Underrated Adventure Destinations In Africa

When it comes to traveling to Africa, people usually think of and go to South Africa, Kenya Morocco, and Egypt when it's politically stable. Hot spot tourist destinations have earned this distinction; they certainly deserve to be on a person's bucket list but certain off the grid places are worthy as well.

Zimbabwe is often referred to as "Africa's adventure capital." This is the best country on the cntinent for walking and canoe safaris – providing the opportunity to really be "in the adventure," according to The Africa Adventure. Tourists also enjoy all kinds of other thrilling experiences – from bungee jumping to exhilarating helicopter rides. Other top adventures include canoeing the Mana Pools Trail, rafting down the Zambezi River, running the Victoria Falls Marathon, and camping in the wilderness.

Go on a journey through the Ethiopia Highlands; hike through unspoiled nature and learn about ancient history. Many years ago World Expeditions identified Ethiopia as the perfect haven for those desiring to trek in dramatic mountain scenery, where it is still a novelty to be a westerner. Their trek goes around more fertile highland plateau of the Simien Mountains, through small villages and terraced fields of the lower valleys, and later reaching a series of dramatic cliffs and escarpments. Get close to unusual wildlife, including Gelada Baboons and, possibly, Ethiopian wolves. 

Malawi's diverse landscapes deliver the perfect setting and environment for an ever-increasing range of outdoor activities. One of them is rock climbing in the Mulanje Massif where a number of little-used routes up the great granite faces offer experienced climbers a variety of challenges, according to Malawi Tourism Guide. Walks through all of the national parks and wildlife reserves are popular; there are a few places around Malawi where horse riding is amazing such as the stables on Zomba Plateau; mountain biking is quite the adventure because of the change in scene over relatively short distances and varied terrain.

Climb Kilimanjaro; it's not as hard as you may think. Africa's highest mountain and the highest free standing mountain in the world is at 19,340 feet. The views along the 35-mile trail are simply spectacular. Running the Kilimanjaro Marathon is an adventure in itself. Tanzania has many of Africa's iconic wildlife species, with lions, elephants and giraffes roaming the Serengeti, Tanzania's oldest national park, and black rhinos, zebras and buffalo gathering to drink in Ngorongoro Crater. Serengeti National Park is famous for its annual wildebeest migration. The park is one of the most beautiful places in the world. The best time to see them is between December and March.

Go on a self-drive safari. The desert scenery is unmatched by anything you've seen. Track the Big Five on foot, horseback, camel, or in a jeep. Camping is a very popular activity, maybe because it's cheap – between $4 and $6 per person per night. How about skydiving over the Atlantic Ocean and Namib Desert? This will cost no more than $140. Sandboarding in the desert and hot air ballooning over the magnificent Namib-Naukluft National Park should be on your list as well.

This is the place to be if you want to see unique wildlife. Encounter some of the last remaining mountain gorillas in the world. Trek into the lush forests of Rwanda, home to hundreds of species of birds and numerous waterfalls. There are only around 900 gorillas remaining in the world and about 200 of them reside in Volcanoes National Park, deep within the Virunga Mountains. You'll also track chimpanzees and the golden monkey, and watch for elephants and buffalo.

Gorillas are not the only charm of Uganda. Hiking and whitewater rafting will turn your vacation into a thrilling adventure. The White Nile has some of the world's finest Class V rapids. See huge walls of whitewater and drift through warm green pools. A rafting trip is as spectacular as it is terrifying. You'll be going down and round, only guessing which way the mighty Class V rapids will take you. Hike to Sipi Falls, which used to be three tall waterfalls plunging along Mt Elgon, the fourth highest peak in Africa. Getting there requires tough trekking through some local farms and coffee plantations. The hike itself is quite an adventure. Rwenzori Mountains, often referred to as the Mountains of the Moon, are not very well known but they may very well be the continent's best secret. 

Adventure-lovers will appreciate the opportunity to witness a diverse side of African culture. Immerse yourself in the Bushmen Village of Botswana's Kalahari Desert for a rare insight into a truly unique way of life. The Mogotlho Safari Lodge, one of the most luxurious in the world, offers you a chance to see some of the most amazing wildlife Africa has to offer, while staying in lavish tents set on wooden platforms. Explore 450,000 acres of pristine wilderness of the Okavango Delta on horses and riding alongside zebras, giraffes and elephants. 

Visit in October, during the end of the dry season, to see incredible wildlife searching for water sources and roaming on preserved lands. Visit one of the wild national parks to the north instead for a guided safari that will put you close to elephants, giraffes, and lions, among others. Go on a superb canoe and walking safari in the Zambezi Valley and camp out under the stars on secluded islands. The Victoria Falls should be on your bucket list. This is one of the greatest attractions in all of Africa. It is classified as the world's largest sheet of falling water with a width of 5,604 feet and height of 354 feet.

The remote island nation is coming back after several recent years of diplomatic and financial isolation. It is home to spectacular biodiversity—many of the plant and animal species that live there can't be found anywhere else on the planet. See it before it disappears. Their ecosystems are being destroyed by logging, burning for subsistence farms and poaching. If nothing is done to save the island, its forests and unique inhabitants will likely be gone in 35 years.

You can have an unforgettable island vacation in Mozambique, on the Benguerra Island, to be exact. It is blessed with hot and sunny weather year round, with little or no rainfall through most of the year, according to Azura Retreats. This is a place for people who want to relax while zip-lining through a rainforest and bungee jumping during the day. Snorkeling adventures and hiking up active volcanoes are also exciting options. Fishing there is prolific; you'll encounter an abundance of different species.

Adventure-lovers have so many options – 4 wheel drive adventures, river memories, Baobab Island and other excursions. Explore rural Gambia whilst visiting the most beautiful part of the River Gambia. Get eye to eye with the holy crocodiles in Bakau, stroll along one of the busiest market of the region in Banjul and find out how the beautiful batiks are made...Make time to explore the Fathala Game Park, just a few miles from  The Gambian / Senegalese border.

This is a country of adventure and intrigue where visitors will never use the words "regular" or "usual" to describe. Some of the favorite activities, according to Tourism Tunisia, are hot air ballooning above extensive landscapes and participating in Sahara-based races, camel rides, diving into the seas off of Hammamet, windsurfing, and exploring the ancient Matmata's Caves. Stop by and see the Amphitheater in El Djem, the biggest coliseum on North Africa.

Try something new and exciting with a tour of the fascinating Mali and enjoy an eclectic mix of culture and cuisine all the way. Visit Mali where the marvels of Bamako, Timbuktu, and Tuareg will leave you whirling and ready for Palmarin and a seaside conclusion gilded in African coastal luxury, according to Absolute Travel. Take a trip to the Mosques of Timbuktu before they are lost to climate change. Although continuously restored, the monuments are under threat from desertification. Stop by the mosque of Djenne, the largest mud brick building in the world.