In Afrikaans, a kloof is a narrow mountain river valley or a canyon. And South Africa off-the-beaten-path adventures have followed a course parallel to the antics of European and American canyoneering enthusiasts.
Kloofing is following a mountain river from its beginnings down through waterfalls, rapids, whirlpools, hiking, and climbing your way in between swims. It’s a bit like high diving, hiking, and being put through a spin cycle—all at once. If you are still confused, I am referring to Southern Africa and its off-the-beaten-path adventures.
Do you want to know about more hidden gems in Southern Africa? Keep reading!
THESE Are the Best Southern Africa Off-The-Beaten-Path Adventures
Southern Africa, with its eclectic culture, has been attracting tourists to its iconic monuments and natural landscapes. Here are some off-the-beaten-path adventure spots you must add to your itinerary list.
1. Kloofing Near Cape Town
In the mountains behind Betty’s Bay, a short drive from Cape Town, are South Africa’s two best kloofing day trips.
Choose between the regular route, where you’ll have to leap 20 feet off a waterfall into the pool below, or Suicide Gorge (heads up: this means a leap of 60 feet).
To date, no one has been hurt seriously on a kloofing trip. However, if you’re subject to vertigo and aren’t at least halfway fit, then don’t do it.
The company Day Trippers will provide guides, wetsuits, lunch, transport, and moral support.
2. Lesotho on Horseback
The mountain kingdom of Lesotho, in east-central South Africa, serves up stone villages atop remote hillsides.
Villagers, called Basotho, live draped in blankets and robes, almost like ancient Greeks. Shepherd boys sit on the slopes, playing flutes. Vultures and eagles cruise overhead.
In Lesotho, the horse remains the chariot of choice, and this is how you’ll want to get around as well.
Semongkong Lodge, near Maletsunyane, southern Africa’s highest waterfall, offers horseback treks for several days. You’ll stay in timeless Basotho villages and ride some of the subcontinent’s steepest terrain.
The Basotho ponies, schooled in a special “tripling” gait, are tough, sure-footed, and afraid of nothing. A tip: Book a trek that coincides with Semonkong’s horse races. They’re wild spectacles involving carefully nurtured thoroughbreds, child jockeys, and epic bouts of drinking.
3. Hike Chimanimani To Make The Most Of Southern Africa Off-The-Beaten-Path Adventures
As South Africa fills with travelers, more and more are heading into Zimbabwe, and several areas have been developed for hiking, fishing, riding, and other types of tourism.
But the mountainous Eastern Highlands, east of Chimanimani in southern Zim, are hardly developed at all, and that’s their appeal. Besides, this area, part of the Lebombo Mountain range that marks the border between Zimbabwe and Mozambique, provides year-round cool relief from the heat of the plains below.
For the serious hiker, a stiff climb-in is rewarded by an upland paradise of high pastures, waterfalls, forests of flowering protea trees, and caves large enough to sleep in.
Because the water up here is pure and drinkable, you can live here for days if you bring enough food with you. The only downside: Don’t cross over to the Mozambique side of the mountains, as old land mines from that country’s now-defunct civil war are still scattered on the range’s eastern slopes. Stick closely to the maps (available in Chimanimani village).
4. Learn Polo-Cross
Hugely popular in Zimbabwe and a growing equestrian sport around the world, polo-cross means falls, body crunches, and glancing blows with the lacrosse stick.
But those with a go-smack-em attitude and sufficient riding experience can learn this fast and highly skilled equestrian sport on trained horses at Mopani Lodge, near Kwekwe in the Midlands area.
Relax between sessions by riding out on the ranch (which has a cross-country course if you still need an adrenaline fix) or just by sunning at the pool. And because of the favorable exchange rate, what would be an extremely expensive riding holiday anywhere else in the world has become one of adventure tourism’s best bargains.
5. Hunt with Bushmen
If you’re after Southern Africa off-the-beaten-path adventures, you can’t do any better than traveling with the Ju’Hoansi. Ju’Hoansi is the last Kalahari Bushmen clan to pursue the traditional hunting and gathering lifestyle.
They’ve decided to open to small-scale tourism in their remote Namibian locale. You’ll camp near the Ju’Hoansi village of Makuri, go hunting with the men, and gather with the women.
This is no theme-park experience: If the hunters stick an animal with an arrow, you may have to track it for up to two days and then carry out your share of the meat. If you love hunting, you can take the best hunting bow with you.
You must also carry your own water and food. Don’t just spend a couple of days here: Allow at least a week for the people to become comfortable with you. If you’re lucky, they may also invite you to attend a trance dance, at which miraculous healings often take place.
