Walking safaris in Kenya: the best camps and lodges
Walking, however, is prohibited in most of Kenya’s national parks and reserves, so traditional vehicle-based safaris remain the norm. That said, bush walks and walking safaris are increasingly available in the newer wildlife conservancies and on established private ranches, where guiding standards are high and the freedom to explore on foot is part of the experience.
Many of these are described as ‘bush walks’ – often focusing on scenery, plants, tracks and local culture, rather than close encounters with big game. For a more immersive experience, a small number of camps now offer multi-day walks or fully guided walking safaris.
As walking safaris are relatively new to Kenya, safety is key: we only recommend camps with experienced, well-trained guides – many with silver or gold KPSGA (Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association) qualifications and the appropriate firearms licences.
Speak to one of our Kenya specialists to find the best places for safe, inspiring and expertly guided walking safaris.
African Hawk-Eagle Fly-in Safari
7 days • 2 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
US$9,360 - US$16,430 per person
Naboisho Camp
Walking safaris conducted by Maasai guides at this camp are accompanied by a gun holder with a large-calibre gun, enabling you to enter areas where dangerous wildlife may be encountered. Expect to meet lions, buffalos and elephants.
Golden Jackal Fly-in Safari
8 days • 2 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
US$11,200 - US$14,130 per person
Borana
Set on a private ranch, Borana offers ample opportunity to stretch your legs: visit the Ngare Ndare Forest with its crystal-clear pools for swimming; join a guided bush walk; call in at the local farm; even join the rangers on a rhino patrol.
Wahlberg's Eagle Fly-in Safari
6 days • 2 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
US$5,680 - US$6,450 per person
El Karama Lodge
There are two guides certified to lead the walking safaris and enough big game around camp to have the chance of an exciting on-foot sighting, whilst walking from lodge to ranch shares insight into the coexistence of livestock and wild animals.
Hamerkop Fly-In Safari
8 days • 2 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
US$7,430 - US$10,960 per person
Sosian
Sosian also offers walking safaris; these typically last between 1-3 hours and are led by a guide with a full firearms license. Walking to a fly camp to sleep out under the stars is also a great option, with many sleepout locations on offer.
Purple Grenadier Fly-In Safari
6 days • 2 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
US$6,390 - US$8,800 per person
Kicheche Laikipia
Kicheche Laikipia’s guides are all at least silver-qualified. Their insights into local flora and fauna contribute hugely to the walking experience, while opportunities to explore the conservancy on foot provide sightings of black and white rhinos.
Greater Kudu Fly-In Safari
7 days • 2 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
US$8,130 - US$9,080 per person
Laikipia Wilderness
This camp specialises in game walks, encouraging exploration of Laikipia’s bush. The guiding is energetic and enthusiastic, and guests regularly find themselves leaving their vehicle to follow sightings far from the beaten track.
De Brazza Monkey Fly-in Safari
9 days • 3 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
US$13,540 - US$16,320 per person
Serian
Situated in the wildlife-rich Maasai Mara ecosystem, Serian offers ample opportunities for walking safaris both in their concession and in the larger Mara North Conservancy. Wildlife is varied and plentiful, and top guiding provides great encounters.
Lanner Falcon Fly-In Safari
8 days • 3 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
US$7,140 - US$8,400 per person
Saruni Rhino
This camp offers walking safaris into the heart of the Sera Conservancy, where expert trackers seek out elusive black rhinos, accompanied by highly trained guides and conservancy rangers. It’s a unique opportunity for a close encounter on foot.
Striped Hyena Safari
5 days • 3 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
US$5,700 - US$6,990 per person
Kicheche Fly Camp
If you’re seeking total immersion in the bush, this fly-camping experience includes diverse scenery and wildlife, and superb guiding. Stop wherever you like to experience the sights and smells of the bush, and fall asleep to its sounds.
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Best camps & lodges for Walking safaris in Kenya

Kitich Forest Camp
Kitich is a perfect base for walking in the highland forests of the Mathews Range. The style is usually single file, on narrow forest paths, with occasional short rises and descents, and rocky stream crossings. Walks are always conducted by two local Samburu guides and armed forest ranger. You're likely to see a wealth of bird and insect life, a profusion of flora and good numbers of elephants and other forest mammals, from monkeys to bushbuck and big cats.

Karisia Walking Safaris
On Karisia's multi-day walking safaris, you'll typically walk for up to five hours each day, covering around 15km. Karisia will tailor this to the fitness of people in your party and the landscapes you're crossing, allowing for rest stops and pauses to watch wildlife en route.

Serian
Situated in the wildlife-rich Maasai Mara ecosystem, Serian offers ample opportunities for walking safaris both in their concession and in the larger Mara North Conservancy. Wildlife is varied and plentiful, and top guiding provides great encounters.

