Things to do in Africa

Best Boating Safaris in Africa, Boat cruises offer a unique way to experience African wildlife on an African safari. These excursions can range from short excursions to luxury yachts, providing an opportunity to witness hippo, zebras, and elephants enjoying a refreshing drink. Whether on inland rivers or the coast, boat cruises offer an opportunity to witness animal antics and witness the beauty of African nature.

Below, we offer a few our favorite places to go on boat cruises in Africa, whether for short outings or multi-day adventures.

Hot Air Balloon Safaris—An Amazing Way to See Africa

Ujuzi travelers have experienced a unique African experience with a hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. The safari offers a bird’s-eye view of African wildlife, including the Great Wildebeest Migration, Sossuvlei desert landscape, and Murchison Falls. Ujuzi travelers also enjoyed the intimate animal encounters, such as watching a pod of hippos in a pond.

Later, Becky and her family watched hundreds—possibly thousands—of wildebeest gallop across the plains. “Being above all the animals and seeing the herds of wildebeest was truly an incredible experience,” she said.

What to Expect on a Hot Air Balloon Safari

While the experience varies depending on the unique characteristics of each location, balloon safaris typically launch just after dawn to take advantage of the beautiful light, cooler temperatures, and abundant animal activity that takes place as the sun rises. Watch the balloon being inflated as you listen to the sounds of the wilderness waking.

No two flights are exactly the same. The direction you go and highlights you see depend entirely on the wind. The flight typically lasts about forty-five minutes to an hour, although it may go shorter or longer depending on the day’s weather conditions.

But many things are in your pilot’s control, including the altitude of your balloon. Depending on what’s around you, your pilot may fly at treetop height, sometimes lower, offering a unique perspective and great photographic opportunities of the wildlife below. At other times the pilot will ascend to more than 1,000 feet to show you the enormity of the landscape.

Upon landing, it’s typical to enjoy a post-flight champagne toast. Morning flights are often followed by a full English breakfast served outdoors near the landing site, surrounded by the scenery you previously watched from above.

Can Kids Go on a Hot Air Balloon Safari?

Yes! If you’re traveling with kids, a hot air balloon ride is an excellent way to experience the landscape together. In general, balloon operators accept passengers 7 and older who are at least 4 feet tall. Passengers should be able to stand unassisted, follow directions from the pilot, and see over the side of the basket.

Susan Thurston traveled with her son and family friends to Tanzania on a safari arranged by Ujuzi. The group included two preteens and two teenagers, and a balloon ride together was one of the highlights of their trip. “It was phenomenal,” Susan said. “We were just catching the beginning of the Great Migration. … It felt like something you’d see on TV. Absolutely amazing.”

Why a Walking Safari Should Be Part of Your Visit to Africa

The word “safari” often evokes images of old-timey explorers traversing Africa’s backcountry on foot. But these days, the most common way to see animals is from the seat of a 4×4 vehicle.

Still, nature hikes and walking safaris remain an incomparable way to explore Africa’s wilds—allowing you to feel the earth beneath your feet and the matchless thrill of viewing Africa’s most iconic wildlife at eye level.

From the vast savannahs of Kenya to the dense jungles of Uganda to the arid landscapes of Namibia, these adventures take you off the beaten path and into areas inaccessible by vehicles.

Intimate encounters with nature

Walking safaris in Africa offer a unique perspective, allowing you to see your surroundings in a whole new light. Guided by experienced trackers and rangers, you get an unparalleled opportunity to examine nature up close and notice new sounds, scents, and textures. You may learn to identify a few bird species by their calls or get the chance to smell fragrant plants used medicinally by local communities for centuries. Every step reveals something new and fascinating.

While walking safaris and nature hikes offer a great way to examine the minutiae of your environment—ask your guide to show you the Little Five safari animals—big animals like rhinos, elephants, lions, and zebras are another attraction.

On foot, you can quietly approach animals without disturbing their natural behavior, granting you a front-row seat to some truly extraordinary views. From graceful giraffes grazing on acacia trees to majestic elephants bathing in watering holes, every encounter becomes an unforgettable memory.

