The 50 Best Hiking Trails in Africa
Whether you’re visiting Africa explicitly to hike or you want to get some exercise while taking in the views of this majestic continent, you’ll want to visit the best hiking trails Africa has to offer. We’ve compiled a list of the top 50 hiking trails in Africa so that you can get a great view and test your hiking abilities in this beautiful land.
So, what are the best hiking trails in Africa? Read the article below to find out!
1. Cabo Verde
Although most visitors think of the resorts and other attractions when they think of Cabo Verde, this group of islands offers some impressive hiking that is necessary for any serious hiker in the region. No matter what your skill level or how much you want to hike, you won’t run out of options in this area. The Mount Fogo trail on Fogo island is a favorite for many hikers, but other islands offer great hiking trails, too.
2. Acacia Trail
If you’re looking for an easy hike without any hills or other hiking challenges, the Acacia Trail might be right up your alley. This trail begins at a visitor’s center nearby. Then, you’ll amble towards the grasslands. After that, a right turn will lead you to Weaver’s Pool.
Once you navigate your way over a bridge that sits on top of this stream, you’ll find a bird hide on your left where you can observe local wildlife. At this point, you can either end the walk by turning right towards the visitor’s center or extend it. Overall, the Acacia Trail is a great introductory nature walk for those who aren’t as experienced at hiking or would prefer a leisurely stroll to an athletic advanced rock climbing hike.
3. Hadeda Trail
Located in the Fairy Glen Reserves in Pretoria, South Africa, the Hadeda trail offers two versions for hikers with different goals and needs. For those who want a relatively short hike, the regular Hadeda Trail may hit the spot. Those with a hankering for a longer hike will enjoy the Hadeda Trail’s extended version.
Those walking along the Hadeda Trail can bring their whole family, including their favorite four-legged canine friend since the trail welcomes families and dogs. The trail also features a strong community base like all of the trails in the Fairy Glen Nature Reserve.
4. Bishop Bird Nature Area
As indicated by the name, the main attraction of this hiking trail is a birdwatching tower. You won’t have to deviate from the path to reach the birdwatching tower since it is placed on the path itself. Since the trail is more of a birdwatching destination than a challenging hike, it’s probably best for bird enthusiasts who enjoy a decent stroll than those looking for a major hiking workout in the heart of Africa.
If you want a longer, more satisfying hike, you can always increase the distance of the trail by taking a walk around the perimeter trail.
5. Faerie Glen Nature Reserve
If your main goal on your hike in Africa is enjoying the small wildlife in the area in a family-friendly setting, the Faerie Glen Nature Reserve would be right up your alley. On this hike, you’ll be able to spot impalas, hartebeests, zebras, and smaller animals. At one point, the reserve was incorporated into the Hartebeespoort Farm. Today, it’s a reserve in its own right.
If you enjoy the inclined terrain of the Groenkloof Nature Reserve, you’ll enjoy the hilly aspects of the Faerie Glen Nature Reserve, as well. While this location is wildly popular and has controlled access to get into the reserve, it’s still a fairly big place so you will feel like you’ve reached a nature sanctuary in it.
6. Groenkloof Nature Reserve
If you’ve ever wanted to hike alongside ostriches, giraffes, zebras, and more, this well-marked, well-maintained trail might be right for you. While it has a great deal of hills, this might be a perfect challenge for the intermediate-to-advanced hiker. Established in the late 19th century, the Groenkloof Nature Reserve boasts a history as Africa’s very first wildlife sanctuary.
Since illegal hunting was a major problem that the region faced at the time (and continues to face in modern times), the wildlife sanctuary was intended to help preserve the huge herds of wild animals on the edge of Pretoria.
Today, the reserve features three different trails for hikers to enjoy that are marked by yellow, red, and white signs. To make following the path even more intuitive, the reserve also has shoeprints painted to demonstrate where hikers should go on the trail.
7. Moreleta Kloof Nature Reserve Trail
As a small nature reserve, the Moreleta Kloof Nature Reserve features a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Here, you’ll be able to encounter blesboks, springboks, impalas, ostriches, zebras, and more. Become one with the wildlife at this nature reserve. After you work up an appetite, you can tuck into some traditional local fare at the Rademeyer Restaurant. This restaurant is located in an old farmhouse that’s been around since the early 1900s.
