Walking

Private walking holidays, walking safaris and hiking trails in Southern Africa

View slideshow (5 photos)

From a climb up Mount Kilimanjaro, to a varied walking tour in South Africa, to a hike up Table Mountain, the memories of walking in Africa will stay with you forever. There are so many ways to enjoy a walking holiday or a walking safari in Africa that it’s helpful to look at your options.

Guided Walking Holidays
We offer a number of escorted walking holidays in South Africa, as well as guided walking safaris in South Africa, Botswana and Zambia. Have a look at the Walking sections in those countries below or choose one of our Editors Choice holidays on the right of this page.

Walking under your own steam
South Africa offers plenty of hiking trails. In the main walking areas, you will find detailed maps and guide books to assist you in choosing a suitable walk. Many lodges have walking or hiking trails on their property or nearby and provide basic maps. In this website we aim to guide you towards the best walking areas and best lodges for hiking. In particular look at the Drakensberg Mountains and the Cedarberg Mountains and the Garden Route, all in South Africa. Our South Africa walking pages have recommended lodges.

Slackpacking Trails
South Africa also offers several guided walking trails where you walk from place to place each day carrying only a day pack. You stay in comfortable guesthouses of simple restcamps and your luggage is transported to your next night’s stay. These vary in terrain and in accommodation quality and so we’ll advise on which one may be right for you. Examples include the Wild Coast Meander in the Eastern Cape, the Dolphin Trail in the Garden Route and the Wupperthal Trail, one of the Cederberg Heritage Routes. See our Editors Choice...

Walking Safaris
For any adventurous adult, a walking safari has to be the ultimate wildlife experience! The walking safari is a concept unique to Africa, as it is a walk in the company of a game ranger, usually armed, through big game country. There is nothing to compare with the exhilaration of walking through the bush as your ranger explains the way in which the bark of one tree may be used as a toothbrush, and the leaves of another can be distilled to make a formidable alcoholic drink! This is primarily a way of gaining a deeper understanding of the whole ecosystem rather than a strenuous walking experience, though general fitness will add to your enjoyment. However, it is always possible to come upon a herd of buffalo or rhino, so a walking safari can be an exhilarating adventure!

Walking safaris come in various formats – from a 3-4 hour bush walk instead of a game drive, to staying at a bushcamp specializing in walking safaris, to a walking safari walking from one simple camp (flycamps) to another. Contact Us to discuss what will suit you best...

Most of Southern Africa is characterised by hot rainy sub-tropical summers and dry sunny winters. Thus the ideal time for walking safaris is between April and October. Walking and hiking in Africa, as in any part of the world, is an adventure! In areas where there are wild creatures, from mosquitoes, ticks and snakes to hippo and lion, there is inevitably some element of risk.

There's more information and sample walking safaris in South Africa, Zambia and Botswana.