6. Dune Boarding
The seaside town of Swakopmund, where the Namib desert falls into the sea, has become southern Africa’s dune-boarding capital. You’re driven out to the foot of a mountain-sized sand dune, given a large oblong sheet of hardboard, some furniture polish, a pair of heavy industrial gloves, and some welding goggles, and the next minute you’re flying almost vertically downward.
It feels suicidal; even on the easiest descents, the board can pick up speeds of 60 or 70 km (about 43.5 mi)/hr. Steeper ones are much faster. Then you graduate to jumps, finally ending the day with the “Knucklegrinder,” an 800-foot whoosh down to a hard gravel plain.
7. Ride the Namib
It’s easily one of the most spectacular rides in the world: You’re galloping through the Namib Desert, the world’s oldest, surrounded by 2,000-foot-high, blood-red sand dunes.
Thousand-year-old plants that resemble exploded cabbages grow on gravel plains that see rain once in a century. Lonely canyons echo the barking shout of baboons and the nighttime cough of leopards.
Then, suddenly, green oases spring up, overgrown with camelthorn and tamarisk trees, where herds of desert antelope gather in the shade. Continue to sun-blasted mountain ranges where ice-cold springs bubble straight from the rock.
Trot through this barren wilderness with Reit Safari, which offers 10-day rides on Namibian Hanoverians (German horses) and rehabilitated mustangs, starting on the mountains west of Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, and ending in the ocean of the aptly named Skeleton Coast.
8. Earthwatch Cheetah Project
The lion really can lie down with the lamb—or at least the cheetah can. So, the biologists of this Earthwatch cheetah conservation project believe, anyway. Your job: to assist in live-capturing and radio-tracking cheetahs and other big cats on the wilderness ranches of central Namibia—the last place on earth where cheetahs still exist in reasonable numbers.
Local ranchers used to shoot them on sight. However, now many are cooperating with the study, which seeks to prove that cats only rarely hunt livestock if their natural prey is readily available.
You, the paying volunteer, have the satisfaction of contributing directly to the conservation of these cats while at the same time experiencing the adventure of chasing after and handling them.
9. Bike the Botswana Pans
Why would anyone want to bike through the Makgadigadi Pans—two vast, shallow expanses of mud? In the scorching Botswana summer, they fill with rain, releasing millions of tiny brine shrimp, which in turn attract breeding flocks of pink flamingos.
In the dry winter, they bake to a hard white crust. A perfect surface across which to go roaring on a quad bike. So wide are the pans that when out in the middle of them, you can’t see the “shore.” And the stars in this part of the Kalahari are unrivaled.
From Jack’s Camp, a luxurious place at the edge of the pans. You take quad bikes out to a table set out in the middle of the emptiness to find dinner laid and ready. By day, you go walking, look at the game, and pick wild foods with a Bushman guide called Cobra.
If you go during the sweltering summer months, you can’t quad bike the pans (too glutinous). However, you do see the flamingos. Further, if you’re lucky, you might see the eastern Kalahari’s summer zebra migration.
10. Deep Kalahari
If you have at least two weeks to explore Southern Africa off-the-beaten-path adventures, hire a 4×4 and blast off into southern Africa’s most remote country. The bigger-than-Switzerland Central Kalahari Game Reserve and the Aha and Tsodilo Hills.
This is rugged driving on some of the toughest tracks in Africa; you must know what you’re doing in a 4×4. You must carry all the fuel and supplies.
And if you get stuck, well, suffice to say it’s best to go in a convoy of two vehicles. Highlights of this once-in-a-lifetime trip include the desert lions of Deception Pan.
The Bushmen communities at Molapo and Xai-Xai (where you can go out with the hunters). The stalactite-filled caves of Drotsky’s Caverns and the ancient rock paintings of the Tsodilos. When you emerge at Shakawe at the northern edge of the Okavango Delta, you’ll forget what civilization looks like.
Final Words on Southern Africa Off-The-Beaten-Path Adventures
With dense vegetation, rugged cliffs, and fascinating wildlife, the Southern Africa Off-The-Beaten-Path adventures promise an unforgettable experience. These trips are also about learning about various fascinating cultures and respecting nature.
So, if you plan to visit Southern Africa soon, you can visit any of the places I have discussed here. Don’t forget to share your experience once you come back! Happy journey!
Meet Sibashree Bhattacharya, a travel enthusiast who has a decade-long experience in transcending virtual barriers with her words! Her deep love for travel is apparent from her travel escapades to the mountain, often taking her readers on a journey, her words acting as Portkey! Fun fact: Sibashree loves to dive deep into the history of the places she is about to visit, making her travels even more wholesome. If you were wondering how her articles are not short of time travel, this answers it!
