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An immersive experience in nature, a walking safari will bring you closer to the smaller animals that call Kenya home. This tranquil expedition is the perfect addition to regular game drives while on a Kenya safari.
Why Should You Go on a Walking Safari in Kenya?
Deeper Connection With Nature
Experience the wilderness up close and on foot for a deeper connection with nature. During a walking safari in Kenya, appreciate the silence of the bush and more intimate wildlife encounters as you stroll through the landscape.
See the Smaller Inhabitants
A walking safari is an amazing way to get closer to the smaller species that are often missed on game drives. You’ll get a closer look at the plants, insects, and birds around you.
Learn Wilderness Skills
While on a walking safari, your guide will point out the clues that different animals leave behind, showing you that they were there. You can learn tracking techniques as well as other survival skills from experienced guides.
Immersive Experience
A walking safari gives you the opportunity to experience nature in a more immersive way. Get a far more intimate view of the ecosystems and landscapes that make up Kenya. You’re able to feel far more connected to the environment and its inhabitants.
Sustainable Safari
A walking safari is a sustainable and low-impact way of exploring Kenya’s natural beauty and wildlife.
Best Destinations for Walking Safaris in Kenya
Masai Mara Conservancies
There are several conservancies that border the unfenced Masai Mara and offer guided walking experiences in private areas.
These conservancies are on private land owned by Maasai families that has been set aside for wildlife conservation and tourism. The landowners lease their land to safari companies and lodges, who then pay monthly fees, which go back into the community, funding education and other development initiatives.
Laikipia Plateau
One of East Africa’s finest and most exclusive wildlife destinations, this vast, lesser-visited region offers exclusive safari experiences with diverse wildlife and luxury lodges.
Laikipia Plateau provides an essential stronghold for rare animals such as the Grevy’s zebra and black rhino. It also supports dry-country specialities such as reticulated giraffes, greater and lesser kudus, gerenuks, and beisa oryxes. This area is well-known for its scenic trails and conservation-focused lodges.
Hell’s Gate National Park
Hell’s Gate National Park features some of Kenya’s most dramatic scenery and is best explored on foot via the hiking trails found here.
The soaring cliffs, gorges, valleys, and volcanic columns create a peculiar and breathtaking environment that will keep you enthralled as you make your way through this park. If the name worries you, rest assured that the park was only given this moniker due to the powerful geothermal forces that created the landscape.
Amboseli Ecosystem
Amboseli National Park is renowned for its large elephant herds and stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Enjoy walking safaris here with the mountain as the backdrop.
This national park consists of five different habitats: open plains, acacia woodland, thorn scrub, swamps, and marshlands, where a variety of animals meander. The swamps in the middle of the park are a must-visit; here you’ll see hippos bobbing around, numerous birds fluttering about, many herbivores coming to drink, and elephants taking baths.
Samburu National Reserve
Samburu National Reserve provides walking trails in unique semi-arid terrain. This reserve has a unique attraction: the Special Five. These rare species include the Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx, gerenuk, and Somali ostrich. The night sky is also a spectacular attraction here. During the evenings, look up and enjoy incredible views of the Milky Way.
Samburu pastoralists live a seminomadic lifestyle along the boundaries of the reserve. While visiting this reserve, you can enjoy a cultural experience with these people to learn more about their culture and traditional way of life.
5 Tips for Walking Safaris in Kenya
1. Pack Comfortable Shoes and Clothes
Bring clothing that’s light, breathable, and safari-coloured (beige, brown, olive green). You’ll also need a pair of sturdy, closed walking shoes. Break them in before your walking safari.
2. Be Walking Fit
Ensure you’re physically prepared for walking over uneven terrain. While these luxury walking safari tours are generally leisurely walks on mostly flat paths – you won’t be climbing mountains – it’s important that you’re fit for walking.
3. Choose Experienced Guides
Choose reputable operators with knowledgeable guides. At Discover Africa, we work with the finest lodges, experienced guides, and dedicated local teams to ensure the best walking safaris possible.
4. Listen to Guides
Kenya walking safaris are completely safe, but it’s still important to listen to your guide and always follow their instructions. Keep your voice low to improve your chances of better wildlife sightings.
5. Pack the Essentials
Bring a small daypack with water, sunscreen, and binoculars. Even though you’re closer to wildlife, binoculars can still enhance the experience, particularly for spotting smaller animals and birds.
