Walking Safaris: Guided African Walking Safaris, Where to Go
The Top Privately Guided African Walking Safaris, Best Places & Safety Tips. African safaris are evolving. The camera has unequivocally supplanted the hunting rifle, and the increasing prevalence of guided African walking safaris has transformed conventional wildlife viewing practices. Travellers are now exploring big game territories on foot, ranging from brief hour-long walks to extended excursions lasting several days, and spending nights under the stars at secluded lodges or tented camps.
An African walking safari constitutes one of life’s most indelible experiences. Envision days filled with birdsong, tracking animal footprints, observing a foraging baboon group, or resting in the shade to watch buffalo congregate at a waterhole. Equipped rangers and expert guides guarantee your safety and comfort, as you enjoy fire-cooked meals and retire each night between pristine linens.
Ready yourself for an unconventional safari trip. Located in premier game reserves in East and Southern Africa, walking safaris offer abundant wildlife sightings while emphasising the environment’s intricate nuances — a dew-laden spider web, elusive blooms, and wandering beetles. Cultural aspects are also involved, whether interacting with local herders or exchanging narratives with your guide. Formal barriers dissipate within a day or two, and fireside discussions extend late into the night, providing deeper insights on this captivating continent.
Determine your destination prior to exploring our curated collection of recommended walking safari trips in Africa. We have selected the premier walking experiences in the finest reserves throughout East and Southern Africa. Extending your stay at a safari lodge or tropical beach resort is both effortless and gratifying; merely consult one of our Safari Experts for optimal combinations.
Walking safaris enhance Africa’s other significant on-foot experience – trekking trips. A mountainous experience, trekking through verdant rainforests to observe gorillas and chimpanzees has become an essential pastime in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Congo, while a multi-day ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro is a requisite on every adventurer’s bucket list.
Where to Go on a Walking Safari in Africa
There are two primary varieties of walking safaris in Africa: one that lasts several days and is available in both East and Southern Africa, and another that is shorter, like guided bush walks offered by lodges as an alternative to game drives. Both may be customised to match your safari schedule and don’t require ahead booking. However, the latter does require some physical fitness, appropriate clothing, and an eagerness to interact with nature. Check out our suggested items for a walking safari.
On African walking safaris that span many days, you’ll spend most of your time on foot after a brief guided walk; at night, you’ll sleep in walk-in tents furnished with robust beds and appropriate bedding. Your fly-camping adventure isn’t complete without hearty meals, hot showers, and refreshing beverages. Every meal is prepared by a cook, and each camp is set up by a staff before you come in the late afternoon.
Gorilla Walking Safari
Take in the breathtaking views of the terraced slopes, rocky terrain, and Virunga volcanoes as you soar between Entebbe and Bwindi in southern Uganda. Located on a hilltop in the hilly rift valley region, with breathtaking views of the steamy Bwindi, the entire Virunga Volcano chain, and charming gardens, the idyllic Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge is the perfect place to spend three nights with the gorillas. Guests at the wilderness lodge can enjoy delectable gourmet meals and first-rate service.
The Nyungwe Canopy Walk
Nyungwe forest is one of the largest protected mountain forests in Africa covering between 1600-2000 square kilometers. The canopy walk of Nyungwe Forest National Park is a suspended bridge covering 160 m through the lush montane rainforest and 70 m high from the forest floor. This is one extraordinary activity that offers a spectacular view of the ancient forest treetops as well as birdlife and other species within. Opened up in 2010, the canopy walk is a major choice for tourists to Nyungwe forest.
South Luangwa Walking Safari
A walking safari in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, is an intimate way to experience the “Valley of the Leopard,” known for its high leopard population. You can expect to be accompanied by highly trained, armed guides who lead you through the bush on foot, often with morning walks lasting several hours. Walking safaris can be booked as a substitute for a game drive or as part of a mobile safari experience, which involves moving between different camps.
1 Day Nyungwe Canopy Walk
A 1-day Nyungwe Canopy Walk tour is a long day trip from Kigali to Nyungwe National Park for a guided walk on the East African canopy walkway. It involves an early start, a long drive, a ~90 meter-long suspension bridge walk 70 meters above the forest floor, and a return drive, often with optional activities like a tea plantation visit or a waterfall hike.
Zambia Walking Safari
Because of Norman Carr’s seminal work, Zambia is frequently said to be the area where walking safaris were first introduced. Walking among the country’s varied fauna and breathtaking landscapes is an idea that this renowned environmentalist helped popularise. It’s a more immersive experience and also easier on the environment.
Arusha Walking Safari
A walking safari in Arusha National Park is an intimate way to experience wildlife up close, guided by a ranger. Activities often include a guided walk through areas like Ujambo Wa Mbogo or a hike to a waterfall, where you can spot animals like giraffes, buffaloes, monkeys, and a variety of birds. Many tours also include a game drive in a 4×4 vehicle.
Okavango Delta Walking Safari
Walking safaris provide a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore the Okavango Delta for individuals seeking an intimate encounter with the delta. Even though walking safaris are allowed at most sites outside of National Parks and Game Reserves, certain operators provide specialised walking programs. Designed for families or small groups, these specialised programs offer a unique view of the delta from the comfort of traditional safari camps. A “real” safari wouldn’t be complete without time spent walking through the bush.
Kruger Walking Safari
A Kruger walking safari is an intimate and immersive way to experience the African bush, allowing you to explore on foot with armed rangers who share their knowledge of the flora, fauna, and tracking. These safaris offer a unique perspective beyond vehicle-based drives, enabling you to engage all your senses with the sounds, smells, and smaller details of the wilderness, while still providing opportunities for encountering large game like elephants and lions. You can choose between guided walks from a base camp or more intensive, multi-day backpacking trails.
Serengeti Walking Safari
A walking safari in the Serengeti allows for an intimate, up-close wildlife experience led by expert guides and armed rangers. These safaris can be done from a permanent or mobile camp and involve walking short distances or multi-day treks, focusing on details easily missed from a vehicle. The best time is the dry season (June-October) when temperatures are cooler and wildlife is concentrated around water sources.
Mana Pools Walking Safari
Situated in northern Zimbabwe, Mana Pools is one of the best parks in Africa for walking safaris; it is situated along the picturesque Zambezi River. Since the river’s ancient route changes produced four pools, the Shona term “mana” means “four” in English. There are smaller ponds, islets, sandbanks, and riverbanks in the park. What makes Mana Pools the best national park in Africa is all of the above, as well as the forests of baobab, ebony, mahogany, and fig trees that surround it.
Laikipia Walking Safari
For those in search of a classic safari experience in a region of Kenya teeming with wildlife, Karisia Walking Safaris is a fantastic choice. A guide and a tracker, both with extensive expertise and local knowledge, accompany hikers on their adventures. In addition to the large game, they work tirelessly to ensure that you see the many small creatures that call Laikipia home, including the many species of birds, insects, and plants. The service is first-rate regardless of the choice you choose (AirBnC, Classic, or Luxury).
Okavango Delta Walking
Walking barefoot through the bush is the classic way to go on a safari. Featuring a network of delta islands with expansive plains teeming with wildlife, the Okavango Delta is an ideal destination for a stroll. Whether you’re interested in ants, buffalo, a bird’s nest, or following wild canines, knowledgeable walking guides will show you all the many parts of the bush. Together with our collaboration with the local population and the fact that no cars are utilised, this ensures that the safari is really eco-friendly.
