Luxury Walking Safaris in Africa.
Walk through Africa’s wild landscapes with experienced local guides, at a pace suited to you. Each custom journey combines private or small-group walks and carefully selected camps with eco-responsible wildlife encounters.
See another side of Africa on foot.
Experience details, emotions and connections of the African continent that are difficult to find from inside a vehicle.
Stay in comfort with modern amenities.
Rest and relax in comfortable eco-conscious tents or sublime ultra-luxury lodges with spa facilities. We can offer both.
Walk at a pace you’re comfortable with.
Tell us your level of fitness and how far you’ll feel comfortable walking, and we’ll plan the perfect walking safari around you.
All-inclusive, stress-free travel.
We’ll sort all travel arrangements from plane tickets and dietary requirements to transfers across multiple countries.
See another side of Africa on foot.
Experience details, emotions and connections of the African continent that are difficult to find from inside a vehicle.
Stay in comfort with modern amenities.
Rest and relax in comfortable eco-conscious tents or sublime ultra-luxury lodges with spa facilities. We can offer both.
Walk at a pace you’re comfortable with.
Tell us your level of fitness and how far you’ll feel comfortable walking, and we’ll plan the perfect walking safari around you.
All-inclusive, stress-free travel.
We’ll sort all travel arrangements from plane tickets and dietary requirements to transfers across multiple countries.
See what a game drive can miss with our guided walking safaris in Africa.
Make the most out of a wonderful safari experience by slowing things down and becoming fully present with a walking safari.
Our luxury walking safaris in Africa are unforgettable excursions you can take on a regular safari holiday. Often they start in the very early morning or late afternoon, and so won’t impact your excursions during the rest of the day.
They are are excellent for:
- Learning how to read animal tracks and signs
- Notice birds, plants, insects and smaller wildlife
- Understand up close how experienced and indigenous guides perceive the world around them
- Fine-tuning into nature: a footprint, broken branch, animal warning call or change in the wind is all part of the experience
On our guided walking safaris, you’ll return with more than a list of new animals and experiences. You’ll return with a deeper understanding of the African wilderness and unique memories that you won’t get on any other type of safari.
Our favourite African walking safaris:
Here are our experts’ top picks for luxury walking safaris across Africa. They range from gentle botanical and tracking walks from a comfortable camp to camel-supported journeys to big-game walking safaris.
Every experience is different, so we highly recommend getting in touch with one of our specialists. The right choice will depend on your fitness, preferred walking distance, the wildlife you hope to see and how much comfort you want along the way.
Kenya sits at the heart of our collection, though we offer guided walking safaris all over Africa. This is because of our stunning Porini Camps, which are located on private conservancies deep in the Kenyan wilderness.
Here’s a quick overview of the African walking safaris we offer:
Porini Camps , Kenya
Laikipia and Northern Kenya
Mount Kenya and the Mathews Range, Kenya
Kenya and Tanzania
Zambia
Botswana
Zimbabwe
Namibia
South Africa
Uganda and Rwanda
Porini Camps , Kenya
Our exclusive Porini Camps on Kenya’s private conservancies
Best for:
– First-time walkers, honeymooners, families and guests who want to combine walking with comfortable eco-frienldy camps and game drives.
What to do:
– Join experienced Maasai guides on escorted nature walks through Selenkay, Ol Kinyei, Mara Ripoi and Ol Pejeta conservancies.
– Learn to recognise animal tracks, droppings, warning calls, medicinal plants and the traditional uses of local trees.
– Walk during the cooler part of the day, enjoy a sundowner and continue the safari with a night game drive in search of nocturnal wildlife.
– Benefit from the freedom of the conservancy model, including guided walks, off-road wildlife viewing, fewer vehicle s and activities that are restricted in many national parks.
– Combine guided walks with classic game drives so you experience both the smaller details and Kenya’s larger wildlife.
Laikipia and Northern Kenya
Laikipia and Northern Kenya
Best for:
– Camel-supported safaris, active couples, small groups, rhino experiences and longer wilderness walks.
What to do:
– Add a dedicated Laikipia walking safari before or after a stay at Porini Rhino Camp.
– Choose between luxury and classic mobile safaris in which camels carry the camp between remote overnight stops.
– Walk through open plains, mixed bush and river valleys with Laikipia and Samburu Maasai guides and trackers.
– Depending on the itinerary, enjoy proper bedding, hot showers, freshly prepared meals and drinks beneath the stars..
Mount Kenya and the Mathews Range, Kenya
Mount Kenya and the Mathews Range, Kenya
Best for:
– Kenya mountain trekking safaris, forest walks, birdwatching, botany and travellers seeking a physical challenge.
