Walking safaris in Kenya: the best camps and lodges
Often low-key walking safaris in Kenya are referred to as 'bush walks' - and many of these will emphasise the walking, culture and scenery, rather than big game encounters. (See our page on walking in Kenya for places which excel at this kind of walk.) Only a few camps however can offer longer walks or what we'd call “proper” walking safaris.
Since walking safaris are reasonably new to Kenya it is important, for safety reasons, to choose camps that have suitably qualified guides with firearms licences. We feature a number of camps that have silver or gold standard KPSGA (Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association) qualified guides - who are extremely knowledgeable.
Please call one of our Kenya specialists for more information on the best places to do game walks in Kenya.
African Hawk-Eagle Fly-in Safari
7 days • 2 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
US$7,780 - US$12,800 per person
Naboisho Camp
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.
Golden Jackal Fly-in Safari
8 days • 2 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
US$9,730 - US$13,080 per person
Borana
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.
Wahlberg's Eagle Fly-in Safari
6 days • 2 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
US$5,000 - US$5,970 per person
El Karama Lodge
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!
Hamerkop Fly-In Safari
8 days • 2 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
US$6,350 - US$10,960 per person
Sosian
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.
Purple Grenadier Fly-In Safari
6 days • 2 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
US$5,010 - US$6,600 per person
Kicheche Laikipia
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.
Greater Kudu Fly-In Safari
7 days • 2 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
US$7,170 - US$8,410 per person
Laikipia Wilderness
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.
De Brazza Monkey Fly-in Safari
9 days • 3 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
US$12,310 - US$16,320 per person
Serian
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.
Lanner Falcon Fly-In Safari
8 days • 3 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
US$6,620 - US$8,400 per person
Saruni Rhino
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.
Striped Hyena Safari
5 days • 3 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
US$5,020 - US$6,470 per person
Kicheche Fly Camp
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.
Walking safaris elsewhere in Africa
Our top ideas and inspiration for Walking safaris in other countries.
Botswana
Botswana isn't well known for walking safaris. This stems primarily from the lack of strong national ...
Namibia
Namibia has some of Africa's most dramatic scenery and many great hikes and walking trails: it's ...
Tanzania
Tanzania classifies its wild areas in different ways, each with different rules - meaning that ...
Zambia
Zambia offers Africa's widest choice of reliably excellent walking safaris. Strict guiding exams ...
Zimbabwe
Walking can be a big part of a safari in Zimbabwe. Exceptionally high guiding standards due to ...
Where to see wildlife species in Africa
Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite African animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.
Lion
Panthera leo
Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.
81% SUCCESS
2,980 sightings from 3,658 observations
Leopard
Panthera pardus
The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.
47% SUCCESS
1,895 sightings from 4,046 observations
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.
33% SUCCESS
1,030 sightings from 3,100 observations
Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.
83% SUCCESS
2,507 sightings from 3,030 observations
Wild dog
Lycaon pictus
African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.
31% SUCCESS
845 sightings from 2,719 observations
Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta
The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.
55% SUCCESS
2,132 sightings from 3,857 observations
Striped Hyena
Hyaena hyaena
The striped hyena is the most widespread of the world’s hyenas, but absent from southern Africa. A rarely-seen nocturnal scavenger, it is shyer and more solitary than its spotted cousin.
14% SUCCESS
122 sightings from 902 observations
Elephant
Loxodonta africana
By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.
91% SUCCESS
3,551 sightings from 3,906 observations
Black Rhino
Diceros bicornis
The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.
31% SUCCESS
618 sightings from 2,004 observations
White Rhino
Ceratotherium simum
The white rhino is the largest and most numerous of the world’s five rhinoceros species. They are larger, easier to see and generally more approachable than the black rhino.
44% SUCCESS
483 sightings from 1,094 observations
Eland
Taurotragus oryx
Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.
49% SUCCESS
1,446 sightings from 2,931 observations
Gerenuk
Litocranius walleri
With its slender frame and extraordinarily long neck, this unmistakable East African antelope resembles an attenuated impala and often stands on its back legs browse high shrubs.
76% SUCCESS
89 sightings from 117 observations
Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.
86% SUCCESS
3,429 sightings from 3,970 observations
Oryx
Oryx sp.
Oryx are impressive antelopes, with a powerful physique and elegant markings set off by rapier-like horns. They cut a distinctive dash in some of Africa’s harshest landscapes.
70% SUCCESS
1,290 sightings from 1,852 observations
Hippo
Hippopotamus amphibius
The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.
89% SUCCESS
2,599 sightings from 2,918 observations
Sable antelope
Hippotragus niger
Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.
22% SUCCESS
440 sightings from 1,964 observations
Wildebeest
Connochaetes sp.
Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.
68% SUCCESS
2,425 sightings from 3,574 observations
Zebra
Equus sp.
The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.
84% SUCCESS
3,737 sightings from 4,428 observations
Aardvark
Orycteropus afer
The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.
2% SUCCESS
67 sightings from 3,253 observations
Pangolin
Smutsia sp.
Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.
2% SUCCESS
54 sightings from 3,251 observations