A good guide is indispensable

On a walking safari, it’s crucial to rely on an experienced guide. In regions where walking safaris may encounter large animals, it is customary for your guide to be armed—though firearms are rarely used and always a last resort.

Instead, guides focus on common-sense safety. They will help you keep a safe distance from larger animals, while still providing you with amazing views. They’ll explain how to behave so animals don’t see you as a threat.

In addition to ensuring your safety, your guide will provide a wellspring of knowledge about the surrounding ecosystem—sharing fascinating stories about animals and showing you how to interpret tracks and other signs left by wildlife. A good guide is truly the most important part of your walking safari.

If you wish to tip your guide for a great job but aren’t sure how much, read our article about tipping on safari.

What to expect on a walking safari

Most walking safaris are not designed to test your fitness abilities. Typically, they take you through parts of a reserve that are easier to traverse and beautiful in their scenery. (However, mountain gorilla treks and other walks in mountainous or hilly areas can be more strenuous.)

On a multi-day walking safari, you’ll trek for a few hours in the morning, and sometimes again in the afternoon, at a steady pace that allows you time to take in your surroundings. You may walk from place to place, staying in a different campsite or lodge each night. Or you may stay at a single lodge while exploring a different route each day.

Of course, multi-day walking safaris are not the only option. You can also include walking as part a safari with game drives and other activities. For example, you can stay at a reserve that offers bush walks in the morning and game drives in the afternoon, or that lets you choose which safari activities you prefer from day to day.

Safari

Imagine being out in the wilds of Africa, away from the sound of engines and far from any roads. You see a herd of zebras in the distance and move toward them at a gentle gait—not on your own feet, but carried by a horse who knows the savanna and is comfortable helping you explore it.

From this high vantage point, you look down at the waving grass and spot a small gazelle. The gazelle continues grazing, unconcerned by the presence of another herbivore—your horse. The zebras seem not to care, either, content to let you watch as their foals gambol playfully in the grass.

A horse safari is a classic way to see Africa. It immerses you in the wild, giving you a true sense of connection to your surroundings.

Preparing for a Horse Safari

Whether you are an experienced rider or a total beginner, options abound for exploring Africa by horse.

Many places offer short excursions for beginner and novice riders. A single outing by horse can offer a totally different perspective on the landscape and wildlife. For this type of outing, you don’t need to pack special clothes or do a lot of advance preparation. Your guide will give you instructions on handling the horse and provide anything you might need.

Intermediate and advanced riders have the option of multi-day safaris that take place completely on horseback, or include a mix of horseback, game drives, and even canoe trips and boat cruises. Multi-day horse safaris may be based at a lodge, allowing you to explore a different nearby area each day. Or you can go on a point-to-point safari, starting at one location and stopping each night at a different lodge or campsite on your way to your final destination.

For these more intensive horse safaris, you will answer questions about your experience with horses and your comfort level with riding prior to embarking on your safari. Your lodge or guide will match you with a horse based on your answers, then take you out on a short ride your first day to see how well you work together. If you’re not comfortable with the horse, you’ll be paired with on that is more suitable.

More experienced riders will want to pack their own riding clothing, such as chaps, gloves, boots, and riding hat or helmet.

Horse Safari Safety

Reputable lodges and guides put safety first on any horse safari. They allow beginners and novices to ride in areas free of large predators and other potentially dangerous animals. Depending on the area, beginners and novices may expect to see safari animals such as zebras, antelopes, giraffes, jackals, and birds galore.

If you want to ride in areas where lions or elephants roam, you need advanced riding skills. You should be able to guide your horse confidently even in stressful situations and know how to maneuver away quickly when necessary.

You’ll probably never have to use these defensive riding abilities—riding guides know the landscape and how to avoid dangerous situations. They will let you know how to behave around larger animals and how to keep a safe distance, allowing you to watch these magnificent creatures openly and safely.

And, of course, riding guides are equipped with emergency equipment such as radios, medical kits, and bull whips. The bull whips are not used on animals. Rather, they emit a loud crackle when snapped into the air. This sounds like a gunshot and scares away predators in emergencies.