What to do:
– Choose from Mount Kenya trekking and climbing routes suited to different levels of experience.
– Explore the forest trails and river valleys surrounding Kitich Forest Camp with experienced Samburu guides.
– Take botanical and tracking walks that focus on plants, birds, signs of wildlife and the workings of the wider ecosystem.
Kenya and Tanzania
Kenya and Tanzania
Best for:
– Classic East African wildlife, remote landscapes and guests combining Kenya with Tanzania
What to do:
– Explore Northern Tanzania through guided walks in and around the Serengeti and Tarangire ecosystems.
– Choose Ruaha or Nyerere in Southern Tanzania for a wilder, more remote walking experience with fewer visitors.
– Combine shorter bush walks with game drives or select a more walking-focused itinerary.
– We recommend you pair Tanzania with our Porini Camps in Kenya as part of a wider East African safari.
Zambia
Zambia
Best for:
– Big-game walking, experienced safari travellers and lodge-to-lodge or mobile adventures.
What to do:
– Walk through wildlife-rich areas of South Luangwa with specialist guides, searching for elephants, big cats, giraffes and signs of animal movement.
– Choose lodge-based walks or a remote mobile safari through areas such as the Mupamadzi River region.
– Combine walking with luxury lodges, night drives and, on selected itineraries, nights beneath the African stars.
Botswana
Botswana
Best for:
– Elephant encounters, private concessions, varied activities and high-end accommodation.
What to do:
– Walk through private concessions around Selinda, Khwai and the Okavango region with experienced guides.
– Stay at luxury camps such as Selinda Camp and combine guided walks with game drives, mokoro trips and boating.
– More active guests can choose longer or more strenuous walks from selected camps.
– Learn how tracks, vegetation and water shape one of Africa’s most complex ecosystems.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Best for:
– Seasoned safari travellers, big-game walking, photography and remote wilderness.
What to do:
– Track wildlife on foot in one of Africa’s most celebrated walking destinations.
– Explore riverine woodland and floodplains with guides who understand the movements of elephants, wild dogs, lions and other big game.
– Combine Mana Pools guided safaris with game drives, canoeing or time spent photographing wildlife around the Zambezi.
Namibia
Namibia
Best for:
– Desert scenery, wildlife tracking and travellers interested in people as well as animals.
What to do:
– Explore open desert and mountain landscapes on foot while searching for signs of desert-adapted wildlife.
– Walk with San Bushmen in the Kalahari and learn about traditional tracking skills, edible plants, water sources and survival in an arid environment.
– Join respectful cultural walks hosted by Himba people in Namibia to learn about local life, livestock and the landscape.
– Combine walking with wildlife tracking, ancient rock art and exceptional stargazing.
South Africa
South Africa
Best for:
– First-time safari travellers, families, shorter walks and guests seeking easy access to luxury lodges.
What to do:
– Choose shorter botanical or tracking walks, or more focused rhino and big-game experiences where available.
– Combine walks with game drives, fine dining, spa time and other lodge activities.
Uganda and Rwanda
Uganda and Rwanda
Best for:
– Gorilla trekking, rainforest wildlife and once-in-a-lifetime primate encounters.
What to do:
– Trek through the rainforest with experienced guides and trackers to spend time near a habituated mountain gorilla family.
– Add botanical walks, birdwatching and forest trails to create a broader walking experience alongside gorilla trekking.
– Prepare for steeper, wetter and more uneven terrain than a typical conservancy nature walk.
– Combine Uganda or Rwanda with Porini Camps in Kenya as part of a multi-country East African safari.
We specialise in luxury African walking safaris built around your dreams.
Whatever type of walking safari you want — be it a slow, short walk from camp in the morning, or a full-day activity, or a full-on intense expedition adventure — we can make it a reality.
Many of our customers build a walking safari into a much bigger, multi-destination sojourn across Africa. We’re happy to do this for you, or build an entire experience around these stunning walks if that is what you want.
It’s all up to what you want.
Tell us when you want to travel, how long you have and what matters most to you. Our safari specialists will create a customised itinerary that makes every day of the journey count.
FAQs — Luxury Walking Safaris in Africa
You do not need to be an experienced hiker, but you should be comfortable walking for relatively mid-to-long distances over uneven terrain. The fitness required varies considerably between a gentle nature walk from camp and a longer, multi-day walking safari.
Tell our safari specialists about your normal activity level, mobility and any health concerns, and they’ll recommend a suitable pace and itinerary that’s best for you.
