Hiking trails, walking trails and bush walks

South Africa offers very varied walking, from classic mountain hikes, to coastal trails and even desert hikes. Unlike most of Africa, South Africa is quite mountainous. The country divides into two distinct regions: the vast interior highveld plateau, and the narrow coastal and 'lowveld' plain. The highveld is savannah grassland, whilst the lowveld of Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal is subtropical bushveld. Between the two lies a necklace of rugged mountains, the awesome Drakensberg. In the Western Cape, the Cape fynbos vegetation is separated from the Karoo semi-desert by the Outeniqua, Tsitsikamma and Cedarberg mountain ranges.

For mountain scenery - the Western Cape and Natal Drakensberg offer the best choice. The Cape folded mountains stretch from the Cedarberg Wilderness area with its wild and dramatically coloured and weathered rocks through to the Hottentots Holland Mountains and the Swartberg to the Outeniqua and Langeberg peaks of the Garden Route.

For coastal walking - the Garden Route offers superb coastal trails as do parts of the Overberg around Hermanus, and also Cape Point on the Cape Peninsula. Further to the east is the magnificent Wild Coast with its lush vegetation and African cultures.

Big Five wildernis walking - Seeing the big 5 and other dangerous animals from the security of a safari vehicle is exciting, but it is nothing compared to standing on your own two feet, deep in the African bush, miles from the nearest road and vehicle, and getting a close-up view of an African Lion, or a Black Rhino, or an African Elephant, or a Giraffe. A hiking safari ensures a thrilling up-close and personal experience of the bush. Accompanied by armed guides and living in small bush camps, you'll be closer to nature than ever before.In South Africa, the most popular areas for wilderness trails are the game parks of KwaZulu-Natal and the Kruger National Park, where there is a choice of seven different trails, each with its own special character and attractions. Many other regions of South Africa are also offering morning walks, walking safaris and wilderness trails.

For something different - try the Richtersveld or Augrabies National Parks in the Northern Cape for dramatic desert scenery and rock formations.

Accommodation in and around South Africa