Active Vacations
Walking, hiking, boating and cycling: get out into nature and explore
Get your heart rate up on active vacations with Explorer and discover Southern African getaways with an outdoor edge.
We take health to heart and will give you plenty of opportunities to get away and get moving. Whether sea kayaking with penguins or cycling through the Cape Winelands; hiking through the veld on an interactive bush walk or riding on horseback across the Masai Mara. If there’s one way to immerse yourself in the environment, it’s by actively engaging with it.
Perhaps you’re more into hiking than mountain biking. Maybe you prefer to be on the water instead of in it. We’re all about tailored experiences, so we will customize your trip to include your chosen activities. If you’re the kind of person who thrives on endorphins, you’ll love our active vacations in Southern Africa.
highlights
For beginners, Jeffrey’s Bay is the ideal learn-to-surf destination. Nothing beats paddling out and chasing the perfect wave with the wind in your hair.
Widely considered the birthplace of the African walking safari, South Luangwa is a wildlife enthusiast’s dream: come across elephant herds, rare Thornicroft giraffe and baobab trees.
Discover underwater landscapes off the coast of Zanzibar, filled with exceptional coral reefs and tropical reefs; explore an ancient wreck and even swim alongside a manatee.
Top Experiences in Active Vacations
Saddle up for a chauffeured motorcycle sidecar adventure from the city to Cape Point, taking in highlights such as Chapman’s Peak and Simonstown. This is also a great option for exploring the Cape Winelands.
As the only national park on Zanzibar island, a walk through Jozani Forest is not to be missed. Spot red colobus monkeys and visit Mama Mtondoo, a mahogany tree thought to be over 200 years old.
These luxury tented camps move with the herds, guaranteeing the best game viewing in the Serengeti all year round.
Widely considered the birthplace of the African walking safari, South Luangwa is a wildlife enthusiast’s dream. Wander through woodland savannah with your knowledgable guide to come across elephant herds, rare Thornicroft giraffe and baobab trees.
A mokoro cruise in the Okavango Delta is a serene and immersive journey into one of Africa’s most pristine and enchanting wildernesses. A mokoro is a traditional dugout canoe, expertly guided by a local poler who uses a long wooden pole to glide silently through the shallow, crystal-clear waters. As you drift between papyrus reeds and lily-dotted lagoons, the only sounds are the soft splash of water and the calls of distant birds.
From this low, water-level vantage point, you can spot a wealth of wildlife—delicate reed frogs clinging to stems, colorful kingfishers darting overhead, and elephants feeding in the shallows. Occasionally, hippos or lechwe antelopes may appear, adding to the thrill. With no engine noise, the experience is peaceful, meditative, and deeply connected to nature.
A mokoro cruise is not just about wildlife; it’s about slowing down, absorbing the delta’s rhythms, and experiencing its untouched beauty in the most intimate way possible.