Active Safaris
Apr 8th, 2008, 05:50 PM
#1
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Active Safaris
We're looking for a safari experience that blends walking, hiking, canoeing or other active pursuits with the traditional game-spotting-from-a-vehicle activity. Are there any companies people might especially recommend, such as REI, OAT, or BackRoads, or would it be better to try to organize our own trip with our travel companions?
Apr 9th, 2008, 03:06 AM
#3
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I would suggest Mana Pool and Hwange in Zimbabwe or Lower Zambezi/North and South Luangwa in Zambia.
My preference for Canoing would be Mana Pools, it is across the river from Lower Zambezi, but a far better experience.
For Walking, I would go with North Luangwa and mix it in with some drives in a South Luangwa Camp. I would recommend remote africa;
http://www.remoteafrica.com - they operate in both parks
Most agents can book these trips and they are not normally catered for by OAT and other such group based safaris. This type of trip would be very personal in small camps.
Hwange has excellent walking too, though it is not as remote and wild as the Luangwa.
My preference for Canoing would be Mana Pools, it is across the river from Lower Zambezi, but a far better experience.
For Walking, I would go with North Luangwa and mix it in with some drives in a South Luangwa Camp. I would recommend remote africa;
http://www.remoteafrica.com - they operate in both parks
Most agents can book these trips and they are not normally catered for by OAT and other such group based safaris. This type of trip would be very personal in small camps.
Hwange has excellent walking too, though it is not as remote and wild as the Luangwa.
Apr 9th, 2008, 05:20 AM
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While most of the OAT trips are at least partially active (hikes etc), the OAT safaris are pretty traditional vehicle game drives, so for your particular preference you will probably have to look elsewhere.
Apr 9th, 2008, 05:57 AM
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i forgot to add, the canoing trips on the Zambezi involve walking as well.
You schedule for the day will look like the following:
6 am - Breakfast
6.30-7am - Leave your current campsite by canoe
7-8am - Canoe down river
8-10 am - A walk at a point selected by the guide. Could be on an Island or mainland.
10 - 12 More canoing
12 - 2.30 Lunch, it is a packed lunch brought with you. Enjoy a siesta by the rivers edge
2.30 - 3.45 - Another walk in the area you had lunch
3.45 - Sunset, canoe into camp
This just a rough idea, though you may stop to walk depending on sightings etc etc. You spend time avoiding hippos, crocs whilst enjoying the birding and gameviewing along the rivers edge.
I went on a mobile safari across Mana Pools National park, which this is an example of. You leave camp in the morning, and it is ready with drinks set up when you have finished your day. Normally, this lasts four days/three nights.
Whilst you can canoe on the Zambian side, it is busy with traffic (motor boats) and not normally the mobile option. The Zim side only allows canoes on their side of the river.
http://www.pbase.com/backtoafrica/ma...e&page=all
This gallery is more of the scenic to the canoe trail and walking trail.
It is offered by a number of companies:
Wilderness Safaris
http://www.wilderness-safaris.com/sa...ploration=2313
Natureways
http://www.natureways.com/
You schedule for the day will look like the following:
6 am - Breakfast
6.30-7am - Leave your current campsite by canoe
7-8am - Canoe down river
8-10 am - A walk at a point selected by the guide. Could be on an Island or mainland.
10 - 12 More canoing
12 - 2.30 Lunch, it is a packed lunch brought with you. Enjoy a siesta by the rivers edge
2.30 - 3.45 - Another walk in the area you had lunch
3.45 - Sunset, canoe into camp
This just a rough idea, though you may stop to walk depending on sightings etc etc. You spend time avoiding hippos, crocs whilst enjoying the birding and gameviewing along the rivers edge.
I went on a mobile safari across Mana Pools National park, which this is an example of. You leave camp in the morning, and it is ready with drinks set up when you have finished your day. Normally, this lasts four days/three nights.