If you’re not the best navigator, you can follow the well-marked beaten path in the area.
8. Pretoria National Botanical Garden Trail
For an easy trail that highlights the best flowers, butterflies, birds, and trees that the area has to offer, opt to take a walk in the Pretoria National Botanical Garden Trail. Since it was founded in the mid-20th century, this large, lush garden has blossomed into a landscape that hosts a diverse list of species. The garden boasts more than 1,000 species of flowering plants and about half as many trees.
When planning a visit to the Pretoria National Botanical Garden, make sure to book your plane for the spring or summer so that you can enjoy the fully blooming florals and the croaking frogs.
9. Dassie Trail
If you want to see the interesting local wildlife known as the dassie, there’s a whole trail called the Dassie Trail for viewing them. These medium-sized animals are related to elephants, though they are significantly smaller.
The Dassie Trail is marked decently. It does go over rocky hills, so it’s not necessarily the easiest hike. It tends to have sparser amounts of hikers beyond viewpoint 4 because the majority of visitors stick close to the waterfall on the trail. However, if you want to see dassies, you’ll want to go to viewpoint 6 and beyond. These animals tend to be pretty active in daylight hours so you should be able to see them around the bush, boulders, and even up in the trees. Beyond viewpoint 6, the trail does get steep, so prepare accordingly.
10. Hedianga Farm
If you’d like to enjoy scenic pine forests among the Bronberg hills, look no further than the trails around Hedianga Farm. This area offers fantastic views from the hill sides. It also features a wide range of local plant life and beautiful quartzite ridges.
In general, the farm is known as a gathering place for the local community. It’s dog friendly, so you can feel free to bring your favorite furry pal to the area without worrying about having to leave him or her in the car. Mountain bikers can explore designated trails on the Hedianga farm to switch it up from a regular hike.
On the farm, visitors can expect to spot intricate rock formations and a variety of flowers. Since the farm is no longer used for agriculture, you won’t see any farm animals save an occasional cow here and there.
The Hedianga farm is a great choice for hikers of all fitness levels. It has a great trail for beginners and a trail that will challenge advanced fitness fanatics.
11. Hedianga Farm’s Green Trail
While you’re at the Hedianga Farm, you’ll want to check out the Green Trail. This trail starts on the same path as the Yellow and Red Trails. However, after a way down the trail, it splits off into its trail. Then, the Green Trail joins the Red and Yellow Trails again. It’s a great hike for those who want a longer distance since it doesn’t take a direct path through the farm.
12. Hedianga Farm’s Yellow Trail
At first, the Yellow Trail goes along the same path as the Green and Red Trails. It splits onto its own when it forks to the left off of the Green Trail and traces the Red Trail for the majority of its space. The folks who designed this trail have made it zigzag as much as possible to maximize its length. With the constant shifts in elevation, this trail will challenge even the most experienced hikers. It’s best for advanced hikers to tackle since some locals refer to it as “the beast” of the Hedianga farm.
13. The Red Trail
For those who have not spent a lot of time honing their hiking skills, the Red Trail in the Groenkloof Nature Reserves would be a great introduction to hiking or practice for beginners. The Red Trail is an easy wildlife hike at its core.
With its astonishing views that are superior to those of the White Trail in the area, the Red Trail allows hikers to feel as though they’ve truly escaped into nature. Located a decent distance away from the highway, the Red Trail is a serene hiking experience that allows hikers to immerse themselves in the great outdoors of South Africa and spot all of the amazing local wildlife. A solidly marked viewpoint gives hikers a reliable view of giraffes. The midpoint of the trail also features an obstacle course where those driving 4X4 vehicles can challenge themselves and have fun in the process.
14. The Yellow Trail
While the Yellow Trail isn’t as removed from the highways as the Red Trail in the Groenkloof Nature Reserves, it still is relatively distanced from the highways. This way, you can feel as though you’re in the middle of nature without being stranded in the middle of nowhere if you’d like to escape back to civilization. One of the unique perks of the Yellow Trail is that it’s located near a bat cave. If you walk about 15 minutes from the start of the Yellow Trail, you’ll reach the bat cave and be able to observe the Voortrekker Monument from this place, as well.