Yes, our professionally guided bush walks are safe, although no wildlife experience can be entirely risk-free.
Before starting, you’ll receive a safety briefing and must follow your guide’s instructions throughout the walk. All of our guides are highly trained to understand animal behaviour and know when to keep their distance or withdraw from a situation. If an animal appears stressed, we will always place guest safety and wildlife welfare ahead of a sighting.
A walking safari balances active morning and evening outings with fine dining, mid-day relaxation, and traditional game drives. No two schedules are the same, and they adapt naturally to your specific destination, the season, and wildlife movements in the here and now.
Your day will begin at sunrise where the animals are most active and before the temperatures rise. You’ll then return to camp for a cooked breakfast or enjoy a fresh meal served directly in the bush.
During the hottest hours, you’ll rest, dine, and enjoy the camp facilities. As temperatures cool in the late afternoon, we’ll then head back out for a second walk or a 4x4 game drive, concluding the evening with traditional sundowners and dinner under the stars.
No, most guests choose walking safaris because they love wildlife and nature, not because they are serious hikers. The most important thing is to choose a walk that matches your ability and expectations.
A luxury walking safari is deeply immersive and does not require you to sacrifice comfort. Because we offer walking safaris all across Africa, completely bespoke to your wants and needs, the precise accommodation varies, from permanent luxury lodges to intimate tented camps and more adventurous mobile camps.
But we’re sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised with our tented camps. Our Porini Camps in Kenya, for example, are intentionally small and close to nature, but include spacious furnished tents, comfortable beds, private ensuite bathrooms, flush toilets and showers. Guests can also charge electronic devices, while solar power and low-impact fuels help reduce each camp’s environmental footprint. Read more about our Porini Camps in Kenya here — and why they offer a safari experience like nothing else on earth.
The best safeguard is to discuss your fitness and mobility honestly before booking. Our safari advisers know the camps and experiences closely and take a personal, hand-holding approach from the first enquiry onwards. This makes it easier to match you with a suitable itinerary before you travel.
For shared walks, we recommend asking in advance what alternatives are available if you need a shorter route or rest day.
No. Our guides are trained to recognise signs of stress and withdraw rather than pushing an encounter for photographs.
At our Porini Camps, our Maasai guides use red-filtered spotlights during night drives to avoid dazzling animals, reflecting the same wider principle of respectful wildlife viewing.
Ethical safaring is at the core of all we stand for. We’ve won numerous awards for our commitment to sustainability and customer satisfaction. Including most recently our Earthkeepers and Eco-Innovation Awards of which you can read more about here.
No. Almost all of our guests combine a walking safari with traditional game drives. This allows you to experience a safari at its absolute best. In most instances, you’ll go out on walks in the early morning/late afternoon, leaving plenty of time for a game drive in the day.
Of course! When booking, your specialist will clearly lay out the expected walking duration, terrain, pace, type and quality of accommodation, included activities, transfers and available alternatives.
The best time depends on where in Africa you want to walk and what you hope to experience. Dry seasons can provide firmer walking conditions, lower vegetation and wildlife gathering near water. Green seasons offer lush scenery, migratory birds, young animals and fewer visitors.
Kenya and East Africa in particular offer rewarding wildlife experiences throughout the year rather than during one narrow window. And while January and February can bring dry conditions, the periods following the rains can produce excellent animal viewing, from calving to strong predator activity. Got a location or multiple countries in mind where you want to travel? View our travel information page for a detailed breakdown on every country where we operate in.
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Talk to a Specialist
Our experienced Safari Consultants—based in Nairobi and around the world—are here to guide you every step of the way. From expert advice to seamless planning, we’ll take care of every detail to create a safari that’s perfectly tailored to you.
Get in touch today, and a dedicated Safari Specialist in your time zone will start crafting your personalised safari to Uganda.
Kenya
North America & Canada
North America & Canada
North America
UK & Europe
South America
Australia
India
Kenya
Head Office in Nairobi
We have an experienced team of Safari Consultants based in Kenya.
You can contact our Nairobi team at info@gamewatchers.com or call at +254-722-509-200.
North America & Canada
Rick Mcintyre
Hello, I’m Rick, based in Ontario, Canada, with over 15 years in the travel industry and a passport filled with stamps from over 70 countries. My heart was captured by Africa during my first visit to Kenya, and since then, I’ve journeyed back repeatedly, exploring the diverse landscapes and wildlife of Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Whether you’re dreaming of a “once in a lifetime” vacation or you’re a seasoned safari traveler, I’m here to assist in planning your perfect African adventure.