Whilst you can canoe on the Zambian side, it is busy with traffic (motor boats) and not normally the mobile option. The Zim side only allows canoes on their side of the river.
http://www.pbase.com/backtoafrica/ma...e&page=all
This gallery is more of the scenic to the canoe trail and walking trail.
It is offered by a number of companies:
Wilderness Safaris
http://www.wilderness-safaris.com/sa...ploration=2313
Natureways
http://www.natureways.com/
Apr 9th, 2008, 07:02 AM
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With all due respect, I would not recommend Natureways Safaris as they are based in Harare, Zimbawbe and with the post election days being in such turmoil, it is best to stay away from them for now.....Not fair to steer the client in the direction of Zim...just mho
Apr 9th, 2008, 08:59 AM
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Betsey,
I too share your enthusiasm for doing activities beside spotting from the vehicle. So, I too am interested in learning more about companies that provide these activities.
In the meantime, however, I have found planning my own trips to be very fun. Kruger National Park (in South Africa) is, in my opinion, probably the best place to go for active safaris for the value it provides. They have 3-4 day walking safaris (called Wilderness Trails) that are very reasonably priced. These trails were the highlight of my last trip. I enjoyed my experience so much that I'm going back in a couple of weeks to do a different trail.
Kruger also has morning and afternoon mountain biking trips in one area. I have not yet done this but look forward to doing so in the future.
Many people also visit Kruger by self-driving. I personally think self-driving is a little more fun than having a guide do it all for you. There are disadvantages to self-driving, but to me the advantages (e.g., flexibility, lower cost, and the sheer fun of finding something all on your own) more than make up for the disadvantages.
Another great thing about Kruger is that you can also sign up for guided activities (including morning and afternoon walks and night drives) as well as self-drive. That way, you can get that experience of having a professional spot game for you.
I encourage you to visit the South Africa National Parks website at www.sanparks.com. There is a wealth of information there.
OK--I'm ending my plug for Kruger now...
As far as canoeing goes, Kruger does not have that. Mana Pools and/or Lower Zambezi are the place for that. They're on my list of future places to visit.
North and South Luangwa NP in Zambia is known as the birthplace of walking safaris. They're very high on my list of places to visit, too.
Hope this is enough to get you started. Let me know if you have any questions.
I too share your enthusiasm for doing activities beside spotting from the vehicle. So, I too am interested in learning more about companies that provide these activities.
In the meantime, however, I have found planning my own trips to be very fun. Kruger National Park (in South Africa) is, in my opinion, probably the best place to go for active safaris for the value it provides. They have 3-4 day walking safaris (called Wilderness Trails) that are very reasonably priced. These trails were the highlight of my last trip. I enjoyed my experience so much that I'm going back in a couple of weeks to do a different trail.
Kruger also has morning and afternoon mountain biking trips in one area. I have not yet done this but look forward to doing so in the future.
Many people also visit Kruger by self-driving. I personally think self-driving is a little more fun than having a guide do it all for you. There are disadvantages to self-driving, but to me the advantages (e.g., flexibility, lower cost, and the sheer fun of finding something all on your own) more than make up for the disadvantages.
Another great thing about Kruger is that you can also sign up for guided activities (including morning and afternoon walks and night drives) as well as self-drive. That way, you can get that experience of having a professional spot game for you.
I encourage you to visit the South Africa National Parks website at www.sanparks.com. There is a wealth of information there.
OK--I'm ending my plug for Kruger now...
As far as canoeing goes, Kruger does not have that. Mana Pools and/or Lower Zambezi are the place for that. They're on my list of future places to visit.
North and South Luangwa NP in Zambia is known as the birthplace of walking safaris. They're very high on my list of places to visit, too.
Hope this is enough to get you started. Let me know if you have any questions.
Apr 9th, 2008, 12:22 PM
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Check out Green Footprint Adventures in Tanzania. We are in the process of planning our safari for next year and they are on our shortlist. They have gotten good reviews on Fodors, TripAdvisor and in the guidebooks.
