Words by Yvonne C Mtengwa

Travel planning can be quite daunting, especially for the first time safari traveller and even more so for the discerning global citizen. As a seasoned traveller domiciled in the UAE—Emiratis and long-term expats included here—the pursuit of luxury is synonymous with the pursuit of the singular experience. We are spoilt for choice in luxurious experiences that highlight the highest degree in opulence and service execution and quite simply, can never get enough…

And so, when looking at emerging new frontliners for adventure, the sheer scale of Africa demands a partner with unparalleled insight. I this year came to learn more about Go2Africa, who for 27 years have been that partner—the undisputed Maven of the continent. They possess the deep-rooted connections and intuitive knowledge required to craft the wilderness into an itinerary of effortless, unforgettable awe.I was invited to experience Go2Africa’s trip planning prowess on a trip into Africa’s eastern safari giants Kenya and Tanzania, an experience I’ll forever hold in mind as one of my absolute favourites.

And then there’s the age-old question of which carrier is the best one when connecting into Africa. Options of multiple international carriers exist, however the journey to this magnificent world of ours with Go2Africacan be a refined experience, made seamless by the polished connectivity of Qatar Airways. Go2Africa announced a new partnership with Qatar Airways Privilege Club – delivering an exciting collaboration that brings even more value to one’s travel experience through bookings.With every booking made through Go2Africa,Privilege Club travellers earn 1 Avios for every USD 1 spent – turning their dream safari into an endlessly rewarding journey. How is that for an incentive to not only book your adventure, but also travel with one of the best carriers soaring across Africa’s skies?

Epicurean experiences across Africa’s terrains

Go2Africa doesn’t simply book destinations; they curate your profound, personal connection to Africa. And so, for travellers out of the UAE and wider GCC region looking at an African destination for their next adventure on the wilder side of life, here are a selection of 10 essential, hand-picked adventures that define Go2Africa’s bespoke safari outfitting and activity planning mastery:

1. The Sky-High Spectacle: Great Migration Hot-Air Balloon Safari in Kenya, Tanzania or both!

The Great Migration—Africa’s colossal, primal ‘race for life’—is best absorbed from a position of serene altitude. I’ve experienced this on the back of a game viewer at sunrise, weaving through herds of wildebeest barrelling through the Serengeti. But Go2Africa perfects this view, scheduling a pre-dawn ascension in a hot-air balloon. As the sun streaks the plains of the Serengeti or Masai Mara with purples onto gold, you drift in absolute silence over the sometimes near two-million-strong river of life bellowing below. This is aspirational travel defined: a breathtaking, silent luxury, traditionally capped with a gourmet champagne breakfast served directly on the savanna. I’m hard pressed to think of anyone whose life wouldn’t be transformed by this.

2. The Quiet Immersion: Traditional Mokoro Safari (Okavango Delta, Botswana)

I fell in love with this experience for the sheer simplicity yet cultural significance of it for Batswana people.To truly absorb the crystalline beauty of the Okavango Delta, one must consider abandoning the need for speed. Go2africa introduces you to the rhythm of the mokoro, the traditional dugout canoe made from the jackal berry tree. Propelled by an expert local poler, you glide mere inches above the water. This slow, near-silent motion offers a unique, water-level intimacy with the Delta’s inhabitants—rare birdlife, timid antelope, and massive elephants drinking just meters away. It’s an immersion that speaks volumes about Go2Africa’s commitment to authentic, soulful experiences.

3. More Water-Level Thrills: Canoeing Down the Zambezi (Mana Pools, Zimbabwe)

For the adventurous palate, Go2Africa suggests a multi-day canoe safari on the legendary Zambezi River. In Mana Pools National Park, you paddle past unspoiled savannah forest. The thrill is visceral: from your low-slung vantage point, you observe the continent’s largest mammals—buffalo, elephant and hippos—in startling proximity. Accompanied by expert, armed guides who translate the river’s secrets, this adventure is a perfect balance of heart-pounding proximity and deep-seated respect for the wild.

