Overview
For us, a walking safari is the ultimate wildlife experience. You will never forget the moment when, crouched low in the aromatic golden grass beside your armed game scout and guide, you watch elephants cross the river towards you! A walking safari is a gentle walk so it is suitable for any adventurous adult.
Dedicated South Africa Walking safaris
Rhino Walking Safaris offers two to three night stays at Plains Camp, a private concession in the Kruger National Park, with the opportunity to enjoy a sleep-out in their elevated tree-houses (on the 3 night safari). Similarly, Africa on Foot and Simbavati Trails Camp both focus exclusively on walking safaris in the Timbavati Game Reserve.
Down in the Cape, both Sanbona in the Little Karoo and Shamwari Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape offer their 'Explorer camps'. These rustic walking camps are run from Friday to Sunday (2 nights).
In the Marakele National Park in the Waterberg Mountains, the stylish and eco-friendly Marataba Mountain Camp is perfect for more adventurous souls wanting a full day adventure out in the bush.
Whilst in the far north of the Kruger, Pafuri Walking Trails is a 3 night walking safari in the dry winter and spring months. This is a very scenic part of the Kruger and ideally suited to walking safaris.
Some only offer walking safaris, whilst others offer a mix of walking or game drives, usually with game drives in the hotter afternoons.
Morning Walks
If you aren't sure that you want to spend much time on foot, there are alternative ways to enjoy a walking safaris in greater comfort. Many game lodges offer a short morning bush walk on request. However, some lodges - mentioned below - have a greater emphasis on walking than most. They offer longer 3-4 hour bush walks. These are not arduous but rather gentle explorations of the bush, giving you the opportunity to observe the game at close quarters, track spoor and gain a holistic sense of how the wilderness.
Highlights
- A walking safari is the ultimate wildlife experience.
- Gain fascinating insights into the ways of the wild with an experienced guide.
- Typically you'll focus on smaller wildlife, birds, plants and their local medicinal uses.
- Sometimes you’ll also encounter larger wildlife so your guide is always alert and ready.
- Over-whelming sense of being part of the bush and not just viewing it from a stationary vehicle.
Tasha Eygelaar
Africa Travel Specialist
Popular tours & safaris
We arrange trips to more than 100+ destinations throughout the African continent.
