Walking safaris
Walking safari
is the most authentic and exciting way
to encounter wildlife
deliberately approaching potentially dangerous wildlife
At its best, walking safari is the most extraordinary and intense way to interact with wildlife.
However, the level of experience varies enormously from place to place. On this page, we will point you toward some of the best walking safari experiences on the planet.
At most lodges, what passes for walking safari is a relatively gentle and low key activity, a short stroll which focuses mainly on tracks, birds and flora. Interactions with larger wildlife tend to be rare and at distance.
Whilst it can definitely be very pleasant to get out of the vehicle and undertake a little light exercise, and whilst it’s always a pleasure to enjoy the finer details of the bush, this is not what we think of as authentic walking safari.
Serious walking safari is a completely different beast, not in terms of distances covered, but in that it often includes deliberate attempts to approach potentially dangerous wildlife such as elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, lions, gorillas, chimpanzees and pumas.
Although there is a much higher risk factor attached to this kind of walking, once you’ve experienced it you’re likely to be hooked. However, you will be required to sign a very significant liability waiver beforehand.
As a bonus, if you’re keen to experience high adrenaline walking safari, then you will inherently end up at some extremely cool camps, meet some very passionate bush people and experience some of the very best safari guiding.
These days, truly thrilling experiences like this are rare, but there are still a few precious places where real and authentic safari is still offered. Below is our selection of the best locations.
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Frequently asked questions
Although Tanzania as a whole doesn’t have a great tradition for walking safari, there’s a handful of really top class guides for whom it’s become a particular speciality.
Kichaka Zumbua Camp in Ruaha National Park is home to Andrew Molinari (Moli), who is arguably the best guide we’ve ever had the pleasure of spending time with.
We have personally experienced close on-foot approaches onto completely wild elephants and lions in his company. To describe this as exhilarating would be a serious understatement.
He and his partner Noelle also happen to be some of the most entertaining people we know, so you can also look forward to hours of animated chatter and happy laughter back at camp.
If you want a truly intimate and authentic safari then look no further, this is the very best and a huge favourite amongst our most experienced safari guests.
The best time of year for walking in Ruaha is the May-Aug cool dry season, with options during the Feb-Apr green season and Sep-Nov hot dry season.
the very best safari guide in Africa
Usually, if you encounter a pride of lions whilst out on foot you make an orderly withdrawal and then maybe radio for a vehicle to be brought in so you can make a closer approach.
Uniquely in Zimbabwe the opposite is true. Here you typically head out of camp in a vehicle and it’s only once you find elephants or lions that you get out to advance on foot.
If you tell this to guides from other countries they literally think you’ve gone mad, but that’s how it is.
The locals will tell you that it’s because Zimbabwe has the highest standards of safari guiding on the continent and it’s very hard to disagree.
They feel comfortable in his company and allow him and his guests to make very close approaches. This is particularly true of elephants, but Stretch will also walk onto lions, leopards, wild-dogs and buffaloes.
Goliath Tented Camp offers earthy facilities, a tight crew and simple honest hospitality, combined to create a seriously authentic experience, the kind that experienced safari travellers treasure.
Funnily enough, there is another option in this specific area. Nick Murray and his team at Vundu Camp are able to get you just as close to lions, wild dogs and elephants.
The best time of year for walking in Mana Pools is the May-Aug cool dry season, with options during the Sep-Nov hot dry season.
stretched to the absolute limit
The Coppinger family have been based in the fabulous Luangwa Valley in eastern Zambia for generations. They have a deep affinity for and understanding of the bush, so naturally they’re very keen on walking safari (as well as mountain-bike safari and micro-light safari).
The focus here is mainly on spending quality time out in the bush with the lovely local staff, so high risk approaches onto larger wildlife are much less likely than the preceding options.
Out of their main base in South Luangwa, Tafika Walking Trails is a three to four night walking expedition into a lovely vehicle-free area, staying at a couple of very simple and remote bases.
