What other continent in the world makes you hanker for soaring mountains, sprawling savannahs, impenetrable jungles, wild animal safaris, chaotic cities, and ancient tribes? Africa, of course! However, Africa is so much more than this stereotypical image and it’s up to you to go there to find out the whole truth!
Think you’ve got what it takes for overseas adventure travel in Africa? Read on, my friend, read on!
Africa has long since been considered the cradle of civilization, with ancient tribes from Egypt to South Africa. This continent is also one of the few places on the planet where you can find several species of plants and animals, including the Big Five: lion, rhino, elephant, cape buffalo, and leopard. Africa adventure travel also means you can climb snowy Kilimanjaro, trek across the Serengeti, meet the Maasai in Tanzania, or go sandboarding on the dunes of Namibia.
Like any other part of the world, there are still pockets of conflict on the continent. However, that doesn’t mean you have to steer clear of the whole of the continent! If you do your research thoroughly, you’ll soon realize that many countries are very stable and perfect for overseas adventure travel Africa. With all that said, here are the 10 best countries for adventures in Africa in 2018!
1. Morocco
Sandboard like a king in Morocco on your adventures in Africa!
Rock the kasbah in Morocco on adventure tours Africa! What’s there not to love about its intricate bazaars, ancient medinas, epic mountains, desert oases, and the vast Sahara? Thrill seekers can ride camels across the land, bargain in the steamy souks of Fez and Marrakech, sip mint tea with locals, and take thousands of selfies in the famous blue city, Chefchaouen. Sign me up!
Recommended program: Explore Morocco with CIEE
See ALL adventure travel programs in Morocco
2. South Africa
Go on the safari of a lifetime in South Africa on adventure travel Africa tours.
Thinking of adventure travel Africa? Head to the opposite end of the continent for the time of your life! Go snorkeling in the blue or cage diving with sharks in Cape Town. Animal lovers, meet the penguins of the Boulder Penguin Colony but keep your distance; they are wild after all! In Port Elizabeth, hit the waves or just work on your tan. When you think you’ve done with adventure Africa, there’s still so much safari-ing, rock climbing, yoga-ing, and hiking to do!
Recommended program: Go on a surfing adventure in South Africa with Love Volunteers
See ALL adventure travel programs in South Africa
3. Kenya
Jump for joy like the locals in Kenya do on your overseas adventure travel in Africa!
If you google Kenya, you’ll probably be inundated with pictures of animal safaris on adventure travel Africa tours. Of course, there’s plenty of opportunities to spot the Big Five there as well as zebras, wildebeest, and gazelles in its national parks and reserves. However, people don’t just go to Kenya for the exotic wildlife. In fact, this African country is home to some of the most fascinating tribes in the world, from Maasai to Kikuyu. Volunteering in Kenyan cities are also adventures in themselves, whether in the capital, Nairobi, or old city, Mombasa.
Recommended program: Explore Kenya with Discover Corps
See ALL adventure travel programs in Kenya
4. Botswana
We ain’t lion about how great Botswana is for adventure travel in Africa
Even though everyone flocks to Kenya for the typical African animal safari, escape the crowds and see the animals up, close, and personal in Botswana’s Moremi Game Reserve instead. Base yourself in the capital, Gaborone, to go on adventure travel Africa tours across the Kalahari desert and Okavango Delta. Hop in a mokoro (dugout canoe) or kayak rivers to navigate around hippos, crocodiles, and elephants in their natural habitats.
Recommended program: Explore Botswana with Adventure Heart
See ALL adventure travel programs in Botswana
5. Tanzania
Don’t just sit around—jump in! Enjoy the fun and frolic of Tanzanian beaches on your adventures in Africa.
Buckle up for an overseas adventure! Travel Africa and arrive in Tanzania. This East African country has bajillions of things to suit adventure travel Africa tours. You can climb to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, the continent’s highest peak, check out lions, cheetahs, and zebras in Serengeti National Park, or go scuba diving and snorkeling in the Indian ocean. Tanzania is also a bird watcher’s delight so remember to bring those binoculars!
