Top 7 African Walking Safaris: Where to Go & When to See the Wildlife of Africa on Foot

Are you looking for an unforgettable adventure in the heart of the world’s most epic continent? Then you can't beat African walking safaris!

Stepping off the beaten path and into the wilderness, walking safaris in Africa get you up close and personal with an array of incredible plants and animals all guided by experts.

If you want to leave the noise of vehicles behind, immerse yourself in the small wonders of the bush–observe African animals in their natural habitat on a more intimate safari experience–then it’s time to lace up your boots and answer the call of the wild with a walking safari. 

African Walking Safaris: The Basics

African walking safaris, Kruger

So, what exactly are African walking safaris, you ask?

Well, let's break it down!

There are two main types of walking safaris: shorter bush walks, lasting from an hour to half a day, and multi-day walking safaris, where you'll be trekking from camp to camp, immersing yourself in the wilderness over several days.

The first, shorter bush walks, are perfect if you want to shake loose from the Land Rover and take a small trip on foot, stretching your legs and getting a more intimate glimpse of your surroundings than a game drive can offer.

Many camps and lodges offer this type of walking safari experience as one of their optional activities. These short walks typically start and end at your accommodation, or from a nearby meeting point, so you won't venture too far from your home base. Bush walks are a great option for beginners. If you're up for a real adventure, however, then multi-day walking safaris are really where it's at!

On these longer walking safaris, you’ll venture further into the bush, to more remote corners of the wilderness, encountering local wildlife along the way.

Perfect for those seeking a deeper connection with nature, you’ll be walking for much of the day. This means longer African walking safaris require some level of fitness, the right gear, and a willingness to embrace the wild!

Often you’ll be staying in mobile, temporary bush camps erected specifically for these walking safaris, so you'll need to be adaptable too.

Elephant camp Botswana safari

Don't worry though, it's not like roughing it in the wilderness! The safari camps generally have proper beds, warm showers and even cold drinks - perfect after a long day in Africa on foot! Plus, the camps are usually erected before you arrive (so there’s no set-up work involved) and your belongings are transported from camp to camp for you too.

All of this means you can simply focus on soaking in the beauty of the African bush unencumbered!

So whether you're into short bush walks or looking for longer walking expeditions, we've got you covered with our top 7 destinations for African walking safaris.

Read on to find the best spots for walking safaris in Africa... 

1. Zambia Walking Safaris

Zambia safari leopard

Zambia offers the widest choice of reliably excellent walking safaris in Africa thanks to its long history and sharp focus on the best on-foot animal experiences.

Indeed, the country’s South Luangwa National Park is hailed as the birthplace of African walking safaris and continues to beckon adventurers wanting to enjoy a wildlife experience with a difference.

During the dry season, this Zambian park comes alive with one of the continent’s highest concentrations of wildlife, which congregate along the Luangwa River and make for an unparalleled game viewing experience.

In addition, the aptly nicknamed ‘Valley of the Leopard,’ aka the Luangwa Valley, boasts the world's highest naturally occurring population of these majestic cats, which are notoriously rare and hard to spot.

From short bush walks to immersive multi-day hikes, South Luangwa National Park caters to all levels of on-foot adventurers and, with Zambia's rigorous guiding exams ensuring top-notch standards, you're guaranteed an unforgettable walking safari experience here.

This is especially true of multi-day walking safaris, where comfortable camps allow travellers to delve deep into this wilderness paradise under the expert care of some of Africa’s best guides.

From winding trails teeming with wildlife to remote camps nestled in pristine settings, African walking safaris in Zambia promise adventure at every turn.

Best time for walking safaris in Zambia: June to October 

2. Botswana Walking Safaris

Okavango Delta bush walk

Picture this: immersing yourself in the wild untamed beauty of the Okavango Delta in Botswana, where much of the landscape is accessible only by wooden canoe or on foot.

Walking safaris here allow you to explore remote corners of the delta, from its unique islands to its lush floodplains and winding waterways.

Get ready to encounter the Big Five, wildebeest, giraffe and more, as you explore this thrillingly wild area; and keep your camera ready too, because you never know when you might just stumble upon a hippo or a lioness!

With your knowledgeable guide by your side, African walking safaris in Botswana will also help you gain valuable insights into the delta's rich ecosystem and discover fascinating details about its flora and fauna.

There are options for shorter walks here too, but whether you choose or overnight or just an afternoon adventure, you can expect an unforgettable time in the heart of Botswana's wilderness!

Best time for walking safaris in Botswana: April – October 

3. Uganda Walking Safaris

Uganda gorilla trekking

If your dream African walking safaris entail getting up close to the magical mountain gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda is where you want to head!

Here, deep in the rainforest-covered mountains, lies one of the last remaining habitats of these gentle giants.

Guided hikes, through dense tropical forests, offer the chance to see these beautiful, endangered gorillas up close to a small group of people at a time.

Now so rare that Bwindi Forest is one of only three places in the world where you can see gorillas in the wild, as their name implies, mountain gorillas inhabit high altitudes, so expect to do some serious hiking to reach them!

