Walking safaris in Africa

Tafika is owned and run by John Coppinger, one of the most experienced guides for walking safaris in Zambia, who helps to monitor guiding standards in the valley. Camp-to-camp walking trails are possible between Tafika and its satellite bushcamps, Crocodile and Chikoko.

The area surrounding Nsefu is open and flat with excellent game and varied vegetation, which makes it a great base for walking safaris in Zambia. Keen walkers might opt to sleep under the stars at a Robin Pope Safaris bushcamp.

Walking safaris at Beho Beho are some of the best you will find in Tanzania. With extremely knowledgeable, well-trained guides, and good wildlife viewing in Nyerere National Park. The high guiding standards translate into visitors gaining more of an insight into the park.

Expertly trained, armed guides lead walking safaris from Ongava Lodge in the Ongava Reserve. The focus of these walks is often on tracking white rhino, although you may also see some of the reserve's wide variety of other game species.

Ongava Tented Camp offers guided walking safaris focusing on the smaller things you may miss from the safari vehicle, such as the vegetation, tracks and trails, birds and insects. Larger game may also be encountered.

Mwamba lies in a game-rich area which, combined with expert guides, makes it a great spot for walking safaris in Zambia. Guests combining their stay at Mwamba with its sister camp, Kaingo, can walk from camp to camp.

Tena Tena overlooks the Luangwa River on the edge of the Nsefu Sector, some of which is very open and flat, so well suited to those looking for a walking safari in Zambia. The guiding standards are also very high. Serious walkers might choose to sleep under the stars at a Robin Pope Safaris bushcamp.

Old Mondoro is in a quiet, game-filled area of the Lower Zambezi, where patches of forest provide shady areas with good visibility. This is complemented by excellent guides making this one of the best camps for walking safaris in Zambia.

Chikoko is run by Remote Africa Safaris, a company with considerable experience of running walking safaris in Zambia. The lack of roads and vehicles, and the camp-to-camp trails, make this one of the best spots for walking in Zambia.

Highly trained guides from Mwagusi Safari Camp will take you to discover the lesser-known flora and fauna of the bush; learn how to recognise different droppings, how to identify bird calls and the many medicinal uses of plants.

Desert Rhino Camp concentrates on tracking Namibia's desert-dwelling black rhino. Typically you'll start in a vehicle, then after finding the animals, will approach them on foot led by well-trained (and unarmed) guides. It's a thrilling experience!

Experienced guides and a variety of walking safaris, that can take you to parts of the park inaccessible by road, make Kwihala one of the best camps for walking in Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park.

A walking safari if a great way to experience a different side of the bush. Explore the Onguma Reserve with a professional guide from Onguma Tented Camp and focus on the smaller things on a bush walk.

Located in a remote area with great wildlife and no interruptions from vehicles, Big Lagoon Camp is one of the best camps for walking safaris in Zambia. Top walking guides, and porters to transfer your luggage between camps, add to the experience.

For a wildlife safari in Zimbabwe, consider Camp Hwange, which has a very strong focus on top guiding. Whether watching wildlife by vehicle or tracking it on foot, you can expect to be led by incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides with a real passion for the bush.

Enjoy a morning walking safari with an experienced guide from Siwandu, and discover the beauty of the bush up close.

Mundulea brings a very different perspective to a walking safari in Namibia, with one of the best guides in the business. The reserve boasts rare and unusual species, but walking safaris here are more about understanding the environment as a whole.

Sandibe focuses primarily on day and night game drives, but they also offer guided walking safaris, with specialist walking guides based in camp. You'll learn about the Delta's ecosystem, plant life, the 'small five' and how to read the tracks and signs left by animals.

For a walking safari in Botswana, Kanana offers bush walks with an experienced, armed guide who will explain tracks and signs. Often following old hippo paths, these are usually slow walks, with a view to giving visitors a deeper understanding of the environment.

Kicheche Laikipia’s guides are all at least silver-qualified. Their insights into local flora and fauna contribute hugely to the walking experience, while opportunities to explore the conservancy on foot provide sightings of black and white rhinos.

