Kenya Walking Safari Destinations, Safety and Tips

On a walking safari, you explore the wilderness on foot instead of by vehicle.

Your guide has the knowledge to read animal tracks and will help you identify plants and birds that you might not notice otherwise. Guides always maintain a safe distance from larger animals.

In Kenya, there are two main types of guided walks. Short walks typically start and end at your lodge and usually last from 20 minutes to a few hours, often during the cooler parts of the day. On multi-day trips, you walk between camps and do not return to the same lodge each night. In Laikipia, camels are often used to carry your gear during these longer journeys, allowing you to walk without a heavy pack.

Kenya’s walking safari destinations

Masai Mara conservancies

You cannot walk inside the Masai Mara National Reserve, but the nearby private conservancies allow for walking safaris.

Naboisho, Mara North, Olare Motorogi, and Ol Kinyei all offer guided walks in addition to game drives.The Maasai guides here share their traditional tracking skills that have been passed down through generations.

Samburu

Samburu National Reserve and surrounding community conservancies, such as Kalama, Westgate, and Namunyak, offer guided walking safaris.

The terrain here is drier and more rugged than in the Mara, and you may encounter different animals, such as Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, and beisa oryx. Some Samburu conservancies also provide cultural walks with local communities.

Laikipia Plateau

Laikipia is known as Kenya's main area for walking safaris, with private conservancies like Lewa, Borana, Ol Pejeta, El Karama, and Ol Jogi.

At Ol Pejeta, you can join guided rhino tracking walks and see black rhinos up close on foot.

Hell’s Gate and Crescent Island

Hell’s Gate National Park and Crescent Island on Lake Naivasha are among the few places in Kenya where you can walk or cycle without an armed guide.

There are no dangerous predators in these areas. In Hell’s Gate, you can walk among zebras, giraffes, and antelopes at your own pace. At Crescent Island, a local guide will accompany you. These spots are great for families or as a short addition to a longer trip.

Chyulu Hills

The Chyulu Hills, located between Amboseli and Tsavo, offer guided walks across a young volcanic landscape.

On clear days, you can see all the way to Mount Kilimanjaro. Camps in this area usually organize walks as multi-day trips rather than day trips.

Loita Hills and the Matthews Range

The Loita Hills and the Matthews Range in northern Kenya are perfect for longer, remote walking safaris.

Maasai and Samburu guides lead multi-day walks here, and you camp each night rather than staying at a lodge.

Safety, fitness and clothing

Guides are trained in safety and often carry a rifle as a precaution, not because they expect to use it.

Wild animals usually avoid groups on foot, and problems are rare if you follow your guide’s instructions. Most guided walks are suitable for people with average fitness, but fly camping trips require more stamina. Bring closed shoes, neutral-colored clothes, a hat, sunscreen, water, and binoculars.

Start planning your walking adventure

This experience adds a different pace to your Kenya trip. You can include it as one activity in a longer itinerary or plan your whole trip around it. Let us know your travel dates and the number of people travelling. We can then recommend the right mix of walking and game drives for your route. Book a safari in Kenya to get started.