You can contact me at rick@gamewatchers.com or give me a call at +1-877-710-3014, and together, we’ll make your African dreams a reality.
North America & Canada
Rachel Chambers
Hi, I’m Rae, based on the West Coast of Canada, on beautiful Vancouver Island. I’m a passionate traveler who has explored nearly 30 countries, but it was a solo journey to Africa that truly transformed my perspective. From the moment I arrived in Botswana, I felt an undeniable connection to the continent and was inspired to spend more time experiencing its extraordinary wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and rich cultures. My solo travels have since taken me through Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mauritius, South Africa, Uganda, Namibia, and Kenya, where I experienced Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps firsthand. It was during these immersive and unforgettable journeys that my passion for Africa evolved into a clear vision: to join the Gamewatchers team and help others discover the magic of safari. I’d love to connect and plan your wildest dreams!.
You can reach me by email at rae@gamewatchers.com
North America
Julie Roggow
Greetings, I’m Julie Roggow, and I come to you with over two decades of immersion in the world of travel. My journey into the heart of safari adventures began as I traversed Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, capturing the essence of these mesmerizing landscapes through my lens. Among these remarkable destinations, Kenya and the Porini safari camps hold a special place in my heart. Their unique blend of wilderness and conservation resonates deeply with me.
My passion for travel is matched only by my dedication to sharing that passion with others. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or embarking on your very first safari, I’m here to ensure that planning your safari vacation is an enjoyable and seamless experience.
Feel free to reach out to me by email at julie@gamewatchers.com or through our toll-free telephone line at +1-877-710-3014. Let’s embark on an unforgettable safari journey together, where the wild beauty of Africa awaits to enchant and inspire you.
UK & Europe
Tom Mees
Jambo, I’m Tommy Mees, most people call me Tom.
My connection with Africa began through years of travelling across the continent.
I later spent more than twelve years managing safari camps and lodges while supporting conservation initiatives including beekeeping and tree-planting projects.
Having travelled extensively throughout Eastern and Southern Africa, I developed a deep appreciation for authentic wilderness experiences and the conservation-focused approach of the Porini Camps.
I am originally from Belgium and now based in Spain, though my heart has always remained in Africa.
Alongside my safari background, I am also a professional photographer and enjoy helping travellers experience and capture the extraordinary wildlife, landscapes and cultures that make Africa so special.
If you are considering an African safari, feel free to contact me at tom@gamewatchers.comÂ
South America
Andrea Landaeta
Hola, I’m Andrea and my love affair with the captivating world of safaris began during my teenage years when I embarked on my very first safari in Kenya. There, amidst the awe-inspiring wildlife and expansive plains, I found my true passion. Over the years, Kenya has called me back time and time again, leading me to explore its myriad camps, conservancies, and renowned parks. More recently, I’ve had the privilege of staying at all the Porini Camps, where the spotlight shines on wildlife conservation—a cause close to my heart as I traverse the globe. While Kenya holds a special place in my wanderlust-filled heart, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda have also woven their magic into my soul.
If you’re eager to embark on your own safari adventure or share your passion for conservation, please feel free to contact me at andrea@saririterra.com
Australia
Kristy Thomson
Hello, I’m Kristy, your Australian-based Safari Advisor with Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps. My background in ecology and conservation management, combined with a deep passion for nature and the great outdoors, led me to Kenya where I instantly fell in love with its spectacular wildlife and warm-hearted people. Having spent significant time at our Porini Camps and explored other camps we offer, I bring intricate knowledge to help craft your ultimate wildlife safari adventure. Whether you’re seeking the thrill of the savannah or the serenity of the wilderness, I’m here to make your safari dreams a reality.
Feel free to reach out to me on the Gold Coast, Australia, at kristy@gamewatchers.com or call on +61 419 175 672.
India
Pranay Chandra
Hello, I’m Pranay Chandra, a veteran of the Indian Armed Forces whose profound passion for nature and wildlife led me to the world of wildlife photography. My lens has captured the essence of the wild, earning recognition in esteemed competitions like the Sanctuary Asia annual wildlife awards and the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards. Beyond photography, I’ve dedicated myself to conservation efforts, collaborating with Ecological Task Forces and supporting WWF India’s training initiatives in tiger reserves. In the realm of education, I’ve partnered with CEC, New Delhi, to create informative video programs on Human-Wildlife Conflicts. I’ve ventured to Kenya, embracing the splendours of Africa while staying at Porini camps and other renowned lodges.
You can connect with me via email at pranay@gamewatchers.com or call on +91 801 788 5256.
