If game drives don’t quite cut it for you and you prefer a more immersive, back-to-nature experience, then a walking safari in South Africa is the ultimate adventure.
Whether you’re keen on tracking cheetahs in the Karoo, exploring the wilds of Kruger, or sleeping under the stars in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, these guided walks bring you face-to-face with nature in the best way possible.
1. Cheetah Trail – Samara Karoo
Location: Samara Private Game Reserve, Eastern Cape
Duration: 3 days
Best Time: Year-round
Image: Facebook / Samara Karoo Reserve
If tracking a wild cheetah on foot is on your bucket list, here’s your ticket. Set in the landscapes of Samara Karoo, the Cheetah Trail takes you deep into the bush to follow these big cats in their natural habitat. Along the way, you’ll also spot antelope, black rhinos, and iconic Karoo scenery. After an epic day of walking, you’ll return to a comfy lodge where a drink and hearty meal await.
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2. Pafuri Triangle Traverse – Kruger National Park
Image: wildsidetrails.com
Location: Pafuri Triangle, Northern Kruger
Duration: 6 days
Best Time: Year-round
For serious adventurers, the Pafuri Triangle Traverse is a multi-day trek through the remote Pafuri region of Kruger. Expect big open bush, towering fever trees, and a chance to walk alongside elephants, buffalo, and even lions. This is one of the wildest and least-developed areas of the park, so you’ll be staying in a mobile tented camp that moves with the trail—just you, the bush, and the stars.
3. Expert Tracking Walks – Kruger National Park
Image: krugeruntamed.com
Location: Kruger National Park
Duration: Customisable
Best Time: Year-round
Ever wanted to learn the ancient art of tracking? The Expert Tracking Walks safari is all about honing your bush skills under the guidance of expert trackers. You’ll learn how to read the land, identify fresh tracks, and move stealthily through the bush. With luck, you might even find yourself tracking a leopard or rhino. It’s a must for hikers who love the nitty-gritty details of the wild.
4. Imfolozi Wilderness Trail – Primitive Camp
Location: Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, KwaZulu-Natal
Duration: 5 days
Best Time: Year-round
Image: afritrails.com
If you love the idea of carrying your own pack, sleeping under the stars, and relying on your bushcraft, the Primitive Trail is for you. This is as wild as it gets—no fancy lodges, no vehicles, just pure wilderness. You’ll hike through Big Five country and take turns standing night watch, just like early explorers. It’s raw, rugged, and unforgettable.
5. Shamwari Explorer Camp – Eastern Cape
Image: shamwari.com
Location: Shamwari Private Game Reserve
Duration: 3 days, 2 nights
Best Time: September to May
The Shamwari Explorer Camp is a fantastic option for those who love walking but don’t want to rough it too much. You’ll spend the days exploring Shamwari’s game-rich landscape on foot and the evenings relaxing in a semi-permanent tented camp with hot showers and chef-prepared meals. It’s a great way to get close to nature while still enjoying a bit of comfort.
6. Pungwe Safari Camp – Manyeleti Game Reserve
Location: Manyeleti, bordering Kruger
Duration: Varies
Best Time: Year-round
Image: pungwe.co.za
Nestled in a quieter part of the Greater Kruger region, Pungwe Safari Camp offers walking safaris where the focus is on reconnecting with nature. You’ll be walking in prime predator territory, guided by experts who’ll help you read the landscape and track wildlife. The rustic yet comfortable camp makes it a great blend of adventure and relaxation.
7. Amakhala Walking Trails – Eastern Cape
Image: Facebook / Amakhala Game Reserve
Location: Amakhala Game Reserve
Duration: 2 to 3 hours
Best Time: Year-round
Get up close with some of the world’s most uniquely adapted plants and animals as you navigate open plains, river courses, and valleys across 12,000 acres of unspoilt African wilds. Amakhala Walking Trails is run by Riaan Brand, owner of Quatermain’s 1920s Safari Camp. Walking trails offer guests the opportunity to follow the myriad of elephant and rhino trails that crisscross this ancient landscape. Lucky walkers might even get the chance to track and view some of these African leviathans.
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