Africa’s Best Walking Safaris

 A walking safari is one of the best and most authentic ways to experience Africa’s diverse range of wildlife.

 

From a herd of elephants walking mere meters in front of you to tracking a lion through the bush, they are hardly ever short of great experiences. 

Here are some of Africa’s best.

Selous Walking Safari, Tanzania

The Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania is the largest protected wildlife reserve in Africa, at roughly the size of Switzerland. It is also one of the few places in the country that offers safaris with camping in so-called fly tents. Participants trek through a wide variety of terrain, from rivers to dense woodlands, while tracking Africa’s Big Five and sleeping out in the bush.

Palmwag Reserve, Namibia

Palmwag Reserve is a million-acre private game park in northwest Namibia and provides a unique, desert safari. 

Guests get the chance to see the rare, desert-adapted black rhino, lions, and cheetahs while trekking during the day, and camp in East-African style Meru tents at night. 

The diverse terrain includes arid plains, ancient caves covered in bushman rock paintings, and petrified forests.

South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

South Luangwa National Park is said to be the birthplace of the walking safari, and it has one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. Expect to trek around the Luangwa River and its oxbow lagoons, keeping an eye out for hippos, crocodiles, large herds of elephants and leopards, among various other African animals.

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Botswana isn’t a place typically known for its walking safaris, but Footsteps Camp does provide one. In the rainy season from November to April, the area turns into an amazing birding destination as many species flock to the islands. Bring a pair of binoculars and keep a lookout for them, as well as more of Africa’s famous wildlife.

Parc National des Volcans, Rwanda

Follow in the footsteps of Dian Fossey and track rare silverback gorillas in the mountainous jungles of Rwanda. Trek through dense forest and bamboo stands, as guides take you to gorilla nests where you can get close enough for a selfie. Since each family of the gorilla has a dedicated team of trackers, you’ll be guaranteed sighting, and because visitor numbers are controlled, you’ll have an intimate encounter