17 Best Things to Do in Africa: the Ultimate Bucket List of Wildlife Encounters & African Adventures

Welcome to The Ultimate Africa Bucket List! Africa is a continent filled with diverse landscapes, cultures, and wildlife encounters, making it an ideal destination for an unforgettable safari experience. In this blog post, we cover 17 of the best things to do in Africa. 

Whether you're a seasoned safari traveller or a first-time safari enthusiast, this bucket list of fun things to do in Africa will inspire you with its wide range of wildlife experiences, African adventures and breathtaking scenery.

8 Best Things to Do in East Africa

East Africa is home to some of the finest safari experiences in Africa. Home of the Serengeti, Masai Mara, Kilimanjaro, Amboseli, Bwindi, Zanzibar, and more, East Africa is a region filled with diverse landscapes, cultures, and wildlife, making it an ideal Africa bucket list destination. Here are some of the best things to do in East Africa.

Mountain gorilla bwindi national park

1. Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi or Volcanoes

Trekking with wild mountain gorillas is often described as one of the most wildlife experiences in Africa. From trekking through primordial forests to witnessing up close their expressions and behaviours, is almost transcendental. While not the cheapest African adventure, witnessing the power of these gentle giants is a rare and humbling privilege, putting it at the top of our ultimate Africa bucket list.

Where to go Gorilla Trekking:

You can go gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo (the DRC). There are pros and cons to visiting each destination and you can read our FAQ guide to Gorilla Trekking in East Africa for more information.

When to go gorilla trekking:

The best time to go gorilla trekking in East Africa is during the dry season, which typically occurs from June to October and from December to early March.

Whale shark, Mafia Island

2. Chimpanzee Habituation Experience in Kibale

The chimpanzee habituation experience is an immersive wildlife experience that puts you at the forefront of wild animal encounters. Visitors will spend an entire day following these amazing primates, who share 98% of our DNA, observing their daily activities and behaviours. Experience the thrill of traversing this primordial forest on the road less travelled. Hanging out with chimpanzees should be on everyone's "fun things to do in Africa" list.

Where is the Chimpanzee Habituation experience:

Kibale National Park in Uganda offers some of the best Chimpanzee experiences in East Africa.

When to do the chimpanzee habituation experience:

The best time for chimpanzee trekking in East Africa is during the dry season, from June to September, which is also the peak safari season in East Africa. December to February is also considered a good time for Chimpanzee tracking.

Great Migration: Best Things to Do in Africa

3. Swimming with Whale Sharks* in Tanzania

Not your typical activity when you think about wildlife experiences in Tanzania, diving with Whale Sharks off the Mafia Island Archipelago is an Africa bucket list item not to be missed. Tanzania’s Indian Ocean coastline offers warm azure waters and marine life that includes tropical fish, turtles, and whale sharks. Swim, dive, or snorkel with these incredible gentle giants that can reach up to 20 meters and 15 tons. With a long whale shark season, Mafia Island Marine Park is fast becoming one of the top African adventure destinations in Africa.

*The recent rise in popularity of swimming with whale sharks has seen them harassed by unethical tourism practices. It is vital to book the experience through a reputable operator that puts the well-being of the sharks first.

Where to dive with whale sharks:

Tanzania’s Mafia Island Marine Park is located about 130 km south of the more commercial Zanzibar.

When to go whale shark diving:

The best time to go whale shark diving around Mafia Island, is from October to February, with November and December, considered the peak season.

Chimpanzee trekking

4. The Great Wildebeest Migration in Kenya & Tanzania

Adventures in Africa don’t get much bigger than the Great Wildebeest Migration. Millions of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelles create a natural spectacle of extraordinary proportions, as they move across the vast plains in search of fresh grasses. This year-long event sits at the top of most African safari bucket lists. Two migration flash points are particularly sought after: the Mara River crossing and the calving season in the Southern Serengeti.

Where to see the Great Wildebeest Migration:

In Kenya, head to the Masai Mara National Park. The Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania are both excellent Great Wildebeest Migration destinations.

When to go to Tanzania for the Great Wildebeest Migration:

The best time to see the Great Wildebeest Migration in East Africa is from July to November, during the dry season. The popular river crossings usually coincide with the safari's high season (June to October), making it an ideal time for visitors to witness this natural wonder in the northern Serengeti and the Masai Mara in Kenya. From January to March, head to the southern Serengeti and the Ndutu Plains area for the calving season.

