Africa’s best walking safaris uncovered

Walking safaris are the best way to explore the bush – this is why they quickly become the favourite occupation of qualified safari guides, such a natural way to explore and really feel as if you are part of Africa. Head out into some of the most inaccessible places in the world, only reachable on foot, full of wildlife and dramatic scenery, walk from luxury lodge to luxury lodge or spend the night under the stars after a thrilling day’s exploring with your expert guide – it doesn’t get any better than this. Tassia Walking Safaris – Laikipia, Kenya Tassia’s walking is run by Martin Wheeler – he is one of the most experienced walking guides in Kenya and the experience is always completelt tranquil. Martin is not outspoken or a show off, as some walking guides can be (avoid these at all costs), but seems to be part of the bush himself, and so taking you with him you also become part of Africa, and it becomes part of you. Tassia is set in acres of pristine bush with dramatic scenery, dry riverbeds and escarpments – it’s remote, stunning and completely untouched – Martin and his partner Antonia are working hard to conserve the area and it’s community so it remains untouched for many years to come. Kitich Walking Safaris – Mathew’s Range, Kenya Once again in Kenya, Kitich is based in the remote Mathews Range of forested mountains in Northern Kenya. This tiny little intimate camp is based in the forest, walking here is through untrodden paths, coming across rivers and small water falls – it really is paradise. The camp only offers walking so the experience is organic and authentic. Selinda Explorers Camp – Botswana Selinda Explorers is one of our favourite camps for style, it’s just opulent, but not over the top, comfortable and luxurious – based in a remote part of the enormous private Selinda Reserve (which is full of wildlife), Selinda Explorers sits on the edge of the Selinda spillway, although you drive in the emphasis here is on walking, and boy is it remote. You will not see another soul and as you take the camp exclusively just for your party, you can guarantee a private and peaceful stay. Walking with Selinda’s expert guides, and returning to Selinda Explorer’s Camp really does make you feel like the first great explorers of Africa must have felt. Zambia Zambia in general is the home of walking safaris. We’re not sure how this developed, but it probably has something to do with the number of famous private guides who call Zambia home – walking safaris are the ‘proper’ way of exploring the bush, many private guides feel very strongly about this and those who have settled in Zambia have heavily pushed this. Robin Pope and Norman Carr are the two main operators in Zambia, both offering expert walking safaris – you can plan your own route, walk from camp to camp or simply take a bush walk from your luxury lodge – either way walking here is impressive, there is abundant game and a variety of landscapes to explore, as well as some of Africa’s best guides. Rhino Walking Safaris – South Africa Rhino Walking Safaris offer a walking only luxury camp set in 12,000 acres of pristine bush just outside the Kruger – when on a walking safari here everything is so peaceful and this camp can be easily combined with another luxury camp in the area, so you don’t have to consign yourself to walking safaris only. Rose Hipwood is Managing Director of Africa Rose Travel Ltd. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.