The first active African getaways for travellers to explore on foot
THERE are several new options in many African countries for travellers interested in an active trip, involving walking or hiking. Most are available any time of the year and do not require physical training.
Mark Thornton Safaris offers four-to-10-day private walking wildlife excursions in Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. Visitors stay in environmentally sensitive mobile camps and penetrate deep into road-less parts of the park, areas replete with wildlife.
The amount of time you walk daily is tailored to your specific needs and can vary from between two to eight hours.
Bookings begin at $800 (about R10 804) a person a day and include accommodations, meals, activities and transportation around the park.
Another multi-day hiking option, offered by Tour Dust, is the three-to-five-day private hikes of the Simien Mountains in Ethiopia’s Simien National Park. Hikers can expect to see large troops of baboons and the rare walia ibex, famous for its long curved horns.
Although each itinerary is customised, the trail follows the course of the mountain ridge and has dramatic views of the surrounding area.
Accommodations are in tents, and all trips are accompanied by a guide, a cook and a scout. Tickets start at $530 a person. In South Africa, it is possible to skip the usual cable-car ride up Table Mountain in Cape Town and hike to the top.
Hike Addicts offers different guided treks, including the “India Venster”, a challenging but rewarding three-hour route over steep terrain.
It starts off on the mountain’s northern slopes and takes hikers through dramatic rock formations, with views of the Atlantic coast along the way.
Hiking below massive sandstone cliffs to the summit is the grand finale. Prices start at R890 a person. For travellers who want to be only moderately active for part of their trip, the nine-day Kenya Camping Safari from G Adventures includes some light walking and hiking, along with traditional drives to spot wildlife.
Travellers explore the Masai Mara National Reserve, the Samburu National Reserve and Lake Nakuru National Park, and spend nights in campsites.
Prices start at $2 000 a person, and include accommodations, most meals and transfers.
Backroads has a new five-night walking and hiking tour of Morocco. Travellers take guided walks in Marrakech to see popular attractions, including the Jemaa el-Fna, and explore the whitewashed port town of Essaouira.
Visitors also hike to rustic villages in the High Atlas Mountains and trek through the Imlil Valley.
Bookings start at $4 200 a person, but include accommodations, activities, transportation and even snacks.
Book in the spring or summer – the tours begin in September and October. –