Indeed gorilla treks in Uganda can last anywhere between 1 to 6 hours, depending on which gorilla family you’re tracking and their latest location…. so do come prepared for what might be a lot of walking!

Bwindi gorilla trekking Uganda

But gorilla trekking is just one of the African walking safaris that you can enjoy in Bwindi Forest National Park.

There’s also a great choice of nature walks and hikes through the tranquil forest setting, with trails ranging from 1 to 8 hours, where you can encounter a bunch of other primates including golden monkeys and colobus monkeys.

For the ultimate walking safari in Africa, you’ll want to cross the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest from Nkuringo to Buhoma. This guided walk threads through towering trees, across footbridges and streams, offering a glimpse into the pristine beauty of Uganda's wilderness that few get to see.

Best time to go gorilla trekking in Bwindi: June to August, and December to February  

4. South Africa Walking Safaris

South africa walking safaris

South Africa is another great place for walking safaris, with Kruger National Park standing out as a prime destination.

Here, you can embark on outstanding bush walks and multi-day walking expeditions, immersing yourself in the heart of this world-famous and iconic reserve.

In Kruger Park itself, multi-day walking safaris provide the chance to explore remote corners of the national park, accompanied by armed guides and skilled trackers. Spend several days traversing some of the wildest and most remote parts of this park, and enjoy staying in comfortable permanent tented camps along the way.

Maseke Balule and Sabi Sands Game Reserve both share unfenced borders with Kruger National Park, and offer interactive bush walks that allow for some unique wildlife viewing experiences.

Experience the thrill of encountering Africa's iconic animals up close in their natural habitat, at some of the best prices going, with unforgettable African walking safaris in South Africa.

Best time for walking safaris in South Africa: May – October 

5. Tanzania African Walking Safaris

Nyerere walking safari-tanzania

For a truly immersive walking safari in Africa, explore Tanzania’s beautiful national parks where African walking safaris offer a unique way to experience the country's breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife.

As East Africa's largest park, Ruaha National Park boasts diverse scenery and abundant wildlife, offering the thrill of encountering the animals of Africa on foot.

Because of its remote location, it’s a less crowded option than its counterpart the Serengeti National Park, and can feel all the more special as a result. This makes it a great option for an African safari on foot.

Tarangire National Park is another must-visit destination for African walking safaris in Tanzania.

Renowned for its elephant herds and ancient baobab trees, here you can embark on guided walks led by experienced field guides, providing rare opportunities for up-close encounters with an amazing array of animals.

Reconnect with nature, as you follow in the footsteps of ancient explorers here and get to discover the wonders of the African bush in an authentic way.

Best time to go on walking safaris in Tanzania: Mid-June – October  

6. Kenya Walking Safaris

Kenya walking safaris

While walking safaris are prohibited in most of Kenya's national parks, they're gaining popularity in privately owned conservancies and reserves that are also found across this county.

For example, a real standout destination for African walking safaris is the Laikipia region in Northern Kenya.

Here, at private reserves such as the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and the Samburu National Reserve, you can explore this remote and wild area which is simply teeming with Big Five animals.

At Kenya’s incredible Masai Mara Conservancies, you can also join bush walks with local Masai warriors, who can impart rich knowledge of their land and traditions.

Because walking safaris are still relatively new in Kenya, you'll find most opportunities are for low-key bush walks and shorter excursions, rather than longer walks.

However, multi-day walks of three days or more are now available in Laikipia, offering a deeper immersion into the wild on an unforgettable, off-the-beaten-track adventure of a lifetime.

Best time for Kenya walking safaris: Mid-June – October

7. Zimbabwe Walking Safaris

Zimbabwe walking safaris

Zimbabwe stands out as one of the best destinations for walking safaris in Africa thanks to its exceptionally high guiding standards rooted in rigorous training programs.

Renowned for having the top walking safari guide qualification on the continent, Zimbabwe is home to some of the most skilled people in the field. This commitment to excellence, paired with a flexible approach to guided nature hikes, makes Zimbabwe a top choice for African walking safaris.

Unlike some countries, walking is permitted in all of Zimbabwe's wildlife areas (including its national parks) and many camps offer walking safaris as part of their activities, with some camps focusing solely on this immersive experience.

Hwange National Park, renowned for its elephant population and abundant lion sightings, promises unforgettable walking safaris.

Meanwhile, Mana Pools National Park, nestled along the Zambezi River, stands out as one of the best places for game-viewing without a vehicle, as you can expect to spot lions, elephants and more!

For years there has been a big focus on wildlife walking experiences in Zimbabwe, which means the game is a lot more relaxed with humans here too.

Best time to go on walking safaris in Zimbabwe: June to October

Ready to Experience African Walking Safaris?

So that’s our low-down on the 7 best destinations for African walking safaris! Now that you know where is best to explore Africa on foot, we can help you take the first steps towards planning your dream walking safari.

Our experienced safari experts can custom-make a walking safari itinerary that is ideal for you. Whether you want to explore one of the best destinations above or combine two or more of these walking hotspots to create a tailor-made African walking safari our team can make it happen within your budget.

To start planning your walking safari in Africa, get in touch with our African travel experts.

African walking safaris, South Africa