There are tons of exciting things to do in Africa, whether you’re planning to go Africa on a safari or simply visiting. Africa is a continent of endless natural beauty where you can experience diverse cultures, wildlife, and landscapes.

The best countries to travel in Africa offer inexhaustible things to do. From the majestic Drakensberg escarpment mountains in South Africa, to primate trekking in Rwanda, and the great wildebeest migration in Kenya; there is always something for everyone.

Without further ado, here are some fun things to do in Africa.

1. Go on a wildlife safari

The word “safari” implies “to journey” in Swahili language. Embarking on a wildlife safari is one of the best things to do in Africa. Southern and East African countries are the most famous wildlife safari destinations.

You can witness the great wildebeest migration in Kenya or explore the endangered mountain gorillas in the Rwanda/Uganda regions. Kenya and South Africa are among the African countries with the best tourist attractions, reputable for providing Big Five safaris (on a game drive, from the water, or on foot).

2. Beach holidays

African beaches are among the best in the world. While North African beach resorts have been known to attract lots of European sun-seekers for decades, you can visit the East African coast to get some tranquility that the Indian Ocean offers. The best places to visit for relaxation beach holidays include Seychelles, Zanzibar, Mauritius, and Madagascar.

3. Explore by hiking

Africa provides wonderful trekking and mountain hiking opportunities to safari enthusiasts who don’t mind footing. Among the most popular places for hiking during African Safari are Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Atlas Mountains in Morocco, and Mount Kenya. Wilderness hike through the Namibia desert is also common.

4. Embark on a cultural trip

You can expect a warm welcome from the African people, and it’s these experiences that make your safari worthwhile and memorable. African culture is as rich as it is diverse, traditions can be traced back to centuries, but in some rural communities, they are still going strong.

While traveling to Africa, you can spend time with the local Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania, the Zulu and Khoisan of South Africa, the red-ochre-adorning Himba people of Namibia, plus many more.

5. Volunteer and make a difference

Volunteering helps you to scratch underneath the surface and appreciate a different culture from your own. Living and working alongside an African community also helps you to understand yourself better, the privileges you enjoy, and what you should be grateful for on returning home.

There are several volunteering options, from teaching at local schools to assisting at a children’s home. You can look up some of the legit programs organizing volunteer initiatives in Africa, like VolunteerForever, and sign up to volunteer in a country of your choice.

6. Shop at local markets and bazaars

Visiting bazaars and markets in Africa is a fantastic way to see local artisans at work while obtaining an original insight into a nation’s food and culture. Showcase your bargaining skills when buying handicrafts like sandals or scarves from the local exotic tribes. Bazaars and markets also offer amazing photo opportunities.

7. Hot air balloon flights

The adventure starts just before dawn when flames from the burners of the balloon light up the darkness as your safari crew inflates the machine. You ascend, drift, and board serenely over the amazing herds of goats or cattle.

As the dawn breaks over the horizon, the wildlife drama unfolds underneath you, with elephants and giraffes casting curious glances your way and birds swooping past. You can get spectacular hot air balloon rides at various parks, including Maasai Mara in Kenya, or Serengeti in Tanzania.

8. Kayaking, rafting, and canoeing

You may not have known it, but Africa is home to many watersports. Canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, and surfing; it’s all here. Some of the incredible spots for water activities such as windsurfing include Egypt, South Africa, and Namibia.

Whether you go kayaking or rafting, you can get a sneak preview of the crocodiles, hippos, and other wild animals that spend most of their time in the murky waters of African rivers and lakes. Combine these water activities with camping to get the best experience.

9. Biking through the desert

One of the top adventurous things to do is take a quad biking tour of the Namib desert. You have more options as you can also traverse the sands on camel rides, horseback, or unique 4x4s.

10. Take a culinary tour

Culinary tours provide a tasty combination of history and tradition. They are not only entertaining and mouthwatering but offer great lessons about the local culture as well. Among the best places in Africa for food tours are Ghana, Nigeria, Seychelles, Egypt, Morocco, and many others.

Culinary tours involve shopping for ingredients at local markets, understanding local recipes, learning techniques, and, of course, some dining and wine tasting in great restaurants.

Whatever you opt to visit in Africa, ensure that you try their local delicacies. From mopane worms in Botswana to gemsbok steaks in Namibia, Africa has some unique yet delicious dishes for you to explore.