Downtown Cleveland is a bustling city that offers plenty of things to do for visitors.
Whether you're looking for a place to eat, a place to shop, or a place to explore, Downtown Cleveland has something for everyone.
And with the Downtown Cleveland Hotel, it's easy to stay downtown for longer to take advantage of everything the city has to offer.
Whether you're here for business or pleasure, Downtown Cleveland has a wide variety of hotels to suit your needs. There are budget-friendly options as well as the more upscale establishments. The one you ultimately decide to stay in will depend on what you want out of a vacation or business trip.
Let us now check out some of these Downtown Cleveland attractions that might encourage us to stay longer.
Catch a game at Progressive Field or Quicken Loans Arena
Progressive Field is one of Downtown Cleveland's crown jewels. The home of the Cleveland Indians, Progressive Field is a premier destination for baseball fans.
From the beautifully designed concourses to the amazing sightlines, Progressive Field is one of the best ballparks in the country. Don't miss out on a chance to see a game at this iconic venue during your extended stay downtown.
Home to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Monsters hockey teams, Quicken Loans Arena is Downtown Cleveland's most popular attraction.
The arena hosts more than 200 events per year and welcomes more than 2 million visitors annually. Whether you're a sports fan or not, there's something for everyone at Quicken Loans Arena. From concerts to family shows, there's always something going on.
Stroll through the Cleveland Museum of Art
When looking for things to do, the Cleveland Museum of Art is always a top option. With an impressive collection of both modern and classical art, there is something for all to enjoy. Some of the most popular exhibits include Vincent van Gogh's "Starry Night" and Michelangelo's "David."
If you enjoy art, and have a go at it yourself from time to time, then you will appreciate what is on offer at the Cleveland Museum of Art. You can get to see exhibits that are only available to view here in person.
Seeing art on a computer screen or inside a book is just not the same because you cannot grasp the textures that make up a composition and how these work to produce such beauty.
Note: Consider going through our exclusive guide on Ohio Attractions
Explore the Warehouse District
The Warehouse District is a popular spot for nightlife in Downtown Cleveland. It's home to plenty of bars and restaurants, as well as art galleries and other attractions. If you're looking for a place to go out and have some fun, the Warehouse District is worth exploring.
It is good to have some nightlife to participate in because it extends the pleasures of a vacation. Things look different at night and it somehow has a completely different atmosphere to the daytime. Many of us would experience it back at home, so why not see what it is like in a place that we have never visited before?
Check out the skyline from Edgewater Park
Just a short drive away from downtown is Edgewater Park, a beautiful public park along the shores of Lake Erie. It's perfect for a peaceful walk, a picnic lunch, or a day spent fishing. There's also a playground and a beach, making it a great spot for families.
Skylines are always a sight to behold and something to photograph as a memory to take back with us. Parks are a great place to relax. More so when they are close to water. Anything involving water seems to have that calming effect. We can then truly relax while we are on vacation. We can relax for even longer if we decide to extend our vacation.
As well as the above, you could have drinks or dinner at one of downtown's many restaurants and bars. Not just once, on an extended stay, but several times, trying different venues. Alternatively, if you booked for a more luxury hotel, you might want to simply enjoy the variety and culinary delights their menu offers. Luxury hotels do tend to attract the best chefs in the world.
Exploring Downtown Cleveland is a breeze when you're staying in one of the many hotels in the area. With so much to see and do, it's easy to stay longer and take advantage of everything downtown has to offer. From catching a game at Progressive Field or Quicken Loans Arena to exploring the Cleveland Museum of Art, there's something for everyone in Downtown Cleveland.
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Visitors to San Francisco quickly learn that parking is difficult to find and expensive. Because of this, many tourists conclude that a walking tour is probably the best way to see the city.
This blog covers some of the top walking tours that provide rich history and the opportunity to see some fantastic sights. Are you planning to explore San Francisco on foot? Undoubtedly this is the best way to fancy the heavenly scenic views. The exciting experiences make your whole tour unforgettable.
5 Top Places In San Francisco To Explore By Foot
Traveling and exploring means you start packing your bag and go to travel. San Francisco traveling is just like that. You only have to pack your bag then you do not have to take any headaches about the city travel and the travel convenience. Just start exploring. San Francisco is the best place for walking freak adventure-loving travelers.
Let’s see the five most striking places in San Francisco. Draw your plan to explore San Francisco on foot.
1. Chinatown Walking Tour
No visit to San Francisco is complete without visiting one of the oldest and largest Chinatowns in the United States. People can choose to start at the gate of Chinatown on their own or walk with a tour guide.