In the even quieter and more remote North Luangwa area, their two further properties, Mwaleshi Camp and Takwela Camp are also focused mainly on walking safari and are particular favourites amongst safari travellers who simply revel in being far away from it all in a pristine bush environment.
The best time of year for walking in the Luangwa Valley is the May-Aug cool dry season, with options during the Sep-Nov hot dry season.
lovely and relaxed walking trails with great guides
Set in western Zambia, Kafue is a large and vastly under-utilised reserve, home to an intimate and authentic safari operation which is owned and guided by two very nice lads, Phil Jeffries and Tyrone McKeith.
Like everyone in this article, they are filled with a deep passion for the bush and are heavily involved in conservation efforts in the area. They love nothing more than to get out on foot.
Their main base is at the very pleasant Musekese Kafue Camp, with simpler satellite camps around the reserve.
The walking safari here may usually be slightly less extreme than the first two options above, but it should be possible to turn it up a notch or two if you are so inclined. The overall bush experience is exceptional.
The best time of year for walking in Kafue is the May-Aug cool dry season, with options during the Sep-Nov hot dry season.
serious but fun-loving guides
Botswana has never had much of a reputation for walking safari, but that has changed in recent years with the creation of Kweenie Trails.
The creation of the lovely Simon and Marlene Byron, Kweenie comprises two very remote little camps, which can only be accessed by helicopter.
The focus is on gentle walks, slowly appreciating the magic of the environment. Deliberate approaches to potentially dangerous animals are the exception, although you can get pretty close to elephants around the waterholes during the Aug-Oct late dry season.
This is a wonderfully relaxed and fun experience, one of the best times we have ever had on safari.
The best time of year for walking in Okavango is the May-Aug cool dry season, with options during the Sep-Nov hot dry season. The latter period is tougher, but is also likely to deliver more intense wildlife sightings.
a tight-knit crew in a blissfully remote location
Last but certainly not least we head back to Tanzania.
It might come as a surprise to discover that there are actually some superb walking safari options in a location as well known as the Serengeti. There are actually some vast sectors of the reserve designated as ‘wilderness zones’, which can only be accessed on foot.
Alex Walker is a rare owner-operator in this region, a really lovely guy who also happens to be a superb safari guide. His Maasai crew, some of whom have been with him for decades, are also exceptional and an absolute delight to spend time with.
Although walking onto predators here is less common, it may be possible to pass directly through the migration herds, which is very cool indeed.
In addition to half day walks, remarkable multiple day walking trails are also offered. These are a minimum of five nights long since Alex says it takes that long for guests to get ‘properly into the zone’. It’s not necessarily easy, but it is a truly life-punctuating experience.
Alex’s main base camp is relocated through the year to track the main migration herds, between Serian Serengeti North (dry season massed herds and river crossings Jun-Oct) and Serian Kakessio (green season wildebeest calving Dec-Apr) .
incredible safari authenticity for such a well-known reserve
Although gorillas are placid vegetarian types, the experience of encountering them on foot, in thick jungle, is definitely exciting. They are huge, after all.
But it’s the giant aggressive silverback who typically injects the adrenaline into the experience, with his powerful displays and threatening behaviour.
The most accessible location for tracking mountain gorillas is the Bwindi Forest area of Uganda. If you are looking for very high quality lodges, then Virunga Mountains in Rwanda is your best bet. In both locations, the guiding is done by park rangers.
If you would like to encounter the short-haired lowland cousins, then you need to head to the extremely remote Odzala Kokoua area of Congo.
These tropical rainforests experience relatively low seasonal variations, so gorilla tracking can be done at any time of year.
heart-pumping moments with an aggressive silverback
To the uninitiated, the chimpanzee experience may seem lesser than gorillas, but the opposite is arguably true.
The big difference is that chimps are omnivores, which means they are more active, more cooperative and more obviously intelligent. In short, they are much more like us, which is, ultimately, what makes the interaction so unique.
The best location is the remote Mahale Mountains in the west of Tanzania. Other lesser options include the Kibale Forest in Uganda and the Nyungwe Forest in Rwanda.
