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Destinations, Experiences

An African Bucket List for the Books

Written by  Julie Graham

Ker & Downey Africa > Journal > An African Bucket List for the Books

Africa is a continent that appeals to the bold, the romantic and the discerning traveler. It is teeming with once-in-a-lifetime experiences and unique offerings that are at the forefront of adventure. At Ker & Downey® Africa, we strive to provide you with offerings that enable you to experience Africa like you’ve never experienced her before. That is why we’ve compiled a list of unique African bucket list experiences with a twist to take your adventures to a whole new level. 

Are you ready?

Glass-bottom mokoro safari | Xigera Safari Lodge, Botswana

Xigera Safari Lodge in Botswana – an ultimate African bucket list destination.

Xigera Safari Lodge is the ultimate Okavango Delta experience

Xigera (pronounced ‘kee-jera’) is an ultra-luxurious sustainable safari lodge that offers guests front-row seats to some of the most incredible wildlife action in Africa. Located on the western side of the Moremi Reserve in the Okavango Delta, the lodge comprises 12 individually designed suites amid seasonal floodplains and riverine forests.

A glass-bottom mokoro safari at Xigera Safari Lodge – an African bucket list experience in Botswana.

 A unique glass-bottom mokoro safari at Xigera Safari Lodge
Constructed with fiberglass, this creative design offers guests an entirely new perspective of the life-giving waters of the Delta.

To immerse guests even deeper into Africa’s most spectacular water system, Xigera Safari Lodge have revolutionized the mokoro into something truly unique. The traditional dugout canoe, used by locals of the region for centuries, has been transformed into an innovative glass-bottom mokoro. Constructed with fiberglass, this creative design offers guests an entirely new perspective of the life-giving waters of the Delta. Now, as well as enjoying amazing wildlife from above, guests can also enjoy the extraordinary life that exists below the surface of the water. This is a truly unique African bucket list experience for the books.

Horseback safari | Ol Malo Nomad Camp, Kenya

A horseback safari at Ol Malo Nomad Camp in Kenya – an African bucket list experience.

Ol Malo Nomad Camp set up after a days expedition on horseback

The best way to feel alive in the bush is to be a part of it, and an African horseback safari puts you right in the action. A horseback safari takes you to untouched wild spaces and is one of the most adventurous and thrilling ways to experience the landscapes of Africa. On horseback, you are able to interact with the great outdoors in a way you would never experience in a safari vehicle or even on foot.

If you have some experience of riding and are willing to forgo the usual luxuries of a safari camp for a few nights, this is definitely an adventure for the books!

A horseback safari at Ol Malo Nomad Camp in Kenya – an African bucket list experience.

Helicopters and a team of guides and camels will transport your camp and set it up in a different location each evening.

Located in the vast Laikipia Plains in Kenya, Ol Malo is a luxe adventure lodge with a truly extraordinary offering of African bucket list experiences. Ol Malo Nomad Camp is a small lightweight mobile camp that gives groups the unique opportunity to explore the most remote corners of the region by horseback. While riding through the wilderness, helicopters and a team of guides and camels will transport your camp and set it up in a different location each evening. If you have some experience of riding and are willing to forgo the usual luxuries of a safari camp for a few nights, this is definitely an adventure for the books!

Marine Biologist for a day | Belmond Mount Nelson, South Africa

Cape kelp forests on a Marine Biologist for a day experience with Belmond Mount Nelson.

The Cape’s kelp forests were recently named one of the Seven Wonders of the World

Completely exclusive to the iconic Belmond Mount Nelson hotel, this African bucket list experience is another one for the books! Spend the day in the company of real-life shark scientist and marine biologist, Justin Blake, exploring the underwater world of the Cape’s extraordinary kelp forests – recently named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. On this fascinating ocean expedition, guests will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the octopus gardens, made world famous in the Oscar-winning documentary, My Octopus Teacher’.

Shark scientist Justin Blake and guests on the Marine Biologist for a day African bucket list experience at Belmond Mount Nelson, Cape Town.

 The experience is led by shark scientist Justin Blake
While out on the water, Justin will make use of state-of-the-art scientific tracking equipment and demonstrate how tags work as you snorkel together in search of kelp sharks.

While out on the water, Justin will make use of state-of-the-art scientific tracking equipment and demonstrate how tags work as you snorkel together in search of kelp sharks. While immersed in the underwater world, discover a range of other creatures like starfish, nudibranchs and sea urchins to octopus, seals, penguins, dolphins and maybe even whales. This trip offers guests the unique opportunity to not just observe, but be part of the remarkable ocean ecosystem. At the end of the experience, guests can enjoy a sustainable seafood-inspired picnic created by Mount Nelson’s Chef Rudi Liebenberg. This is an experience you won’t want to miss. 