The best Chinatown walking tours explore hidden alleys and backroads that most people would not discover on their own. This is the best way to discover how the several thousand residents of the 24-block Chinatown live.
2. Golden Gate Bridge Walking Tour
Erected in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most photographed icons in the world. Joining an official walking tour will allow visitors to San Francisco to explore underneath and around the Golden Gate Bridge as well as walk on the bridge itself.
Walking tour participants will learn the entire history of the bridge, including how many people said it would be impossible to build. By the end of the tour, participants will understand the conception and building process of the Golden Gate Bridge. They will also hear how it became so famous.
3. Golden Gate Park Walking Tour
The east end of Golden Gate Park contains landmarks such as the Music Concourse and the National AIDS Memorial Grove. Visitors will have the chance to learn about the history of the park itself and the landmarks within it.
San Francisco City Guide puts on the free tour, but people are welcome to make a voluntary donation. Walking through Golden Gate Park involves navigating stairs and small hills. After you explore the Middle Drive East, the arrow signs will lead you to the Shakespeare Garden. And explore the Strybing Arboretum and Botanical Gardens at the end of the walking tour.
4. Victorian Home Walking Tour
San Francisco still contains more than 200 original Victorian homes. Visitors to the city have the option to participate in an official Victorian home walking tour and see the inside of a home decorated in Queen Anne style.
As people pass through the Pacific Heights neighborhood, they will see filming locations for movies such as Mrs. Doubtfire and The Princess Diaries. The tour goes over mostly flat ground, which can be a plus for people with mobility issues who do not have to navigate the city’s famously steep hills.
5. Explore Grant Avenue to Clay Street Independently
The intersection of Grant Avenue and Clay Street is approximately two blocks from the Sing Chong Building. This location is ideal for tourists who want to check out traditional Chinese markets and souvenir shops. Clay Street contains several large murals painted on one or both sides of the street. A new mural of actor Bruce Lee will be available for the first time in the summer of 2021.
These walking tours represent only a tiny portion of what San Francisco has to offer. While most people will not have time to walk through the whole city, choosing several areas of interest and devoting half a day to exploring them is the next best thing.
Conclusion:
San Francisco is one of the most popular tourist destinations, and all sites are very close to each other. The helpful local people and good hospitality make this place a perfect place to explore through self-guiding. Only you will need the route and the San Francisco walking travel map as the guide. If you need any help, the local traffic police will always help you and direct you in the right direction.
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With an astonishing variety of landscapes and mountain ranges, the US is truly a hiker's paradise. From the towering peaks in Montana to the sun-drenched trails in California, there is an adventure for every outdoor enthusiast.
This guide will take you through some of the best hiking destinations in the US, each offering its unique allure and unforgettable experiences.
1. Glacier National Park, Montana
Renowned for its stunning vistas and diverse wildlife, Glacier National Park offers some of the best hiking trails in the United States. The Grinnell Glacier Trail is a favorite, known for its breathtaking views of glaciers and lakes.
The Highline Trail offers panoramic views of the park's rugged terrain. For a glimpse of the park's diverse ecosystems, the Iceberg Lake Trail is unbeatable, leading to a spectacular lake with floating icebergs. The Hidden Lake Overlook Trail provides picturesque views of Hidden Lake and the surrounding peaks, making it a must-visit for any hiker.
2. Zion National Park, Utah
Utah’s Zion National Park is a treasure trove of scenic trails that offer diverse hiking experiences. This is a unique hike where you wade through the Virgin River, enclosed by towering canyon walls. This adventure offers a refreshing and exhilarating experience as you navigate through the river's shallow waters and admire the massive, narrow canyons.
Angel's Landing offers a thrilling hike with extended views of Zion Canyon, combining physical challenges with a vast overlook. For a more serene experience, the Emerald Pools trail offers a peaceful walk with beautiful waterfalls and lush vegetation. Observation Point gives you bird’s-eye views of the entire park. It’s a favorite among photographers.
3. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming boasts more than 200 miles of trails, catering to every level of hiker. The Cascade Canyon Trail winds through rocky mountain scenery and diverse wildlife, making it a top pick among hikers.
For those seeking the park’s full spectrum, the challenging climb up to Delta Lake rewards with crystal-clear waters and a striking landscape. The Jenny Lake Loop is less strenuous. It skirts the lake’s shoreline, offering serene views of the Tetons reflected in the lake. Taggart Lake Trail provides easy terrain and a picturesque ending at the lake, is perfect for families or a relaxed day hike.
4. Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite National Park offers some of the most scenic trails in the United States. Mist Trail leads to the iconic Vernal and Nevada Falls where the payoff is unique water features.
For a challenging hike, Half Dome is a must-try. It’s a thrilling journey, culminating in a steep cable-assisted final climb. This challenging hike rewards the brave with unparalleled views of the Sierra Nevada and Yosemite Valley below.
Another gem, the Glacier Point Trail, offers easier access to the grand vistas of Yosemite Valley. For those seeking tranquility, Tuolumne Meadows presents serene paths through high-elevation meadows and granite landscapes. The John Muir Trail winds through the park. It’s ideal for experienced hikers seeking a multi-day adventure.
5. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Rocky Mountain National Park boasts a variety of trails that cater to all skill levels. The park's diverse landscape ranges from lush forests and serene lakes to rugged peaks, offering breathtaking views. One of the most popular trails is the Emerald Lake Trail, a relatively easy hike leading to three alpine lakes.
For a more challenging adventure, the Sky Pond Trail winds through beautiful scenery, culminating at a secluded mountain pond. History enthusiasts will appreciate the Flattop Mountain Trail, which ascends to a summit with perspective views, tracing paths used by early park explorers.
Wildlife sightings, especially of elk and bighorn sheep, are common, adding a thrilling element to the hikes.
6. Grand Canyon, Arizona
A hike in the Grand Canyon is a bucket-list experience for any hiking enthusiast. The Bright Angel Trail is a classic, descending into the canyon with endless passages and historical rest houses along the way. It's ideal for both day hikes and overnight trips,
The North Kaibab Trail is the only maintained trail into the canyon from the North Rim. It offers diverse ecosystems and dramatic views of the inner canyon. Though steeper and without shade, The South Kaibab Trail rewards hikers with overarching views, especially at Ooh Aah Point and Skeleton Point.
The Rim-to-Rim hike, combining North and South Kaibab Trails, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for seasoned hikers, showcasing the canyon's vastness and geological wonders.
7. Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina
Located deep in the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina, Pisgah National Forest offers a variety of exceptional hiking trails. One of the most famous is the Looking Glass Rock Trail, a strenuous 6.5-mile round trip that rewards hikers with amazing payoff views.
Another notable trail is the John Rock Loop, a 5-mile journey that provides breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and forest. For waterfall enthusiasts, the Moore Cove Falls Trail is a must-visit, offering an easy 1.5-mile round trip to a picturesque waterfall.
The challenging but rewarding Art Loeb Trail, spanning 30 miles, traverses diverse landscapes and offers an immersive experience in the heart of the forest.
8. Olympic National Park, Washington
Olympic National Park in Washington offers over 600 miles of trails. From the majestic mountain peaks to the enchanting rainforests and rugged coastlines, there is something for everyone to explore. One of the popular trails is the Hurricane Ridge Trail to Hurricane Hill, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
The Sunrise Ridge via the Sunrise Point Trail takes you through beautiful wildflower meadows. Another notable trail is the Klahhane Ridge Trail to Mount Angeles, rewarding hikers with 360-degre lookouts. Don't miss the picturesque Marymere Falls, the adventurous Mount Storm King, and the cascading Sol Duc Falls.
9. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore offers some of the most stunning hikes in Michigan. At 10 miles long, the Chapel Loop is a must-see with its breathtaking views of Chapel Falls, Chapel Rock, and Lake Superior.
For a shorter journey, Mosquito Falls Trail is a 4-mile round trip that leads hikers through lush forests to a charming waterfall. Miners Castle Trail is an easy 0.6-mile hike that provides a view of the iconic Miners Castle rock formation.
If you love lakeside scenery you’ll enjoy the Beaver Basin Overlook trail, a 1.2-mile trek offering views of the Beaver Lake and its pristine surroundings. Each trail in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore presents a unique slice of Michigan's natural beauty, making it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts.
10. Acadia National Park, Maine
Offering a diverse range of trails that cater to all skill levels, Acadia National Park is a haven for hikers. The Precipice Trail is known for its steep climbs and breathtaking views. It is a challenging hike leading to the summit of Champlain Mountain. This trail is not for the faint-hearted but rewards with long-range views of the park.
Jordan Pond Path offers a more tranquil experience, circling the pristine Jordan Pond and providing serene forest and mountain scenery. For a moderate hike, the Gorham Mountain Trail is ideal, winding through varied landscapes and culminating in rugged coastal views.
The Beehive Trail, another exhilarating option, combines climbing and hiking, offering a unique adventure with dramatic cliffside views. These hikes in Acadia not only provide physical challenges but also immerse visitors in the park's natural beauty.
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