Adventure experiences

This is your chance to conquer the thundering waters and burbling rapids of the impressive Zambezi River on an inflatable raft in the experience of a lifetime. Choose a full day of rafting to experience all 21 ferocious rapids (or 25 if in high water season) with a stop for lunch in between, or opt for the more gentle (!) half-day experience. The morning trip takes in rapids 1 – 10, ending with lunch and drinks, whilst the afternoon experience starts at rapid 11 and continues to 21, ending with drinks. And with the rapids aptly named things like ‘The Gnashing Jaws of Death’ and ‘Devil’s Toilet Bowl’, those drinks might just be needed…!

Why visit them on the outside if you can discover them on the inside? Come and be part of this great adventure, discover a unique place in the world, surrounded by turquoise waters and large rock formations. Go kayaking and get to know the Cathedral, Chapel and marble tunnel. Let yourself be surprised by one of the most beautiful landscapes with our kayak Guides entering the different formations, being able to appreciate and be in direct contact with nature.

With the dew barely dry, rise with the sun as you float over the Serengeti in a hot air balloon. Besides puffs of heat to move you skywards, there is nothing but blissful silence as you soak up every inch of the landscape. Let the wind be your guide, revealing the untamed spaces of Tanzania where very little can hide from this vantage point. Ascend to heights of 1000 feet for the ultimate panoramic view or drop low enough to practically brush the acacias, as tiny moving specks become monochrome zebra, elephant bathing in the waterhole and scampering African painted dog. If you fancy seeing the rowdy herds of antelope and wildebeest begin to cross the mighty Mara River, August and September - are the prize months to go. This is a shared activity with other guests.

There’s something about sleeping under the stars that’s utterly magical. And a sleep-out safari in the South Luangwa isn’t any old camping! You’ll be spoilt with dinner cooked over the campfire, soak up safari tales told by some of the greatest guides on the continent, then curl up under your mosquito net and nod off to the sounds of the Zambian night. You might just be woken by the sounds of a herd of elephant passing by at midnight, but no need to worry as there is an armed scout on watch throughout the night. The following morning, it’s bacon and eggs with the sunrise and a walking safari back to camp. Fly camping is at its best towards the end of the dry season (July to September) when the temperatures are warmer and there are fewer mosquitoes.

As the mighty Victoria Falls tumbles into the Batoka Gorge below, let your helicopter pilot swoop you up into the heavens for the most epic view of the Falls available. It’s a perspective usually reserved for birds and a helicopter flight will give you a truly unique view of this great Wonder of the World. The short, 15-minute flight will take you over the Falls and the Zambezi River with plenty of opportunities to flash your camera at the views, before returning to the airfield. Longer, 30-minute flights begin in the same way with the addition of scenic flight up the Zambezi and over the scattered islands to rapid 26.

Game drive into interiors as dry as the skeletons along the coast in search of the lush desert oases. Your knowledgable guide will share the secrets of the desert-adapted creatures who come from miles to drink at the springs. Pull up to watch as stately oryx and ambling elephant arrive at the oasis, and the ever-present flurry of birdlife swoops overhead. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the shade with a glass of something cool before returning to your lodge.

Hop aboard a smooth-sailing catamaran to explore the stunning Knysna lagoon where you'll delve into the history of this protected haven all while eyeing out incredible birdlife. Enjoy idyllic views of Knysna town, Leisure Isle and splashing seals before cruising into deeper waters. The Knysna Heads, two dramatic sea cliffs between the lagoon and the Indian Ocean, are your gateway to a coastline of quiet bays, rugged caves and plenty of marine life.