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Bucket list travel
With no shortage of unique experiences, Africa has made its way to the top of many travelers’ bucket lists. From following the footsteps of Dian Fossey to floating above the Great Migration at dawn, there are many top Africa travel bucket list travel experiences. Below we share some recommended top bucket list travel experiences that stand out for culture, scenery and wildlife.
Are you ready to book your client one or more of these bucket list travel experiences?
One of our Grand Africa Safaris staff member shares one of the top bucket list travel experiences that she hopes to visit soon:
Lisa Nel, Head of Product
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
I am always eager to get outside and reconnect with nature therefore, my top bucket list item is gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
“You always need something to plan and look forward to! There is nothing better than spending quality time with your family in new destinations and ticking off once-in-a-lifetime experiences from your bucket list. For me, travel allows me to recharge my batteries and return home inspired.
I am always eager to get outside and reconnect with nature therefore, my top bucket list item is gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. I would love to stay at Wilderness Bisate Lodge, an eco-friendly lodge that supports local communities and wildlife conservation in Rwanda.’
A safari in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania is said to be the ultimate wildlife destination and witnessing the annual wildebeest migration – one of the seven wonders of the natural world – is sure to be tops for a bucket list top experience.
It is simply one of those ‘out of Africa’ bucket list travel experiences that should not be missed
The wildebeest migration is an annual event where hundreds of thousands of untamed wildebeest, antelope and zebra migration migrate clockwise across the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the Masai Mara National Park in Kenya, to search for fresh drinking water and verdant pastures after the seasonal rains. This huge loop that the animals follow is great for your clients looking to experience a true natural phenomenon. It is simply one of those ‘out of Africa’ bucket list travel experiences that should not be missed.
The migration takes place towards the end of the rain season starting at the end of May and ending in early December when the animals return back to the Serengeti.
A great suggestion is to tick off two wildlife wonders off your client’s bucket list travel with a Great Migration + Gorilla trekking safari. The team at Grand Africa Safaris will put together an exhilarating experience.
Zanzibar is just 25 minutes off the east coast of Zanzibar. We recommend as one of the bucket list travel experiences, is to visit the capital of Zanzibar – Stone Town. Walking through the winding alleyways, dotted with ornate wooden doors, markets filled with fragrant spices and storefronts glittering with trinkets, is something that your clients will never forget.
Walking through the winding alleyways, dotted with ornate wooden doors, markets filled with fragrant spices and storefronts glittering with trinkets, is something that your clients will never forget
This cobblestoned city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. A walk through Stone Town invites your clients to create lasting cultural and historical memories in this crossroads of Arabic and African cultures. We also recommend having lunch at The Beach House Restaurant, Tea House Restaurant or Emerson Spice Tea House Restaurant. This vibrant city with cultural influences should definitely be an addition to your clients East Africa safari.
A visit to the Okavango Delta, which is deemed one of the seven Natural Wonders of Africa, is not complete without doing a mokoro canoe safari bucket list travel activity. There are one or two places in and around Chobe that offer mokoro as an activity, otherwise it is always in the Delta.
Your client will be glided smoothly through papyrus-lined channels and secret waterways that encircle palm-fringed islands
A mokoro is a dugout canoe that dates back to the 18th century and was the primary mode of transport for many generations for the people that call the Okavango Delta their home. With a skilled poler at the helm, your client will be glided smoothly through papyrus-lined channels and secret waterways that encircle palm-fringed islands. This activity takes place in the high water level season which happens when rains come from Southern Angola and then flow into the rift basis of the Delta. A once dry savannah is transformed into a lush wetland with many tributaries and lagoons. The high water season is generally June to September and is optimal for mokoro safaris along the riverways.
A bucket list travel activity not to be missed is a luxury hot air balloon ride in Africa where your client can witness the magic of Africa from above. This takes place at sunrise with breathtaking scenery and the total activity duration is around 3 hours. Your client is collected from their lodge and taken to the departure point where there is a safety briefing. From there it is time to drift at tree top height and then they will ascend into the skies for a panoramic view of the landscape. The scenic flight duration is 1 hour. Upon landing there is a gourmet 5-star Champagne breakfast in a fantastic location.