Apr 9th, 2008, 04:02 PM
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Betsey E,
Lots of good suggestions on Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Tanzania.
I had great success with NatureWays in Mana Pools, Zimbabwe. I also did some wonderful canoeing (and walking) in Zambia’s Lower Zambezi, staying at Sausage Tree and Old Mondoro. I did not experience a lot of motorboats, but we stuck to the channels more than the main river. The daylong canoe trip on the Chifungulu Channel between Sausage Tree and Old Mondoro was an absolute enchanting highlight.
Phinda in South Africa has a program where you can spend a week and do a different activity each day—horseback riding, flying safari for sea creatures, visits to local homesteads and a psychic, walks, rhino tracking, canoeing (beautiful but not as intense as Mana Pools or Zambezi), turtle egg laying in the right season, tracking a collared leopard, etc. I particularly liked the rhino tracking.
A really good workout is chimp or gorilla tracking in Uganda and Rwanda.
Just a comment on active safaris—In most cases (except for primates) you see less game than in a vehicle because animals are more comfortable with people in vehicles than on foot, or even in canoes. But the sightings you do get have an added element of reward and excitement. I like walking and canoeing and the majority of my next safari will be walking in Zambia in South and mostly North Luangwa. In N. Luangwa, I’ll be at my favorite camp, Kutandala, where you set out for most walks by removing your shoes, rolling up your trousers, and crossing the calf-deep, slow flowing Mwaleshi River.
Looking at Backroads…
SA Walking & Hiking—South Africa & Botswana Walking
If you wanted Cape Town in there, this has it. Mashatu is great bargain but with all the great reviews, I wonder how long it will remain so. You can walk and mountain bike at Mashatu. I didn’t see a mention of mountain biking and Backroads even does bike trips. Hmmm. Very good for leopards. I want to get there. But I’m sure going to spend more than the 2 days that BR does. Londolozi is a premier wildlife destination in Sabi Sands. With a twist on your goal to be active, the Sabi Sands is so good for game, that I would prefer NOT to walk there because of what I am missing by not being in the vehicle. With a 3 night stay, I’d rather be taking advantage of that game rich area in a vehicle. Undoubtedly, you’ll have a chance to both walk and view from a vehicle. With the non-safari, scenic mountains, it looks like a well rounded, active trip. $9900 for 11 days or $990/day. With all the non-safari days that seems high. Flying to/from Mashatu can be tricky and expensive if that’s what the internal flight is for.
An Active Safari in South Africa and Botswana--South Africa Multi-Sport
Up close and personal with the elephants—I’d check on how this place acquired the elephants you get to touch to see if they really were “rescued.” Maybe so and going there supports a worthy project. There are wineries where you can pet domesticated cheetahs and this itinerary includes the up close and personal with that species. Ngala is a good walking area, not as game rich as Sabi Sands, though, from what I’ve heard. If you wanted Cape Town in there, this has it. Again, well rounded. $5830 for 9 nights or $650/night. That’s not bad, but you might want more than 9 nights. I costed casual inns, classic.
South Africa and Botswana Insider
I couldn’t figure out the itinerary
OAT has a variety of activities at a great value but is not known for being particularly active like Backroads and hiking or canoeing safaris. I didn’t know REI did Africa travel.
Good luck in your pursuit of an active safari. There are many good options.
Lots of good suggestions on Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Tanzania.
I had great success with NatureWays in Mana Pools, Zimbabwe. I also did some wonderful canoeing (and walking) in Zambia’s Lower Zambezi, staying at Sausage Tree and Old Mondoro. I did not experience a lot of motorboats, but we stuck to the channels more than the main river. The daylong canoe trip on the Chifungulu Channel between Sausage Tree and Old Mondoro was an absolute enchanting highlight.
Phinda in South Africa has a program where you can spend a week and do a different activity each day—horseback riding, flying safari for sea creatures, visits to local homesteads and a psychic, walks, rhino tracking, canoeing (beautiful but not as intense as Mana Pools or Zambezi), turtle egg laying in the right season, tracking a collared leopard, etc. I particularly liked the rhino tracking.
