Top 10 Lodges for African Walking Safaris

The beauty of exploring the African bush on foot on a walking safari 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. With a skilled guide safely leading the way, you can often get closer to the animals you are observing because they are not alerted to your presence if you stay downwind of them. While big game is not the focus, you could still find yourself in a daringly close encounter with lions or a rhino.

1. Hwange Bush Camp, Zimbabwe

Hwange Bush Camp is privately owned and run. It’s a semi-permanent camp, taken down every November and put up again in readiness for the beginning of May. Occupying a remote location, it’s able to offer superb safari experiences!

2. 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.

3. Wilderness Usawa. Tanzania

Wilderness Usawa is the first and only property to offer walking safaris directly from a mobile camp in the Serengeti National Park. Moving with the Great Migration across nine key sites, it places guests right at the heart of the action. These guided walks provide an intimate perspective on the ecosystem, uncovering details often missed on game drives and providing a quieter, more meaningful way to connect with nature, far from the busier parts of the Serengeti. 

4. Chula Island Camp, Zambia

If you want back-to-basics safari accommodation, run by its passionate owners, you will love Chula Island. Wild, raw, authentic… Chula Island Camp is a remote and adventurous fly-camping option in the Lower Zambezi National Park.  It is sister camp to Kutali Camp, hence their clear similarity in style, and are part of Classic Zambia.

5. Chikoko Tree Camp, Zambia

Chikoko is a three-roomed adventurous walking camp. Its three rooms, made of wood, reeds and thatch, are raised on stilts so that they are up in the trees. Chikoko Tree Camp is one of the purest safari experiences we know – adventurous and authentic, yet very high quality. You will not find guiding this good in many places.

6. Laikipia Wilderness Camp, Kenya

Laikipia Wilderness Camp is a relaxed setting, with friendly and knowledgeable staff who will enhance your visit, whatever the length of your stay. The infrastructure of the camp has been deliberately left as unspoilt and basic as possible, allowing visitors to become awestruck by the untamed wildlife and beautiful nature of Laikipia.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.