The best things to do in Africa beyond safaris: cruises, wine tours, hikes

Africa is blessed with among the rarest and most beautiful animals on the earth – a undeniable fact that entices tourists to book safaris all 12 months round.

But safaris only scratch the surface of what the continent has to supply.

From wine tours to vibrant coastal towns, more experiences await those willing to transcend game drives and enterprise deeper into the center of the continent.

For mountain climbing enthusiasts, Africa is blessed with quite a few peaks – from Toubkal in Morocco to the continent’s highest peak, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

But there’s also Mount Nyangani in Zimbabwe, which a skywalk at Mutarazi Falls, the best waterfall within the country.

Table Mountain in South Africa might be climbed in just a few hours, but adrenaline junkies may prefer a bungee jump from Johannesburg's Soweto Towersor the Bloukrans Bridge along the country’s famous “Garden Route”.

Africa is good for adventurous travelers, says Zina Bencheikh, managing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Intrepid Travel.

She recommends the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park in Madagascar, which consists of two geological zones called the “Little Tsingy” and the “Great Tsingy”. In the local language, Malagasy, this implies a spot “where you cannot walk barefoot”.

“The Big Tsingy Trek is no ordinary hike!” she said, describing it as “a labyrinth of limestone formations that resemble a forest of rocks.”

In Namibia, travelers can climb the famous Dune 45 to admire the sand dunes of Sossusvlei, explore the eerie white clay pan of Deadvlei, or hike through the picturesque Sesriem Canyon.

At Victoria Falls, on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, travelers can go white water rafting, bungee jumping or swimming within the Devil's Pool, situated on the Zambian side of the falls. Similar adventures might be had in Jinja, Uganda, where the Nile River originates.

Hot air balloons are also a preferred and adventurous way of exploring, allowing you to get a bird's eye view of the Berber villages of Morocco and the Masai Mara in Kenya.

African beach towns mix beauty and culture, for instance within the Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Mozambique, Mauritius, Zanzibar, Ghana, Namibia and Egypt.

One example is Mombasa, a coastal city in Kenya.

“Here you can experience African, Indian and Arab cultures in one place. Fort Jesus is one of Mombasa's most remarkable sites and was built by the Portuguese in 1593. In less than 200 years, the fort changed hands nine times,” said Luciemarie Swanepoel, owner of African Sky of Diamonds Tours & Safaris.

She recommends a visit to Zanzibar to see the The labyrinth of Stone Town Alleys together with Kenya's Swahili Coast, the historic ruins of Gede and the UNESCO World Heritage Mijikenda-Kaya forests

“Madagascar … is another island gem, with beaches like Nosy Be and Ile Sainte Marie, palm-fringed coastlines and lively coastal villages,” said Swanepoel.

Durban and Cape Town are two of probably the most beautiful beach destinations in South Africa, she said, adding that travelers there can go kitesurfing, snorkeling, kayaking or searching for dugongs and whales.

From budget houseboats to luxurious all-inclusive boutique lake cruises, Africa offers a spread of unique boating experiences.

Cruises on the Nile, Zambezi and Chobe rivers, in addition to on Lake Kivu in Rwanda, are highly really helpful because the water journey offers spectacular views of the wildlife.

“On a river cruise, you can see a herd of elephants wading through the shimmering waters, see large buffalo gathering on the banks and even spot crocodiles slithering stealthily through pools. Hundreds of hippos wallow in the river with only their nostrils sticking out,” says Kate Powell, managing director of houseboat company Zambezi Queen Collection.

Travelers also can cruise between villages, fish and sunbathe within the calm waters.

“You can explore the Manambolo River in a pirogue or a wooden dugout canoe in the shade of towering rocky cliffs. [or] Stop to explore a cave and the eerie tombs of the Vazimba people, believed to be the first inhabitants of Madagascar,” said Intrepid's Bencheikh.

East and South Africa are not only popular stopovers for cruises around the world, but also have their own cruise routes along the coast and to offshore islands. Silversea, Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC offer cruises from Africa.

“Marine voyages in Africa allow visitors to experience the continent’s wildlife, cultures and landscapes from a unique perspective,” says Kevin Bubolz, Norwegian’s vice chairman of Continental Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

“In Port Elizabeth, the Penguin Island Cruise is an excellent experience. You travel to the world's largest colony of African penguins of their natural habitat,” he said. “If you're lucky, you may also catch a glimpse of playful humpback whales and bottlenose dolphins.”

Countries like Morocco, Namibia and Ethiopia have wine-growing regions. But South Africa is the crown jewel of the continent.

“South Africa is known for its world-class wine-growing regions, with the Western Cape being the heart of the industry,” said Wrenelle Stander, CEO of Wesgro, Cape Town’s tourism and trade agency.

“The areas around Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl form the famous Cape Winelands, where visitors can tour historic wineries, taste award-winning wines and learn about the winemaking process.”

Stellenbosch is not only one of the best places for wine tours, but also a culinary hotspot known for its innovative food scene. Elmarie Rabe, Marketing Manager at Visit Stellenbosch, advises travelers to choose wineries that are committed to sustainable and organic practices.

“Also consider the distances between farms, as Stellenbosch stretches over 60 square kilometres,” she said.

The best time to visit is during harvest season, from late January to March, when the vineyards are in full swing. But each season has its own charm, she added.

“Spring offers lush landscapes and ideal weather, while winter is ideal for having fun with daring red wines in front of the hearth. Summer offers sunny days which are perfect for outdoor wine tasting,” Rabe said.