Best walking safaris in South Africa

Overview

For us, a walking safari is the ultimate wildlife experience. You will never forget the moment when, crouched low in the aromatic golden grass beside your armed guide, you watch elephants cross the river towards you! A walking safari is a gentle walk so it is suitable for any adventurous adult.

Dedicated walking safaris in South Africa

Rhino Walking Safaris offers two to three night stays at Plains Camp, a private concession in the Kruger National Park. You also have the opportunity to enjoy a sleep-out. This is in elevated tree-houses (on the 3 night safari). Similarly Simbavati Trails Camp , and the more rustic Africa on Foot both focus exclusively on walking safaris in the Timbavati Game Reserve.

Whilst in the far north of the Kruger, Pafuri Walking Trails is a 3 night walking safari in the dry winter & spring months. This is a very scenic part of the Kruger and ideally suited to walking safaris.

Down in the Cape, both Sanbona in the Little Karoo and Shamwari Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape offer their 'Explorer camps'. These rustic walking camps are run from Friday to Sunday (2 nights). Gondwana Game Reserve also offers a three night walking safari trail staying at different tented camps each night.

In the Marakele National Park in the Waterberg Mountains, the stylish and eco-friendly Marataba Mountain Lodge is perfect for more adventurous souls. Combine safari walks with game drives for an adventure out in the bush.

Some Camps only offer walking safaris above. Whilst other safari camps offer a mix of walking or game drives. Usually with game drives in the hotter afternoons.

Morning Walks

If you aren't 100% sure, there are alternative ways to enjoy a walking in the bush. Many game lodges offer a short morning bush walk on request. However, some safari lodges - mentioned below - have a greater emphasis on walking than most. They offer longer 3-4 hour bush walks. These are not arduous but rather gentle explorations of the bush, giving you the opportunity to observe the game at close quarters, track spoor and gain a holistic sense of how the wilderness.

Popular tours & safaris

Relief from the drought – Rhino Tracking at Desert Rhino Camp

Rhino Walking Safari in the Kruger

This three night luxury Rhino walking safari combines the best of both worlds with one night at Rhino Post Safari Lodge to enjoy 4x4 game drives, followed by two nights on a walking safari in the...

WHEN Apr - Sept

DURATION 3 Nights

FROM ₤ 1,126

View

South Africa & Victoria Falls Adventure

Our South Africa & Victoria Adventure trip is ideal for anyone who's keen for some adventure whilst on holiday. We've included a number of active excursions in Cape Town and Victoria Falls so that...

WHEN Apr - Oct

DURATION 12 Nights

FROM ₤ 3,958

View

Simbavati Wildlife & Walking Safari

This is a fantastic combination of a top-notch private game lodge safari at Hilltop Camp. Followed by 2 nights of slowing down and enjoying a digital detox experience at Simbavati Trails Camp.

WHEN Mar - Oct

DURATION 5 Nights

FROM ₤ 2,527

View

Download our Free Safari Planning Guide

20 pages of Useful Tips: Best time to Travel, Safari Costs, How to Get Around, Special Interests and more... Get our Free Guide

Accommodation

Plains Camp – Rhino Walking Safaris Kruger National Park

Rhino Walking Safaris at Plains Camp

Rhino Post Plains Camp is situated in the heart of the 12,000ha private wilderness concession in the Kruger National Park and is the only camp specializing in walking safaris in the Kruger. Built...

RATING Premier

BOOK NOW

Pafuri Camp

The Camp is situated along the banks of the Luvuvhu River in the far north of the Kruger National Park. This is the ancestral home of the Makuleke people. The remote 24 000 hectare concession is...

RATING Luxury

BOOK NOW

Simbavati experiences Trails Camp sunset walk1

Simbavati Trails Camp

Simbavati Trails Camp is a gem; a luxury-yet-back-to-basics walking trails camp located in a secluded area of the Timbavati Game Reserve. It’s all about guided walks with expert guides, one of...

RATING Premier

BOOK NOW

View More Accommodations

WHAT AN AMAZING SAFARI! An outstanding job!

"WHAT AN AMAZING SAFARI! What an outstanding job you did! From the arrival of the guests to the end of the safari. I’ll speak on my behalf and let the other guests speak for themselves and give their own opinions. Let me just say the Safari amazing…., The team did an outstanding job, from the day of arrival at the airport with ground handlers to the drivers, to the departure da ..." - Mrs Carol Ndungu

1st class

"We have had Sonja with Cedarberg plan our trips for years and they have all been excellent. The properties she has chosen for us have all been 1st class and exactly what we wanted. Many were a giant puzzle of flights, drivers and lodging reservations and they all fit together perfectly. " - Mrs Marianna Willis

Cedarberg & company have been amazing!

"Cedarberg & Co have been amazing! Professional, knowledgeable and very helpful. We had put everything together in about a week. Communications are of high standards. All plans worked. " - Mr Roland, UK

Wonderfully professional, yet absolutely approachable

"Bookings made to your perfect itinerary, with ease. No stress, just marvellous conversations about what you would like to see and do. Really really knowledgable consultants. And when they have sorted your dream itinerary, they follow up with lots of help and advice. We have always felt totally relaxed and looked after during our adventures in Africa. Cedarberg take care of everything. " - Mrs & Mr Birchall, UK

Most amazing holiday in SA

"Thank you for the most amazing holiday in South Africa. The three lodges were all selected with great care and each had a different atmosphere. All transfers worked entirely smoothly and we were even met on arrival at Johannesburg airport to be escorted the few yards to the airport hotel! Cedarberg really came into their own when BA messed up theoutgoing flight (twice) and Ginny spent her entir ..." - Mr Mike Ricks, UK

South Africa Walking Safaris | A deeper dive

Relief from the drought – Rhino Tracking at Desert Rhino Camp

“What do the Norwegians say?” is often the question my family ask when we want to know the weather forecast. For some reason the Norwegian weather website (www.yr.no) seems to be the most...

READ

7 must-visit lodges for walking safari enthusiasts

Some people enjoy nothing more than the feeling of being directly and intimately close to nature and wildlife. There is surely no more thrilling experience, and what better way to do this than by...

READ