Hiking trips in Africa

The walking opportunities from Ondudu Safari Lodge rank amongst the best in Namibia. The vast rocky landscape is easily explored on guided or self-guided walking trails and the views are certainly worth the effort.

Bullsport Guest Farm, in the Naukluft Mountains, offers fantastic variety for those interested in walking in Namibia. Eight well-marked trails (the Quiver Tree Gorge Trail is our favourite) lead through the farm and surrounding area, with stunning scenery.

Gorilla Mountain View Lodge, close to Volcanoes National Park, is a good-value base from which to take guided walks into the park's rainforests to see the golden monkeys and the mountain gorillas.

Etendeka is a great base for walking in Namibia. A normal day at the camp might include a 2–4 hour walk, an afternoon game drive, and possibly a short hike up one of the area's mountains.

Hiking at Canyon Lodge offers views across the plateau towards Fish River Canyon; in winter (Apr–Aug) the 'morning walk' covers 6km with a knowledgeable guide. For those after gentler walking in Namibia the “sunrise walk” (year-round) may appeal.

Zebra River Lodge is nestled in the picturesque Tsaris Mountains and offers fantastic walking in Namibia. Walks range from 2½ hours to a full day.

Set in beautiful surroundings, the Klein-Aus Vista reserve is a great place for walking in Namibia. From Eagles Nest, guests have the option of seven self-guided walking trails, ranging from around 4km to just over 20km.

Walks at Mundulea are usually led by Bruno, who we rate as one of the best guides in Africa. His passion for nature and conservation, broad knowledge of topics from geology to local politics, and ability to enthuse you, make for a Namibian walking experience that’s hard to match.

South Luangwa is one of Africa’s best parks for walking safaris. Luangwa River Camp offers these in the game management area, in the park, and between camps in the area, making this a great camp for walking safaris in Zambia.

For those after more serious walking in Namibia, Fish River Lodge offers a 74km guided canyon hike during between Apr– Oct. With an experienced guide and chef, the first night is spent at the lodge, with 3 nights camping and 4 days hiking.

It may not be classic walking, but our team rate the Bushman walks at Camp Kalahari as some of the best on offer. The Bushmen explain how they have survived over millennia using knowledge passed down to them through the generations. We found this fascinating.

Perhaps the best way to explore and understand an environment is on foot. Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge offers a range of walking experiences in the Namibian wilderness, from short self-guided trails to the guided, overnight “Trans-Kalahari” trail.

Led by an expert local Maasai guide, the walks at Naboisho offer some fantastic opportunities for walking in Kenya. Here you can explore a part of the Mara Conservancies on foot, learning about the landscape on the way.

Klein-Aus Vista reserve has seven walking trails, ranging from 4km to just over 20km, so makes a good choice for guests interested in hiking in Namibia. Note that April to mid October, when it is cooler, is the ideal time for hiking.

Rostock Ritz offers some lovely walking in Namibia, with over 60km of self-guided trails of varying lengths and difficulty. Walking here you can enjoy the Namib Desert, gravel plains, mountain ranges and deep canyons.

Namibia’s Spitzkoppe Massif has long been a fantastic destination to explore on foot. The picturesque mountains, which hide ancient Bushman art, are often accessed via steep paths which, with the opening of Spitzkoppen Lodge, are now much easier to explore

The landscape around Amalinda is a major attraction for walkers in Zimbabwe. As a bonus, Matobo Hills National Park is one of the few remaining areas in Southern Africa where white rhino can be found relatively easily, and approached on foot.

Gibb's is well situated for those who enjoy walking. You can choose from guided or unguided walks in the area: a farm walk, a garden walk, a village walk, the Ngorongoro Forest Walk or a farm walk. There are walks to suit all tastes, ages and levels of fitness.

Thamo Telele is a great lodge for some gentle walking in Botswana. The trails are well marked and perfectly safe to explore alone, with waterholes for game viewing and a hide if you'd like to sit and take things easy.

Tok Tokkie Trails offer a superb package between Mar-Nov of a 3day/2night walk in the NamibRand Nature Reserve. Sleep under the stars, see flora and fauna of the desert landscape and stay at simple overnight camps – a great option for some walking in Namibia.

Whilst staying at Lemala Ngorongoro it is possible to organise walks in the Crater highlands, whether around the Crater rim, or to Olmoti or Empakaai Crater, these walks will be sure to offer some spectacular scenery.

