Best places for walking in Kenya
You can often do a short nature walk around camp, looking at flora and wildlife signs, but for more serious bush walks, we always recommend being escorted by a properly armed guide.
Best camps & lodges for Walking in Kenya
Campi ya Kanzi
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.
Saruni Samburu
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.
Sarara Treehouses
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.
Severin Safari Camp
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.
Laikipia Wilderness
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.
Tassia Lodge
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.
Shimba Lodge
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.
Sarara
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.
Leleshwa
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.
Naboisho Camp
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.
El Karama Lodge
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.
Karisia Walking Safaris
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
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!
Walking elsewhere in Africa
Our top ideas and inspiration for Walking in other countries.
Where to see wildlife species in Kenya
Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite 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
3,438 sightings from 4,247 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
2,220 sightings from 4,721 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
1,176 sightings from 3,580 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
2,909 sightings from 3,496 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.
32% SUCCESS
997 sightings from 3,116 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
2,457 sightings from 4,496 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
135 sightings from 993 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
4,153 sightings from 4,563 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.
30% SUCCESS
702 sightings from 2,314 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.
43% SUCCESS
565 sightings from 1,312 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
1,646 sightings from 3,358 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
102 sightings from 134 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
3,998 sightings from 4,657 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
1,526 sightings from 2,187 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.
90% SUCCESS
3,028 sightings from 3,383 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.
23% SUCCESS
545 sightings from 2,337 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.
67% SUCCESS
2,798 sightings from 4,168 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
4,367 sightings from 5,189 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
81 sightings from 3,741 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
64 sightings from 3,780 observations
Other styles of holiday in Kenya
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