Sometimes, the most memorable safari moments happen when you slow down, step out of the vehicle, or shift your perspective entirely, writes Lee-Ann Steyn.
These experiences trade all-day drives for immersion, intimacy and a deeper connection to place. They are ideal for travellers who want variety, families with limited patience for long days in a car, or seasoned safari-goers looking for something new.
From floating silently through wetlands to tracking animals on foot, these safari experiences prove that you do not need to spend a full day on a game drive to feel completely immersed in the wild.
Hot air balloon safaris
Serengeti hot air balloon/Tanzania Wild Sky/Unsplash
Wildlife from a bird’s-eye view
Floating above the bush at sunrise offers a radically different way to experience wildlife. Hot-air balloon safaris allow you to observe animal movement, migration patterns and landscapes from the air, with none of the engine noise or dust of a vehicle-based drive.
The experience typically begins before dawn, with the gentle lift-off timed to coincide with first light. Below, herds of antelope move across the plains, elephants carve paths between trees, and rivers reveal their true scale. The flight usually lasts about an hour and ends with a bush breakfast served in a scenic spot.
This type of safari is ideal for photographers, couples and travellers short on time who want a single, unforgettable wildlife experience rather than a full day out.
Where to try it: Serengeti in Tanzania, Maasai Mara in Kenya, Pilanesberg in South Africa.
Walking safaris
Experiencing the bush at ground level
Walking safaris strip safari back to its most elemental form. On foot, guided by highly trained rangers, you begin to notice details that are often missed from a vehicle. Animal tracks, bird calls, medicinal plants, and insect life become as fascinating as big-game sightings.
These walks are usually conducted in the cooler parts of the day and focus on awareness, tracking and ecology rather than ticking off sightings. While encounters with large animals are possible, the emphasis is on understanding the environment and your place within it.
Walking safaris are particularly well-suited to travellers who enjoy learning, photography, or a more active and mindful experience of the wild.
Where to try it: South Luangwa in Zambia, private reserves bordering Kruger National Park, select concessions in Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Water-based safaris
Okavango Delta mokoro/Stephen Marks/Wikimedia Commons
Canoes, boats and mokoro adventures
Rivers, floodplains and wetlands offer a slower, quieter safari rhythm. Water-based safaris allow travellers to explore wildlife-rich areas by boat, canoe or traditional mokoro, creating a sense of calm that contrasts sharply with vehicle-based game viewing.
Gliding through channels brings you close to hippos, crocodiles, elephants and abundant birdlife. The perspective from water level feels intimate and immersive, with the added benefit of cooler temperatures and reflective light that photographers love.
These safaris are often timed for mornings or late afternoons, making them easy to pair with other activities or downtime at the lodge.
Where to try it: Okavango Delta in Botswana, Chobe River, Zambezi River, and Selous in Tanzania.
Horse riding and camel safaris
Image used for illustrative purposes/Hugh Lunnon/Wikimedia Commons
Moving through the landscape like wildlife does
Safari on horseback or by camel offers a unique sense of freedom and connection. Without the barrier of a vehicle, riders can move quietly through the bush, often blending seamlessly into the environment.
Horse-riding safaris are typically conducted in areas with minimal predator presence and focus on plains game such as zebra, giraffe and antelope. Camel safaris, slower and more meditative, are particularly suited to arid and semi-desert landscapes where traditional pastoral travel still shapes the land.
These experiences appeal to confident riders and travellers looking for adventure with a strong sense of place and tradition.
Where to try it: Okavango Delta and Tuli Block in Botswana, Laikipia Plateau in Kenya, and Northern Kenya camel routes.
Birding and guided nature experiences
Image used for illustrative purposes/Annie Spratt/Unsplash
A safari that sharpens the senses
For travellers willing to look beyond the Big Five, birding and nature-focused safaris offer extraordinary depth. Africa is home to some of the world’s richest birdlife, and specialist guides transform a simple walk or short outing into an education in ecosystems, behaviour and biodiversity.
These experiences often include short guided walks, hides overlooking waterholes, or slow-paced outings designed to observe smaller animals, reptiles and insects. They are especially rewarding for families, older travellers or anyone seeking a quieter, knowledge-driven safari.
Birding safaris also tend to be less physically demanding and can be enjoyed year-round.
Where to try it: Lake Nakuru in Kenya, Ruaha and Tarangire in Tanzania, wetlands and reserves across Southern Africa.
Conservation and lodge-based safari experiences
Image: Getaway Gallery
Wildlife encounters with purpose
Many lodges now offer conservation-focused activities that deepen your understanding of the landscapes you are visiting. These might include rhino monitoring, citizen science projects, habitat restoration walks or talks with conservation teams working on the ground.
Combined with lodge-based experiences such as guided storytelling, stargazing, spa treatments, or curated bush dining, these activities create a well-rounded safari that is as restorative as it is educational.
This style of safari suits travellers who want meaning alongside adventure and who value impact as much as itinerary.
Where to try it: Private reserves in South Africa, Namibia and Kenya, conservation-led lodges across Southern Africa.
A different way to do safari
Safari does not need to mean spending every daylight hour in a vehicle. These experiences prove that wildlife travel can be slower, more immersive and deeply rewarding without relying on full-day game drives. Whether you are floating above the plains, walking through the bush or drifting along a river, these alternatives invite you to experience Africa on its own terms.
For travellers who have done the classic safari before, or for those seeking something gentler and more intentional, this is where the wild truly reveals itself.
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