Mchenja Bushcamp is in a good game-viewing area and always offers good walking safaris. Mchenja is particularly easy to combine into a camp-to-camp walking trip, it’s only a morning's walk from its sister-camps, Kakuli Bushcamp and Luwi Bushcamp.

Mwaleshi is one of Africa's top walking camps, dedicated to walking safaris, and run by Remote Africa Safaris, one of the Luangwa Valley's most experienced safari companies. Walks from Mwaleshi usually involve cooling paddles across the shallow Mwaleshi River. Bliss!

Norman Carr pioneered photographic walking safaris in the Luangwa Valley and his legacy lives on at Kakuli Bushcamp, and its sister-camps, which have some of the park’s best walking guides. Kakuli can be used as one ‘stop’ on a longer camp-to-camp walking safari.

Head out for a walking safari with a knowledgeable guide from Ikuka and discover the lesser-known flora and fauna of the bush. Learn how to identify bird calls and how to recognise animal tracks and scat, and the many medicinal uses of plants.

Oliver's Camp offers guiding walking safaris within Tarangire National Park - a great way to experience the environment from a different perspective and really appreciate the little things.

Nsolo Bushcamp offers walking safaris through various environments, from grassy plains to mopane woodlands, visiting the remaining lagoon and the riverine woods along the Luwi riverbed. Transfers on foot between Nsolo and its sister camps are a highlight of walking in Zambia.

Walking safaris conducted by Maasai guides at this camp are accompanied by a gun holder with a large-calibre gun, enabling you to enter areas where dangerous wildlife may be encountered. Expect to meet lions, buffalos and elephants.

Shinde Footsteps is a great place for walking safaris in Botswana. Led by excellent and experienced guides, walks are in a remote wilderness area, and focus on the small things: the plant life, the tracks left by animals, and the Delta's fascinating ecosystem.

Safarihoek Lodge offers guided walks for more adventurous guests. Begin with a short drive from the lodge before the fun starts as you experience a whole new way of finding and viewing Namibia’s animals big and small.

Mana Pools is one of Africa's best parks for walking, and Vundu Camp focuses squarely on the very best professional guiding. The open environment gives good visibility, and walkers can often get surprisingly close to relaxed bull elephants, or packs of wild dogs.

Sausage Tree Camp's guides are knowledgeable and engaging, helping to bring the bush alive. The variety of scenic environments around camp, from tall riverine forest to open plains dotted and hidden lagoons make Sausage Tree one of the best locations for walking safaris in Zambia. And you can walk straight out of camp - magical!

A bush walks is a great way to stretch your legs and get closer to nature. Explore the Onguma Reserve with a guide and get closer to animals big and small on a walking safari.

Want a break from Namibia's bumpy roads? Why not stretch your legs on a walking safari, accompanied by a guide from Onguma Camp Kala? It's a great way to see another side of the bush.

This camp specialises in game walks, encouraging exploration of Laikipia’s bush. The guiding is energetic and enthusiastic, and guests regularly find themselves leaving their vehicle to follow sightings far from the beaten track.

Luwi Bushcamp is in an established walking area that offers a variety of habitats. These include two permanent lagoons, which are home to large numbers of hippos and crocs and attract a variety of other wildlife. Visit as part of a camp-to-camp walking safari.

Lemala Ngorongoro Tented Camp is in a pretty, forested part of the Ngorongoro Crater rim and is a lovely place for walking in Tanzania. Such walks can be long or short, taking you through rolling hills with the option of visiting Maasai villages on the way.

Experience the lush environment of the Caprivi Strip on a walking safari from Nkasa Lupala. Led by a professional guide and an armed community ranger this is a great opportunity to experience the bush from a different perspective.

Beho Beho's treehouse involves mostly walking safaris - with some of Africa's very best professional walking guides

Chada Camp is particularly good for walking safaris, which are always accompanied by an armed game scout.

