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A traveller and a local Maasai guide on a walking safari in the Amboseli Region in Kenya with views of Mt Kilimanjaro.

Walking Safari Kenya

Immerse yourself in Kenya’s wilderness areas on foot

THE THRILL OF DISCOVERING KENYA’S WILDLIFE ON FOOT WILL LIVE WITH YOU FOREVER

A walking safari in Kenya may be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. The thrill of being in the heart of nature on foot allows you to sense the sights, sounds and smells of the wild and discover aspects of life that you might miss while in a vehicle.

Engaging guides teach you about plants, trees, birds, and animals while surrounded by beautiful scenery.

There are walks to suit all abilities, ranging from leisurely 2-hour strolls to multi-day treks with camels carrying your equipment, food, and tents. There is no better way to experience Kenya than on foot.

A walking guide looking at Mt Kilimanjaro with giraffes in the foreground.
Who should go

Those who desire to connect with nature will relish this experience

The wide range of walking safari destinations in Kenya ensures a suitable walk for all fitness levels. Whether young or old, there is an experience for everyone, be it a gentle stroll or a multi-day trek into remote areas where very few have ventured.

Critical attributes for participants of walking safaris in Kenya include surefootedness and the ability to follow instructions from your guide.

Photographers, birdwatchers, and nature enthusiasts will relish this experience, providing a genuine connection to nature.

As most walks take place far from today’s technology, older children experiencing nature in this way will be left with a lasting impression.

  • Active Travellers
  • Photographers
  • Nature Lovers
  • Serenity Seekers
Arno Snellenberg | Kenya Travel Expert
‘When it comes to walking safaris, Kenya is a hidden gem offering numerous experiences in the wild with expert guides. These intimate walking safaris enable you to encounter Kenya’s wildlife and landscapes in a truly unique way.’
Arno | Kenya Travel Expert
View across Tumaren Conservancy in northern Kenya.
WHERE TO EXPERIENCE IT

TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE IN NUMEROUS DESTINATIONS THROUGHOUT KENYA

Kenya has three types of walking safaris that determine where you’ll go.

Firstly, there are short and easy walks close to civilisation, such as walking around Crescent Island on Lake Naivasha.

Secondly, there are walks within the Big Five territory, such the conservancies bordering the Masai Mara National Reserve, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, and Amboseli National Park.

Thirdly, there are multiple-day walks in the Loita Hills, Matthews Range, Laikipia region including at Tumaren Conservancy, seen in the photo.

When to go

Kenya’s tropical climate results in two dry and two rainy seasons, which replace winter and summer. The dry seasons offer excellent walking conditions, thanks to low precipitation and humidity. Additionally, the main dry season offers pleasant temperatures; however, it is the high season with higher prices. Generally, the dry season is the best time for walking safaris in Kenya.

The short rains turn landscapes green, and afternoon storms shouldn’t affect your walk. It is also the shoulder season with slightly lower prices. The long rains are the low season, when it rains daily, and some accommodation closes.

A Maasai guide points at something in the distance while a guest looks on. Both are on a bush walk in the Amboseli region.

Dry Season

June until October Best weather for a walking safari

June until October Best weather for a walking safari

The main dry season, from June to October, experiences temperatures ranging from 20°C (68°F) to 30°C (86°F), depending on your location. June is the coolest month, and temperatures slowly rise as the season progresses.

The second shorter dry period occurs from January until the second week of March. Temperatures continue to increase, but it is dry, the landscapes are green, and it is the shoulder season.

Small antelopes seen at sunset in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy.

Rainy Season

May to early JuneIdeal for green landscapes

May to early JuneIdeal for green landscapes

The short rains, from November to December, are the shoulder season and an excellent time to walk because the rain occurs in afternoon thunderstorms. Witnessing the landscapes come alive after the dry season is a beautiful experience.

The long rains occur from mid-March to May, with April experiencing the highest rainfall. Some accommodations close during this time; however, it is the low season and a great time to find travel deals.

LET US MAKE YOUR DREAM WALKING SAFARI A REALITY

Embarking on a walking safari in Kenya’s wilderness is an unparalleled experience that is likely to be one of the best trips in your life.

Schedule a no-obligation call with one of our country experts to begin turning your dream walking safari into a reality.

Below, we share more information about our tailor-made safaris, which can include walking safaris as well.

Accommodations

STAY IN LUXURY LODGES OR CAMP IN COMFORT ON WALKING SAFARIS IN KENYA

When you book a walking safari with us, a country expert will assist you in choosing suitable accommodation for you.

For short walks near civilisation, you can select from budget to luxury options. Suppose you’re heading to Big Five territory like the Amboseli National Park, and private conservancies. In that case, you’ll have the choice of lodges with pools or permanent tented camps with en-suite bathrooms and double beds.

On multi-day treks, you’ll camp in tents set up and taken down by a team and enjoy hot showers and three meals a day prepared for you.

Exterior of guest tent at Kitich Forest Camp

Kitich Forest Camp

Interior of guest tent at Kitich Forest Camp

Kitich Forest Camp

Interior of Tumaren Camp

Tumaren Camp

View from classic safari tent at Karisia Walking Safaris

Karisia Walking Safaris

White tents on Maasai Trails Loisaba

New African Territories – Maasai Trails

Guest camping tent in Mathews Range New African Territories

New African Territories – Mathews Range

Family tent at Eagle View Camp in Naboisho Conservancy.

