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A walking safari allows you to experience South African wildlife from close up | Credit: South Africa Tourism
South Africa is an excellent destination for keen walkers. Hundreds if not thousands of day trails have been marked out countrywide, many within easy reach of cities such as Cape Town or Durban.
South Africa also supports a superb network of overnight hiking trails ranging from easy one-night excursions to more arduous five- or seven-night mountain treks.
The Garden Route is particularly well suited to walkers. It supports any number of coastal and montane day walks ranging from 5km (3,1mi) to 20km (12mi) in duration – none finer perhaps than the clifftop trail through Robberg Nature Reserve.
South Africa’s ultimate walking destination is the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg, which offers opportunities for both casual ramblers and experienced and adequately equipped hikers.
Hiking the Drakensberg | Credit: South African Tourism
Guided multi-day wilderness trails operate in the Kruger National Park and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, but must be booked well in advance. Shorter unguided nature trails, typically up to 10km (6,2mi) in duration, can be found in many minor reserves that lack dangerous wildlife.
If you plan on walking a lot, bring suitable footwear and a few pairs of thick socks. A walking stick can be helpful in more hilly areas or trails with loose rocks underfoot.