Africa Bucket List: Ethiopian wolf

5. Find Ethiopian Wolves in the Simien or Bale Mountains

For those chasing a serious Africa adventure, the rare and hard-to-find Ethiopian wolf, also known as the Simien fox is a strikingly beautiful and highly endangered species that is native to the Ethiopian Highlands. These long-limbed, slender canids are known for their tawny red coats, pointed ears, and slender snouts. They are the rarest and most endangered carnivores in Africa, with a population of only around 366 individuals, making them a top priority for conservation efforts. Known for their social behaviour, forming packs of about 6 members, finding Ethiopian wolves is a special wildlife experience.

Where to see the Ethiopian wolf:

As the name suggests, Ethiopia is the home of this endangered canine. There are two strongholds set in the north in the Simien Mountain National Park and the southeast in the Bale Mountains National Park.

When to go to Ethiopia:

The best time to see Ethiopian wolves in the Simien Mountains is during the dry season, which runs from October to April. The best weather is typically experienced between October and March, with December, January, and February being the peak travel season.

Amboseli elephants with Kilimanjaro

6. See the Last of the Big Tuskers in Kenya

Kenya is home to Africa's last big tuskers, also known as super tuskers. These magnificent elephants, with tusks that reach the ground, are among the last of their kind and fiercely protected by dedicated conservationists. The Tsavo Trust's Big Tusker Project, in collaboration with Kenya Wildlife Services, provides aerial and ground support to collect data and respond to imminent threats to these living giants. Their sheer size and impressive tusks make the elephants of Tsavo and Amboseli worthy of any Africa bucket list.

Where to see the last of the big tuskers:

In southern Kenya, many of the largest elephants roam the Tsavo East and West national parks, shaded red by the area’s famous dust. Further south, Amboseli National Park offers the opportunity to commune with these giant elephants against the iconic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.

When to go to Tsavo and Amboseli:

The best time to visit Tsavo and Amboseli National Parks in Kenya is during the dry season, which typically runs from June to October and December to March. During this period, the weather is at its best, and wildlife experiences are at their most abundant.

Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania

7. Visit the Garden of Eden: The Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania

Visiting the Ngorongoro Crater is a must for any adventure in Africa. This world-renowned wonder and UNESCO World Heritage Site was formed around 3 million years ago when a large volcano collapsed, forming a natural amphitheatre. Today, the Ngorongoro Crater is one of the best places in Tanzania to see the big five in their natural habitat. The crater offers incredible game-spotting opportunities, diverse scenery, and a dense population of lions.

Where is the Ngorongoro Crater:

The Ngorongoro Crater is part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, located on the Northern Safari Circuit in Tanzania.

When to visit the Ngorongoro Crater:

The Ngorongoro Crater is a year-round safari destination, though most people include it as a part of a northern safari tour during the peak safari season from June to October.b Avid photographers prefer the green season when the migratory birds have arrived the landscape is lush, and the air clear in April and May.

Hot air balloon safari in Masai Mara

8. Hot Air Balloon Safari in Masai Mara

Adventures in Africa come in all shapes and sizes. Experiencing the beauty of the African savannah and the Great Wildebeest Migration is one thing, but doing it from a hot air balloon is quite another. Taking a sunrise hot air balloon ride and drifting over the Masai Mara, is one of the most fun things to do in Africa. It is only from above that the true vastness of the landscape, and the epic scale of the migration are truly revealed.

Where to do sunrise hot air balloon rides:

Many places around Africa offer hot air balloon rides, but rising over the Serengeti in the Masai Mara National Park has to be one of the prime locations. The Masai Mara is located in southern Kenya, on the border with Tanzania.

When is the best time to do a hot air balloon ride over the Masai Mara:

Hot air balloon rides are most popular during the dry season migration months from June to October, which is the peak safari season in East Africa. This African adventure is best at sunrise as the African dawn reveals the sprawling landscape of the savannah replete with herds of wildebeest, zebra, antelope, and much, much more.

