Top 5 Lodges for Walking Safaris in South Africa
There’s something extraordinary about stepping into the wild on foot. A walking safari in South Africa invites you to slow down, tune in, and experience the bush with all your senses. Far from the hum of engines or the comfort of a vehicle, you’re invited into nature on nature’s terms — where every footprint, call, or rustle tells a story.
South Africa is one of the best places in the world to experience a walking safari. With experienced guides, diverse ecosystems, and a strong conservation ethos, these camps and lodges offer some of the most rewarding on-foot wildlife encounters. Whether you’re tracking big game or learning to read the bush in finer detail, here are five standout places to begin your journey.
5 Lodges for Walking Safaris in South Africa
1. Simbavati Trails Camp – Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
For those seeking a truly wild and immersive walking safari, Simbavati Trails Camp delivers. This seasonal, off-grid camp is all about simplicity and deep connection to nature. With no game drives on offer, walking is the only activity — giving you the chance to fully experience the rhythms of the bush.
Located in the Timbavati, which shares unfenced borders with Kruger National Park, this camp is home to all the Big 5, yet the focus is just as much on the small wonders: animal tracks, bird calls, medicinal plants, and ancient game paths. Nights are spent in eco-lux tents lit by lanterns, with the soundtrack of the wild all around.
2. Africa on Foot – Klaserie Private Nature Reserve
Africa on Foot has built its name around authentic, no-frills walking safaris. Nestled in the heart of the Greater Kruger region, this lodge offers twice-daily activities, with mornings focused on walking and afternoons spent on game drives.
Walks are led by highly experienced guides and Shangaan trackers, with opportunities to encounter large game on foot — but also to explore the finer details of the bush, from termite mounds to medicinal plants. The lodge itself is comfortable and welcoming, with treehouses for the adventurous and a strong community feel.
3. Pafuri Walking Safaris – Northern Kruger National Park
Tucked away in one of the most remote and ecologically diverse corners of Kruger, Pafuri is a dream for walking safari enthusiasts. This region offers towering fever tree forests, rugged ridges, and the winding Luvuvhu River — all teeming with life.
Pafuri Walking Safaris is a seasonal mobile camp run by Return Africa, offering three-night walking trails where everything is carried in and out, leaving no trace. It’s a deeper dive into wild Africa, where your days are spent tracking elephants or exploring riverbanks, and your evenings are spent around the fire, reflecting on the day’s discoveries.
4. Rhino Walking Safaris – Kruger National Park Private Concession
Operating in a private 12,000-hectare concession within Kruger National Park, Rhino Walking Safaris offers a seamless blend of walking and classic game viewing. Walks are tailored to the group’s interests and abilities, and led by knowledgeable guides and trackers who reveal the subtler signs of life often missed on drives.
Accommodation is at Plains Camp, a stylish and comfortable tented camp designed specifically for walking trail guests. There’s also the option to spend a night in a treehouse-style sleep-out deck for those wanting a little more adventure under the stars.
5. Tanda Tula Field Camp – Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
For those looking for an exclusive and private walking safari experience, Tanda Tula Field Camp sets the benchmark. This fully private, mobile camp is set up just for your group and led by some of the region’s most experienced trails guides.
The experience is tailored to your pace and interests, making it ideal for families, photographers, or those wanting a more flexible itinerary. With a full back-up crew handling logistics, guests are free to immerse themselves in tracking game, learning about the bush, and soaking in the raw beauty of the Timbavati.
A walking safari isn’t about chasing sightings — it’s about stepping into nature’s story and becoming part of it. South Africa’s top walking safari camps offer something deeper than the average game drive: a slower rhythm, a heightened sense of awareness, and the opportunity to connect more meaningfully with the natural world.
Whether you’re looking for a rustic trail experience or a privately guided luxury adventure, these camps deliver unforgettable walking safaris — and memories that will stay with you long after your boots are off.