Walking safaris in Zimbabwe are exemplified by Hwange Bush Camp. Tracking big animals such as elephant, lion and occasionally black rhino on foot would be typical of a morning's activity – and you’ll also be introduced to the smaller creatures of Hwange National Park.

Kichaka is known for its outstanding walking safaris which take place in remote regions of Ruaha. The two guides, Moli and Jaques, are both highly experienced and their enthusiasm is infectious.

Selinda Explorers is a small, smart tented camp in a first-class area for big game; it offers walking and canoeing – and is an excellent camp for walking safaris in Botswana.

Photographic walking safaris were pioneered in Zambia’s Luangwa Valley – where Robin Pope’s operation is la crème de la crème. It’s a trip for purists, who can expect great guiding and like-minded company from other enthusiasts of bush walking.

Little Makalolo's walking guides are fully qualified Zimbabwean professional guides. The exams for this qualification are tough, and the guides that qualify usually have excellent bush skills – knowledge that allows for some great walking safaris in Zimbabwe.

The focus of walking safaris from Andersson's is often on tracking white rhino, although you may also see some of the reserve's species. Lead by expertly trained, armed guides this a great way to experience the bush from a different perspective.

Experience the lush environment of Namibia's Babwata National Park on a walking safari from Nambwa. Led by a professional guide this is a great opportunity to focus on the small things and see the bush in a different light.

Forested areas along the riverbank, isolation from other camps in the Lower Zambezi, and excellent guides make Anabezi a fantastic camp for walking safaris in Zambia. High densities of wildlife make for great game viewing on foot.

Walking safaris from Kuro are a great way to explore a much less-visited side of Tarangire National Park. With the bonus of the chance of spotting big game, and often ending in a bush breakfast, it makes a lovely change to a safari from a vehicle.

Walking safaris between Kapamba and its sister camps are a great way to see Zambia on foot. A typical itinerary might start at Chamilandu, walking to Chindeni, Bilimungwe and then Kapamba. Each walk lasts around three or four hours.

Sosian also offer walking safaris; these typically last between one and three hours and are lead by a guide with a full firearms license. Walking to a fly camp to sleep out under the stars is also a great option.

Joseph Kalau is the armed head guide who leads the walking safaris from El Karama. There is enough big game around camp to always have the possibility of an exciting on-foot experience!

Kuyenda Bushcamp is surrounded by one of the best walking areas in the South Luangwa National Park. The environments are varied and the wildlife plentiful. Walking with the renowned Phil Berry in his own backyard is a particular highlight of walking Zambia.

Mana Pools is a top destination for walking safaris. The open environment lends good visibility, and walkers often get very close to big game. The focus at Stretch Ferreira Safaris Camp is squarely on Stretch’s guiding; his passion and knowledge of the wildlife are the major draw.

Situated in the wildlife-rich Maasai Mara ecosystem, Serian offers ample opportunities for walking safaris both in their concession and in the larger Mara North Conservancy. Wildlife is varied and plentiful, and top guiding provides great encounters.

Ndutu Safari Lodge is just inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where walking safaris in Tanzania are allowed when accompanied by a park ranger. Walks last around two hours and concentrate on the woodlands near Lake Ndutu. Must be pre-arranged.

Sand Rivers fly-camps usually include time spent walking as well as driving, and the guides here are first-rate - walking safaris are one of the camp's specialities.

The area surrounding Bilimungwe camp is varied, with some pretty stretches of riverine woodland, thicker miombo woodland and open waterholes. Excellent walking guides and the ability to walk between camps make this an excellent choice for a walking safari in Zambia.

If you’re seeking total immersion in the bush, this fly-camping experience includes diverse scenery and wildlife, and superb guiding. Stop wherever you like to experience the sights and smells of the bush, and fall asleep to its sounds.

Kyle Branch helped design the new National Guide Training Program in Zambia, and has a wealth of experience guiding walking safaris. The area around Kutali is remote, but with plenty of wildlife, and the island is perfect for exploring on foot.

