Three quad bikes parked side by side in the desert

Africa Active & Adventure Tours made for you

Start Planning
Enjoy exhilarating African adventures tailored to your interests

Embark on an unforgettable Africa adventure tour

While Africa is well-known for its emblematic wildlife and vast cultural diversity, it’s also packed with incredible destinations for outdoor activities. The continent boasts massive mountains, rushing rivers, sweeping coastlines, remote islands and endless other environments that are ripe for adventure.

Our team of travel designers have extensive expertise and local connections that allow us to craft completely personalised experiences. We can design South Africa adventure tours which complement safaris with hiking, surfing, horse riding and more. Enjoy the thrill of Morocco adventure trips that include expeditions through the Sahara, quadbiking across endless dunes and treks through the High Atlas Mountains.

African wildlife experiences pair perfectly with active adventures. You can easily combine time in sensational safari areas with outdoor activities like hot air balloon rides, white water rafting, kayaking and boat trips, whether you’re gliding through the Okavango Delta or cruising the Zambezi.

Speak with us to start designing an itinerary with just the right mix of exhilarating experiences, cultural immersion and luxurious accommodation in some of Africa’s most astonishing places.

From our experts

Experiences picked by our destination specialists

Quad bike across the Sossusvlei

toggle accordion

Speed through Sossusvlei on a quad bike to discover the surreal salt pans and undulating red dunes of this ancient desert

Cycle elephant paths in the Makgadikgadi Pans

toggle accordion

Cycle through the Makgadikgadi Pans, following migration routes and elephant paths as you learn about local conservation efforts from expert guides

Fly over the Zambezi

toggle accordion

Soar over the Batoka Gorge on the Flying Fox cable slide for bird’s-eye views of the Zambezi River and a thrilling adrenaline rush

Hike the top of Murchison Falls

toggle accordion

Hike along the top of the mighty Murchison Falls in Uganda to witness this natural wonder from a unique perspective

Combine water sports with island seclusion

toggle accordion

Head to a secluded island in the Seychelles, Zanzibar or the Bazaruto Archipelago to combine coastal adventures and water sports with unparalleled privacy

A word from one of our experts

There's no shortage of adventurous activities to enjoy in Africa, many of which are also intertwined with unbelievable wildlife experiences. You can go on walking safaris, cycling tours and mokoro trips in popular safari areas, or get off the beaten track in arid deserts and remote archipelagos.

Charlie Cottar headshot
Charlie Cottar

Travel Designer

Luxury accommodation for African adventures

Positive Impact

Victoria Falls

Matetsi Victoria Falls
Set within the pristine Matetsi Private Game Reserve along an exclusive 15km (9 mile) stretch of the Zambezi River a little upstream from Mosi-oa-Tunya, Matetsi River Lodge perfectly combines fine safari with easy access to the thrills and adventure of Victoria Falls. The River Lodge comprises of two intimate camps of just nine suites each, including two family suites. All the suites are modern with clean lines softened by local craft pieces and repurposed materials. Bathrooms boast indoor and outdoor showers as well as a deep bath which looks out over the Zambezi. A private veranda offers a refreshing plunge pool and a peaceful sitting area that overlooks the river. At the heart of each camp is a communal area with a variety of dining spaces, an interactive kitchen, convivial bar area and an al fresco area that encircles a blazing fire bowl. All with a unifying theme of a wood and copper, the ‘red gold’ of the country’s historical mining industry. There’s also a large central pool, massage sala, fitness centre and wine cellar. Matetsi River House is an exclusive use villa with four bedrooms, its own kitchen, dining areas, pool and a dedicated guide, private vehicle, chef and butler, ensuring a tailor-made safari unlike any other. The 50,000ha (124,000 acre) private reserve is home to large herds of elephant and buffalo as well as an assortment of plains game and predators including kudu, sable and roan antelope, hippo, lion, leopard, African wild dog, spotted hyena, and 366 bird species. Explore the concession on expertly guided game drives, horseback safaris and bush walks, or head out onto the water on canoeing excursions, fishing trips and sunset river cruises. You can also discover Victoria Falls and the famous adventure activities that surround it such as white water rafting, bungee jumping, scenic flights and zip lining.
Discover more

Why book with Jacada?