4. The Edge of Awe: Swimming in Devil’s Pool (Victoria Falls, Zambia)

Victoria Falls, Mosi-Oa-Tunya, is a sheer force of nature and that every adventurer must encounter at least once in their lifetime. For those who seek the ultimate thrill, allow Go2Africa to facilitatethe rare opportunity to swim in the infamous Devil’s Pool during the low-water season. Positioned right on the lip of the 100-meter chasm, you are literally at the edge of the world’s largest curtain of falling water. It is a spectacular, exclusive access moment into Livingstone Island—and one of manypinnacles of curated adventure secured through Go2Arica.

5. The Primal Connection: Walking Safaris (South Luangwa, Zambia)

To genuinely know Africa, you must feel the earth beneath your safari boots. Go2Africa’s itineraries often feature the iconic walking safaris, pioneered in Zambia’s South Luangwa and now gaining popularity across Africa’s national parks and private game reserves. Abandoning the vehicle, you join an armed expert guide and tracker to learn the bush through your senses: tracking paw prints, identifying spoor, and smelling wild sage. This profound, sensory engagement shifts your perspective from passive observer to engaged participant, also celebrating Go2Africa’s 27 years of authentic, real experience.

6. Primate Encounters: Gorilla Trekking (Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda)

In the emerald, misty mountains of Rwanda, a truly transformative hour awaits. Gorilla trekking is an effort that culminates in profound, intimate proximity to a mountain gorilla family. You’ll be guided by Go Africa’s trusted local partners, embarking on a challenging hike through the dense forest which in itself is a prerequisite for a humbling, emotional encounter with one of the planet’s most majestic creatures. My experience was more moving than I had imagined it would, lasted upwards of 5 hours, and left me enthralled by the opportunity of having been one with nature in one of Rwanda’s thousand hills.

7. The Celestial Sanctuary: Sleep Out Under the Stars (Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Botswana)

Imagine for a second, the profound luxury of solitude by night and in nature.The stark, surreal beauty of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans provides the stage. Enjoy a curated and ultimate escape: a night spent on a luxurious, custom-made bedroll, beneath the infinite, velvet-black expanse of the African night sky. With zero light pollution, the Milky Way is palpable. This exquisite, quiet moment of restoration proves that the greatest luxury is access to genuine, undisturbed wilderness.

8. The Adrenaline Descent: Sand Boarding on Dunes (Namib Desert, Namibia)

You’ve seen the striking images of the towering, ancient dunes of the Namib Desert, an exhilarating near haunting counterpoint to the bush. Go2Africa uniquely taps into this unique landscape, offering the sheer thrill of sand boarding. Whether standing or lying prone, the speed and sensation of carving a path through the vast, empty mountains of sand is an unforgettable rush. It is a high-octane, visually spectacular experience that showcases Africa’s diverse adventure portfolio beyond the Big Five.

9. The Island Calm: Scuba Diving & Snorkelling in Paradise (Seychelles)

After the intensity of the savanna, the crystalline waters of the Seychelles offer the perfect, restful complement. Consider a coastal retreat—perhaps to the granite coves of Praslin or La Digue—as part of your itinerary. Here, the adventure moves underwater. You descend into a sub-aquatic kaleidoscope teeming with vibrant reef fish, ancient sea turtles, and majestic rays. This ability to flawlessly blend the thrilling savannah with the restorative opulence of the Indian Ocean confirms Go2Africa as the essential over-arching connector to a variety of contrasting experiences.

10. The Watery Freedom: Kayaking and Sailing (Lake Malawi)

Lake Malawi, protected by the world’s first freshwater national park, is an inland sea of unparalleled tranquillity. From kayaking or sailing excursions on its crystal-clear waters, these gentle yet active adventuresallow you to glide above a world of colourful, endemic cichlids, or simply bask in the blissful silence of one of Africa’s most beautiful and least-crowded destinations. It represents a thoughtful, bespoke opportunity for sustainable, authentic engagement with the continent’s natural wonders.

It comes without much debate that Africa continues to garner much interest from residents and expats in the UAE and wider GCC. With an increased number of carriers taking off from the region’s aviation hubs into the continent, planning your next great adventure is palpable. However, Africa’s diversity continues to reveal itself season upon season. Getting it right requires working with the best in the business, and for an avid Africa-focused traveller and writer, working with the best-in-class tour operators and experience curators, is non-negotiable.

To learn about one of Africa’s most seasoned safari outfitters, visit https://www.go2africa.com/