Adventure Travel to Africa

If the usual summer destinations seemed monotonous, meaningless, and empty to you, then perhaps you would be interested in a one of a kind African holiday. The emerging tourism trend in Africa is called ecotourism, which is a blend of adventure and environmental advocacy. A tourist who visits this mysterious continent will be treated to exciting escapades while being given the rewarding opportunity to contribute towards helping the sustainability of Africa’s biodiversity.

History and Geography

Africa has been called the cradle of civilization. That is, some scientists theorized that humanity first evolved in the African region. Located south of Europe and nestled at the center of the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea, the continent of Africa is now home to about forty-five countries.

Much of Africa is unexplored and vast areas of lands are still occupied by thick rainforests, pristine beaches, and unconquered deserts. The diversity of habitats in Africa, from mountains to beaches and from deserts to jungles, supports a great variety of species. However, with the escalating population, it won’t be long until human impact will overtake the habitats and make many plants and animals extinct. The extinction of species will have negative repercussions on a global scale.

Unfortunately, the majority of African countries do not have sufficient funds in protecting their ecology. This is where the tourist, who has a spirit for adventure and a heart for environmental advocacy, comes in. An adventure travel in Africa will fulfill both the thirst for challenge and the quest for meaning. Some of the recommended places to explore are the Plettenberg Bay and the Kruger National Park in South Africa, the Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the Chongoni Rock Art in Malawi, the Kalahari Desert in Botswana, and the sand dunes in Namibia.

South Africa

The Western Cape in South Africa is a major tourist destination because the vantage points of the province provide a clear panorama of the Plettenberg Bay. One vantage point is the Robberg Peninsula, a nature reserve for indigenous plants and animals. From this peninsula, the tourist can watch the frolicking whales and dolphins in the waters of Plettenberg Bay. The best time to look for the Southern Right Whales (Eubalaena australis) is during the breeding season which begins in July and ends in October.

While in South Africa, the tourists can also follow the bushman trail at the Kruger National Park. In this five-day adventure, the tourists will have a glimpse of how prehistoric Africans lived as they walk through granite hills and have campfire dinners. There will be close encounters with rhino herds and other wild animals, whose populations depend on the continuous preservation of their habitats.

Tanzania

The Mount Kilimanjaro is settled in the northeastern region of Tanzania. At 15,100 feet, Kilimanjaro, with three volcanic cones, the Kibo, the Mawensi, and the Shira, is considered as the world’s tallest free-standing mountain. Climbing and conquering Mount Kilimanjaro is the major must-do activity when a tourist visits Tanzania. The ascent towards one of the peaks of Kilimanjaro usually takes six days and within these six days, the tourists will trek through diverse habitats, such as dense forests, muddy vegetations, high moorlands, dry alpine deserts, and rapid streams. At the end of the climb, the tourists will find the famed snow cones of Mount Kilimanjaro.

For tourists who have very little or zero experience in mountaineering, the easiest routes to take are the Marangu, the Rongai, and the Machame. There will be various campsites with huts that provide bathroom and cooking facilities. Electricity is also available along with an existing cellular phone network. Thus, a tourist need not worry about being completely cut off from civilization. The more experienced mountain climbers are encouraged to go farther and reach the Uhuru Peak. For all mountain climbers, the only problem to anticipate is altitude sickness due to thinner air. This is why the Tanzanian government requires that all climbers must first undergo a period of acclimatization and must take medicines against altitude sickness.

Malawi

The Chongoni Rock Art in Malawi has been declared as a World Heritage Site. Surrounded by granite hills, the area is divided into 127 sites which display the rock art created by prehistoric Africans, such as the BaTwa hunter-gatherers of the Late Stone Age and the Chewa agriculturists of the Late Iron Age. Sociologists suggest that the rock arts are integral parts of the prehistoric societies’ ceremonies and rituals.

Another World Heritage Site in this central African region is the Lake Malawi. It is Africa’s largest freshwater lake which supports more than 800 aquatic species, most of which are endemic. The banks of the lake are also the sanctuaries of birds and butterflies. The lake is usually explored within a four-day sailing trip. Malawi, similar to many African countries, enjoys a warm climate. This is why tourists must always bring sun protection lotion.

Botswana

The Kalahari Desert takes up a huge chunk of the whole geographical area of Botswana. It is also the location of the world’s largest saltpan. The best time to explore Botswana’s Kalahari Desert is during the early or late part of summer when rains generously pour over the saltpans. When the saltpans are filled with water, the most interesting phenomenon happens. Attracted to water, antelopes and flamingoes gather in the area. The presence of these plant-eating animals also attracts predators such as lions. Thus, the tourist will be treated to the reality of wildlife.

Namibia

The sand dunes in Sossusvlei of Namibia entice the most courageous of all adventurers. The must-do things in Namibia are hot air ballooning, sand boarding, quad biking, and even parachuting. Some of the sand dunes can be as high as 1200 feet and a fast hike from the base towards the peak of a sand dune will take about one hour. The area, which is a part of the Namib Desert, regularly changes the landscape because of the rolling sands.

The temperatures are usually high and so the best time to visit the sand dunes is in the early morning when the sun is just about to emerge from the horizon. The fresh rays of the sun over sand dunes result in colorful waves that will be a treat for photographers, amateurs or professionals.