Personalised design illustration image

Personalised design

We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

Authentic experiences illustration image

Authentic experiences

Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

Responsible travel illustration image

Responsible travel

Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.

Ready to plan your adventure?

Whatever you want from your Africa adventure tour, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Where to go for active adventures in Africa

Botswana thumbnail

Botswana

Home to the Okavango Delta and other incredible wildlife areas, Botswana is the perfect place to combine classic game drives with mokoro trips, mobile safaris and more.

Read more
Kenya thumbnail

Kenya

Soar over the Maasai Mara in a hot air balloon or track elephants and rare black rhinos on foot through the Laikipia Plateau.

Read more
Mauritius thumbnail

Mauritius

This island nation in the Indian Ocean offers excellent diving, hiking, surfing, fishing and other exciting activities, along with sun and sand.

Read more
Morocco thumbnail

Morocco

Beyond its bustling cities, Morocco boasts a wealth of natural beauty and dramatic landscapes to explore on high-altitude hikes and desert expeditions.

Read more
Mozambique thumbnail

Mozambique

The coastal country of Mozambique promises snorkelling, sailing, safaris and whale watching – especially in the beautiful Bazaruto Archipelago.

Read more
Namibia thumbnail

Namibia

Namibia is among the top spots in Africa for thrill seekers and nature lovers. Think remote lodges, vast deserts and endless open spaces.

Read more
Rwanda thumbnail

Rwanda

Head to Volcanoes National Park for the once-in-a-lifetime experience of observing mountain gorillas in the wild: a true adventure that blends trekking and wildlife.

Read more
South Africa thumbnail

South Africa

South Africa is brimming with adventurous activities; climb Table Mountain, take a surf lesson, hike through the Drakensberg Mountains and set out on safari in Sabi Sands.

Read more
Tanzania thumbnail

Tanzania

In addition to legendary safari destinations, Tanzania is also home to Mount Kilimanjaro and Mahale Mountains National Park, where you can go chimpanzee trekking.

Read more
The Seychelles thumbnail

The Seychelles

Known for its luxurious resorts and overwater villas, this idyllic archipelago also promises world-class diving, snorkelling and sea kayaking.

Read more
Uganda thumbnail

Uganda

A somewhat lesser-known destination than neighbouring Kenya and Tanzania, Uganda invites you to venture into dense forests, seek out majestic primates and hike to dramatic waterfalls.

Read more
Zambia thumbnail

Zambia

Victoria Falls is arguably the adventure capital of Zambia, offering adrenaline-pumping activities like bungee jumping and white water rafting. We also highly recommend walking safaris.

Read more
Zanzibar thumbnail

Zanzibar

This archipelago off the coast of Tanzania is famous for its pristine white sand beaches. It’s also a renowned destination for kitesurfing and underwater adventures.

Read more
Zimbabwe thumbnail

Zimbabwe

As one of the two countries bordering Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe offers a perfect mix of outdoor adventures and sensational safari areas.

Read more

Meet your Africa team

When to visit Africa for active adventures

The best time of year for active adventures varies greatly across Africa and depends largely on which experiences you’re hoping to have. Safari season in many countries coincides with the drier months around May to October, which often bring ideal weather for other outdoor activities, too.

Specific experiences can only be enjoyed at certain times of year. For instance, if you want to swim in the Devil’s Pool at Victoria Falls or go rafting on the Zambezi River, plan for the low-water season from August to January.  The best time for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is during one of the two dry seasons: June–September or December–February.

Considering the significant seasonal differences across the continent – and the impact of weather on many outdoor adventures – we suggest speaking with our team to figure out the ideal timing for your trip.

Climb Kilimanjaro

December–March or June–October

Explore the Sahara Desert

October–May

Hit the waves in Zanzibar

June–October

The Best Time to Visit Africa

The Best Time to Visit Africa

Read more

Plan your luxury adventure tour in Africa

Start Planning

Don't take our word for it

Hot air balloon over Marrakech in the sunset light.

Your trip, your story

We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.

Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.