Africa’s magical walking safaris
Walking is a perfect way to explore Africa’s great wilderness regions. Whether you fancy a gentle stroll from your lodge or a more adventurous multi-day walking safari, you will – at this slower pace – discover a whole new world sometimes missed on vehicle-based wildlife drives. Walking of one sort or another is available in all the countries in which we plan safaris so do get in touch if you’d like to find out more. In the meantime, here is just a snapshot of some of Africa’s magical walking safaris:
Perhaps one of the most famous of walks in Africa is to track the mountain gorillas found in the rainforest mountains of Uganda and Rwanda. Coming face to face with our closest living relatives in their natural environment is an enormous thrill.
Tracking mountain gorillas from Bisate Lodge
Walking with a Masai guide is one of the best ways to get to know the Masai Mara. These charismatic warriors know their patch intimately and delight on passing on all its secrets.
Exploring with a Masai guide at Elewana Elephant Pepper Camp
Zambia is famous as the home of the walking safari and among the very best here are those offered by Robin Pope Safaris. Robin himself was a legendary guide and his current team are among Africa’s finest.
Taking a drinks break on a Robin Pope walking safari
Exploring the Victoria Falls on foot is a great way to understand the sheer magnitude of this African wonder. Don’t be surprised if you’re presented with an umbrella and waterproofs, you’re likely to need both!
Exploring Victoria Falls. Toka Leya
Karisia’s camel assisted walking safaris in Kenya are reminiscent of safaris in days gone by and a wonderful opportunity to explore off the beaten track with local Samburu guides. Perfect for families and groups of friends travelling together.
Setting off on a Karisia walking safari
There’s so much more to Namibia that at first it might appear. We love it for the extraordinary scenery, and the resilient wildlife that has managed to carve out a living in this arid land. It’s a cracking place to explore away from the vehicle, and particularly good for rhino tracking on foot.
Exploring on foot from Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp
From starring in films to TV adverts, meerkats are quite the animals of the moment. It’s possible to walk with these charming creatures in a couple of spots in the Kalahari Desert. They take no notice of humans, except as useful temporary parts of the scenery and ideal observation posts. It’s a very entertaining way to spend an hour or two.
Walking with the meerkats at Jack’s Camp
Take a guided walk along the shallows at Alphonse Island in the Seychelles and you can spot turtles skimming across the beautiful sandy flats, a plethora of birdlife and all manner of other marine inhabitants. It’s the pristine Indian Ocean at its very best.
Guided beach walk at Alphonse Island
Walking isn’t the exclusive preserve of adults. There are plenty of lodges that offer short bush walks for children in areas they know to be safe. Learning which animal made what footprints and who has done what poo are much enjoyed!
Children on a bush walk at Somalisa Acacia
Walking across Africa’s most iconic landscapes is a real treat. The Masai Mara, Serengeti and Kruger National Park have plenty of options encompassing an hour or two or several days.
Walking in the Serengeti with Singita Explore
Walk with the San people in the Makgadikadi Pans and you can get a glimpse into the life and culture of one of Africa’s oldest tribespeople. They are delightful to spend time with and really enjoy imparting their unique brand of bush know how.
Walking with the San people at Meno a Kwena
There are some safari guides who have built up incredible relationships with the animals in their patch and Mana Pools specialist Nick Murray is a case in point. A gentle afternoon stroll with Nick from Vundu Camp gives a whole different side, not to mention exhilarating, to viewing the wildlife – as Aardvark Safaris’ Francis Naumann found on a visit a few years back.
Francis encountering elephant close up on a walking safari with expert guide Nick Murray
You are rarely far from food on safari and one of the great joys of any walking safari is to round a corner and find a cheery chef creating a delicious bush breakfast, a picnic lunch or sundowner waiting for you.
Bush breakfast at Elewana Elsa’s Kopje
What next?
We would be delighted to help you plan a dream holiday including some magical walking safaris. Our team of experts has travelled widely throughout Africa and the Indian Ocean and can offer expert advice on every type of safari from family and beach holidays to riding and primate safaris. Do get in touch – chatting to people by phone or email is what we do best. We listen, we explain, we answer all sorts of questions even those you didn’t know to ask, and finally we make suggestions. If this is your first time to Africa or your twenty first, we have a team standing by to help make the planning easy and the journey the best ever. Please get in touch whatever stage you’re at.
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