7 Must do Activities on Your Safari to Africa

Do you like adventure? There are so many things to do in Africa. Climb the famous Mt Kilimanjaro, take an off-the beaten track walk at Selous Game Reserve, join a camel caravan in northern Kenya, take a hot air balloon trip and enjoy the view from above, dive in a coral sea world …and much more. “Barabara Voyagers” specializes in Mountain climbing. Since we love adventure ourselves we are always searching for new things to do and new ways to have fun.

Putting our responsibility to you first, we work with people that are experts in their fields so that you can get the most out of your chosen activity and can also be sure that all the necessary precautions have been taken. Mother nature has its own laws and we make sure they are respected and followed.

Please bear in mind that as all our activities take place outdoors, unpredictable conditions may force us to change our program. In any case, our team will always be near at hand to ensure that you have a great time on your African expedition. On the list to the right you can find information and itineraries on our activity options. If you have something else in mind that is not included on our list, don’t hesitate to ask us. Together with our friends around east Africa, we will create the African adventure of your dreams.

Deep Sea Diving

The seas off the coast of Kenya are known across the world for hosting some of the best deep sea fishing from October to April! Get your heart pumping when you pull in a powerful marlin, sailfish, or kingfish, then repeat the experience the following day as you try to catch tuna, dorado, wahoo, or the tenacious barracuda. For visitors staying in the Lamu Archipelago, Diani Beach, or Mombasa, this is a well-liked pastime.

The 480 km coastline, which is covered with picture-perfect beaches, is home to numerous small fish and large fish predators including kingfish, enormous tiger sharks, and wahoo, which are just as vicious as the big cats found in the country's terrestrial wildlife sanctuaries.

Camel Riding

Camel safaris are offered in many places around Kenya and Tanzania and add a thrill to any safari. For locals, camel safaris have been for centuries a part of their everyday life, as they crossed the deserts and wide plains by camel trains, following ancient routes through deep valleys and along winding dry river beds.

Camels are perfectly adapted to the environment of East Africa. Most of the time they are used as pack animals rather than riding and the norm on a camel safari is to walk beside your camel. But for those who want to ride there are always saddles supplied. Gifted local guides -usually a nomadic Samburu tribesman- will accompany you all through the safari and even those that are afraid in the beginning, get used to the relaxed pace of the camels and tune up with the rhythms of nature. Travel where no vehicle can go, where you can hear only the sounds of the wild and the soft tinkling of the camel bells through the spectacular scenery in the wilderness with all the necessary equipment for camping and dining packed in the camels’ saddlebags. Visit the Masai villages, absorb their culture and their activities, enjoy a brief ride around lake Natron or just have a small relaxing walk around your lodge if it is providing you with camels.

Mountain Climbing & Hiking

You can’t really say you’ve been to East Africa without trekking through the wilderness. Climbing and hiking combined is one of the most rewarding ways to experience authentic Africa and get closer to nature.

Our climbing and hiking routes are specially selected for their spectacular views and ecological diversity. Their difficulty varies, so that anyone can enjoy this experience, regardless of their age or fitness level. Locations range from the forests in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania, Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Ngorongoro Crater Highlands and the Usambara Mountains, to the Rondo and Mkonde plateaux, to Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro, East Africa’s biggest challenges that push your limits to new boundaries. During hiking you will carry your day pack (with some water and snacks) and our porters will carry your luggage and necessary equipment, including oxygen bottles, portable altitude chambers, pulse oximeters, first aid kits and communication equipment.

Despite all this we try to travel as light as possible in order to minimize our environmental impact. Our team of experts is trained in wilderness first aid, mountain craft, natural history and ecological awareness and will ensure your acclimatization and safety. Based on your level of physical fitness and your personal preferences, they will propose a route suitable for you.

Canoeing

Canoeing is a perfect addition to the safari of your dreams. The quietness of canoeing makes close encounters with wildlife far easier than on foot or on vehicle. There is no previous experience required, as our expert guides will make sure you enjoy the gentle paddling along the shores, with all the necessary precautions taken.

