If you’re searching for the best adrenaline fix, look no further than Botswana and Zimbabwe. From skydiving above the Makgadikgadi salt pans to whitewater rafting on the Zambezi River, there are plenty of thrilling experiences that await those looking for a unique challenge.

And, if you’re planning on taking these adventures with friends or family, then book a flight with us at Mack Air – Botswana’s most advanced air charter company. With our extensive fleet of state-of-the-art aircraft and pilots skilled in the art of story-telling, we’ll take you to where the action lives. Let’s take a look at some of the top adrenaline activities in Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Skydiving Boogie

Do you want to add a little “boogie” in your life? Then, we suggest you take an exhilarating jump out of an aircraft over the Makgadikgadi salt pans. An incredible sight to see, the huge clay crust stretches almost to eternity. And, seasonally, the pans become a colourful hub of activity as the area is flooded by birds and wildlife.

The Skydiving Boogie is held once a year around July – an incredible daredevil event that offers 360-degree views of the salt pans. Imagine free falling at adrenaline-pumping speeds while taking in the flocks of bright pink flamingos and herds of blue wildebeest. There’s no better way to experience Botswana.

After ticking this thrill-packed excursion off your bucket list, we encourage you to soak up the area’s safari scene. There’s plenty of accommodation available, varying from luxurious lodges to tented camps so you can enjoy the rest of your stay in comfort and tranquility.

If you fancy something extra, you can head into Botswana’s tourism capital, Maun – an eclectic mix of modern buildings and rural huts. Get your fix of adrenaline and culture all in one go

Extreme 4x4ing Multi-Day Trips

4x4ing is on a completely different level in Botswana thanks to the demanding terrain and unrivalled remoteness. For the avid off-roader, there are several trails to follow and many options for multi-day adventures across the country.

Mabuasehube Wilderness Trail

If getting away from the hustle of everyday life appeals, the Mabuasehube Wilderness Trail is the perfect 4×4 route for you. Expect hot temperatures, sticky desert sand, and remote stretches of land that go on for miles.

This trail is roughly 155km in length and offers plenty of obstacles like sand traps, tricky dunes, and slick, sticky sand. Be warned, you should only take on this trail if you have two vehicles at hand. Just in case.

This thrill-inspiring trail begins in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in Botswana and ends in South Africa. It can be completed in one day, but rather take two to really appreciate the scenery and wildlife. Plus, you’ll enjoy camping in the wild at Mosomane Pan for an evening. Nothing compares to spending a night under the stars hearing the roars of Kalahari black-maned lions in the distance.

Botswana Isolation Trail

The Isolation Trail is not for sissies. You’ll need good driving skills, great Overlanding experience, and be able to handle yourself without a guide. Some experience of Africa’s wilderness is needed as accidents, breakdowns, and even illnesses can have serious consequences in Botswana’s remotest regions.

You’ll need tools, first-aid kits, and someone with a knowledge of mechanics in case of vehicle problems. Self-sufficiency is a must. You need to carry everything with you, ideally enough for the entire two-to-three-week trip.

But, as much as this is a testing trail, the rewards are huge. Your expedition will take you through and to some of Botswana’s most scenic highlights. Journey to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Deception Valley, Maun, Lake Ngami, the Aha Hills, and Drotsky’s Cave as well as the Tsodilo Hills. You’ll be telling your friends about this trip for years to come.

Zambezi River Whitewater Rafting

One of the best things about an adventure in this continent is that you can create an itinerary with multiple adrenaline-laden activities across several of Africa’s wildest countries. In addition to Botswana’s beautiful, rugged landscape, you can cross the border into Zimbabwe and enjoy a rip-roaring water-borne escapade.

Zambezi whitewater rafting is recognised as one of the best grade-5 rafting spots in the world. With the giant Victoria Falls just above the rafting site, you can imagine the churning, stirring rapids that await you. With ominous names like “Gnashing Jaws of Death”, “Judgement Day”, “The Overland Truck-Eater” and “Oblivion”, you’ll get a chill down your spine before you even get in the water! But don’t worry, experienced guides will help you navigate the intense rapids of the mighty Zambezi.

If you’re a real adrenaline addict, aim to visit during the low water season between August and December. The water level drops and the rocks move closer to the water’s surface. As a result, the water really crashes and roils through the gorge, providing higher thrill levels than high water season.

Mack Air – We’ll Take You There

A love of Africa was the take-off point for our team at Mack Air. For over 25 years, we’ve been taking tourists to some of Africa’s greatest attractions. We keep passengers on the edge of their seats as our pilots passionately share the tales of the land below them. A flight with us promises the journey of a lifetime!

We know Africa and we want to share this gripping, spellbinding land with everyone. As the first private commercial operator in Botswana to be granted an International Scheduled Service Licence, we will be offering flights between Botswana and its neighbouring countries for years to come.

Talk to us to find out more about our scenic flights.