Explore pure wilderness on foot
Walking safaris are a unique and exhilarating way to experience Botswana's bush and wildlife, and allow you to appreciate smaller details you might miss on a game drive.
Walking safaris in Botswana offer a deeper, more grounded way to experience the wild. Far from the rumble of safari vehicles, you'll explore on foot, guided by expert trackers who bring the bush to life with every spoor, sound, and scent. It’s a raw, thrilling and surprisingly peaceful way to connect with nature – perfect for those who want to slow down and see the details.
Botswana’s private concessions and game-rich reserves are among the best in Africa for walking safaris. Led by highly trained guides, walks focus on the smaller wonders of the bush – animal tracks, medicinal plants, insects, and birdlife – but there’s always the chance of encountering larger wildlife, too. The pace is gentle, and the experience is immersive, offering a real sense of the ecosystem and the rhythms of the wild.
The Okavango Delta is a standout, especially in the drier months when floodwaters recede and islands become accessible on foot. Morning walks here reveal a mosaic of landscapes, from papyrus-fringed lagoons to acacia woodland, with a rich variety of wildlife. In the Moremi Game Reserve, walking safaris add depth to a classic game drive itinerary, combining close encounters with excellent birding and botanical interest. For those seeking true wilderness, the Selinda and Linyanti concessions offer exclusive walking experiences across vast, untouched terrain, with few other travellers in sight.
The Makgadikgadi Pans, meanwhile, provide a completely different walking safari – more cultural than wildlife-focused – where you can track animals with San Bushmen and learn their traditional survival skills.
Walking safaris are best suited to reasonably fit travellers aged 16 and up who are comfortable with 2 - 4 hours of walking in the bush. They’re typically offered in the early morning when temperatures are cooler and wildlife is most active. The dry season (May to October) is ideal, with open landscapes and better visibility. Walking in Botswana delivers a quiet thrill and a lasting connection to the land, whether as a full itinerary or a few days added to a traditional safari.
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Exploring Botswana: Chobe, Khwai & Makgadikgadi Safari
- Chobe National Park
- Khwai Concession
- Makgadikgadi Pans
This journey really highlights the variety of what Botswana has to offer, from the riverine Chobe National Park to the game-rich Khwai Concession and the stark but beautiful Makgadikgadi Pans.
Botswana Trip Inspiration
Our Botswana specialist, Ruth, says:
“What I love about walking safaris in Botswana is how they change your perspective. You notice the smaller details – the tracks in the sand, the sound of bird calls, the scent of wild sage underfoot – things you’d never pick up from a vehicle. There’s a real sense of connection, and it gives you time to appreciate just how alive the bush is.”
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