15. Irene Trail
History buffs will appreciate the historical significance of the Irene Trail in Pretoria. This trail traces the footpaths of Jan Christian Smuts, who was one of the most notorious South African statesmen and also worked as a philosopher, lawyer, general, and botanist. This jack-of-all-trades has a museum called the Jan Smuts Museum, which is within a few kilometers of the Irene Trail.
16. The Oubaas Nature Trail
For a pleasant leisurely stroll around a circular path that moves towards the Smuts’ family memorial obelisk, the Oubaas Nature Trail is a great choice for beginners who want to pay homage to this historically significant family.
The Oubaas Nature Trail features several important sites that you won’t want to miss on your visit to South Africa. Isie’s Tea Garden awaits hikers at the conclusion of the trail. At the start of the trail, you’ll find the museum that is close to Ouma. The trail then unfolds to a present-day structure called “Place of Quiet” and an arboretum.
17. Irene Dairy Farm Trail
In the same area as the Oubassa trail lies the Irene Dairy Farm Trail. As its name indicates, this trail leads to a working farm that has a deck and barn restaurants. This nature walk leads to a serene pond and other key landmarks. You can make a whole day trip out of the Irene Dairy Farm Trail, visiting the museum nearby and purchasing a picnic lunch as well as locally-sourced dairy products.
18. National Zoological Gardens of South Africa Trail
For a family-friendly “fun walk,” go to the National Zoological Gardens of the South Africa Trail. This area showcases a wide range of animals, so it’s an animal lovers’ paradise. As the largest zoo in South Africa, it’s a great place for walking and viewing wildlife. If you walk on “Fun Walks” events conducted by the zoo, you can enjoy a discounted entrance fee for the zoo. These walks are very popular and usually rake in hundreds of walkers.
Once you’ve gotten in your steps, you can slow it down and enjoy the aquarium, exhibits, and other aspects of the zoo.
19. Rietvlei Dam Nature Reserve Trail
When you visit the Rietvlei Dam Nature Reserve Trail, you’ll be able to appreciate one of the biggest municipal nature reserves in the entire world. This reserve features white rhinos, zebras, blesboks, impalas, and cheetahs.
As one of the planet’s most expansive urban nature reserves, the reserve sits near Irene and Centurion, Pretoria. Beyond self-guided walks through the reserve, visitors can opt to participate in a one-of-a-kind guided day walk that gets up close and personal with the white rhinoceros. The reserve also features rescued lions in an enclosure of their own.
20. Guided Rhino Day Walk
As mentioned above, the Rietvlei Dam Nature Reserve offers a Guided Rhino Day Walk. To see real live white rhinos up close, this Guided Rhino Day Walk is a rare treat that will be unforgettable fun for the whole family. It tends to be extremely popular and receives a great turnout when it happens.
Usually, it’s held on the 3rd Sunday of every month. However, you’ll want to call ahead to see if this trail is still being toured on the same days and times to ensure that you don’t miss it. This special walk requires a reservation, so make sure to also call the visitors’ center ahead of time if you plan to make this part of your itinerary.
21. Roodeplaat Dam Nature Reserve Trail
As a well-marked, simple trail, the Roodeplaat Dam Nature Reserve Trail is a leisurely stroll along the Roodeplat Dam’s shore. Along the trail, you’ll be able to work your way through dense savannah woodland and open grasslands that feature a wide range of local wildlife. At first, the reserve was called the Pienaars Rivier Dam. Today, the western end of the dam is zoned for recreational purposes. The eastern shore is designated as a protected nature area with a hiking trail.
22. Rosemary Hill Farm Trail
For those who want access to a favorite getaway that features all the amenities of modern life like a coffee shop, nursery, biking trails, hiking trails, and maze, Rosemary Hill is a functional farm with plenty of things to do. While bikers tend to adore this trail for good reason, hikers can also appreciate ambling through the meadows in the area.
23. Struben Dam Bird Sanctuary Trail
If you want a nice stroll near a lake, The Struben Dam Bird Sanctuary is a pleasant spot for it. This hidden gem has a guard controlling access to it. Once you’re in, you can enjoy a little lake and plenty of birds to watch.
