The world is full of adventure. It’s just a question of: “what kind of adventure do you like?” Maybe you are all about going up an untamed trail to discover the hidden lakes on Mt. Kenya. How about taking a boat down the River Nile just to see what kinds of sights are to be witnessed? How about scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef in “the Land Down Under”? Or better yet, trek the Inca trail to Machu Pichu and check that off your bucket list?
Yes, the world is full of adventure. However, if you are thinking that what you have done so far:
- Skydiving.
- Whitewater rafting.
- Bungee jumping.
- Ziplining.
You know, the typical things that your friends keep suggesting. If you are thinking this all sounds so pedestrian, how about taking a look at the list below. Try and see if there is anything there that gets your adrenaline rushing. Here are some of the world’s best adventure holidays for you to put on your bucket list.
Read: 6 Ways to Have an Adventure Without Spending Any Money
1. Take a “Walking Safari” in Zimbabwe
A traditional safari can be an unforgettable experience by any measure. Imagine driving through rugged wilderness in your overland safari truck not knowing what kind of majestic wildlife you will come across just around the next bend. Now picture that but without the truck! A walking safari is definitely not for the faint of heart.
Although technically, walking safaris are very safe considering the fact that you are accompanied by a myriad of armed park rangers who know exactly how to de-escalate any encounter with wildlife. That, however, doesn’t change the fact that you are right there in the thick of it. Imagine looking out into the horizon to see a pride of lions making a kill or simply lounging underneath the hot African sun? At that very moment, you are part of the wilderness and that’s what makes this kind of safari exceptionally exhilarating.
Down in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, there are a few guided walking safaris that give you the opportunity to see rhinos, elephants, lions and even leopards (among many other wild animals) in their natural habitat.
Book a cheap flight to Harare
2. Overload on adventure at The Azores
This is probably Europe’s best-kept secret! The Azores are an archipelago of nine islands that form an autonomous region of São Miguel, Portugal. Now, like almost every other island destination, The Azores marches to the beat of its own drum. It has generally good weather all year round (except for November through to March when it gets rainy).
With nine different islands, you can clearly see why this is an action-packed destination. The best part is that it’s not just all about lounging on the beach (you can do that, by the way) but The Azores simply make it impossible for you not to explore. Here, your typical day will be made up of exciting activities such as canyoning, cliff-diving, rock climbing. bathing in hot water springs and if you want to cool off you can go swimming with the dolphins in the North Atlantic Ocean.
3. Swim with sharks in the Galapagos
When it comes to frolicking with sharks, there are very few places that do it better than Cape Town, South Africa where you can go shark cage diving. Now, the only difference here (well, two differences) is that in Cape Town, you will be in a cage but in the Galapagos, you won’t. The other difference, and really this should be the one that matters, is that in Cape Town, you will be among Great Whites while in the Galapagos, you will be swimming alongside Galapagos sharks and hammerheads. Not quite as ferocious as Great Whites but still sharks all the same.
If that sounds like something you would want to brag to your friends about then head out to the Island of Marchena in the Galapagos and you will find all this adventure waiting for you. However, it’s not all about sharks. There are dolphins, sea turtles, sea lions and rays as well as eels that you could swim alongside.
Read: Adrenaline-filled Activities Under $100 in Kenya
4. Scale Mount Toubkal in Morocco
As one of the most iconic gateways to the world’s largest desert – the Sahara, Morocco is a land full of unique adventures. The most obvious one being a guided desert trek that leads to some of the most hidden desert oasis in the vast Sahara. However, if you are not into all that sand, how about taking on North Africa’s highest peak? Standing at 4,167m, Mount Toubkal is a majestic monument in its own right.
Like almost every other mountain, it has challenging trails, seemingly insurmountable peaks and fickle weather – all of which go to making it an adventure to write home about once conquered. You are advised not to go during the hot season (June through to August) when the temperatures can top 40°C. You would be better off going in the September to October period when the temperatures hover around 20°C and there aren’t that many visitors.
Book a cheap flight to Morocco
5. Swim in the “Devil’s Pool” in Zambia
Granted, the name “Devil’s Pool” makes it sound a bit more ominous than it actually is – but then again, that will depend on the degree of your fear of heights. The Devil’s Pool, as it is so lovingly named, is a natural infinity pool right on the edge of Victoria Falls, which just so happens to be the world’s largest waterfalls. Swimming in this pool is simply a death-defying feat that should be a top-ten in any adventure-loving traveller’s bucket list.
While it gives you impossibly beautiful views of the falls, the idea here is to swim right up to the edge and peer into the abyss which is characterized by a 108-metre drop coupled with over 38,000 cubic feet of water rushing into it. That is almost certain to get your adrenaline levels through the roof.
Do you have a favourite adventure safari you would like to share? Mention it in the comment section below.