11. Attend events and festivals

With thousands of ethnic tribes in Africa, each celebrating their religious festivals, local harvests, and rites of passage there are lots of festivities to experience. Several large cultural events and festivals occur annually where you can enjoy drama, music, poetry, and traditional art with the locals.

12. Game drives

This is the famous way to experience an African safari for most destinations around Africa. Game drives, whether closed or open, are standard for all safaris and are how most visitors experience the wild. Most lodges will provide late afternoon game drives, whereas some parks can convert them into night drives, with your tour guide utilizing a spotlight to uncover nocturnal creatures. Game drives help you to cover a wide range and get closer to the big game.

13. Experience a walking safari

If you have time, a walking safari adds a whole new dimension to any visit. Also known as ‘bush walks’, they are an effective way to get out of your car and stretch your legs during a safari.

Some walking safaris are more serious, taking anywhere between 4-5 hours and lasting several days as you walk between camps across a vast national park. The wildlife, for example in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park, is accustomed to seeing people on walking safaris. As a result, you can get really close to the game, sometimes even seeing a leopard or a lion on foot.

14. Scuba diving

African waters provide assorted treasures to scuba divers, for people who want to take their diving skills a notch higher. Africa is bordered by a myriad of seas and contains freshwater locales, unlike any continent in the world. You can see the Atlantic, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, making it favorable for passionate scuba divers.

From participating in epic rift dives in Egypt to swimming with white sharks in South Africa, scuba diving in Africa is abundant and diverse and is not something you want to miss.

15. Go camping

Africa also has numerous incredible natural safeguarded areas that are ideal for hiking and camping activities. Some of these parks have been allocated specifically for the pleasure of tourists, while others are being protected by local communities that utilize them traditionally. You can get an original African experience while exploring nature at its finest in one of these amazing campsites. Some of the best countries to go camping in Africa include Kenya, Zambia, and Tanzania.

16. Ziplining Activities

With numerous breathtaking waterfalls to be found on African rivers, ziplining makes the list of things to do in Africa. Some tour companies provide ziplining tours where tourists can cross the huge valleys through zip lines, bridges, and cables.

Zip lining offers a unique opportunity for daring travelers to experience something exciting alongside the usual safari travels. Some of the best places to do zip lining in Africa include South Africa, Kenya, and Zimbabwe.

17. Enjoy cycling excursions

On any free day during your safari, you can explore local cities and towns in your travel destination through outdoor cycling.

For example, larger South African cities such as Port Elizabeth and Cape Town have great cycling routes. You can rent a bike at the Cape Town promenade, pedal around, and drop the bike at the Silo District.

18. Trekking in the desert

You can hike the highest sand dunes in the globe, nestled in the heart of Namibia’s Namib Desert and rising 1,256ft from its base (Dune 7).

Set a camp in the heart of Sossusvlei (Dune 45) and watch the starry desert sky at night, followed by a colorful dawn break.

19. Fishing

Fishing can be both at sea or inland while in Africa. Tanzania, Mozambique, and Kenya have some of the best deep-sea fishing places where you can get a queen or king mackerel, Dorado, kingfish, or wahoo.

If you are a fan of freshwater fishing, you can set off for tiger fishing in Zambia, Zimbabwe, or Botswana. Other prestigious fishing places you can go to in Africa include Egypt (Lake Nasser), Seychelles, Mauritius, and the Aberdare Range mountains in Kenya.

20. Golfing

Africa is a great place for golf, particularly if you enjoy lap-up moments on spectacular green scenery or authentic desert courses.

In South Africa and Zimbabwe, you can even enjoy golfing beside the wildlife in pristine areas inhabited by lions, crocodiles, antelope species, and elephants.

Among the notable golf courses across Africa include Lusaka Golf Course (Zambia), Leopard Rock Golf Resort (Zimbabwe), Muthaiga Golf Course (Kenya), and more.

Winding Up

Africa is a diverse and beautiful continent offering a wide range of fun stuff to do during your travel. Whether you want an adrenaline-pumping safari or a relaxing beach holiday, Africa has it all. Be sure to incorporate some of these fantastic activities into your itinerary and enjoy the safari of a lifetime.