Where to Go on a Horse Safari

Horse safaris are available in a few national parks in Africa. But most parks limit this activity, so horse safaris frequently take place on private reserves—natural areas that are maintained by a private owner, non-profit, or tribal or community groups. These reserves are often adjacent to famous national parks, and wild animals roam freely between the parks and private reserves

Kenya

The Masai Mara in southern Kenya is a dream destination for advanced horse riders. This area is an important rest stop on the Great Wildebeest Migration and home to the Big Five.

Do you enjoy dramatic mountain scenery? Laikipia County in central Kenya is perfect for you. Despite being right on the equator, it has pleasant weather most of the year thanks to its higher altitude in the foothills of Mount Kenya. Many private reserves are located here, providing riding opportunities for all skill levels.

In northern Kenya, we recommend a horse safari at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, which has played a critical role in saving Kenya’s white rhinos from extinction. This conservancy is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to more than seventy mammal species (including the Big Five) and 350 bird species.

Tanzania

Tanzania allows horse riding in some of its national parks. Arusha National Park is a great option teeming with wildlife. The park is relatively small but covers many ecosystems, and can be well-explored over the course of a few days of riding. Day rides are also a possibility here.

Lake Natron, a pink soda lake that is the only breeding ground in East Africa for lesser flamingos, offers a beautiful backdrop for a horse safari. The wildlife is sparser here, but the scenery is outstanding. And the sight of so many flamingos during breeding season is truly breathtaking. Nearby is Ol Doinyo Lengai, the only active volcano in Tanzania. Take a nighttime hike to see the lava that bubbles inside.

And, of course, there is the famous Serengeti ecosystem to explore. We suggest timing your horse safari in the Serengeti region to coincide with the Great Wildebeest Migration.

Uganda

One place you can experience Uganda’s beauty by horse is Jinja, a town close to the source of the Nile River that is known as the Adventure Capital of East Africa. Here, you can take a short morning, afternoon, or sunset ride along the river. Or you can opt for a multi-day ride that takes you through tea plantations and Mabira Forest, home to nine species of primates.

At Lake Mburo National Park, Mihingo Lodge offers game viewing by horse. The highlights are guided three- to four-hour rides into Acacia Valley, where rare Rothschild giraffes are often seen, and to Warukiri Ridge, which offers breathtaking views of the eight lakes surrounding the park and sometimes opportunities to watch hippos in a nearby watering hole. Other animals often spotted on horse safaris at Lake Mburo include zebras, warthogs, topis, impalas, bushbucks, waterbucks, and sometimes elands and Cape buffalo. For less experienced riders, Mhingo Lodge also offers shorter, one- to two-hour rides on the edge of the park.

Safari Wildlife Hides Give You a Close-Up View of Animals

On my first safari to Namibia with my kids, we had the delightful experience of watching animals from a wildlife hide.

What’s a hide? It’s a small structure in a natural area where humans can “hide” themselves to get up-close views of wildlife—views that would be nearly impossible to get out in the open.

Safari hides are especially popular among photographers who want to get the perfect shot of African wildlife. Some private reserves in Africa build permanent wildlife hides near areas with a lot of animal action to guarantee close sightings for guests.

While at Etosha National Park, we stayed at Ongava Lodge, which is known for its excellent hide overlooking a waterhole that attracts animals throughout the seasons. It’s just a short walk through a covered walkway from the main part of the lodge.

An Evening in the Hide

Our guide, Franco, suggested we visit the wildlife hide a little after 5 p.m. for some action-packed viewing. As we entered, we made ourselves comfortable on four of the room’s sixteen seats, and lodge staff brought drinks and appetizers. Small bars reinforced the window every ten or so inches for safety. They didn’t interfere at all with the view of the waterhole just a few dozen feet away.

We watched the waterhole come slowly alive. It started with the red-billed queleas—small, sparrow-like birds. At first, little bands trickled in from different directions to congregate in the nearby mopane trees. Soon it was a torrent of birds! Now numbering in the hundreds or even thousands, they weighed the branches down to what looked like the breaking point.

