For many, a trip to Africa means embarking on a traditional safari, but it can be so much more than that. From soaring over Northern Kenya on a helicopter, to walking through the Zambian bush, to spending the night in an underwater room off the coast of Tanzania, luxury safari tour operator Stanley Safaris curates bespoke journeys that highlight the continent’s most diverse terrain. For anyone looking to plan an exclusive experience, Shaun Stanley, owner of Stanley Safaris shares his top recommendations for experiencing Africa by air, land, and sea:
Soar Over Northern Kenya
Taking a helicopter ride is helmed as one of the most special experiences travelers can partake in during a trip to Africa, particularly in Northern Kenya. Offering a rare bird’s-eye view of the vast safari terrain, travelers can enjoy a private helicopter journey over the Matthews Mountain Range and the arid northern plateau, landing atop a volcano with panoramic views of the Jade Sea. The aerial journey continues over more volcanoes, valley lakes dotted with flamingos, and deserts with rolling sand dunes. As Shaun Stanley shares, “One of the highlights is landing alongside natural pools, where guests can swim in crystal clear streams before they head back to their lodge. The scenery on the flight is immense and ever changing and we were lucky to see some wildlife as well as remote tribes and villages.”
Stroll Across Zambia
Walking safaris are among the most underrated ways to explore Africa. Unlike traditional game drives, walking through the bush allows adventurers to get up close and personal with wildlife, offering one of the purest ways to experience true wilderness. Here, guests can learn the finer details of the environment and gain heightened senses as they become more aware of their surroundings, from the animal prints and medicinal uses of plants to spiders and insects. There are various places guests can enjoy a walking safari, but for Shaun, “the ultimate is in Zambia which is considered the birthplace of the walking safari in Africa. There are various ways to enjoy a walking a safari, depending on what guests want to get out of the experience, but these range from a simple 2 – 3 hours walk as part of a lodge activity, up to multi-day walking safaris where guests walk from camp to camp.”
Swim Through Tanzania
From tranquil wetlands to pristine beaches and serene lakes, there’s an array of water-based experiences across Africa. Shaun always recommends unwinding on a beach or island after the excitement of a safari, but it doesn’t mean the wildlife experiences end there. Stanley Safaris weaves these kind of ocean adventures through many itineraries and experiences, such as snorkeling with manta rays, sailfish, and whale sharks. Something completely unique Shaun emphasizes is the Underwater Room at Manta Resort on Pemba Island in Tanzania. Here guests head out to the floating room where they get to spend a night in a bedroom that is 13 feet below the ocean. With eight large windows and floodlights shining out into the ocean, guests can lie in bed and watch the fish swim around the floating platform.