Kicheche Laikipia
Kicheche Laikipia’s guides are all at least silver-qualified. Their insights into local flora and fauna contribute hugely to the walking experience, while opportunities to explore the conservancy on foot provide sightings of black and white rhinos.

El Karama Lodge
There are two guides certified to lead the walking safaris and enough big game around camp to have the chance of an exciting on-foot sighting, whilst walking from lodge to ranch shares insight into the coexistence of livestock and wild animals.

Saruni Rhino
This camp offers walking safaris into the heart of the Sera Conservancy, where expert trackers seek out elusive black rhinos, accompanied by highly trained guides and conservancy rangers. It’s a unique opportunity for a close encounter on foot.

Borana
Set on a private ranch, Borana offers ample opportunity to stretch your legs: visit the Ngare Ndare Forest with its crystal-clear pools for swimming; join a guided bush walk; call in at the local farm; even join the rangers on a rhino patrol.

Sosian
Sosian also offers walking safaris; these typically last between 1-3 hours and are led by a guide with a full firearms license. Walking to a fly camp to sleep out under the stars is also a great option, with many sleepout locations on offer.

Kicheche Fly Camp
If you’re seeking total immersion in the bush, this fly-camping experience includes diverse scenery and wildlife, and superb guiding. Stop wherever you like to experience the sights and smells of the bush, and fall asleep to its sounds.

Naboisho Camp
Walking safaris conducted by Maasai guides at this camp are accompanied by a gun holder with a large-calibre gun, enabling you to enter areas where dangerous wildlife may be encountered. Expect to meet lions, buffalos and elephants.

Basecamp Samburu
Walking safaris vary from 2-4 hours in length, moving through Kalama Conservancy at a leisurely pace to explore the open plains and bush. Guests are accompanied by Basecamp Samburu guides and an armed county ranger trained by KWS.

Laikipia Wilderness
This camp specialises in game walks, encouraging exploration of Laikipia’s bush. The guiding is energetic and enthusiastic, and guests regularly find themselves leaving their vehicle to follow sightings far from the beaten track.

Tassia Lodge
Martin leads the walking Safaris from Tassia Lodge. He will teach you how to track wildlife and explore some of the stunning scenery – there is not huge quantities of big game around, but there should still be plenty to see.
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Where to see wildlife species in Kenya
Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.

Lion
Panthera leo
Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.
81% SUCCESS
3,674 sightings from 4,539 observations

Leopard
Panthera pardus
The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.
47% SUCCESS
2,370 sightings from 5,037 observations

Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.
33% SUCCESS
1,289 sightings from 3,855 observations

Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.
83% SUCCESS
3,100 sightings from 3,738 observations

Wild dog
Lycaon pictus
African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.
32% SUCCESS
1,049 sightings from 3,322 observations

Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta
The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.
55% SUCCESS
2,632 sightings from 4,798 observations

Striped Hyena
Hyaena hyaena
The striped hyena is the most widespread of the world’s hyenas, but absent from southern Africa. A rarely-seen nocturnal scavenger, it is shyer and more solitary than its spotted cousin.
13% SUCCESS
141 sightings from 1,097 observations

Elephant
Loxodonta africana
By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.
91% SUCCESS
4,431 sightings from 4,871 observations

Black Rhino
Diceros bicornis
The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.
30% SUCCESS
758 sightings from 2,501 observations

White Rhino
Ceratotherium simum
The white rhino is the largest and most numerous of the world’s five rhinoceros species. They are larger, easier to see and generally more approachable than the black rhino.
44% SUCCESS
618 sightings from 1,417 observations

Eland
Taurotragus oryx
Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.
49% SUCCESS
1,768 sightings from 3,572 observations

Gerenuk
Litocranius walleri
With its slender frame and extraordinarily long neck, this unmistakable East African antelope resembles an attenuated impala and often stands on its back legs browse high shrubs.
73% SUCCESS
113 sightings from 155 observations

Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.
86% SUCCESS
4,282 sightings from 4,994 observations

Oryx
Oryx sp.
Oryx are impressive antelopes, with a powerful physique and elegant markings set off by rapier-like horns. They cut a distinctive dash in some of Africa’s harshest landscapes.
69% SUCCESS
1,614 sightings from 2,334 observations

Hippo
Hippopotamus amphibius
The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.
89% SUCCESS
3,224 sightings from 3,619 observations

Sable antelope
Hippotragus niger
Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.
24% SUCCESS
578 sightings from 2,440 observations

Wildebeest
Connochaetes sp.
Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.
68% SUCCESS
3,008 sightings from 4,452 observations

Zebra
Equus sp.
The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.
84% SUCCESS
4,654 sightings from 5,533 observations

Aardvark
Orycteropus afer
The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.
2% SUCCESS
82 sightings from 3,987 observations

Pangolin
Smutsia sp.
Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.
2% SUCCESS
70 sightings from 4,029 observations

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