24. Wonderboom Nature Reserve Trail
For those who want a steep challenge in a short burst, the Wonderboom Nature Reserve Trail might be what you’re looking to find. Situated across from the Wonderboom Shopping Center, this nature reserve is modest in size. Still, it has amazing views of the city and features the famous Wonderboom, which they call a wonder tree, which was a 1,000-year-old fig tree that once stood there.
25. Buffalo Gorge
If you want to unplug and disconnect from the outside world, Buffalo Gorge is the perfect place to do that. You can hike here during the day on a farm that has trails that take you through dense indigenous forests and other natural settings. You can also bring your 4X4 to drive through the designated areas, horseback ride, mountain bike, rock climb, and then end the day with some rustic camping.
26. Fish River Canyon
If you find yourself wanting a difficult hike in Namibia, look no further than Fish River Canyon. As theadventurejunkies.com explains, “This 52 mile (85 km), 4 day trail will take you into the second largest canyon in the world, the Fish River Canyon. It’s considered one of Africa’s toughest hikes, so be ready for a challenge. More than will, you’ll need fitness and strength because once you start, there’s no way out! If you’re up for it, you’ll have the chance to hike through 5 billion years of geological history.”
27. Mount Toubkal/the Atlas Mountains
For a challenging climb in Morocco, Mount Toubkal and the Atlas Mountains are tough but worthwhile to visit. As heleninwonderlust.co.uk shares, “Specifically, Mount Toubkal is a spectacular climb to the top – at 13,000 feet. You can snake your way through neighbouring villages to reach modest accommodations, before doing the bulk of the climb in about a day from Mount Toubkal base camp.
It’s strenuous but doable by most climbers who had some experience, as long as the weather cooperates. You’ll want a guide or tour to complete this trek, which often starts from the city of Marrakech.”
28. The Green Snake Hiking Trail
For a well-marked hiking experience, you’ll find that the Green Snake Hiking Trail offers a chance to spot a great deal of wildlife. This trail snakes through many different habitats so you’ll see animals in their natural environments. This makes it an immersive wild-life spotting experience you won’t soon forget.
29. Dinokeng Game Reserve
Close to Buffelsdrift, this reserve lets you get relatively close to lions and buffalos. Naturally, you’ll have to follow guided tours to go on this walk because of the level of risk the wildlife presents. Still, you’ll be able to see the “big five” at this reserve during daytime guided tours and overnight excursions.
30. De Wildt 4X4 Game Park Trail
Whether you’re looking to walk among zebras, giraffes, kudus, and more or want to drive your 4X4 on a trail designed for it, the De Wildt 4X4 Game Park Trail in South Africa is a great choice. Although it’s specifically meant for 4X4s, the trail also works perfectly for hiking. Wildlife lovers with or without a 4X4 will appreciate this space.
31. Otter Trail
As one of the most well-known hikes in South Africa, the Otter Trail is considered one of the top gorgeous hikes on the planet. While words don’t suffice for describing the scenery of the hike, the lush forest, rocky cliffs, wow-ing waterfalls, and beaches boasting ivory sand are enough to make the trip well worth seeing them in person.
The trail is unguided and lasts about 5-days to trek. Moderately fit hikers should be able to tackle the challenge but beginners may want to beef up their skills before attempting it.
For accommodations, overnight huts with solid facilities are offered. However, you’ll need to bring your own food, cooking devices, and utensils. Because of the hike’s popularity, you’ll need to book up to twelve months ahead of time, but cancellations can happen so you may be able to book sooner than anticipated.
32. Ezemvelo Nature Reserve Trail
With an abundance of wildlife, this quiet, serene trail is nestled far away from the urban spaces. This hiking trail will allow you to get closely connected to large herds of animals passing through. It can be startling and strange to be so close to wild animals. Still, they are mostly interested in their own activities and unlikely to get too close to humans. When you start at the reception desk, you can head off onto one of three trails to explore the wildlife.