Mozambique beach holiday

9 Best Things to Do in Southern Africa

Southern Africa has an incredible mix of landscapes and safari attractions and is jam-packed with some of the best Africa bucket list experiences. From destinations like Kruger, the Okavango Delta, and the Namibian desert, to the Garden Route, Big 5 safari destinations, walking safaris, whale sharks, great whites, whales, and penguins, it can feel like you need to look nowhere else for African adventures. With multiple bucket list attractions, southern Africa promises a wildlife experience for every taste.

Leopard in greater kruger, sabi sands

1. See the Big 5 African Animals in Kruger National Park

The Kruger National Park remains one of the best African wildlife experiences. While self-driving the Kruger National Park is a popular activity, spending a few nights in the Greater Kruger offers an unrivalled African adventure. The Greater Kruger is famous for Big 5 sightings of elephants, buffalo, leopards, lions, and rhinos. The Greater Kruger region is home to one of the largest remaining wild populations of both white and black rhinos, making it an ideal destination for those seeking to see these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, and to tick this adventure off their Africa bucket list.

Where to see the Big 5 animals in Kruger:

The private reserves on the western fringe of the Kruger National Park in South Africa are all home to the Big 5. Top Kruger destinations include Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Balule Private Game Reserve, Timbavati Private Game Reserve, and Thornybush Private Game Reserve.

When to go on safari in Kruger:

The best time to visit Greater Kruger National Park is during the dry season, which typically runs from May to October. During this period, the weather is cooler, the vegetation is low and sparse, and animals are easier to spot and track.

Mozambique whale shark

2. Swim with Whale Sharks* in Mozambique

Southern Africa has its own whale shark diving mecca. Diving with whale sharks in Mozambique in the warm Indian Ocean waters off the coast of Mozambique is a less commercial alternative to the Mafia Island Archipelago. There is nothing quite like being in the water with these gentle ocean giants making this one of the finest Africa adventures.

*The recent rise in popularity of swimming with whale sharks has seen them harassed by unethical tourism practices. It is vital to book the experience through a reputable operator that puts the well-being of the sharks first.

Where to swim with whale sharks in southern Africa:

The waters around the Bazaruto Archipelago are the best places to dive with whale sharks in Mozambique.

When to go to Mozambique:

The best time to swim with whale sharks in Mozambique is from October to March. During this period, large pods of whale sharks are known to frequent the area, offering an excellent opportunity for this unique and unforgettable experience.

Walking safari, south luangwa national park zambia

3. Take a Wild Walking Safari in South Luangwa National Park

South Luangwa National Park in Zambia is the birthplace of the walking safari. This is Africa’s best destination for unparalleled wildlife experiences exploring big game country on foot. Offering some of the best safari guides, a walking safari through South Luangwa’s remote, and rugged landscape should make it on to every Africa bucket list itinerary. Large herds of elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, and all manner of smaller antelope, predators, and birdlife can be seen.

Best place to go on a walking safari in Africa:

South Luangwa National Park, located in eastern Zambia, in the southernmost part of the Luangwa River valley, is the best place for a walking safari wildlife experience.

When to go to South Luangwa for a walking safari:

The best time to do a walking safari in South Luangwa is during the dry season, which typically runs from June to October. This period offers warm, sunny days and cool nights, providing comfortable weather for safari activities.

Mokoro ride in the okavango delta

4. Do a Mokoro Safari in the Okavango Delta

A mokoro safari is a unique and immersive wildlife experience like no other. Visitors cruise through the maze-like waterways of the Okavango Delta with just the gentle lapping of water, and the sounds of the Delta wilderness throbbing all around. The Okavango Delta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest inland deltas in the world. The mokoro, a traditional canoe or dugout boat, makes an eco-friendly and sustainable form of Africa adventure, that is both tranquil and unobtrusive and perfect for exploring this natural wonder.

Where to go for a mokoro experience:

The best place to do a mokoro safari is in the Okavango Delta, in Botswana.

When to go to the Okavango Delta for a mokoro safari:

The best time for a mokoro safari is during the high water season, typically from May to August when the delta is at its most spectacular and the channels are navigable.

Baobab alley madagascar

5. See Baobabs & Lemurs in Madagascar

For fun things to do in Africa, look no further than Madagascar. Isolated for millions of years, Madagascar, is a haven for specialised and endemic wildlife.