En masse they left the trees, moving like a synchronized school of fish, to settle down and surround the waterhole to drink. The swarm must have been as big as the waterhole itself.

Unbeknownst to them, someone was waiting for them under the surface of the water—hungry freshwater turtles known as terrapins. The terrapins didn’t take long to bite, sending most of the queleas in a panicked swarm back to the mopane trees. But not all the queleas managed to escape. A few fluttered in the water, trying to free themselves from the terrapins’ jaws. Some succeeded, while others were pulled beneath the surface.

This scene repeated itself several times over the next few minutes—despite the risk, the queleas kept returning to the water because they needed to quench their thirst.

Then, as suddenly as they had arrived, they disappeared, scattering in small groups until not a single one was left. The sun continued to fall below the horizon.

Spying on rhinos, a rare cat, and more

We heard our next guest before it could be seen. Its arrival was signaled by the crunching of rocks under its tremendous weight. It was a beautiful male black rhino! He slowly made his way to the water, keeping an eye out for trouble. We could hear him slurping up water all the way from the hide—that’s how big he was.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted another movement. An African wildcat sauntered onto the scene. This is an extremely elusive species—so elusive that I had never seen one before in all my trips to Africa. About the size of a large housecat, but with longer legs, this solitary species is mainly nocturnal and hunts rodents, hares, frogs, insects, and fish. But it had no interest in hunting right then. It gracefully circled the waterhole, stopping every now and then to take its fill.

Then came cocktail hour! No, not our cocktails. “Cocktail hour” is what guide Franco calls the arrival of the double-banded sandgrouse. These birds are similar in size to large pigeons, and they are very talkative! The 30 or so at our waterhole clucked at each other in tones reminiscent of humans gossiping over drinks.

Eventually our male rhino left, and a female rhino entered with her two- to three-year-old calf. They drank and drank, all the while keeping a lookout for predators.

By now it was dark and a couple of hours had passed. After watching all these animals refresh themselves, we realized it was time to do the same. We made our way back to the lodge for a scrumptious dinner.

Next day: Even bigger visitors to the waterhole

The following evening we returned for another waterhole performance. We watched in wonder as the red-billed queleas returned, and we listened to the chitter-chatter of the double-banded sandgrouse. Our male black rhino made another visit. We heard significantly more crunching when three huge white rhinos made their way to the waterhole. Then a different female black rhino with her 5-month-old calf arrived. They kept their distance from the white rhinos, drinking from a different area of the waterhole. And then the grand finale: a young bull elephant sauntered in to have his fill!

Another amazing performance by nature that was captivating and so special to experience! There is nothing like seeing wildlife in such close proximity and hearing them drink, walk, and “chat” about their day.

Would you like to “hide”?

Viewing animals from a wildlife hide is an experience that can be had in many African countries. But it’s not an option at every lodge or reserve.

Ujuzi African Travel can help you plan a safari with one or several hide experiences—each of the sample itineraries below includes opportunities to watch animals from a hide. Contact us to start dreaming up your safari!

Where to See Chimpanzees on Safari

The best places for a chimp trek in East Africa

As you embark on your chimp trek, your guide looks for last night’s nests—clumps of leaves high in the dense canopy that you wouldn’t have noticed on your own. You follow a trail marked by bent twigs and discarded pieces of fruit, full of bite marks. The songs of unfamiliar birds echo through the forest.

Suddenly, a tree limb sways. You hear the loud rustling of leaves accompanied by a hoot. You look up and find yourself face to face with our species’ closest living relative: the chimpanzee.

“It was like being in a documentary, but it was real and live. It wasn’t the Nature Channel. It was us, experiencing it,” Ujuzi traveler Aleta Chossek said of her encounter with chimpanzees while on safari in Uganda.

Want to see chimpanzees in the wild? This article tells you what it’s like to go on a chimp trek and the best places to see chimpanzees in East Africa.

Most chimps in East Africa are in western Uganda and Tanzania, the country where primatologist Jane Goodall made her ground-breaking observations of chimp behavior.