Eagle View Camp

View from the bed and through the sky light at Saruni Leopard Hill Mara Naboisho.

Leopard Hill Camp

Interior guest room at Elewana Lewa Safari Camp

Elewana Lewa Safari Camp

Bed in a superior room at Kandili Camp in Mara North.

Kandili Camp

View of Kilimanjaro from Elerai Camp in Amboseli

Elerai Camp

Classic walking safari tent Karisia Safaris

Karisia Walking Safaris

Highlights of a walking safari in Kenya

What to expect on walking holidays in Kenya

The excitement of a walking safari is unparalleled because the anticipation of what you might encounter is genuinely unique. What’s more, with knowledgeable guides leading the way, encounters with big game are intentionally unlikely, and you’ll be able to fully immerse yourself in nature safely while discovering the smaller species of the wilderness.

Guide and guest walking through a bushy area.

There are different kinds of walking safaris in Kenya: from leisurely strolls on Crescent Island and short bush or nature walks in wildlife conservancies to multi-day expedition like treks supported by camels.

Local Samburu guides walking with their camels.

On multi-day walking holidays, you walk with local Samburu guides and their camels from one fly-camp to the next.

Reticulated giraffes against a dark cloudy sky.

Look out for giraffes, antelopes, zebras and birds. Your guides will avoid encountering predators while on foot.

A classic fly-camp tent under a dramatic sky.

On multi-day hikes, you can spend the night in a fly-camp in the middle of nature.

Tent with a view at Eagle View Camp in Mara Naboisho Conservancy.

If you go on shorter walking safaris, you can spend the night in a permanent tented camp, like Eagle View Camp in Mara Naboisho Conservancy,

Different types of walking safaris in Kenya

There are three types of walking safaris to choose from:

Short walking safaris near civilisation

When you arrive by boat at Crescent Island on Lake Naivasha, you can walk around the island surrounded by zebras, bushbucks, giraffes, and hippos grazing on the shore under beautiful Yellow-fever trees. It is a tranquil experience with stunning views and an easy walk.

The Aberdare Country Club sanctuary-walk allows visitors to explore some of the 1,300 acres home to abundant flora and fauna. Additionally, numerous longer walks can be enjoyed at the Aberdare National Park as part of a Kenya walking holiday.

Hell’s Gate National Park, located in a beautiful gorge near Naivasha, offers numerous nature walks. Here, you can see incredible birdlife, including endangered vultures nesting on the cliffs and numerous antelopes and buffalos.

Walking safaris in Big Five territory

Walking safaris in the Big Five territory are a more adventurous option in private conservancies and typically lasts from one to three hours.

Some excellent examples include Naboisho and Mara North conservancies, which border the Masai Mara National Reserve, as well as Lewa, Borana, and Ol Pejeta Conservancies in the Laikipia district, all of which offer a variety of walking safari options.

Additionally, Elerai Camp outside Amboseli National Park provides stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro on clear days.

These destinations generally offer a gentle and leisurely morning walk experience, where you depart from and return to the same place.

Multi-day walking safaris into the Bundu

Multi-day camel-supported walking safaris in Laikipia, Loita Hills, Tumaren Conservancy and the Mathew’s Range are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Each itinerary offers diverse accommodation options to suit your taste and budget.

The walks range from three to seven days in stunning landscapes. Participants can walk where very few have travelled, see incredible wildlife, and learn about the local people. They offer an adventure that will stay with you forever.

What to see on a walking safari in Kenya

Exploring the Kenyan wilderness on foot provides a truly enriching experience. It allows you to immerse yourself in nature and disconnect from technology. Walking with an experienced guide through the bush will reveal unseen wonders and broaden your understanding of the natural world.

Whether identifying and following a Kudu’s tracks, learning about the medicinal effects of particular plants, or gaining the skills to start a fire by rubbing two sticks together, the experience is both educational and exhilarating.

Moreover, your guide’s intimate knowledge of the local area means that encountering dangerous animals is unlikely. Instead, you’ll have the opportunity to experience Kenya’s wilderness with all your senses and form lifelong memories.

How to plan walking safaris in Kenya

Planning an authentic safari that includes a walk is easy when booking through us at Kenya-Experience. Based in Kenya, with our own vehicles and guides, not to mention years of experience, we can easily include a walk into your safari itinerary.

Alternatively, if you want to do a multi-day trek in a remote wilderness, our long-standing and trusted partners with specialised equipment will lead the way.

The weather and other special considerations are more critical on multi-day treks, but we can easily guide you through this process. You could arrange a no-obligation conversation with one of our country experts to start planning your dream walking holiday in Kenya.

During the initial discussion, it will be helpful to know when you would like to go on safari, who you want to walk with, what your budget is, and any highlights you would like to see and do along the way. We’ll then take away the challenge of organising the walking safari, allowing you to look forward to your walk in the wilderness.

You can easily combine a Kenya walking holiday with a classic vehicle-based safari, whether it’s a one-day or a multi-day walk.

Giraffes walking across the savanna.
Wildlife

From the smallest beetle to the tallest giraffe.

A walking guide explaining something to his guest while pointing at the distance.
Experienced walking guides

Who share their culture and local knowledge with you.

A male lion with a large beautiful mane lying on the ground
Kenya Specialist Taher Nassrulla
A safari vehicle is driving in the Masai Mara at sunset.

Experience Kenya with us

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