Walking Holidays & Safaris

From guided walking holidays in South Africa to walking safaris in the Zambian bush; the memories of walking in Africa will stay with you forever…

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Overview

Luangwa-Safari-House-Giraffe-on-the-walk
From guided walking holidays in South Africa, to a hike up Table Mountain...Or from a climb up Mount Kilimanjaro to a walking safari in Zambia... The memories of walking in Africa will stay with you forever. There are so many ways to enjoy a walking holiday or walking safari in Africa that it’s helpful to look at all your options…

First, we should declare that a walking holiday and a walking safari are two completely different trips or activities. So we have separate pages on each type of walking vacation in Africa. However, both are ideal for people who want to get away from the modern constraints of life and connect with the simpler joys of nature.

These walking pages offer a selection of private walking tours, 'slack-packing' walking trails & the best walking destinations in South Africa. Plus some of the best walking safaris in Zambia, Zimbabwe & Botswana...

Walking Destinations within South Africa

Walking in South Africa

South Africa offers plenty of hiking trails. In these pages, we guide you towards the best walking areas and best lodges to stay. In the popular walking areas, you will find detailed maps and guide books to help you choose a suitable walk. Many lodges have walking trails on their property or nearby. We tailor-make self-guided walking holidays in South Africa using some of these favourites.

We also offer some privately guided walking tours in South Africa; in the Cape, the Cederberg and the Drakensberg mountains.

Walking Safaris in Africa

For any adventurous adult, a walking safari has to be the ultimate wildlife experience! So what do we mean by a walking safari? At its simplest, it is a walk in the company of a game ranger, usually armed, through big game country. There is nothing to compare with the exhilaration of walking through the bush as your ranger explains the way in which the bark of one tree may be used as a medicinal remedy. Or the leaves of another is distilled to make a formidable alcoholic drink!

South Africa walking safaris - Simbavati Trails CampThis is a way of gaining a deeper holistic understanding of the whole ecosystem, rather than a strenuous walking experience. (But general fitness will add to your enjoyment.) However, it is always possible to come upon a herd of buffalo or rhino, so a walking safari can be an exhilarating adventure!

Walking safaris come in various formats. From a 3-4 hour bush walk, to staying at a bush camp focused on walking, to a classic walking safari of several days walking from one 'fly camp' to another. (A fly camp denotes a simple mobile camp often with dome tents and shared facilities. It contrasts with a bush camp which is also a simple tented camp but with larger meru-style tents and en suite bathrooms.)

We offer walking safaris in Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia. See our dedicated pages below...

Best time for a Walking Safari or Tour?

Walking safaris in Africa

Again, this depends on whether its a walking holiday or a walking safari! Most of Southern Africa is characterised by sub-tropical rainy summers and dry sunny winters. Thus the ideal time for walking safaris is between May and September.

However, the Cape of South Africa has a Mediterranean climate so there we recommend between August and December (spring & early summer), and again between March and May (late summer & autumn).

Useful Blog Articles on Walking Safaris in Africa:

Top picks for Walking Holidays & Safaris

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It was by far the best experience we have ever had!!
"We are (regrettably) back from our trip and I wanted to let you know that it was by far the best experience we have ever had. The itinerary you designed for us was simply outstanding. Our guide in Cape Town was incredible and made sure we maximized our time, even throwing in little unexpected side trips to a wine farm, etc. The accommodations were top notch everywhere we stayed and the service ..." - Mrs Deb
Great itenerary
"The service that Cedarberg provided for us was outstanding. The itinerary that they put together worked seamlessly, all the pick ups were as they had stated and whenever we had a query about any aspect of the trip they came back to us quickly and provided all the information that we needed. I cannot recommend them highly enough . " - Mr Kevin Wilson
Exceeded our expectations
"From our first phone call, our requirements for the holiday were quickly and efficiently met and the overall standard of accommodation booked for us met and, in some cases, exceeded our expectations. All the transfers worked well and directions to our hotels were accurate and simple to follow. The information booklet supplied was very helpful. " - Mr B Smith
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 the outgoing flight (twice) and Ginny spent her enti ..." - Mr Mike Ricks, UK
As always an excellent itinerary
"Choices of lodges was perfect. Everything went extraordinarily smoothly. As always an excellent itinerary, great local agent/guide/driver and good trip notes. Good to hear from Milandi personally when a local problem caused a change in the itinerary during the trip. " - Mr Tim Flesher, UK
 
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Nita Kemp

AFRICAN TRAVEL SPECIALIST

Hi I'm Nita , I'm here to help you plan your ideal holiday experience GET IN TOUCH