There are a few recommended hot air balloon locations:
+ Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia – one of the world’s oldest deserts
+ Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya – this is a highly sought-after wildlife destination
+ Amboseli National Park, Kenya
+ Serengeti National Park, Tanzania – this is a world-class game reserve
+ Marrakech, Morocco – a magical experience floating over landscapes and this ancient city
+ Cape Winelands, South Africa – fly above lush, fertile valleys which is home to many wine farms, vineyards and villages
+ Magaliesberg, South Africa – located just north of Johannesburg there is a stunning backdrop of the Hartbeespoort Dam
+ Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa – offers a unique perspective while drifting serenely over the game park
+ Panorama Route, South Africa – experience the sun rising over Blyde Canyon
+ Luxor, Egypt – a sunrise over the city allows your client to see tomb sites and many temples from a different angle
There are some unique and exclusive hot air ballooning safari including a leopard print balloon
There are some unique and exclusive hot air ballooning safari including a leopard print balloon and a heart shaped balloon in the Serengeti that we can pre-book for the ultimate bucket list travel experience.
Zambia has long been known for its walking safaris and is considered to be the home of the walking safari as it was pioneered here in the 1950’s and exploring the area on foot allows your client to become a part of the surroundings and also get off the beaten track. The experienced and professional guides and trackers will walk alongside while introducing the client to flora and fauna in the great expanse of land from dry riverbeds to extensive grazing plains. The walking safari can be anywhere from 3 to 8 hours, depending on the client’s fitness levels and how long they would like to be out in the bush.
A good option for a walking safari is a seven day itinerary where clients walk between camps while also allowing time to visit some of the wildlife hides at the various luxury camps to observe animals drinking from the water’s edge.
The game-rich country offers some of the best game viewing in Africa as over 30% of the country is dedicated to diverse national parks. A walking safari in South Luangwa National Park is highly recommended before exploring the iconic Victoria Falls.
Seeing iconic landscapes by flying over in a private helicopter scenic flight is a definite bucket list item and one of the most unique experiences for travelers. Panoramic views will take your client’s breath away, there is simply no comparison. Choosing the destination and the type of helicopter experience is the first step.
There are some highly recommended destinations:
Botswana – expeditions usually lift off in the morning, taking guests on a chartered journey deep into the remote reaches of Botswana’s wilderness. Flights can last up to a couple of hours before touching down in an area potentially unreachable by car. Clients departing from Maun are able to see the magical beauty of the Delta shortly after taking to the skies. For an exclusive and personalized safari we suggest an Okavango Delta open-door scenic flight with a Champagne stop on a remote palm island – perfect for honeymooners.
Namibia also offers a bucket list travel scenic flight that allows one to soar over the vast expanse of the Namib Desert, over the towering red dunes of Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon. Another option is flying over the Atlantic Ocean where the desert meets the ocean for a unique perspective. There is no better place for memorable bird’s eye view aerial photography than in these popular hour long flights.
There is no better place for memorable bird’s eye view aerial photography than in these popular hour long flights
For a panoramic ride over emerald green islands and turquoise waters of an island paradise, then a Madagascar scenic helicopter flight from Nosy Be, is on the list. This is totally exclusive and private, and offers the best vistas of Madagascar and starts from Nosy Be and flies over the outlying islands and bays of the main island. We suggest doing add ons to some secret coves.
Tanzania – Ngorongoro Crater has long been on everyone’s bucket list and a helicopter flight over this extinct volcanic caldera takes it to the next level. It is a 45-minute flight and allows your client to see archeological sites, the Ngorongoro landscape, the famous Crater itself and the Empakaai crater. For a premium experience we can arrange a 30-minute champagne picnic.
What can be more thrilling than doing a spectacular flight over the majestic Victoria Falls? We would include a 12 or 15 minute scenic flight which is commonly known as the ‘flight of the angels’. This flies over the islands near the mighty Victoria Falls, then continuing onto the thundering Falls, the nearby rainforest, the Batoka Gorge and the Zambezi River. This is undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking ways to see the Victoria Falls and another must-do bucket list travel activity.
One of the many wonders that Mozambique has to offer includes the privilege of swimming alongside the endangered whale shark in the warm pristine waters of the Indian Ocean. It is there that you can dive or snorkel and marvel at their grace and beauty in their natural environment. The ideal time is between the months of October to April but sightings peak from February to April. It is also summer so the weather is still hot with an average of 25 degrees or 77 fahrenheit. There is little rain through most of the year.
One of the many wonders that Mozambique has to offer includes the privilege of swimming alongside the endangered whale shark in the warm pristine waters of the Indian Ocean.
This is a great way to connect with family members, perfect activity during an island honeymoon or the quintessential romantic getaway. Enjoy downtime and relax on the golden sandy beaches on the coastline.
Tofo beach in Mozambique is also a renowned whale shark diving location.
Get in touch with our team at Grand Africa Safaris for more information, or if you are interested in booking one of these bucket list travel experiences as part of a luxury itinerary for your client.
Grand Africa Safaris is a luxury Africa DMC offering superior services and seamless operations to core destinations.
Our team has over 50 years experience in the industry and is a product of a collective passion for creating one-of-a kind expeditions to Africa for your clients.
