South Africa

African Walking Safaris

Walking safari conducted at Plains Camp, Kruger Park


The word “safari” has its origins in Arabic. It was pronounced “səˈfÉ‘ri”  - meaning a long journey, and was adopted during the 19th century into the English language as “safari” by explorers, hunter and missionaries. It is now a widely used term referring to African travel, wether it be by land, water or by foot, as long as the purpose of the safari is to view game, for photographic reasons or for hunting.

From a purest’s point of view and African walking safari should take place over a number of days, during a safari party would walk through an African wilderness area, camping a different locations each night. This type of walking safari is possible in certain areas and is a very rewarding safari experience.

At African Travel Gateway we discern between quite a few forms of walking safaris. The main criteria for a walking safari is that it takes place in an African wilderness area, that naturally supports “plains” and “big” game.  Plains game refers to animals that are herbivore and not potentially dangerous to humans. These could include giraffe, impala, kudu wildebeest and the like. Big game refers to animals, that over the centuries have been recognized as potentially dangerous to humans, and include the big 5 (ie: lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant) but also include animals such as crocodile and hippopotamus. See some examples of African walking safari itineraries,or read further for an explanation on the types.

African walking safaris in the modern context can be interpreted and implemented in a number of ways. We have broken them into 4 basic types:

Day Walks from a Safari Lodge

A 2 - 3 hr day walk conducted at Umlani Bushcamp, Timbavati

A 2 - 3 hour day walk under the guidance of a safari guide in a big game area with the purpose of viewing game, birds, plants and other signs one can pick up in the bush. These are conducted by nearly all safari lodges and camps in Southern Africa, often as a filler between game drives, or as a main activity in the morning of afternoon. These walks are very much an optional activity where the main safari activities are in fact game drives.

Walking Safaris from Permanent Safari Camp

At Plains Camp in the Kruger Park, guests arrive to a permanent camp after their walking safari

A 2 - 4 day walking safari conducted from a permanent safari camp or lodge. A safari guide would take guests out into the bush for 3 - 4 hour game walks each morning and afternoon, but always returning to the camp or lodge. These are popular in places like the Kruger Park. The emphasis is on a wholistic interpretation of the bush including tracks, sights, sounds, smells, birds, insects etc…Over the few days guests become immersed in the day cycles of the wilderness, and can enjoy the comfort of a soft bed and a proper bathing facilities.

Mobile or Classic Walking Safaris

At Norman Carr Safaris in the Luangwa Vallley, Zambia guests walk from one permanent camp to another

A 2 - 4 day mobile walking safari in which guests walk, under the guidance of a safari guide from camp to camp. These camps can take the form of temporary tented camps set up ahead of guests by a support team, or more permanent camps that remain in place. These are considered to classic walking safari, and carry a certain romantic appeal of a past era, as this is very much how the explorers and hunters of the past used to travel or “safari”.  This type of walking safari feels more like a journey as guests are guided through varying habitats and landscapes and always sleep in a different setting.

Primitive Walking Safaris

On the primitive Mphongolo Backpack Trail in the Kruger Park, guests carry their own equipment and sleep out in the wilderness

A 2 - 4 day primitive walking safari. These walking safaris are the most “back to basics” walking safari. Guests carry their own backpacks containing their food, tents, water & clothes, and under the guidance of a safari guide explore a wilderness area with big game. There are no permanent camp sites and no toilet facilities. The trailists would set up camp at a different location each night, and experience the diverseness of wildlife and immense beauty that these wilderness areas offer. A true appreciation of modern luxuries such as tap water, electricity, houses is instilled and although this type of walking safari is considered “roughing it”, it offers richest African wilderness experience.