33. Simien National Park
Avid hikers visiting Ethiopia will be remiss if they don’t include the famous Simien National Park on their list of stops. It’s a quintessential African hiking destination beloved by many hikers for its beautiful views and wildlife. You can either tour with a group or individually. Regardless of whether you’re hiking by yourself or with others, you will need a scout to come with you through Simien National Park’s trails.
34. Olifants River Gorge
This hiking trail is a relatively easy nature walk. Before you embark on your hike at the Olifants River Gorge, make sure that you ask for the phone number that visitors must call before they can use a paddle boat to cross the river close to the trail’s end. For this reason, it’s crucial that you have a cellphone with cell service that’s compatible with local towers before taking this trail.
35. The Zebra Trail (a.k.a. F.R.O.G.S. Trail)
Between the tranquil rock pools, beautiful views of the bushvelds, and pet-friendly farm, the Zebra Trail has a lot to offer visitors in Riverside Paradise. You can set up camp near the river or simply enjoy a day trip to this destination. Either way, it’s a safe, natural environment with plenty of activities for families and their pets.
36. Somabula Nature Reserve Trail
As a private wildlife reserve, Somabula Nature Reserve Trail has plenty of activities and sites in a peaceful location. Visitors can enjoy an intricate array of trails whether they enjoy hiking or mountain biking. This space also offers self-catering cottages and ox-wagons for a quaint, comfortable stay if you need accommodations.
36. Tswaing Meteor Crater Reserve
As one of the only meteor hiking trails in the world, this trail offers an opportunity unlike any other. For an out-of-this-world experience, take a walk around the perimeter of the meteor crater. Initially, the area was used as a source of salt. The aptly named Tswaing translates to “place of salt” in Setswana. Today, visitors continue to spot the remains of the places that were designated for storing and warming freezing cold saline liquid that was in the crater. When you buy your ticket for entry, you’ll receive a brochure that contains a map of the trail and indicates different points that may be of interest to you.
37. Bergheim Hiking Trail
Take a hike near a gorgeous gorge at the Bergheim Hiking Trail. The trail is a part of a resort that has facilities for camping, braai, and hiking. If you’re not staying the night, you can still enjoy a good hike followed by a refreshing swim in the cool water pool.
The moderate difficulty of the Bergheim Hiking Trail increases as you work towards to peak of the gorge. Thankfully, beginners and intermediate hikers can follow an easier trail that goes to the gorge’s base.
38. Eagle Cove Hiking Trails
Located near a farm, the Eagle Cove Hiking Trails are three trails that begin and conclude at a base camp. If you would like to save your energy for your hike, you can get transportation to the base camp for an extra cost. For making an entrance into the gorge, you’ll have to go down multiple ladders to get there. There are multiple routes with different levels of difficulty.
39. Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Anyone familiar with hiking in Africa will know that the highest peak in Africa of Mount Kilimanjaro is a treat for the most experienced, adventurous hikers out there. Towering as the “Roof of Africa” at 5,895m tall, this hike is a gem of an accomplishment that makes the hikers who manage it proud.
Mount Kilimanjaro offers multiple trails, all challenging to say the least. The Machame Route, also known as the “Whiskey Route,” is one of the more popular trails on the mountain. If you choose to hike Mount Kilimanjaro, you’ll want to be in top physical and mental shape. You’ll also need to hire a guide for the hike, as well as some porters. The Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project makes this a relatively simple process following ethical standards.
40. Ol Doinyo Lengai
In Tanzania, as a mountain that maintains a sacred significance for the local Maasai, this mountain offers gorgeous sunrise views along with an intriguing crater to site see.
Hiking up the “Mountain of God” requires at least five hours and a local guide to climb.
Since Ol Doinyo Lengai is a sacred space to the local people, it’s important to maintain reverent conduct while walking up it. Make sure to be respectful of the local space and the meaning that it holds for those who have lived here for generations.
41. Danakil Depression
As a low desert located in the middle of Ethiopia and Eritrea, the Danakil Depression features the notorious Erte Ale Volcano. It is also the hottest place on earth to be inhabited by people. To visit, you’ll need a tour group because of contention over the borders. The volcano is one of only six remaining volcanoes that are active in the world. Although the Danakil Depression is still an active volcano, it should be safe to scale and see for yourself. If you hike to the peak, you’ll get a sight of hot lava churning in the crater. The guided tours have a specific itinerary that ensures you’ll see the active lava, crater, and sunrise.