Madagascar is one of the hottest spots in Africa for a unique wildlife experience. From dense tropical forests to rugged rock formations, Madagascar boasts a wide array of extraordinary landscapes and singular inhabitants. With over 100 species of lemurs, slinking fossas, leaf-shaped reptiles, birds of every imaginable colour, and ancient baobabs to boot, Madagascar is a true paradise for nature enthusiasts.

Where to go in Madagascar: Visit the lemur sanctuary at Ankarafantsika National Park in northwest Madagascar, and the Allée des Baobabs, near Morondava.

When is the best time to visit Madagascar:

The best time to visit Madagascar is during the dry season, which typically runs from April to October. This period offers cooler temperatures, less rainfall, and optimal conditions for observing wildlife and engaging in outdoor activities. To see the famous Allée des Baobabs, near Morondava, aim for sunrise or sunset when this regal guard of honour is at its visual best.

Bangwelu shoebill close-up

6. Find Prehistoric-looking Shoebills in Zambia

Finding and seeing endangered shoebills in their natural habitat is an exciting Africa bucket list experience. These critically endangered large wading birds are found in the marshes of tropical East Africa, from southern Sudan to Zambia. Shoebills are known for their odd appearance and unique characteristics, including their massive, sharply-pointed bills and their preference for freshwater swamps, marshes, and wetlands.

Where can you see Shoebills in the wild:

The best place to see Shoebills in their natural environment is in the Bangeulu Swamps in north-eastern Zambia.

When to go to Banguela Wetlands:

The best time to look for shoebills in the Banguela Wetlands is from late May to August when the birds are nesting and there is a good chance of seeing chicks.

Fun Things to Do in Africa: visit meerkats

7. Hang out with Meerkats in the Kalahari Desert

The Kalahari Desert is home to black-maned lions, cheetahs, gemsbok, and many desert-adapted specialist species. It is also home to meerkats, a social, playful, and entertaining species of rodent. Made famous by Timone in the Lion King movie, meerkats provide one of the best things to do in Africa. Decades of scientific research have habituated some meerkat groups and made it possible to observe their antics as part of the group. Be charmed by these hugely entertaining rapscallions.

Where to interact with meerkats:

The best place to interact with habituated meerkats is in the Kalahari Desert in Botswana, where you can find a few habituated meerkat groups that are closely monitored, and perfectly positioned to entertain tourists too.

When is the best time to see meerkats:

The dry winter months of July and August are best for game viewing in the Kalahari. Meerkats are most active at dawn, making the early morning the best time to observe their antics.

African penguin at boulders beach, cape town

8. Visit the African Penguins in Cape Town

Penguins on a white sand beach with azure waters lapping the shore remains one of South Africa’s most prized Africa bucket list experiences. No trip to Cape Town is complete without a morning or afternoon spent in the company of these charismatic creatures. The African penguins at Boulders Beach offer a remarkable wildlife encounter, and the area is known for its wheelchair-friendly boardwalks that make their way through the dunes and dense vegetation, providing an up-close viewing experience.

Where to see African penguins: You can see African penguins in Simon’s Town, and Betty’s Bay. The best place to see African Penguins is in Simon’s Town, a suburb of Cape Town located in False Bay. Boulders Beach and Foxy Beach, are spectacular and the penguin experience here, surreal.

When to visit Boulder’s Beach penguins: You can see the Boulders Beach penguins year-round, but the best time to visit is the summer months from December to March when the weather is at its sparkling best.

Wild dogs at mana pools, zambia

9. Watch Wild Dogs in Mana Pools

The African wild dog is one of Africa’s most elusive and endangered predators. Known as painted wolves, they have huge home ranges and are the most successful African predators with an almost 90% kill rate. Seeing these incredible animals is a rare wildlife experience. Mana Pools National Park is a must-visit Africa bucket list destination for viewing painted wolves. These iconic animals are comfortable with people on foot, providing visitors with an unparalleled opportunity to view them up close and from a unique vantage point.

Where to see wild dogs:

Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe is scenic and beautiful, and one of the best places to see these iconic animals.

When is the best time to see wild dogs:

The best time to visit Mana Pools to see the African Wild Dogs is during their winter denning season from May to September.  

Giraffe house nairobi, kenya

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