Walking & Hiking
Some of the places where one can experience hiking and trekking:
- Mount Kenya National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Central Highlands)
- Aberdare National Park & Reserve
- Mount Elgon (Western Kenya)
- Kakamega Forest (Western Kenya)
- Mount Longonot (Rift Valley)
- Hell’s Gate National Park (Rift Valley)
- Kerio Valley (Rift Valley)
- Arabuko Sokoke National Forest Reserve (Kenya Coast)
Walking & Hiking in Kenya
Walking is prohibited in most of Kenya’s national parks and reserves, and driving is often the only option. However, walking safaris are increasingly offered in smaller lodges and camps in the relatively newer private game sanctuaries and conservancies.
On a walking safari—also known as “bush/nature walks”—clients will spend most, if not all, of their time in the bush on foot, accompanied by a professional guide and ranger. It is the proximity to wilderness that makes this kind of trip so magical and exciting. They take place on wilderness trails, which are natural tracks made by animals and traversed only on foot to maintain their condition. These trails lead to remote areas you wouldn’t typically see on a typical safari. In general, walking safaris emphasize the walking, culture, and scenery rather than big game encounters.
Clients interested in walking safaris must factor in their physical condition.
They should be in good health and should be able to walk between about four and 10 miles a day, depending on the parameters of the itinerary. Some trips won’t allow hikers under the age of 12 or over the age of 60. Most who book a multi-day walking safari will be expected to be comfortable in the wilderness and not the sort who is easily rattled.