Botswana Walking Safaris

Walking safaris in Botswana offer one of the most thrilling ways to experience the African bush — on foot, in the company of a skilled game ranger. There is nothing to compare with the excitement of walking through the bush - never knowing what you may encounter.

But walking safaris in Botswana are not arduous hikes: more of a meander with meaning than a hike with hardship. (Think ambling, not scrambling.)

You’ll find some of the finest walking terrain in the Okavango Delta, the Selinda and Kwando concessions of the Linyanti, and the Mashatu Game Reserve in Botswana’s southeast.

During the Delta's peak flood months, our favourite guided walking safaris in the Okavango Delta typically start with a boat ride to an island, followed by a relaxed walk. There’s a ranger up front, a tracker at the rear, with you in the middle - possibly wondering if those rustling leaves are a squirrel or something larger.

It’s not strenuous, but a decent fitness level definitely helps, especially in the hotter months like March, April, and September.

Why we love Walking safaris in Botswana

• A chance to encounter wildlife quietly, respectfully — sometimes startlingly — close.
• Gain fascinating insights into the ways of the wild. Like how the bark of a tree can be used as a toothbrush. Or which leaves can be distilled to make a formidable alcoholic drink!
• Experience the bush at the pace it deserves: slow enough to notice footprints, smell wild sage, and listen to the birds warn you about what’s up ahead.
• It’s a visceral experience — no filter, no barriers, just you and the wild.

Best time for walking safaris in Botswana (or any other country)

The golden window is May to mid-September. Mornings are cool, the bush is dry and clear, and animals gather at water sources — making sightings more likely.

Come October, the heat turns things up to "sweaty saunter" mode, so walks are best kept short and early. We don’t recommend anything more than a short early morning bush walk, perhaps combined with a game drive?

Where to Go?

All of Okavango Water-based camps offer a mix of boating and island walking. Walking is an option for many of the camps with private concessions areas. (Walking is not allowed in Chobe National Park or Moremi Game Reserve.)

Footsteps Camp is one of our top picks for exclusive-use walking safari camps in Botswana, offering private guiding and flexible walk times. See our Footsteps walking safari.

Note: You can also take a private walking safari guide at any of the other Ker & Downey camps such as Shinde Camp, Kanana Camp or Dinaka Camp in the Kalahari desert. See some accommodation options later.

Is a walking holiday in Botswana right for you?

It’s ideal for second-time safari visitors. Those who want to slow down, ditch the vehicle, and lean into the sights, sounds, and smells of Africa. All with a knowledgeable guide and a thrilling dose of unpredictability.

Did you know?  - Botswana was the first country in Africa to ban hunting for conservation purposes in 2014, creating even safer conditions for low-impact tourism like walking safaris.

See HERE for other walking safari destinations and trips