Guiding is generally carried out by park rangers, but with the support of camp guides in Mahale, which makes all the difference.
These tropical rainforests experience relatively low seasonal variations, so gorilla tracking can be done at any time of year. However, Mahale Mountains is a little further south and tends to be better May-Dec.
chimpanzees are so much more active and intelligent
It may come as some surprise to discover that one of the most serious walking safari experiences in the world takes place in the Torres del Paine area in southern Chile.
Down here, amongst some of the most dramatic and beautiful scenery in the world, it is actually possible to walk with wild pumas, the fourth largest cats in the world (after tigers, lions and jaguars). Often these beautiful felines will pass within just a few metres of you, totally unphased.
What’s even more amazing is how few people know about this wonderful experience.
The guiding is carried out by reserve rangers, so there is no great advantage in staying at a particular lodge.
Puma tracking is usually best done during the Nov-Mar southern summer, although some people are prepared to ensure colder conditions Apr-May for the greater chances of encountering cubs.
the only big cats which are regularly approached on foot
In Ecuador, walking safari is offered in the Yasuni Amazon area of tropical rainforest, with chances of encounters with a range of primates, birds and insects. However you will almost certainly not be creeping up on predators like jaguars, which are far too elusive. These areas are usually best visited Apr-Oct.
Up in the Andes Mountains, you can also explore the mountain cloud forest of the Bosque Nuboso area on foot. To be honest, although the forest is famed for its incredible biodiversity, major wildlife sightings are relatively uncommon. However, if you plan your trip suitably, there is a chance of encountering some very impressive and rare spectacled bears. These areas are usually best visited Jun-Sep.
chances of meeting rare spectacled bears
In Peru it is possible to fly down to the tropical rainforests of the Tambopata Amazon area and head out on walking safari.
Major wildlife encounters are unlikely, but you should manage to find some monkeys, birds and a plethora of fascinating insects and reptiles.
A couple of the lodges here take their guiding suitably seriously. The area is usually best visited Apr-Oct.
difficult for wildlife viewing
In the many tiger reserves of India, walking safari is not generally offered. In fact it is specifically outlawed in most areas.
The main location that we are able to offer walking safaris is in the Satpura Reserve in the central Madhya Pradesh province.
Since the terrain is more mountainous and the forest is unusually dense, wildlife sightings from vehicles can be more spartan. For this reason the park authority has relaxed the rules to allow walking safari.
It can be absolutely wonderful to be out in these jungles on foot, there are some really good trails over varied terrain. But don’t expect encounters with too many larger mammals, that rarely happens in a forested environment.
The best time for walking in this area is the Nov-Mar cool dry season. The later you leave it, the easier wildlife is to spot in the drying landscapes, but the hotter it gets. By April, the temperatures are too high for most people.
spotting tigers on foot is virtually impossible
The only other big cats which are almost exclusively approached on foot are snow leopards, since their mountain homes are inaccessible to vehicles.
The primary location is the remote Ladakh province, tucked away in the Himalaya Mountains to the northwest, a fabulous and fascinating place to visit in its own right.
A snow leopard safari is no casual undertaking. You need to commit to at least five nights out in the wild. Each morning, a team of expert trackers scours the high valleys, ready to call you in by radio if and when they pick up a trail.
Distant sightings are the norm. Up close sightings are rare, but the thrill of the chase is extraordinary.
The best time of year for snow leopards is the Nov-Mar winter season, when the extreme weather up top forces the cats down to more accessible altitudes.
an extraordinary experience of wildlife, mountains and culture
Like India, the majority of wildlife reserves in Sri Lanka do not permit walking safari, which is a shame.
The one area where walking is permitted is in Knuckles National Park, whose high mountain cloud forests cannot be accessed in any other way.
Once again you should not expect encounters with major mammals, but there should be plenty of primates, birds, reptiles and insects to discover.
The best time of year for walking in Knuckles is the Jan-May dry season.
slight chances of elephants and leopards
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