Owned and run by a true bushman with exhilaratingly hands-on instincts, Laikipia Wilderness specialises in phenomenal guided walks. Game drives also often feature walking stops, when you follow tracks on foot where the vehicle cannot reach.

Only a 20-minute drive from the Volcanoes National Park, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is one of the most luxurious lodges in the area. It's well placed for a variety of escorted walks, from short excursions to serious hikes, so is a good bet for walking in Rwanda.

The walks at Waterberg focus on the plateau itself, offering views of the superb scenery on the way up and the chance to explore the top. The walks are usually 3-4 hours, and we think they’re well worth the degree of energy and effort required.

Walking at Pumulani is best with a guide, who can take you along the lake shore, near the hillside and into the nearby villages. For some variety, try the option of kayaking back along the lake after your walk.

Entamanu is well located for a variety of highland walks; to Olmoti or Empakaai Crater, or around the Ngorongoro Crater rim. Soak up the wonderful landscapes, whilst you walk with your guide who will tell you all about the local flora and fauna.

Located on the private Kalama Conservancy, Saruni Samburu offers fantastic walking in the surrounding bush. Or join a 5-6- hour hike up nearby Mount Ololokwe for stunning views of northern Kenya’s semi-desert landscape from 1000m above the plains.

From Kaya Mawa, on Likoma Island, you can take a gentle stroll through the village to visit the cathedral. Either walking alone, or with a locally arranged guide, Kaya Mawa is good for some light walking in Malawi.

The proximity to the Olmoti and Empakaai Craters makes The Highlands a great choice for walking and hiking in Tanzania, catering for a range of physical abilities.

Sarara offers some more leisurely walking in Kenya, with a well-armed guide through the rocky and forested areas of the Namunyak Conservancy. You can swim in the streams and rock pools, as well as look out for big game and birds.

There are some stunning ecosystems to be seen at De Hoop Opstal, with few dangerous species around. Hiking trails lead through the rugged Potberg Mountains, coastal dunes, along sandy beaches and pristine rock pools.

The main activity and key focus of this mobile camp is walking safaris. More an extended nature ramble than a route march or a gruelling hike, they'll stop to marvel at creatures great and small in the context of their natural environment.

A stay at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge will allow you the chance to organise a walk in the Crater highlands. These will offer some stunning views and allow you the chance to see some flora and fauna on foot.

Nyungwe Forest Lodge is a great base for Nyungwe Forest, where visitors can go on guided walks to see energetic colobus monkeys, chimpanzees and a stunning variety of birds.

Close to the Nyungwe Forest, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel is an excellent spot for walking in Rwanda. Trek to see habituated chimpanzees and colobus monkeys; explore the treetops high up in the canopy walk; or go on nature walks to find hidden waterfalls.

Spend an extra night at Ngorongoro Farmhouse Lodge to include a day of walking in the Crater Highlands. This is an excellent opportunity to discover to landscape up close and learn about the local flora and fauna with a guide and armed ranger.

The Augrabies Falls area is great for walking in South Africa. Take a leisurely stroll next to the gorge, or tackle one of the park’s self-guided nature walks; in some seasons it may be possible to take a self-catered 3 day hike in the gorge.

Joseph Kalau, who has many years of experience, and carries a .458 rifle, leads the game walks at El Kamara ranch. Walks are usually after dawn, or late afternoon, with a vehicle to get to your starting point.

There are some great self-guided walking options at Storms River. Explore the dramatic coastal scenery, wander through forests on the lookout for tinkering waterfalls and a great variety of flora.

Virunga Lodge is one of the top lodges in the area around Volcanoes National Park and certainly has the most spectacular views. Walks along the lakeshore or in the nearby villages are an interesting activity when you are not hiking to see primates in the park.

For gentle walking in South Africa, Grootbos has some stunning flora to explore on foot, and offers guided walks to explore the reserve and coastal areas. Walk at Grootbos to learn about the fynbos ecosystem and explore the ancient Milkwood Forest.

Island Bush Camp is a simple, remote camp in the far south of Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park that focuses almost entirely on walking safaris, led by expert guides and an armed scout.

Le Sans Souci Guest House is a great base for walks in the Seychelles with access to the mountains of Mahe Island; routes leading directly from the guesthouse; and the trails in Seychellois National Park are only a short drive away.

4 Rivers in Botswana’s Okavango Delta has access to Maboa Island. A tract of land that has limited vehicle access, it allows for some exciting walking opportunities.

