Africa has a reputation for being intimidating to navigate, but some of the continent’s most rewarding adventures are surprisingly close to South Africa.
In August 2023, many of us watched Popi Sibiya navigate her way home from Gabon during a military coup.
Her experience was a reminder that travelling across Africa can sometimes come with unexpected challenges.
Yet every year, adventurers continue to cross the continent by car, bicycle, skateboard, public transport and on foot, returning with stories that challenge the idea that Africa is too difficult to explore.
British trio Karen Chang, James Weller and James Spence drove from London to Cape Town in their Toyota Hilux, Edna, navigating some of West and Central Africa’s toughest roads before eventually arriving in South Africa.
Then there was American long-distance skateboarder Jason Vanporppal, who completed a roughly 6,000km journey from Kampala to Cape Town in 106 days, travelling through seven African countries while raising funds to build a skatepark for children in Uganda.
More recently, cyclists Annabelle Golden and Alex Ohtea completed a staggering 25,315km journey from Tromsø, Norway, to Cape Town.
The couple travelled through 27 countries, cycling for more than 300 days across Africa before reaching the Mother City in July.
These journeys are extreme by most people’s standards. But they also make a compelling case for something much simpler: Africa is there to be explored.
As a South African woman, you do not need to cycle across the continent, skateboard thousands of kilometres or spend months on the road to have an adventure.
Some of the best experiences can be found just beyond our borders, often without the cost of a long-haul holiday.
I have travelled to several countries across the continent and found that regional travel can offer everything from island escapes and road trips to wildlife, culture, snow and Indian Ocean beaches.
Here are five affordable African countries worth considering for your next adventure.
Island dreams await: Zanzibar, Tanzania
Zanzibar has all the ingredients of an easy African escape: beautiful beaches, warm Indian Ocean waters, fascinating history and enough activities to keep you occupied when you eventually get tired of lying on the beach.
The Tanzanian archipelago is particularly appealing if you want a holiday that can be as relaxed or adventurous as you choose.
Stone Town is a must. Its narrow streets and historic buildings reveal Zanzibar’s Swahili, Arab and Indian influences, while spice tours offer an opportunity to learn more about one of the island’s most important industries.
Beyond the city, there are beaches, snorkelling trips, sunset dhow cruises and opportunities to see Zanzibar’s red colobus monkeys in Jozani Forest. You can also head towards Mnemba Island for a day on the water.
For South African women wanting an affordable African holiday, Zanzibar is an easy introduction to travelling beyond the country’s borders.
Road trip adventure: Zambia
My trip from Lusaka to Livingstone was one of those journeys that seemed slightly ambitious at the time. We landed in Lusaka in the morning and drove to Livingstone on the same day.
Looking back, it was a little crazy. It was also worth it.
The road trip allowed me to experience Zambia beyond Victoria Falls. Along the way, I visited a coffee plantation and attended a traditional Chilanga Mulilo, a pre-marriage food-tasting ceremony that translates as “showing the fire”.
I learnt about Zambian culture and cooking rather than simply passing through as a tourist.
There were plenty of memorable moments. We stopped for local fried chicken from Hungry Lion, found ourselves pulled over to watch a presidential convoy and later visited Angel’s Pool, where fish nibbled at my legs while I hung onto the waterfall's cliff edge for the daring photo op.
Livingstone is an excellent base for exploring Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River, with activities ranging from river cruises and walking to kayaking and white-water rafting.
Familiar faces and breathtaking landscapes: Zimbabwe
One of my favourite memories of travelling through Zimbabwe was being able to interchangeably speak isiZulu and Ndebele with locals.
As a Nguni language speaker, hearing a familiar language on the other side of the border made the country feel surprisingly close to home.
We crossed through the Victoria Falls border post, took a taxi and spent the day exploring the Zimbabwean side of the Falls.
We visited local markets, tried local food and took in one of Africa’s most spectacular natural landmarks.
But Zimbabwe offers far more than Victoria Falls. The country is known for its wildlife, with destinations such as Hwange National Park and Mana Pools offering opportunities to experience some of southern Africa’s great wilderness areas.
For South Africans, Zimbabwe is an easy country to add to a regional trip, particularly if you combine it with Zambia.
Sometimes travel is not about going somewhere completely unfamiliar. It is about discovering the connections between neighbouring countries.
Sailing into serenity: Mozambique
For those who prefer their adventures with a little more comfort, Mozambique offers another way to explore Africa.
During cruise season, South Africans can board MSC Cruises in Durban and sail towards destinations such as Pomene.
It is a different kind of adventure, one where you can leave the driving and logistics behind.
Pomene offers long stretches of beach, warm Indian Ocean waters and opportunities for snorkelling, diving, kayaking and exploring the coastline.
There are also local markets and community stalls where visitors can buy crafts and fresh produce.
What makes this particularly appealing for women travelling alone or with friends is the structure of a cruise.
Your accommodation, meals and much of your entertainment are organised, while you still get to wake up somewhere new.
It is proof that adventure does not always have to involve roughing it.
Snow-capped adventures: Lesotho
South Africans do not need to fly to Europe to experience a winter wonderland.
Lesotho’s highlands can transform into a snowy landscape during the winter months, making the Kingdom of the Sky an excellent cold-weather adventure for South Africans.
I particularly like Lesotho because it offers something that feels almost surreal: snow-covered mountains, crisp winter mornings and traditional Basotho hospitality, all within a relatively short journey from home.
Afriski is the obvious draw for anyone interested in skiing or snowboarding, but you do not need to be a winter sports enthusiast to enjoy Lesotho.
A mountain road trip, photography, a warm meal and an evening beside a fire can be enough.
The continent is vast, but adventure does not always require crossing it. Sometimes all you need is a passport, a little curiosity and the willingness to see what is waiting on the other side of the border.
zamandosi.cele@nationalmg.co.za