For many travellers, a safari is imagined as a daily rhythm of early mornings and late afternoons spent in a game drive vehicle, searching for wildlife.
While game drives are a core part of any safari, there are opportunities to add to the experience. Some clients, especially those returning to Africa, seek out more varied activities alongside classic game viewing. These trips include a broader mix of experiences that allow you to connect with a destination from different perspectives, creating a layered and memorable safari.
A varied way to safari
We’ve been fortunate to experience safari destinations that offer diverse activities alongside quintessential game drives, and we love pulling on this knowledge when planning trips.
At Sirikoi in Kenya, for example, you can step away from the vehicle entirely. Horse riding allows you to move quietly through the landscape at eye level with wildlife, while guided walks bring attention to the smaller details often missed on a drive. The lodge’s vegetable garden adds another dimension, offering a hands-on farm-to-table experience that connects guests to the land in a simple, meaningful way.
Experiencing the landscape differently
In areas shaped by water or varied terrain, activities naturally expand.
At Marataba, time on the Matlabas River offers a different perspective, where wildlife gathers along the water’s edge. Pair that with a guided walk, and you begin to experience the same landscape in a completely different way.
At Royal Malewane’s Waterside, families have endless opportunities to enjoy time together beyond safari activities alone. Cookie baking, pizza making, entertainment hubs, and interactive experiences for children allow adults in the group to fully relax and soak up the slower pace of safari life.
Beyond wildlife
Some of our most memorable moments on safari have had very little to do with animals.
In the Makgadikgadi, Jack’s Camp and San Camp offer experiences that feel entirely distinct from a traditional safari. Quad biking across the salt pans introduces a sense of scale and freedom, while time spent with the San community adds cultural depth and perspective.
At Sabi Sabi, a thoughtful kids club ensures younger travellers are engaged in their own way, allowing the overall experience to feel balanced for the whole family.
Extending the experience beyond safari
A well-designed itinerary often carries a sense of variety through to the coast.
In Madagascar and Mozambique, scuba diving and snorkelling open up an entirely different world beneath the surface, while slower experiences like traditional dhow sailing or paddle boarding offer a calm, considered way to spend time on the water.
These contrasts are often what make a trip feel complete.
Why do we encourage an active safari?
Game drives will always be at the heart of safari, especially if wildlife is the core focus of the tri. But for some guests, especially those returning to Africa or looking for a slightly different pace, additional activities can add another layer to a trip and often offer a new perspective on a destination.
Not every safari needs to include every activity and not every traveller wants the same thing. Part of thoughtful safari planning is understanding what will make a trip feel most meaningful for you.
