The best lodges & camps for walking safaris in Rwanda
Gorillas and Migration Safari
9 days • 3 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT
US$17,070 - US$23,410 per person
Bisate Lodge
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is a must for most visitors, and would be the highlight of a stay at Bisate Lodge. Other primates, such as golden monkeys and colobus monkeys, can also be seen during the walking safaris.
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Walking safaris elsewhere in Africa
Our top ideas and inspiration for Walking safaris in other countries.

Botswana
Botswana isn't well known for walking safaris. This stems primarily from the lack of strong national ...

Kenya
Walking is prohibited in most of Kenya's national parks and reserves; driving is often the only option...

Namibia
Namibia has some of Africa's most dramatic scenery and many great hikes and walking trails: it's ...

Tanzania
Tanzania classifies its wild areas in different ways, each with different rules - meaning that ...

Zambia
Zambia offers Africa's widest choice of reliably excellent walking safaris. Strict guiding exams ...

Zimbabwe
Walking can be a big part of a safari in Zimbabwe. Exceptionally high guiding standards due to ...
Where to see wildlife species in Africa
Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite African animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.

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.
82% SUCCESS
2,012 sightings from 2,449 observations

Chimpanzee
Pan troglodytes
The chimpanzee is our closest living relative. This highly intelligent great ape is a forest animal with a sophisticated social life. Any encounter in the wild is a memorable experience.
100% SUCCESS
28 sightings from 28 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.
90% SUCCESS
2,874 sightings from 3,183 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.
85% SUCCESS
2,757 sightings from 3,227 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
2,086 sightings from 2,349 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.
53% SUCCESS
1,663 sightings from 3,135 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.
46% SUCCESS
1,529 sightings from 3,305 observations

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
2,395 sightings from 2,962 observations

Mountain Gorilla
Gorilla beringei
The world’s most impressive primate, the mountain gorilla inhabits a handful of locations in Africa’s equatorial cloud forests, where guided treks offer an intense wildlife experience.
100% SUCCESS
37 sightings from 37 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
477 sightings from 1,585 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
42 sightings from 2,649 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
62 sightings from 2,708 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.
47% SUCCESS
1,110 sightings from 2,368 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
3,034 sightings from 3,615 observations

Roan antelope
Hippotragus equinus
Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.
22% SUCCESS
369 sightings from 1,659 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.
21% SUCCESS
354 sightings from 1,662 observations

Sitatunga
Tragelaphus spekii
The sitatunga is the most aquatic of Africa’s antelopes and specially adapted to its swampy habitats. Though widespread across Africa, only a handful of places offer reliable sightings.
17% SUCCESS
46 sightings from 273 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.
43% SUCCESS
387 sightings from 902 observations
