Best walking safaris in South Africa

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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

Rhino Walking Safaris 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 ₤ 956

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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 ₤ 3,513

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Simbavati Wildlife & Walking

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 ₤ 2,092

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Download our Free Safari Planning Guide

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Accommodation

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

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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

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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

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Cedarberg recommendations matched perfectly!

"Cedarberg have a detailed knowledge of the country and took time to understand our budget, desires and preferences to create a wonderful multi-centred holiday for us. They were helpful fine-tuning the itinerary and put together a comprehensive package covering all our needs. We have used Cedarberg previously and each holiday has been fabulous. We will have no hesitation using them for our next ..." - Mr Brian Collins UK

It was a fabulous holiday

"I have booked through Cedarberg before and this is why I came back, as I was highly satisfied. This time it was a bit more complicated as Peter had less experience with Uganda himself and he had to communicate with Wildlife Frontiers a lot, which took time and some backwards and forwards. In the end it was so worth it, as it was a fabulous holiday. Peter also recommended the group experience an ..." - Mrs Monika Maintz

I would only want to book through Cedarberg

"Thank you so much for booking this experience for us, Mari. Everything was so well organized and went so smoothly, from car rental and driving and hotel directions, to lodge details, inclusions, exclusions, etc. The link you gave us with all the details on the locations we were going to as well as the detailed itinerary and pre-departure information was very helpful. We’re grateful for your e ..." - Mrs Michelle B

Your prices better than the bigger companies

"Brian came home with your attractive brochure and we started looking at possibilities. We both thought Cedarberg would be too expensive for us but were pleasantly surprised to find your prices better than the bigger companies. The itinerary you gave us went totally to plan. All our airport pickups and transfers went smoothly and local drivers were friendly and informative. We also appreciated a ..." - Dale Family, UK

Very pleased with service

"Very pleased with service received from Cedarberg – queries adequately answered, friendly + helpful staff (it helped me that there was a UK tel number to call), documents sent were clear and comprehensive. " - Mrs Johnn, USA

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