Gonarezhou is one of Zimbabwe's least developed and least visited national parks. This largely unspoilt wilderness is one of the best places to explore on a walking safari and Chilo Gorge's guiding team are one of the best to show you around.

With good guides, varied terrain, and the ability to walk to several of its sister camps, Chamilandu is a very good choice for a walking safari in Zambia.

Walking safaris are usually integral to fly-camping trips - and both combined give a really great sense of this amazing wilderness area.

Mana Pools renowned for its walking safaris, the open environment gives good visibility and walkers can often get surprisingly close to relaxed elephants, or packs of wild dogs in the company of a fully qualified professional guide from Little Vundu.

Set on a private ranch, Borana offers ample opportunity to stretch your legs: visit the Ngare Ndare Forest with its crystal-clear pools for swimming; join a guided bush walk; call in at the local farm; even join the rangers on a rhino patrol.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is a must for most visitors, and would be the highlight of a stay at Bisate Lodge. Other primates, such as golden monkeys and colobus monkeys, can also be seen during the walking safaris.

The area around Chula is remote, but with plenty of wildlife - a perfect spot for a Zambian walking safari with one of the camp’s experienced guides.

Martin leads the walking Safaris from Tassia Lodge. He will teach you how to track wildlife and explore some of the stunning scenery – there is not huge quantities of big game around, but there should still be plenty to see.

Serengeti National Park is a spectacular option for a walking safari in Tanzania. This private tented camp stands in a wilderness area within the park. Led by an engaging guide you'll explore parts of the Serengeti that are largely vehicle-free.

Okavango Explorers is a small, tented camp in a great area for wildlife and birds, which offers reliably good walking safaris at a relaxed pace with good guides. It’s one of Botswana’s better camps for walking safaris.

This camp offers walking safaris into the heart of the Sera Conservancy, where expert trackers seek out elusive black rhinos, accompanied by highly trained guides and conservancy rangers. It’s a unique opportunity for a close encounter on foot.

South Luangwa National Park’s terrain, relaxed wildlife and excellent guiding make it the perfect destination for walking safaris in Zambia. The area around Zungulila is particularly good, as it’s remote with limited road access, and the environments are varied.

Walking at Leleshwa is usually focused on big-game encounters, which are likely all around the camp. An armed guide is available to accompany you, and the experience can be a very exciting way to do some walking in Kenya.

Led by a professional guide a walking safari from Kazile Island Lodge is great opportunity to focus on the small things and see things often missed from a 4WD.

On Karisia's multi-day walking safaris, you'll typically walk for up to five hours each day, covering around 15km. Karisia will tailor this to the fitness of people in your party and the landscapes you're crossing, allowing for rest stops and pauses to watch wildlife en route.

Karangoma is a small, classic tented camp with great herbivore densities, especially zebra and elephants; it offers walking and San tracking – and is a good camp for walking safaris in Botswana.

The Okavango Delta Walking Safari is the only multi-day walking trail offered in Botswana. You’ll stay in a very comfortable mobile camp, with one night in a more adventurous fly-camp, in a secluded wilderness where there are few roads - led by a top expert guide and a Bushman.

Kitich is a perfect base for walking in the highland forests of the Mathews Range. The style is usually single file, on narrow forest paths, with occasional short rises and descents, and rocky stream crossings. Walks are always conducted by two local Samburu guides and armed forest ranger. You're likely to see a wealth of bird and insect life, a profusion of flora and good numbers of elephants and other forest mammals, from monkeys to bushbuck and big cats.

Join an experienced walking guide to explore the shores of Lake Manyara where you can discover the diversity birdlife as well as the larger mammals. This is a great way to escape the vehicles and see the park from a different perspective.

Tiloreza Eco Lodge is a convenient base for gorilla trekking in Rwanda, only a short drive from the headquarters of the Volcanoes National Park. This is Africa’s best area for gorilla trekking, with more than half of the world’s mountain gorillas, and makes a great choice for a walking safari.