Recommended program: Explore Tanzania with IVHQ
See ALL adventure travel programs in Tanzania
6. Cameroon
Learn about unique cultures in Cameroon while experiencing adventure travel in Africa.
Known as Africa in miniature, Cameroon is where it’s at when it comes to adventures in Africa. It’s overflowing with national reserves, beaches, volcanic lakes, waterfalls, rainforests, and the outrageous rock formations of the Sahel. Visit fondoms (kingdoms) to meet Pygmies, Beti, Bantou, and other tribes on adventure travel Africa. Climb Mount Cameroon, an active volcano and the highest point in all of Western Africa, or pound the waves in the Gulf of Guinea.
Recommended program: Save gorillas and chimpanzees in Cameroon with ACF
See ALL adventure travel programs in Cameroon
7. Ghana
Feel the rhythm of Ghana and make new friends on your overseas adventure travels in Africa!
Ghana should be your next destination for adventure travel Africa because it’s one of the easier countries to visit on the continent. It welcomes visitors with its diverse wildlife, hospitable people, and good transport system. Check out its famous forts, sandy beaches, castles, and colonial architecture on your overseas adventure. Travel Africa to Kakum National Park, perfect for thrill seekers with its canopy walk over the rainforest and hiking trails around Lake Volta.
Recommended program: Adventure travel around Ghana with CrossContinental
See ALL adventure travel programs in Ghana
8. Egypt
Explore Egypt’s glorious past on a camel’s back on adventure travel Africa tours.
Go back in time in the land of one of the world’s oldest civilizations. For centuries, Egypt has been the place for adventure travel Africa tours. When you touch down, make a beeline for the most famous landmark of them all, the Pyramids of Giza. Ogle the jewels and mummies in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and sail along the Nile to visit Nubian villages and ancient temples on your adventure travel Africa journey. Climb Mount Sinai like Moses, go diving off the coast of Dahab, and eat the best shawarma this side of Africa.
Recommended program: Go on an adventure in Egypt with Broadreach
See ALL adventure travel programs in Egypt
9. Mozambique
Experience all of Mozambique's magic
Looking for off the beaten path adventures in Africa? Try Mozambique for lovely beaches and a laid-back vibe. Head to Tofo beach for huge manta rays and dolphins for your overseas adventure. Travel Africa by boat to Quirimbas Archipelago for more beaches and colonial ruins and a bit further to Bazaruto Archipelago for protected reefs perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving. Inland, you’ll also find some of Africa’s best forests and wildlife habitats.
Recommended program: Experience Mozambique with Kaya Responsible Travel
See ALL adventure travel programs in Mozambique
10. Namibia
Set up camp on Namibian sand dunes!
Namibia should be on your radar if you’re thinking about adventures in Africa. Did you know it’s the home to the world’s oldest desert, the Namib Desert? It’s also the only desert in Africa that’s home to cheetahs, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, and lions. On your adventure travel Africa tours here, drive over miles and miles of sand dunes Mad Max: Fury Road style or meditate in Sossusvlei, famous for its orange sand dunes.
Recommended program: Protect the elephants in Namibia with Oyster
See ALL adventure travel programs in Namibia
A note from GoAbroad
We’d like to thank our community for not only inspiring us daily, but for also giving us enough insight to share accurate predictions for meaningful travel in 2018.
Learn more about our research methodology, recommended programs, and links here.
Read the full report here.
Browse more of this year's report on top adventure travel destinations
- Best Adventure Travel Destinations in the World for 2018
- Best Adventure Travel Destinations in the Americas for 2018
- Best Adventure Travel Destinations in the South Pacific & Asia for 2018
- Best Adventure Travel Destinations in Europe for 2018
- See ALL top destinations for ALL travel
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