Skybeds sleepout | Natural Selection, Botswana

Three Skybeds overlooking waterhole with giraffe

The three Skybeds in camp overlook an active waterhole

Fall asleep under a blanket of a billion stars on a three-story raised platform high above the plains with Natural Selection’s remarkable Skybeds offering. Located just meters away from the only water source for 2000 hectares, frequented by the wild animals of Khwai Private Reserve, these extraordinary platforms are not your average star beds. Each of the three Skybeds that make up this intimate sleepout camp comprise a full bathroom, dressing area and large bed draped in the luxurious linen completely open to the night sky above.

Fall asleep under a blanket of a billion stars on a three-story raised platform high above the plains.

A sky full of stars and a Skybed by Natural Selection

An extraordinary sky full of stars reflecting in the waterhole

Arrive in style on a thrilling helicopter ride over the wild plains of Khwai before experiencing unparalleled game viewing from the comfort of your platform. The nearby active waterhole attracts elephants, lion, leopard, wild dog, hyena and more with a whole host of nocturnal critters coming out as the skies darken. This is not your average star bed sleepout experience. This is comfort, adventure, and utmost romance all wrapped into one unforgettable experience.

A Day in Antarctica | White Desert, Antarctica

The Gulfstream jet on Wolf’s Fang Runway in Antarctica

The Gulfstream jet on Wolf’s Fang Runway in Antarctica

While not necessarily in Africa, the epic ‘Greatest Day’ experience in Antarctica is a mere 5-hour flight from Cape Town on a private Gulfstream jet. This remote land of powerful elemental forces has long lured travelers and explorers to its barren icy landscape and now you can experience it – in one day! After an important weather forecast and safety briefing in Cape Town, the flight will take you through the dark African night into 24 hours of continuous sunshine while soaring over thousands of icebergs floating in the Southern Ocean. You will touch down in Antarctica on a runway made of ice at the famous Wolf’s Fang Runway which lies beneath mile high monoliths of white rock rising vertically from the ice.

Two hikers on the summit of a mountain in Antarctica

Enjoying the views from the summit in Antarctica
You will have the unique opportunity to experience the world’s largest and driest desert and take some incredible pictures for your bucket list album.

From here, you will be guided on a gentle hike to the base of the nearby Nunatak mountain and enjoy a champagne picnic at the summit with unrivaled views of the stark landscape. You will have the unique opportunity to experience the world’s largest and driest desert and take some incredible pictures for your bucket list album. End it all off with a drink chilled with 10,000-year-old Antarctic ice as you soar over the Southern Sea back to Cape Town.

Dream Cruiser sleepout | Onguma, Namibia

The Dream Cruiser at Onguma, Namibia

The custom built Dream Cruiser at Onguma – a sleepout experience with a twist!

Nothing beats a remote sleepout under the starry African skies, and few places boast better skies than Namibia. Onguma Safari Camps, located on the eastern border of Etosha National Park offers a truly unique experience that puts you right in the heart of the Namibian wilderness. The Dream Cruiser at Onguma is an innovative new addition to the camp appealing to adventurers and romantics alike. This custom built Land Cruiser comprises two levels with a full bathroom downstairs and a bedroom and lounge area on the upper deck. 

Enjoy sundowners overlooking an active waterhole amid endless thorn-scrub and pristine bushveld as the sun sets for the day

View from the bedroom on the Dream Cruiser at Onguma – an African bucket list experience with a twist.

Room with a view

After a leisurely game drive through the 34,000 hectare wilderness, guests will arrive at a remote location where their unforgettable night in the Dream Cruiser begins. Enjoy sundowners overlooking an active waterhole amid endless thorn-scrub and pristine bushveld as the sun sets for the day. A delicious tapas-style dinner surrounded by gently lit lanterns is provided, after which guests can fall asleep to the sounds of the nocturnal wilderness either under a canopy or under a blanket of stars on the deck. Rangers are on call throughout the evening via a two-way radio to ensure utmost peace of mind. This romantic sleepout is an African bucket list experience with a truly unique twist.

The team at Ker & Downey® Africa are raring to go to welcome you and get some truly unique experiences ticked off your African bucket list. Get in touch with one of our LuxVenture® Designers today and plan your dream bucket list trip to Africa!

See you out there!

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African Bucket List

African Bucket List

African Bucket List

African Bucket List

barrons

African Bucket List

African Bucket List

African Bucket List

African Bucket List