A really good workout is chimp or gorilla tracking in Uganda and Rwanda.
Just a comment on active safaris—In most cases (except for primates) you see less game than in a vehicle because animals are more comfortable with people in vehicles than on foot, or even in canoes. But the sightings you do get have an added element of reward and excitement. I like walking and canoeing and the majority of my next safari will be walking in Zambia in South and mostly North Luangwa. In N. Luangwa, I’ll be at my favorite camp, Kutandala, where you set out for most walks by removing your shoes, rolling up your trousers, and crossing the calf-deep, slow flowing Mwaleshi River.
Looking at Backroads…
SA Walking & Hiking—South Africa & Botswana Walking
If you wanted Cape Town in there, this has it. Mashatu is great bargain but with all the great reviews, I wonder how long it will remain so. You can walk and mountain bike at Mashatu. I didn’t see a mention of mountain biking and Backroads even does bike trips. Hmmm. Very good for leopards. I want to get there. But I’m sure going to spend more than the 2 days that BR does. Londolozi is a premier wildlife destination in Sabi Sands. With a twist on your goal to be active, the Sabi Sands is so good for game, that I would prefer NOT to walk there because of what I am missing by not being in the vehicle. With a 3 night stay, I’d rather be taking advantage of that game rich area in a vehicle. Undoubtedly, you’ll have a chance to both walk and view from a vehicle. With the non-safari, scenic mountains, it looks like a well rounded, active trip. $9900 for 11 days or $990/day. With all the non-safari days that seems high. Flying to/from Mashatu can be tricky and expensive if that’s what the internal flight is for.
An Active Safari in South Africa and Botswana--South Africa Multi-Sport
Up close and personal with the elephants—I’d check on how this place acquired the elephants you get to touch to see if they really were “rescued.” Maybe so and going there supports a worthy project. There are wineries where you can pet domesticated cheetahs and this itinerary includes the up close and personal with that species. Ngala is a good walking area, not as game rich as Sabi Sands, though, from what I’ve heard. If you wanted Cape Town in there, this has it. Again, well rounded. $5830 for 9 nights or $650/night. That’s not bad, but you might want more than 9 nights. I costed casual inns, classic.
South Africa and Botswana Insider
I couldn’t figure out the itinerary
OAT has a variety of activities at a great value but is not known for being particularly active like Backroads and hiking or canoeing safaris. I didn’t know REI did Africa travel.
Good luck in your pursuit of an active safari. There are many good options.
Apr 9th, 2008, 07:26 PM
#12
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THANK YOU to everyone who so thoughtfully and quickly responded to my question about active safaris. I'm very excited to check out all these options...I had no idea there could be so many. Glad I'm thinking about 2009!
Apr 9th, 2008, 08:09 PM
#13
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These active options not enough for you - there's whitewater rafting on the Zambezi. I have done it on the Zambian side, and was a lot of fun!
There's bungy jumping on the garden route - blaukraans (spelling?), although i had a lot of fun at that time - i doubt, if i will venture out on this one again!
There's bungy jumping on the garden route - blaukraans (spelling?), although i had a lot of fun at that time - i doubt, if i will venture out on this one again!
Apr 9th, 2008, 08:13 PM
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Lynn,
Sure you can walk in the Sabi Sands during the long siesta break. Talk to your ranger and fix a time and tell him that you want to go on a longish walk. However, i must admit it's usually on the game drive track and your vehicle does follow you in reasonable distance. But, yes .... i agree to your point that it's primarily a game drive destination.
Sure you can walk in the Sabi Sands during the long siesta break. Talk to your ranger and fix a time and tell him that you want to go on a longish walk. However, i must admit it's usually on the game drive track and your vehicle does follow you in reasonable distance. But, yes .... i agree to your point that it's primarily a game drive destination.