But you also have a chance of seeing chimps in Rwanda—a country also famous for another great ape, the mountain gorilla. You can even see them in Kenya. They aren’t native there, but two groups of chimpanzees live in Ol Pejeta Conservancy near Mount Kenya.

About our ratings

We’ve rated each destination according to the difficulty of the terrain and the likelihood of seeing chimps if you visit the park for only one day. However, don’t let a “low” or “medium” likelihood rating turn you away from a specific park. For any of these locations, the odds of seeing chimpanzees are high if you go out on multiple days.

What’s so cool about chimps?

Chimps share 98% of our DNA, and they have a lot of other things in common with us, too. They are sociable, living in small communities of up to 120 chimpanzees — the size of a small human village. They babysit each other’s children. They have sibling rivalries. Young ones love to play and come up with new games (sometimes to the irritation of adults). They use tools and even have cultural differences between groups!

How long does a chimp trek take?

Chimp treks are a unique type of walking safari and vary widely depending on where you are. In several parks, chimpanzees live close to main roads and trails, so you are likely to see several on a guided hike of two to three hours.

At other parks, the chimpanzees live in remote areas. Your chimp trek may last all day. You get up early in the morning, when it’s still dark, so you can start tracking chimps at daybreak. You then follow them with the help of experienced guides. You may need to go through thick underbrush and over rough terrain. But these hikes are part of the fun—you are likely to see gorgeous birds, playful monkeys, and other fascinating creatures on your way.

At a few sanctuaries, you may only wait minutes to see chimps. These sanctuaries are home to chimpanzees (and often other endangered species) rescued from captivity. The chimps live freely in nature, but many remain interested in humans and tend to hang around near visitors centers and other places frequented by “hairless apes.” They’re just as curious as we are to see what their evolutionary cousins are up to!

How should I dress?

You’ll be in the forest, so we generally recommend long pants and long-sleeve shirts to protect your skin from branches and brambles. Sneakers may be sufficient for shorter hikes on trails, but generally we recommend trail shoes or hiking boots. See our article of packing tips for safari for more on what to bring.

Do I need a guide for my chimp trek?

To protect the chimps and ensure the best possible sightings, you are required to hire a guide for most chimp treks. (Ujuzi can take care of this before you leave for your trip.) Guides play an invaluable role in helping you find chimps and explaining their fascinating behavior to you. If you wish to tip your guide for their knowledge and effort but aren’t sure how much, consult our article about tipping on safari.

What precautions should I take on a chimp trek?

These days, we’re all familiar with how quickly infections can spread among humans.

But did you know many infections can also spread between humans and chimpanzees? Because of this, you shouldn’t go on a chimp trek if you have a fever or are not feeling well.

Even if you feel great, keep your distance when you see chimps on a trek. A distance of about 25 feet is a good rule of thumb—but follow your guide’s directions. This not only protects the chimpanzees from germs. It also lets the chimps know that you’re not a threat.

Other things to keep in mind:

Don’t eat in front of the chimps. Like your elementary teachers told you: It’s rude to eat in front of others if you’re not going to share. And you really don’t want to share with a wild chimpanzee. (Okay, maybe they didn’t say that last part.)

No flash photography. The flashes can scare or disorient the chimps.

Best Places to See Chimps in Uganda

Budongo Forest, Murchison Falls Conservation Area

Lying on the southern end of the Murchison Falls Conservation Area, Budongo Forest is home to 600 to 700 chimpanzees. They live in several communities scattered throughout the 500 square mile forest. Each community has 50 to 120 chimpanzees—the size of a small human village.

Your best chance of seeing one of these chimps is in Kaniyo Pabidi, an area on the northeast edge of Budongo Forest. Unlike mountain gorilla treks, which always start first thing in the morning, chimp treks at Kaniyo Pabidi take place in both the morning and afternoon. Here, you can take a guided walk in the morning or afternoon.

The walk includes some steep inclines, but is mostly along well-maintained paths.

You have a very good change of seeing chimps on your walk. This is especially true in May through August, when the forest provides the chimps with plenty of fruit. With so much food around, the chimps can stay in one area instead of wandering to satisfy their hunger. This makes the chimps easier to find.

