Don’t just travel to a new destination this year, immerse yourself in a new culture and exciting activities your friends have yet to experience.

Words Clara Van Duivenbode

Explore the world’s best adventure travel destinations

Live dangerously and explore the world through spell-binding adventures. Travel to unknown destinations and partake in activities off the grid for a truly immersive experience. Here at Absolutely, we’ve compiled a list of the best up and coming adventure travel destinations.

BOLIVIA

Fly to Bolivia and cycle on the world’s biggest salt flat, Salar de Uyuni. The mesmerizing view provides endless photo opportunities for the millenial in each of us. If you’re looking for something outside the box, why not explore the mines. Here, you can get decked up in mining gear and walk through the mines and if you’re lucky partake in your own supervised explosions.

ICELAND

Iceland has so much more to offer travellers than its picturesque landscape and Blue Lagoon. With ice caves, horse riding, diving and river-rafting, there is something for the adventurer in each of us. Personally, I would recommend visiting Thrihnukagigur to explore the inside of an active volcano magma chamber.

MYANMAR

Explore a new side of Asia with Myanmar. On the Inle Lake, learn the ways of traditional fisherman by paddling a skiff on one leg. To become a master, see if you can paddle and fish at the same time, but trust us it’s harder than the locals make it look. 

COSTA RICA

Costa Rica is an adrenaline junkies dream. From zip-lining to snorkelling to white-water-rafting and hiking, the possibilities are endless. To top it off, all these adventures take place in picturesque surroundings that will make you never want to leave. This destination should be on everyone’s bucket list. 

MOAB, UTAH

Cycle through picturesque red-rock landscape in Moab. With loads of famous tracks, indulge your active self by venturing out on an adventure of a lifetime. Be sure to ride the following tracks: Porcupine Rim, Slickrock and the Whole Enchilada.

KYRGYZSTAN

If you enjoy mesmerising landscapes, hiking, cycling, horseback riding and climbing try Kyrgyzstan. The Celestial Mountains and Alpine Meadows of Jeti-Oghuz Canyon are a must see. In your well deserved downtime, try some local cuisine influenced by Russia, Asia and Turkey. In particular, try an Oromo.

ZIMBABWE

Explore the lesser known region of Zimbabwe in South Africa. With exciting activities including safaris, bungee-jumping and white-water rafting along Victoria Falls, there’s endless adventure and fun to be had. After achieving your adrenaline rush, relax by watching animals roam in their natural habitats from the safety of a jeep.