoro’! The quiet stroke allows to you come up on wildlife without disturbing them, similar to when you kayak back home.
Hike – Bike – Paddle African Safaris
Most African safaris are jeep only, which, don’t get me wrong, is very cool. However, one reason I love Active Adventure’s safaris is because, in typical Active style, you don’t just sit back and relax, you MOVE!
In Botswana, you paddle in kayaks or the traditional dug out canoe called a mokoro.
In Tanzania, you cycle to explore a traditional village (and also visit a Maasai community).
In South Africa, explore delightful and historic Franschhoekby wine country by bike (and enjoy a taste test as well!).
On all three of these safaris, you will get the opportunity to hike among the animals! WOW!!! But don’t worry: you’ll be accompanied by an armed, local guide for your protection.
And Active takes you off the beaten path – literally! In the interview, Matty explains why his tour is allowed to go off road, unlike most African safaris. You get to go where the game is, and follow them as need be!
The name may sound similar to my Active Travel Adventures, but we are two different companies. Active Adventures, one of my affiliates, is based in New Zealand and runs epic Bucket List multi-sport adventure tours around the world.
Active Adventures African Tours:
Be sure to check out my interviews from former Active Adventure’s guests:
One FREE and easy way to support the podcast and this website is to use my links! At no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you do, which helps to defray some of the costs of keeping ATA going – many thanks!!! Kit
Eco Lodging and Glamping in Canvas Tents
So where do I sleep when I am on an African safari? Don’t worry, you’ll be comfortable even on the savannah! When not in a family owned eco lodge, you’ll be in a well appointed canvas tent with all the comforts of home, even if they look a little different!
Eco Lodging and Glamping in Canvas Tents
So where do I sleep when I am on an African safari? Don’t worry, you’ll be comfortable even on the savannah! When not in a family owned eco lodge, you’ll be in a well appointed canvas tent with all the comforts of home, even if they look a little different!
When to go on an African Safari to see the Mass Migration
The dry season is during the winter months in Southern Africa, so most people prefer to go then. Since Tanzania, Botswana and South Africa are in the Southern Hemisphere, their winter is June through September, so the best times to go is from June into as late as October.
Many people also wish to see the mass migrations of the wildebeests, zebras and more in the largest terrestrial migration on the planet.
The mass migration occurs twice a year as these magnificent creatures follow the rains and therefore grasses, in search of food.
The first migration stage begins in January and runs through March. Note that ALL migration will follow the availability of food, so there is no set timetable: it all depends on the rains. During this early time, the majority of wildebeests and zebras will give birth in a 2-3 week window as they cross the southern Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation area. The arrival of the young means a better opportunity to see the great predators liken lions, leopards and hyenas, hunt their prey.
In April and May, the herds head to the moru Kopjes and Seronera area, but due to the heavy rains and flooded roads, I wouldn’t recommend going during this time.
A great time to go is during the third stage during June and July, when the herds congregate to cross the Grumeti River. There are many camps along the river allowing great access to witness the migration.
Perhaps the best time to go on African safari is August through October, when the massive herds ento the Maasai Mara Reserve from the northern border of the Serengeti National Park. When the herds cross the Mara River, they face their most difficult challenge but also offer us the greatest viewing opportunity. Since the grasses are drier, it is also easier to see the animals.
During the last two months, November and December, the herds continue to move south through Loliondo, and try to reach the southern Serengeto plains in time for the rains once more, and the cycle begins anew.
Thus, the best time to go on an African safari, when you consider the weather and the migration, is from June through October.
African Safari Tour Itineraries
Below are the African safari itineraries of my affiliate, Active Adventures. Each offers outstanding wildlife viewing and hiking safaris, but they also each have their own personality: some offer cycling, some paddling, and some include a cultural twist as well. ALL are incredible African safari adventures, so you can’t go wrong regardless of your choice!
Tanzania Hiking Safari
Day 1: Arrive Arusha
Day 2: Journey to camp, bike ride through a local village and visit the markets, visit a Maasai community.
Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater game drives
Day 4: Northern Serengeto game drives
Day 5: Moro River game drives
Day 6: Return home
Botswana Hiking and Paddling Safari Itinerary plus Victoria Falls
Days 1-4: Along the Khwai River in the Moremi Game Reserve: mobile safari, game drives. Fly to Moremi Crossing. Guided ‘mokoro’ (dug out canoe) cruise
Day 5: Fly to Maun; transfer to Kopano Conservation Area. Kayak the Delta.
Day 6: Morning kayak exploration, walk/mokoro to this evening’s camp
Day 7: Learn how to track game on a walking safariin the Kopano Conservstion Area
Day 8: Walk or mokoro out of camp
Day 9: Fly to Kasane and then to Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe side
Day 10: Explore Victoria Falls
Day 11: Depart
South African Hiking Safari with a Cultural Twist
Day 1: Arrive Johannesburg, then fly to Skukuza airport. Stay in Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve. Game drive.
Day 2: Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve game drives
Day 3 – 5: Fly to Timbovoti, transfer to camp. Walking game drives.
Day 6-7: Transfer to Klaserie; game viewing activities
Day 8: Fly to Cape Town. Free afternoon.
Day 9: Cape Town city tour; hike Table Mountain
Day 10: Cycle Franschhoek winelands; wine tasting
Day 11: Depart
DETAILED ITINERARY INFORMATION
Tanzania – Climb Kilimanjaro
Day 1: Arrive Arusha. Perhaps paddle across the lake, take a dip in the pool or just relax on the veranda with a view of the Kilimanjaro glacier. Tomorrow is your big day, and the start of your epic climb!
Day 2: Hike to Lemosho Forest Camp
Day 3: Hike to Shiro Camp
Day 4: Hike to Moir Camp
Day 5: Hike to Barranco Camp
Day 6: Hike to Karango Camp
Day 7: Hike to Barafu Camp
Day 8: SUMMIT DAY!!! Hike to Mweka Camp
Day 9: Return to Arush
Day 10: Depart OR Add on an Africa Safari – see above!
What are the ‘Big 5’ African animals to see on safari?
When you go on an African safari, you will see soooo many animals – so many that you truly won’t believe your eyes (especially in the Ngorongoro Crater)!
Many hope to see the Big 5, by which they mean: elephants, rhinos, water buffalo, lions and leopard. You are also likely to see many Thompson’s gazelles (my personal favorite), loads of exotic birds, such as ostrich, hippopotomus, African wild dogs, hyenas and giraffes.
I want to iterate again: BRING GREAT BONOCULARS!!! You will see many animals up close, but still, to see the animals in detail, a pair of binoculars are a must!
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT AFRICAN JEEP SAFARIS
Going on an African safari is one of the highlights of my life. BUT, African safaris are not for everyone.
If you get car sick or need to go to the bathroom a lot, you will probably find the trip uncomfortable.
The jeep rides are necessarily bumpy, especially if you go off road, so if you are prone to car sickness, this is probably not your adventure.
If you MUST go to the bathroom between safe bathroom breaks, your ‘spot’ is directly behind the jeep, so you will have zero privacy, but this is for your safety. Animals, such as lions, can easily hide in the grass and you may not see that they are RIGHT THERE!
Speak with your tour operator about any concerns BEFORE you book so that you and your tour mates all have a wonderful adventure.
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