Kibale Forest National Park

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be Jane Goodall for a day? You can find out at Kibale Forest National Park.

Located in Western Uganda, Kibale Forest is an hour drive from the town of Fort Portal. The forest has a rich habitat for primates, with chimpanzees being the most famous inhabitants. You have two options for getting up close and personal with this fascinating creature in Kibale:

take a morning or afternoon chimp trek spend the day observing chimpanzees with field scientists

The field option is truly one of a kind. You’ll stay with one group of chimps all day, taking notes about their behavior and interactions. This is a dream come true for primate lovers and aspiring researchers.

Enjoy a chimp trek in Kibale with our Pearl of Africa itinerary.

Kyambura Gorge, Queen Elizabeth National Park

The lush rainforest of Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to habituated chimpanzees and many other primates. The best time for a chimpanzee trek is in the morning when temperatures are cooler. However, treks can also be made in the afternoon.

The trails are maintained and once you are inside the gorge, you won’t encounter many significant inclines. However, the climb back out of the gorge is steep and can be difficult.

Reenergize after your trek by sampling java at a local women’s coffee cooperative that helps protect the chimps.

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary lies off the northern shore of Lake Victoria, a short boat ride from Entebbe, and offers a safe haven for chimps rescued from the pet or bushmeat trade or released from laboratories. With no predators around, they can safely learn to be wild again at their own pace.

Best Places to See Chimps in Tanzania

Gombe Stream National Park

Gombe is where Jane Goodall started out her ground-breaking research on chimp behavior starting in 1960. Since then, an international team of primatologists and ecologists have joined the work she started and continue it today!

Gombe is the smallest of Tanzania’s national parks. This fragile strip of chimpanzee habitat straddles the steep slopes and river valleys north of Lake Tanganyika.

The most visible of Gombe’s other mammals are also primates. Beachcomber olive baboons can often be seen on the forest floor, while red-tailed monkeys and red colobus monkeys stick to the forest canopy.

Rubondo Island National Park

Protected by the waters of Lake Victoria, Rubondo Island is a sanctuary for endangered animals. Chimpanzees first came to the island in the 1960s after being raised in European zoos and circuses. They have thrived here, giving rise to new generations that are truly wild.

Walking and hiking are the only ways to explore this island. While chimps may be your main draw, you’ll also enjoy watching the island’s African gray parrots—among the world’s smartest birds. These parrots aren’t native to Tanzania (they come from further west), but were brought here after being rescued from the illegal pet trade. You can sometimes find them close to chimps because they both like many of the same foods—especially figs!

You’re likely to see many native animals as well, from the elusive sitaunga antelope to the majestic hippo.

Mahale Mountains National Park

Mahale Mountains National Park is one of Africa’s best-kept secrets when it comes to wildlife viewing. Its lush green hills are home to roughly 800 chimpanzees.

While chimpanzees are the star attraction, birds turn the slopes into a kaleidoscope of color each morning. The monkeys are almost as showy—red colobus, red-tailed monkeys and blue monkeys are among those you may see.

Chimp treks take place year round. But the best months to visit are between July and November, when the park’s resident animals gather around shrinking water holes.

Difficulty: Moderate
Chance of Sightings: Medium

Nyungwe Forest National Park

Home to chimps and a dozen monkey species, Nyungwe Forest is a dream come true for primate lovers. Besides chimpanzees, you might see black-and-white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, and the endangered golden monkey.

In fact, the majority of the chimp population in Rwanda lives in Nyungwe Forest National Park. These groups of chimps range far and wide, so finding them can be difficult—most of the year, you have about a one in three chance of spotting them if you go chimp trekking on only one day. Visiting the park on multiple days increases your chances.

Opportunities to see chimps are more abundant from June to August, when fig trees burst with fruit. For chimps, a fig tree in fruit is like an all-you-can-eat buffet that’s free and lasts for days. And like humans, chimps don’t move quite as fast when they’re stuffed with food.

Nyungwe features extensive networks of well-maintained walking trails, including a suspended walkway high in the canopy that lets you glimpse creatures you wouldn’t otherwise see. But when looking for chimps, you may need to go off trail.

