Our Guide to Hiking Adventures Across Africa and the Indian Ocean

Cape Town:

Cape Town is a paradise for hikers, with a variety of trails across the city offering the chance to explore a mix of mountain, coastline, and city views. From the iconic Table Mountain to the jagged peaks of Lion’s Head and Devil’s Peak, there are trails for every level of experience. Hikers can expect dramatic cliffs, indigenous fynbos, and panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Our local partner, SLOW Walks & Hikes, is on hand to curate hiking itineraries that ensure visitors get the most from their experience, with tried-and-tested routes, accredited guides, and delicious refreshments.

Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat:

For those looking to explore beyond Cape Town, Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat is a few hours north of the city, nestled in the foothills of the Cederberg Mountains. Alongside an excellent wellness offering, delicious cuisine, and luxurious accommodation, Bushmans Kloof provides the perfect base for outdoor activities. There are a variety of hiking trails across the 7,500-hectare reserve, ranging from a gentle hour-and-a-half meander alongside the river to more challenging half-day hikes that pass through dramatic rock formations and cascading waterfalls.

The Pekoe Trail:

Winding through Sri Lanka’s lush central highlands, the Pekoe Trail is a 300 km long-distance hiking route that showcases the island’s tea country at its finest. Stretching from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya and Ella, the trail passes through tea plantations, cloud forests, remote villages, and colonial-era estates. Broken into twenty-two manageable stages, hikers can tackle individual stages or complete the full trail over multiple days, with a number of boutique hotels and guesthouses within easy distance of the trail. The Pekoe Trail offers a unique and immersive experience, taking in unforgettable views.

Santani Wellness Resort:

An hour outside Kandy, Santani Wellness Resort enjoys a beautiful setting, perched on a hillside overlooking a lush estate. The resort feels incredibly tranquil, and guests can enjoy self-guided hikes through the estate to explore hanging bridges and cascading waterfalls, or join the resident naturalist for guided walks along the river. Those seeking more challenging hikes can venture beyond the estate to explore Corbett’s Gap Cloud Forest or the Knuckles Mountain Range. After days spent discovering Sri Lanka on foot, return to the resort for restorative Ayurvedic treatments and impeccable fine dining.

Summits Africa:

Summits Africa organises multi-day hiking trips in Tanzania, either starting or finishing at the remote Lake Natron Camp. Trekking through the Great Rift Valley, hikers will encounter incredible landscapes, Maasai villages, natural pools, and unique habitats. This is true “off-the-beaten-track” adventure, and a rare experience that passes through a region known for its historical significance; the area is home to evidence of mankind’s earliest ancestors. If you haven’t already read our conversation with Ake Lindstrom from Summits Africa, do take a look. Ake shares more about founding the business and the adventures they offer.

The Highlands:

The Highlands sits high on the slopes of the Olmoti Volcano in northern Tanzania, offering a peaceful base for exploring the Ngorongoro Crater and the surrounding area. Alongside game drives in the crater, guests at The Highlands can enjoy two hikes. For a relatively gentle one- to two-hour walk, follow trails to the rim of Olmoti Crater, which offers beautiful views as well as fantastic birdwatching along the way. For something a little more adventurous, head out on a guided hike down into the Empakaai Crater, where a sparkling lake and flocks of flamingos await at the bottom. After a day of hiking, return to the comfort of your glass-domed room, relax by the fire, and enjoy a well-earned dinner under the stars.

Réunion: Mafate Cirque

Réunion’s three volcanic craters are called cirques, and of the three, Mafate is the most remote. With wild, untouched nature, dramatic cliffs, and absolutely no roads or cars, the cirque is the perfect place for adventurers. Choose from challenging day-long hikes that culminate in breathtaking viewpoints, or, for the more adventurous, try a multi-day route that includes an overnight stay in a local B&B catering to the area’s hikers. With steep inclines and uneven terrain, Mafate’s trails are not for beginners – but they are certainly rewarding.

St Helena: Postbox Trails

There are 21 postbox walks traversing the remote island, created to complete a “round-the-island” hiking tour. Saint Helena’s natural beauty and rugged landscapes are best discovered on foot, allowing visitors to uncover idyllic viewpoints and endemic plant life. The postbox walks are graded from 1 to 9 in difficulty, each one starting and finishing with a postbox and a unique stamp to collect for each completed walk. For a more challenging hike, try “The Barn” – the trail takes roughly five hours and crosses a number of dramatic volcanic ridges with incredible views across the ocean.