Walking is a perfect way to explore Africa’s great wilderness regions, getting to know its rugged topography and plant life, spotting colourful birds and slowing down to the pace of the natural world. You won’t get quite so close to potentially dangerous animals, but on foot that’s probably just as well.

Many of the camps and lodges in private reserves will arrange half-day walking safaris as an alternative to heading out on game drives. There are also a number of operators who organise walking safaris that can last for days or even weeks. Sometimes support vehicles take your luggage ahead while occasionally there are animals to carry your bags. Kenya’s camel safaris are walking safaris in all but name, as few people would wish to spend days on a camel when they could be strolling by their side at much the same pace.

Distances covered tend to be quite short and the pace of the walk is normally dictated by the slower ones in the group, the temperature, and general terrain to be covered. You’ll usually walk for two to four hours or so in the early morning and relax through the heat of the day, with the opportunity to stroll further in the afternoon and evening if you so wish.

Watch this video of Norman Carr’s ‘Return to the Wild’ walking safari in the South Luangwa, Zambia