Our hobbies and interests tend to fill the spare time we have. A way to relax and enjoy time with friends and family, or on a solo endeavour, these activities are as varied as they are interesting. Instead of leaving your hobby behind – be it riding, walking, photography, cycling, bird watching, drinking delicious wine paired with amazing food or learning more about history – why not spend all or some of your time on holiday immersing yourself in your hobby and using it as the inspiration for your next adventure.
Africa is the ideal destination to indulge in your hobby in a completely different environment. We highlight a just few hobbies which can be turned into the adventure of a lifetime in Africa.
Riding
I grew up riding and eventing and loved every moment that I spent on the back of a horse. The freedom it offers and the exhilaration of seeing a landscape is only heightened in Africa. Having dreamt of galloping through the floodwaters of the Okavango Delta from the age of about 16, the reality was so much better than even I could have dreamt of – and there were many years of expectation on it!
Everything is different – the terrain, sights and wildlife that might be seen. All of this combines to add an extra something to the joy you experience anyway when on the back of a horse. Whether you are an experienced rider or a novice there are options for all to indulge this hobby.
Cycling
An increasingly popular pastime, cycling through Africa again offers an added dimension. Usually mountain biking due to the terrain there are a range of options for keen cyclists to enjoy time on two wheels. For those who are very keen there are a couple of longer multi-day trips which enable you to traverse areas which would otherwise be largely inaccessible.
For those who would like mountain biking as an optional activity there are opportunities throughout Africa and for all abilities. Many now have e-bikes to help with any terrain, and with experienced guides it offers yet another perspective to view the wildlife. It is also worth noting that if you are a keen cyclist and your partner a keen horse rider, often these two activities are offered from the same property, allowing you both to spend time enjoying your preferred hobby.
Walking and trekking
For those who enjoy stretching their legs, Africa is the ultimate playground. For serious walkers why not take on the challenge of ascending Mt Kilimanjaro or Mt Kenya? These two iconic mountains offer very different experiences and the sense of achievement when reaching the rooftop of Africa at the top of Mt Kilimanjaro is incredible and is a definite bucket list experience.
For those interested in primates, most are best seen when on foot. Trekking to see the endangered Mountain Gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda is an extraordinary experience which goes beyond coming face to face with these Great Apes. Whilst coming face to face with our closest relative, the chimpanzee, is an exhilarating and powerful moment.
For those who prefer a walk to a trek there are countless opportunities from short bush walks from safari camps to longer multi-day walking safaris. All in the company of expert and knowledgeable guides, these walks are more than just a chance to stretch legs – you see and hear things often overlooked when on a vehicle. Zambia is considered the birth place of the walking safari with plenty of options of all levels and lengths available. Camel-supported walking safaris in Kenya are perfect for families and adults alike. Whatever the style you prefer, there is something to suit everyone when it comes to walking in Africa.
Wine buffs and gourmands
For those who enjoy savouring delicious wines, often paired with exceptional food, then there is no better place to visit than South Africa’s famed Winelands. With an array of vineyards across the region and all making wine to suit different tastes, the options for spending days wine tasting, eating delicious food and soaking up all that this pretty region has to offer, are endless. With attractive towns, stunning scenery and art to help awaken the senses, there is a huge amount to do.
Photography
With smart phones we all have a camera in our pocket these days, and for those who enjoy the hobby of photography Africa is a dream destination. Whether you like taking pictures of wildlife, birds, landscapes, the stars , urban vistas or people, the opportunities to indulge this hobby are infinite. The light is extraordinary and every country offers something different. In addition, for wildlife photographers, no two game drives are the same providing limitless encounters to practise your passion.
With the technological advances in cameras, for the keen amateur, the need to travel with an assortment of expensive, and often heavy, lenses is no longer a necessity. With mirrorless cameras and increasingly good bridge cameras, this is one hobby which Africa excels at. Plenty of guides are keen photographers themselves and will know how to position the vehicle to get the best image. With an increasing number of photographic hides your pastime can be enjoyed back at camp and when out with a guide on a safari.
Bird Watching
The extraordinary diversity of habitats across East and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean, is incredible. From savannas and wetlands to dense forests and coastal mangroves, these distinctly different habitats attract an impressive number of both resident and migratory birds. There are nearly 1300 species in East Africa alone, with Southern Africa recording over 870 different species.
Whether you are targeting a particular species such as the carmine bee-eater or the Pel’s Fishing Owl, or would like to see a large number of different species, including birds of prey, you will see birds throughout this region. When and where you travel may dictate what you are likely to see and this should be thought about when planning any bird-watching trip.
Turning your hobby into an adventure is an ideal way to build your perfect African holiday, incorporating elements that you already enjoy and experiencing them in a totally different way. These are just a few of the hobbies which can be enjoyed and for to explore holiday ideas to East or Southern Africa, or the Indian Ocean, please contact Lucinda who would be delighted to help.