42. Mount Olokwe, Kenya
Located in Northern Kenya, this mountain is decidedly undisturbed by tourism. You’ll want to bring armed local guards to ensure safety from wild elephants and other dangers along the way. Although it’s a challenging climb, this hike is worthwhile for unforgettable views. After you’ve managed to climb up the steep incline, you’ll enjoy a simpler stroll across a plateau. Once you’ve reached the top of the mountain, you can camp before heading back down the next day.
43. Mount Longonot, Kenya
For those who want to see a volcano that hasn’t been tarnished by tourism, Mount Longonot is a beautiful hiking destination near Nairobi in Kenya. You will have to get transportation to the mount through a rental car or other means. Still, an intermediately challenging hike with gorgeous views close to wildlife will make it a worthy investment of your time and resources.
44. Mount Nyiragongo
For several hours of challenging trekking amid loose lava, Mount Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo tops the list as a difficult, steep hike that’s well worth the hardship. Hiking up the mount during the daytime may tucker you out, but don’t let that prevent you from keeping your eyes open long enough to take in the bright scarlet lava in the pitch-black night. While you can camp there, it’s extremely cold, so you may want to choose another area to sleep before heading back down.
45. Mount Elgon
If you’re in Uganda, Mount Elgon won’t disappoint. Out of all the mountains in the world, Mount Elgon offers the longest base, which makes it less challenging than some of the other mountains in the continent. In just three days, you can reach the top of the mountain using one of the most utilized routes.
46. Sentinel Peak Hike
Located in Drakensburg in South Africa, the Sentinal Peak Hike The Sentinel Peak allows you to take in the amazing views of Tugela Falls. It’s a relatively flat hike, which makes it ideal for intermediate hikers who want to go the distance. After four hours or so, you’ll reach the peak. Although the walk isn’t very steep, you will have to access a ladder to get the top.
47. Robberg Peninsula
With three different lengths of walks and beautiful scenery along the coast, the Robberg Peninsula in South Africa is a great addition to a South African trip. For those who want to take the scenic route, any of these hikes would be worthwhile choices. Whether you have one hour or several hours to hike, you’ll find your ideal hike in this gorgeous place and want to snap as many pictures as possible along the way.
48. Table Mountain
One of the things that makes Table Mountain a must-see hike near Cape Town is its amazing view of the surrounding areas. Beyond that, many love this flat-top mountain for its aerial cableway and lovely scenery of the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens that lead to the start of the trail.
Having a guide can make this trail more interesting and enjoyable, since you’ll be able to rely on their expertise during the more difficult parts of the trail such as rock climbing.
Once you reach the peak, you can take a cable car down the mountain and soak in the surroundings.
49. Livingstonia, Malawi
Nestled in the peaks of Malawi, you’ll find a tiny town named Livingstonia. This town can be reached by hiking up the mountain from Khondowe. The views are best to enjoy in the early morning when the temperatures will be cooler.
You’ll want to bring plenty of water for hydration and sunblock for protection. After you’ve made it to the top of the mountain, you can enjoy local stores, a cafe, and more. This quaint town runs on cash, so make sure to have some on you if you plan to give the local establishments your business.
50. Ngong Hills
If you want a magical hike where you’ll see all the wildlife you could hope to see in Kenya, the Ngong Hills have to be part of your plans. When you visit, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting devoured by a lion–today’s population of wildlife is much tamer than it once was.
According to paulapinstheplanet.com (https://www.paulapinstheplanet.com/hikes-in-africa-explore-hidden-treks/), “Until the 1990’s lions were frequently sighted on the hills Today leopard, hyena, buffalo, and bush pig still reside here, as well as their less fearsome fellows, Dik Dik, duiker, zebra, wild pig, and myriad monkeys.
To hike the Ngong Hills is to experience the magic of hikes in Africa. Start at Ngong town and walk the 7 unassuming hills to the Corner Baridi side. The walk from end to end takes 4-5 hours and public transport is available back to Nairobi at each end. You will need to pay a parking fee and take lots of water, snacks, and sunscreen with you.”
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