Canoeing is a perfect addition to the safari of your dreams. The quietness of canoeing makes close encounters with wildlife far easier than on foot or on vehicle. There is no previous experience required, as our expert guides will make sure you enjoy the gentle paddling along the shores, with all the necessary precautions taken.

In Kenya you can paddle in Lake Baringo where you will enjoy the views of the Rift Valley and visit local fishing villages, and Lake Naivasha which Is fringed with thick papyrus, famed for the bird life on the Crescent Island Sanctuary and draws game like giraffe, hippo and buffalo to its shores.

In Tanzania, canoeing is possible in the salty waters of the Zanzibar Archipelago where you can visit white sand beaches and numerous small islands, as well as in Lake Manyara and Lake Momella which form part of the Arusha National Park, the only park that has recently given permission for canoeing excursions. And last, but not least, you can explore the quiet channels of the White Nile in Uganda.

Cycling

Cycling far from busy roads and main tourist routes you will experience a different face of Africa. In Kenya, you can spend a part of your holiday cycling through the diverse and spectacular landscapes: open savannah, desert, mountain rainforest or tropical coastline.

Depending on your preferences, we can arrange for you a tour that lasts a day, a week or even longer, combined with game driving. While cycling, you will have the chance to explore local villages and traditional tribesmen, breathtaking scenery and wildlife grazing on the plains.

One of the most popular cycling routes starts from Arusha in the north of Tanzania and goes all the way through cultivated banana and coffee plantations before meeting the Rift Valley and the grasslands used by the Masai for grazing cattle. The route continues next to the shores of Lake Manyara, where it is highly possible that you will spot some game. You can also cycle around Lake Natron and the awe- inspiring active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai, take the big tour from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam, or we can arrange a custom tour, in order to visit the places you prefer.  We will provide you with a bike suitable for your height and the tour you have picked, under the guidance of our cycling experts. A vehicle will be joining us, carrying all the necessary equipment for camping and dining, as well as a cook that will be preparing delicious meals. While most of the riding is non-technical, some off road biking experience will help and a good level of fitness will add to the enjoyment of your trip.

Horse Riding

Horse riding safaris allow you to experience African wildlife, scenery and culture at close encounters. Many animals, especially elephants, are habituated to horses, so game viewing becomes much easier. Ride through open range, canyons, river hills, mountains or sandy beaches where no vehicle has access and collect memories that you will treasure for a lifetime.

In Kenya you can ride through the endless savannah of Mara and the banks of the Mara and Talek rivers or enjoy a ride along the Swahili coast.

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Rides can be as short as one hour, or as long as a week. Even though they vary greatly, typically the ride begins early in the morning with scheduled breaks for breakfast and lunch. In the afternoon you can relax in the camp or take small guided walks around and in the evening dinner is served under the candle light. Horses are well trained, suitable even for those with limited or no riding ability, under the guidance of our experts. There are also smaller ponies for children so that horse riding can be a part of any family holiday.

Depending on the exact itinerary of your riding safari, accommodation is provided in permanent or semi-permanent bush camps which will be established in advance of your arrival as well as in luxury lodges. They are all equipped with full safari kitchens, WCs and hot showers.

Air-Balloon Flights

A balloon flight means rising earlier than the usual time for a morning game drive. But soon you are rewarded, as the bird’s eye view is the best way to explore East Africa and gain a clear perspective of the scale and sheer size of the landscape. By the first rays of sunrise you will already be up in the air. Most flights last for about an hour, and are followed by a great breakfast, served in the bush.

Fly over the Great Rift Valley, one of the most awe-inspiring sights on earth, join flocks of flamingos soaring high across lakes, volcanoes and forest and spot a wide range of big game. You can also fly over the Amboseli National Park, one of the most popular images of Kenya, with elephants strolling across the plains and the snow- capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro in the background or try a balloon safari over the Maasai Mara, Kenya’s most impressive landscape rich in great game which is also considered to be the ultimate ballooning location by hot air enthusiasts.