With a backdrop of the Matthews Range, Sarara Treehouses offers some excellent opportunities for walking. Accompanied by an armed ranger you can take a gentle stroll through the bush or go on a longer all-day, or multi-day, hike in the mountains.

Grootbos is set in the smallest of the world’s six floral kingdoms, the Cape Floral Kingdom, numbering approximately 9,000 species. Explore this unique flora on walks through the reserve or the coastal area, and don’t miss the fynbos ecosystem and ancient milkwood forests.

Mumbo Island is fantastic for waking in Malawi, with lots of well-marked nature trails around the huge granite boulders that cover the island. Some walks lead through heavily forested areas, others to places of interest, or panoramic viewpoints.

From Tongole Wilderness Lodge you can explore the rugged terrain of the remote Nkhotakota Wilderness Reserve, with its miombo woodland, rivers and patches of rainforest – an interesting option for walking in Malawi.

It is unusual to be allowed to walk in Kenya’s national parks, but Severin Safari Camp’s four-hour bush-walks enable you to explore Tsavo West National Park with an armed guard. It will need to be booked in advance – ask us for more details.

Bougainvillea Safari Lodge can arrange guided and self-guided walks in Tanzania, lasting up to three hours, around the beautiful coffee farms in the area. They have a guide who can accompany you if you would like to learn about the coffee farms and Karatu. Currently there's no extra cost for this, although tipping is appreciated.

The stunning scenery, expert guiding and raw wilderness experience of the Etendeka Walking Trail promises to be one of the most challenging and rewarding hiking experiences in Namibia.

The simple Chintheche Inn, owned and managed by Wilderness Safaris, is a relaxed beach lodge on the western shore of Lake Malawi. This northern part of the Malawi lakeshore is very green and lush, dotted with fishing villages and with endless sandy beaches.

The accommodation might be simple at Udzungwa Forest Camp, but there are some fantastic walking opportunities in Tanzania’s Udzungwa National Park. These range from short treks of around 45 minutes to those lasting up to seven hours.

For pure bush walking in South Africa, Samara Reserve offers a range of guided options including the chance to track cheetah and possibly rhino, and opportunities for spotting endangered species, like blue cranes and Cape mountain zebras.

La Reserve is a good base to explore the palm forests of Vallée de Mai. With towering trees, streams, waterfalls, and the coco de mer palm, Vallée de Mai is a beautiful place to explore on foot and a great place for walking on holiday in Seychelles.

The bush camping offered at an extra (approx.) $100 per person per night might appeal to those interested in some more serious walking in Kenya. This gives you a chance to get further into the bush and experience the Kenyan wilderness.

Walking in the cloud forest along the peaks of the Chyulu hills is a unique experience that Campi ya Kanzi does particularly well. You drive up and then walk from the grasslands into the majestic, dark forest full of buttress-rooted trees and lianas.

Chelinda offers guided walks through the Nyika Plateau, which focus on the huge range of flora. Chelinda can only be accessed by charter flight, but may appeal to those looking for some more serious walking in Malawi.

Mutinondo Wilderness has miles of stunning walking trails which lead through verdant woodlands, across clear rivers and past secluded waterfalls. It’s set in a scenic private reserve, ideal for walking in Zambia and with no need for a guide.

Kenya walking holidays usually focus on big game encounters at Leleshwa, which are likely all around the camp. You will be accompanied by an armed guard here. Booking these walks in advance is essential to ensure availability.

Bontebok NP, on the Garden Route, makes a fantastic base for hiking or walking whilst on holiday in South Africa. There is some amazing flora to be found here, and great birds to be discovered on foot.

For those interested in walking on holiday in Kenya, Shimba Lodge offers walks with an armed KWS ranger to explore the forested terrain of the park. You can also swim in the pool at the base of the falls if you fancy cooling off.

Walking with camels at a relaxed pace (camel-assisted walking) is an ideal way to absorb the landscapes and wildlife of northern Kenya. You can do this for a few hours or several days.

Galdessa offers some fairly serious bush walks, setting off from from the lodge itself with two armed KWS rangers. These should be booked in advance – ask us for more details!

The Ngorongoro Fly-Camp is an excellent way to get off the beaten track and explore the remote northern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. There are no roads in this area and you are likely to see few other visitors. Accompanied by an experienced walking guide you will spend two days walking through spectacular scenery whilst keeping an eye out for birds and animals.

Desroches Island is also good for walking in Seychelles, offering some beautiful beaches to stroll at your own pace. Most people cycle on the island, with bikes readily available, however you can explore on foot if you wish.