Active experiences

Feel the crunch of the soil beneath your boots and learn to hear the tell-tale rustle of wildlife on a bush walk. Straight after breakfast set out to uncover the secrets of the Serengeti. While the specifics depend on where you are, you'll have the chance to take a microscope to the landscape. Joined by your knowledgable guide, follow a flutter of wings to see lovebirds snacking on figs, peer into an earthy warthog burrow and inspect every track you can find. You could just be following a pride of lion (who should be napping in the distance) or thirsty elephant on the way to a waterhole! Whether it's scanning acacia bark for tiny critters or staring skyward to see an eagle soaring overhead, the essence of the Serengeti is yours to experience.

Step out onto the wide open grasslands in the early morning dew or the afternoon sunshine, to experience the Masai Mara up-close. Your guide will provide the 411 on this wild corner of Kenya, as you ditch the rumbling jeep for the melody of the bush. From the ground up, there is something to see...the hundred-legged millipede scuttling by, spotted hyena racing across your path and the martial eagle whose cry echoes across the skies. Lest we forget the safari icons, which you'll watch in wonder, although from further away!

The mist-covered hillsides of Bwindi’s ‘impenetrable’ forest are home to over half the world's population of wild mountain gorillas. You'll depart in the early hours with a seasoned ranger to trek the rugged terrain in search of one of 19 habituated family groups, and once found, spend a precious hour watching them. While the hike can be gruelling, the sight of a fully-grown silverback emerging from the vines or the rambunctious baby gorillas playing close to their mothers is one you won't forget. The gorillas are well-hidden from the world and you'll have the chance to see them just as they are when no one's watching. There is also the option of a habituation permit, where you'll spend up to four hours with the gorillas. Trekking can be done year-round, but the ideal conditions are probably from June to September and December to February when the park is drier and humidity is lower. Trekking in the middle months does, however, attract a lower permit price. The choice is yours!

May is a prime month to visit Lake Malawi, a freshwater paradise between Malawi and Mozambique. The famed regions of Cape Maclear, Likoma Island and the slightly more intimate Mumbo Island are internationally renowned for their beauty and wonder. The glowing green waters, powdery beaches and exceptional tropical diving provide entertainment no matter what the fancy. Don't waste a moment and explore the tropical fish beneath the glassy surface, get active with the numerous watersports or just lay back and relax as the day unfolds.

Gazing over the edge of the glorious Victoria Falls, it's no surprise to learn that its local name means, 'the smoke that thunders'. Spend the morning or afternoon exploring one of the Seven Wonders of the World, meander along the walking trails and stop off at each of the 4 view points to see the falls from every angle. As one of the world's largest waterfalls, there is no bad time to be there but it reaches a roaring zenith in May when 10 million litres of water cascades into Batoka Gorge. If you want to have a more involved experience then this can be booked as a guided activity and you can easily pop over to the Zimbabwean side to experience the falls from a different angle for an additional cost.

While the Bazaruto Archipelago is famous for its marine wonders and watersports, its surreal desertscape makes a striking contrast to the wave-washed shores. Should you crave a morning of adventure on the island, explore some of the highest dunes in the world on a sandboard. From the more tame to the all-out monoliths, enjoy clambering to the top before carving your way down these sandy playgrounds. Pick a shaded spot to enjoy drinks and snacks before heading back to the resort.

After the rains come, the lower stretch of the Zambezi branches out onto the floodplains of Northern Zimbabwe. This natural waterpark is a haven and a canoe safari is the best way to explore this seasonal gathering, bringing you much closer to the animals than possible on the land - especially as you wend your way past harrumphing pods of hippo. Sit safely just a few yards from an unhurried pride of lions lapping at the water’s edge, paddle past elephants as they cross from one side of the Zambezi to another and enjoy the myriad of bird species that make their homes on the banks of the river. Crocodiles and hippos are in abundance and therefore these magical journeys are not for the faint hearted. This experience is always carried out with a highly qualified guide and can last anything from 2-3 hours to 2-3 days, the choice is yours.

Take a leaf out of the chimpanzee's book and experience Nyungwe forest from the treetops. The only one of its kind in East Africa, the Canopy Walk is a 200m-long rope-style metal bridge suspended between ancient mahoganies. From your vantage point about 60m above the forest floor, enjoy the flash of colourful birdlife (there are some 300 species) and look out for Nyungwe's baker's dozen of primates, including the rare golden monkey and colobus. Once you've spied all the flora and fauna you can, with a good dose of amazing views, you'll return to the ground.

Kibale is a thriving hub of primates, from the black and white colobus to the chimpanzees, which are the star players. Led by your expert guide, set out on a trekking expedition through the dense forest to see the chimps in their leafy home, where you'll spend an hour with them. Once you discover their location for the day, watch as they swing through the vines, forage for nuts and fruit, and groom each other. If you're on an evening trek, you may even see the chimps building a nest for the night. Kibale boasts nearly a quarter of Africa's chimpanzee population, which live in three large troops, making it one of the ultimate places to see them up close. The best, most comfortable and least rainy time to go is between June and August, or December and March.

Tarangire has a rare water source flowing through the area, drawing in great herds of elephant and other wildlife. This, combined with mild weather conditions creates the ideal environment for walking safaris. Spend anything from a morning to a couple of nights on foot, as a trained guide leads you on an interpretive wilderness journey, examining all the links, from the Siafu ants to the mighty bull elephant, in the circle of life.

One of the most magnificent natural features of Gonarezhou National Park is the beautiful Chilojo Cliffs. Take a game drive to see these magnificent red sandstone cliffs, which have been formed through eons of erosion. Overlook the scenic Runde River valley, where lion, leopard, cheetah (including the rare king cheetah), buffalo, giraffe, zebra and many species of large antelope roam. The rare nyala and smaller suni are two of the highlights of the Park's smaller antelopes. In addition, hundreds of species of birds may be spotted in the Park. Unique species of aquatic wildlife such as the Zambezi Shark, Freshwater Goby, Black Bream and the unique turquoise killifish can be seen within the Park's rivers and pools.

The South Luangwa might be the home of the walking safari, but the North Luangwa is where they really come alive. Here, there are no game drives, just your own two feet and truly excellent guides that know the wilderness like the back of their hands - and zero permanent lodges cluttering up the landscape! The walks aren’t designed to be route marches either - it’s all about taking in the epic wildlife and scenery and truly getting back to nature. Stroll beside languid waterways where hippos doze and the birdlife is incredible, watch the horizon for members of the Big Five and delight in the smallest details. That's what a walking safari is all about.

Kisite Marine Park is just a short boat ride from Msambweni Beach, and is home to one of Kenya’s largest and most spectacular coral reefs. Each morning, visitors to the reef climb aboard a dhow (a traditional East African sailing boat) and venture out for a morning of snorkelling. Dolphins often cruise the islands around the reefs and accompany visitors on these expeditions and then maybe even escort them to Wasini Island to delight in Charlie Claws infamous fresh crabs and a cold coca cola.

One of the most popular activities in Nambia is a five-day hike from Hobas to Ai-Ais through the Fish River Canyon. The magical 85km route, which follows the sandy riverbed past a series of ephemeral pools, is open from 15 April to 15 September, though you will have to book in advance.