Top 10 Lodges for African Walking Safaris

A walking safari doesn’t have to be a daring close encounter with lions or an angry rhino – although this can be very exhilarating for those who like that kind of thing! The beauty of exploring the African bush on foot is that you often notice things that you would miss when zooming by in a safari vehicle. Without the distracting noise of an engine, you can really take in the sounds of nature and often, with a skilled guide, get closer to the animals you are observing because they are not alerted to your presence if you stay downwind of them. 

1. Kichaka Lodge, Tanzania

Located in the Northern sector of Ruaha National Park, Kichaka epitomises the essence of a park that is regarded within the industry as one of the wildest and best big game destinations anywhere on the continent. It is one of the finest and most personal safari experiences anywhere in Africa.

2. Mwaleshi Camp, Zambia

Mwaleshi is located in North Luangwa National Park. It is one of the most remote camps we work with, and one of our favourite camps anywhere. Certainly a no-frills, rustic camp, but it is also an undeniably high-quality safari outfit.

3. Alex Walker's Serian, Tanzania

Alex Walker’s Serengeti Serian Camp is located in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. In our opinion, it is the finest mobile camp outfit in the Serengeti. The camp is pitched in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and boasts amazing views across the short-grass plains.

4. Tena Tena Camp, Zambia

Tena Tena is located in the Nsefu sector of South Luangwa National Park. It is run by Robin Pope Safaris, one of the park’s most famous operators. It has a fabulous location amidst trees on a bank of the River Luangwa.

5. Chiawa Camp, Zambia

Chiawa is located within the Lower Zambezi National Park boundary. It is one of our favourite camps in the country and one that receives consistently superb game reports. This is the Lower Zambezi at its very best.

6. Luwi Bush Camp, Zambia

Luwi Bush Camp is one of the finest and most authentic bush camps in the South Luangwa. Led by some of the best guides in southern Africa and an armed scout, this activity is ideal for scrutinising the smaller lives of the park.

7. Stretch Ferreira Safaris Tented Camp, Zimbabwe

This camp is owned by famous guide Stretch Ferreira. It is situated in the north region of Mana Pools, alongside the spectacular Zambezi River. The camp combines features of a permanent lodge and a mobile camp, as it is assembled anew in April/May each year and remains on the same site until it is taken down in October/November.

8. Vundu Camp, Zimbabwe

Vundu Camp is situated among groves of riverine forest on the banks of the Zambezi River, in a private concession within Mana Pools National Park. The camp is owned and operated by Nick Murray, a Pro-Zim guide with almost thirty years’ experience of guiding in the country. Since 1997, Nick has been based in Mana Pools.

9. The Hide Safari Camp, Zimbabwe

The Hide was constructed by the Preston family in 1992. It is situated on the south-east border of Hwange National Park, inside a game-rich concession totalling 5 sq. km and two hours by road from Victoria Falls.

10. Mapazi Camp, Zambia

Mapazi Camp is owned and run by Surefoot Safaris and specifically by Deb Tittle, a renowned safari guide. Deb qualified as a guide in the mid-1990s, and since then she has led over 2,500 walks in the South Luangwa!

If you are interested in including one of these walking-focused lodges in your safari to Africa, just let one of our experts know here and they can help you plan your adventure today.