Africa is a much overlooked destination by many travellers but the continent has so much to offer. It’s one of the best, most exciting, and interesting places I have ever been.

I’ve spent several months down the east coast and the south and there is so much more to be seen.

The core number of travellers I met were in South Africa, but some of those also travelled up into Namibia, Botswana and Zambia, as well as others.

So this is for those thinking about about travelling to Southern Africa, or those already there, and looking for some fun adrenaline packed adventure.

Naturally there is a lot more to do than just the 5 mentioned here. The whole area has so much to offer.

I’ve personally done all of the things listed and can highly recommend them.

1. Go on Safari

Ok you could put this one under the #noshit category as going on safari in Africa is a must do for any visitor.

Being out in the wild with nature, exposed to the elements, is a very primordial feeling.

There’s nothing quite like the adrenaline hit of being only several metres away from a lion in an open vehicle on a night safari. Trust me, it’s intense.

Camping out with no fence around you in the middle of the bush, having to go to the toilet in the middle of the night, is an adventure not knowing what animals could be lurking in the darkness.

There are plenty of famous safari destinations to visit when you are there.

Just look into reputable organisations for your safari experience. If on a budget be sure to bargain hard with the price for a longer safari in some destinations.

Here’s an article I did about safari’s in eastern and southern Africa.

2. White Water Rafting at Victoria Falls

Prepare to get sore arms and swallow some water, it’s white water rafting time down the Zambezi river below Victoria Falls.

With a total of around 25 rapids, with several being the toughest grade 5, it’s a hardcore experience.

It was the first time I had ever white water rafted and it was crazy. I was washed overboard twice. One on the toughest rapid of them all.

Clinging on for dear life is not the only part. There is the high chance of going into the water and then you have the fun time of drifting down the river.

I have to mention at this point that crocodiles were seen on the river bank, even though we were told there were none. Maybe just a few…wtf indeed!

I used a company called Safpar for the white water rafting and they were excellent and professional. Their website here: Safpar.

3. Cage diving with great white sharks in South Africa

Wow! I could leave the explanation just at that. This wasn’t an adrenaline rush, it was about being left in awe at nature.

Seeing a great white hark swim directly towards you with it’s dark black eyes staring, then opening it’s jaws to “taste” the cage 1 metre from your face is unforgettable.

Oh, and they’re bloody huge as well.

Just getting into the cage is exciting with the sharks swimming all around you. One bad slip and you could be in the water with them.

There is a small island a few kilometres off shore from the mainland where many seals live and make the trip between the 2.

It’s here where the boats stop and put chum in the water to attract the sharks. I’ve done it twice and it depends on luck how many great whites you will see.

One time we had several around the boat within 5 minutes of stopping. Truly an unforgettable experience.

It’s easy to organise a day trip to do this from Cape Town. There are many companies doing it and they all seem to be similar in price.

Here’s a more detailed article I did about cage diving with great white sharks in South Africa.

And if you are there check out some of the best things to do in Cape Town nearby.

4. Sand-boarding and quad biking in Namibia

They say that Namibians are big children as they have a massive sandbox in their backyard.

It’s true.

Getting out into the Namibian desert and away from everything is very peaceful. But then jumping on a quad bike and going full speed up and around a sand dune is not.

They call it riding the dunes and your almost on your side.

Thankfully you go with very experienced guides that know where the steep drops are, otherwise you would go flying over the edge which would not be good, to say the least.

There are different timed trips. Go for at least a few hours to truly get deep into the desert, and in the evening so you can see the sunset from on top of the dunes.

Then there is the sand boarding.

This is actually very tiring as you have to lug the snow (sand) board up the massive dunes while wearing heavy snow board boots in the midday sun.

But once your on top with the stunning views in all directions and going full on down the side of a massive dune it’s all worth it.

They also have a body board waxed up for ultimate slide that you go flying down the steep part of the dune.

At the end of the day it will take at least 2 showers to get all the sand off your body.

You can organise both these activities from the extreme sports mecca of Swakopmund, a town close to the dunes. Plenty of organisations will help you.

5. Flying a microlight above Victoria Falls

The vast expanse of the Zambezi river heading into the distance as you fly a microlight above the famous Victoria Falls in Zambia.

Just look at the photo above and you will want to get up there and fly free above nature’s beauty.

Technically your not supposed to fly as the well trained pilots will do that. But if you’re lucky you could end up on the training microlight and they will give you the chance to control it yourself once in the air.

Truly epic.

For those scared of heights just go for it. I don’t particularly like heights either, but when you do these kind of things you get past your fear and get lost in the moment.

This is the second Victoria Falls activity on the list but the place deserves it. There is a lot more you can do apart from the 2 mentioned in this article.

It’s an adrenaline rush paradise.

Visit Southern Africa

Southern Africa is such a beautiful place with so much to see and do.

Starting in South Africa is a good way into the region as they often have the cheapest flights, and from there head on out on an adventure.

Or if you’re coming down from Eastern Africa then hit up Victoria Falls first then head into Botswana, Namibia, then down to Cape Town.

I recommend using SafetyWing Travel Insurance for your trip, just in case, it’s best to be prepared.

Go to Southern Africa.                                

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