A walking safari is a unique and special way to experience the African bush. Many destinations offer walking safaris, usually as a half-day activity. If that sates your appetite, we’ll be sure to select camps that offer excellent guided walking safaris. If you seek more adventure, we can incorporate longer walks – from all-day adventures to multi-day explorations. Here, we’ll dig deeper to explore everything you need to know about walking safaris.
Most of our African destinations offer walking safaris. Zambia is known as the ‘birthplace of the walking safari,’ and has incredible big game and unique, beautiful landscapes to explore on foot. Zimbabwe is renowned for its expert walking guides who are adept at getting travelers close to big game in its untamed wildernesses. Tanzania’s remote parks such as Ruaha and Katavi offer walking safaris in areas that see few tourists. Kenya’s private conservancies offer exciting walking safaris among beautiful scenery. And in Botswana, you can enjoy walking in extremely different ecosystems, from the Kalahari Desert to the Okavango Delta. Let your Journey Specialist know what interests you most and they can help you narrow down the right destination for your customized walking safari.
What you see on a walking safari is very much up to Mother Nature and the skills of your guide. You will not get as close to Africa’s wildlife on foot as you do in a vehicle, but that does not make a walking safari any less thrilling. Without a doubt, you will have the chance to explore more of the small stuff – from insects and plants to animal tracks and birdlife.
Walking safaris can also give you the chance to walk near big game. This will depend on the circumstances of the day, as every day and every walk is different. There is little you can do that is more exhilarating than spending time on foot close to an elephant, rhino or other species of Africa’s big game! Depending on where you go, you might walk through the forests of Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park looking for big game, track rhino on foot in Namibia’s Damaraland or compare the length of your stride with a giraffe’s in Kenya with snowcapped mountains in the distance.
We work with only the most highly qualified guides in Africa for our walking safaris. Depending on the destination and the size of your group, you may have one or two guides with you, and they might be armed, depending on park or reserve regulations. You might also have an armed local wildlife authority park ranger accompany you.
Travelers who choose to incorporate a walking safari into their vacations should have a reasonable level of fitness. For a multi-day walking safari, distances may be longer and require better fitness than a morning or afternoon walking safari activity. Guides will tailor the walking safari to guests’ needs and abilities.
The most important thing on a walking safari is to follow your guide’s instructions. They have extensive experience in keeping travelers safe during these activities.
There is a huge variety of walking safaris available across the African continent. A walk could last for an hour or two or be an all-day adventure. We also offer multi-day mobile camp walking safaris for the more adventurous traveler. The distances covered can vary wildly, but it’s really more about what you see than covering a certain number of miles during a walk.
Walking safaris can be done any time of year depending on the destination and its seasonality. We recommend talking with your Journey Specialist about the advantages of walking in Africa’s winter, or dry season months, when vegetation is less dense, making it easier to spot animals. We also suggest avoiding a destination’s hottest months. While most walks take place early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when temperatures are cooler, the cooler months overall can be more pleasant for walking safaris.
Travelers should wear long-sleeved shirts and pants in neutral colors on a walking safari. These will help protect you from vegetation, sun and insects, and also help you blend in with the environment, making you less visible to wildlife. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes are a must for walks, and we also suggest wearing long socks and a hat.
Bring along insect repellent, sunglasses, sunblock, a hat and a jacket or fleece if the weather calls for it. And of course, don’t forget your camera and binoculars!
Contact one of our Journey Specialists and lace up your shoes! Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter below for more travel information and inspiration.
Photos courtesy of AAC Marketing Director Beth McCabe, AAC Senior Journey Specialist Diana Garcia Hernandez, AAC Livingstone Club member Kristin D., AAC Senior Journey Specialist Angie Voigt, AAC President Kent Redding and AAC Livingstone Club member Joshua R.