Our Favorite Places to Canoe & Kayak in Africa

Canoeing and kayaking offer incomparable encounters with African wildlife, whether you’re paddling among African penguins on the southern coast or gliding past elephant herds on the Lower Zambezi River.

Enjoy paddling as a morning activity that adds variety to your safari, or take a multi-day canoe or kayak trip—paddle by day, and stop at night to rest at a lodge. Taking a ride as a passenger in a pole-steered canoe is another option, particularly in Botswana and Madagascar.

Here, we offer some of our favorite canoeing and kayaking spots in Africa. We’ve grouped them by country, in alphabetical order. Whether you’re a seasoned paddler or a newbie, traveling by water is a unique way to experience Africa!

Kenya

Diani Beach

Located outside of Mombasa in Kwale County, Diani Beach is among the most popular resort areas in Kenya. Its shallow waters are calm and make for easy paddling. In addition to the beach, you’ll also want to explore the local mangroves.

Tanzania

Arusha National Park

The Momella Lakes in Tanzania are famous for their flamingos. Glide past beautiful shorebirds as Cape buffalos, giraffes, and waterbucks graze on land. The scenery is also impressive—you can view both Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro from your canoe. Difficulty level: Beginner and up.

Mahale Mountains National Park

Mahale Mountains National Park is a famous chimpanzee tracking destination. It is also home to the world’s largest and longest lake: Lake Tanganyika. About 250 species of fish live in the lake, and most are found nowhere else in the world! You can spot many of them through the clear waters. Waterbirds and shorebirds are plentiful, and many songbirds nest near the shore—230 bird species in all! Difficulty level: Beginner and up.

Uganda

Nile River Basin

The Uganda portion of the world-famous Nile River can’t be beat for heart-thumping adventure. Freestyle kayakers flock here from around the world to ride the rapids. Whitewater rafting is a popular option as well. Difficulty level: Intermediate and up.

The Definitive Guide to Africa’s Diving & Snorkeling Hotspots

While Africa is famous for its terrestrial wildlife, its waters also boast fascinating creatures. Here, you’ll find stunning underwater ecosystems that rival the picturesque landscapes of more traditional safari destinations.

From swimming alongside seals and whale sharks to delving the depths of the African Great Lakes, diving and snorkeling create a different kind of safari experience. Whether you’re drawn to majestic marine mammals, coral gardens teeming with activity, charismatic sharks, or colorful cichlids, Africa’s waters promise unforgettable experiences beneath the waves. Join us as we dive into our top options for diving and snorkeling in Africa.

The Definitive Guide to Africa’s Diving & Snorkeling Hotspots

Where are the best regions for diving in Africa?

The Indian Ocean coast and African Great Lakes are popular destinations for recreational snorkeling and scuba diving, and for good reason.

The Indian Ocean lies off East Africa and features both hard and soft corals, as well as a plenitude of marine life. From the Horn of Africa down to Northern Mozambique, Indian Ocean temperatures are mild year-round. In Southern Mozambique and South Africa, summer (from about November to March) brings the most pleasant temperatures.

Wendy Klein, an experienced diver who explored the Indian Ocean for the first time on an Ujuzi trip in 2022, said the seascape was very different from the Caribbean, which has only hard corals. “The Indian Ocean is really beautiful,” she said. “We saw whale sharks while we were there—just tons of marine life.”

For a freshwater experience, dive into the African Great Lakes. They stretch from Kenya in the north to Malawi in the south. Two of our favorites:

Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania is the world’s second deepest lake. PADI Master Instructor Sarah Ann Wormald described it as “one of the world’s best freshwater dives.”

Lake Malawi, also among the world’s largest lakes by volume, is an extremely popular diving destination thanks to calm; clear waters that are warm year-round and its hundreds of cichlid species—among the most colorful fish on earth.

What about recreational diving on Africa’s Atlantic Coast? It is far less popular. Its colder temperatures and poorer visibility generally make diving and snorkeling less rewarding. visit Africa with Abunda Discoveries Uganda being your safari partner