Adventure holidays in Africa

On the Rocks (Abseiling/rock climbing/kloofing)

Mountains all over southern Africa provide challenges for the crash helmet-and-rope-brigade and clubs are to be found in many major cities. However, serious rock climbers head for the cliffs of Chapman's Peak and Table Mountain in South Africa. The former overhang the sea whilst the latter, at 100m, provide probably the world's longest vertical abseil. Another favourite is the Kamikaze Canyon near Gordon's Bay that includes a descent through a 60m waterfall. Perhaps the funkiest way of opening the adrenaline glands is sliding down the waterfalls in the Mfongosi River Gorge near Kransdorp. Kloofing the 3069m Piton des Beiges in Reunion is also highly regarded.

For serious mountaineers reaching Kilimanjaro's Uhuru Peak at 5895m (the highest point in Africa) is possibly THE challenge, even if the snow covering and twelve glaciers of Mount Kenya make this the world's toughest ice mountain. Good, less populated alternatives are the Ruwenzori Mountains and the Virungas in Uganda - political conditions allowing. Climbing Mount Elgon from Kenya and the oft snow clad peaks of the Oxbow area in Lesotho's Maluti Mountains are also popular challenges.

West Africa's peaks are not particularly high and the rock is often unsuitable for climbing. One exception is the area of Hombori in Mali where some 1000m rock formations jut out of the desert floor. These and other peaks in Mali attract climbers from Europe. Going beneath and below the mountains is also possible. Cavers head for the 4500m of passages in Namibia's Arnhem Cave - the sixth-longest in Africa and home to bats for the last 9500 years.

On the Road

In West Africa's towns, Hash House Harrier Clubs cater for those (mainly expats) given to jogging. South Africans, on the other hand, are taking to trail running - fell running to the British, fast packing to Americans. Four days of hard running through the Waterberg or Drakensberg Mountains is for the very fit, requires booking overnight rest huts and needs logistical back-up.

Less serious are two annual fun runs, which anyone may enter, but they do require booking. Probably the most demanding trail run is the 500km Blue Cross in Zimbabwe. Starting at its lowest point, the Save-Rundi River junction, it climbs up to the country's highest peak, Mt. Nyangani at 2592m. The slightly less insane do it on mountain bikes.

Up and Down the Sands

Near Swakopmund and Walvis Bay in Namibia there are a number of people not satisfied with simply clambering up the dunes - or even just running down them for that matter. They surfboard the descent, lying on a sheet of hardboard, or ski down standing on an even smaller plank (dune boarding). Perhaps not a major pastime but it could provide a break from more sustained activity.

Another craze occupying increasing numbers of young holidaymakers is beach volleyball - BVB to the committed. Even if you're a hacker (beginner), you'll soon learn to jump serve, dig, skyball, spike, shank and sand-out. It's very sociable too. Addicts will be found at play on most popular beaches.

Back in the saddle Again

For equestrians, stables, racing, riding and polo clubs are found in most of the biggest cities in East and southern Africa. However, watching game or exploring the countryside from a saddle is a variant worth considering. Seated on the back of a horse or elephant you can get up close and even in amongst otherwise nervous wildlife. Many thus rate riding far superior to game viewing by vehicle, particularly as you're not confined to established tracks and can explore the bush at leisure.

A number of game farms and wildlife reserves (such as Ndabushe near Johannesburg and Matobo Hills NP outside Bulawayo) now offer horseback excursions or longer safaris with overnight stops at bush camps. Those wishing to ride pony trails in a challenging, awe-inspiring environment should try trekking the Maluti Mountains in Lesotho. Consider also riding over the rolling, Eastern Cape sweetveld, through the Stormberg Mountain range or across the Cape flats on deserted Strandfontein beaches. Alternatively there are the highly recommended 2-10 night trails over Malawi's Nyika Plateau.

Another inspiring experience is mule trekking in the Simien Mountains in Ethiopia. The trail winds along the spectacular Tekeze Valley 2000m below the mountain peaks, with overnight stops in peasant tukuls (huts). Something very different, much less demanding and authentically Namibian would be a donkey cart drive in Walvis Bay.

Elephant-back game-viewing safaris are becoming the vogue. Some offer little more than a couple of hours of the "done it and here's the video to prove it" experience. In the Okavango, however, more extended journeys await those with hardy rumps and a zest for something unusual.

For anyone really bent on punishing the posterior the 1-7 day camel safaris organised by the SNV (the Netherlands Development Organisation) north of Arusha are a really physical, but unusual, challenge. The shorter duration camel riding experiences, with full Arabian gear, that are available near Swakop in Namibia are far superior to those offered in Egypt. There are several efficient and rewarding treks available in central and northern Kenya. Anyone becoming addicted is invited to participate in the Great Tanzanian Camel Race that takes place annually at Meserani Snake Park!

For further information on travelling in Africa, visit Travel Africa Magazine.