There are few experiences like a walking safari: it's the most authentic and interactive way to explore the fascinating African bush and one that will leave you with plenty to talk about afterwards.

It's no walk in the park - tough terrain, raw weather and large, potentially dangerous animals are what you can expect, but don't let that put you off; highly experienced, professional armed guides lead the way.

On a walking safari, It's strictly safety first, and guides are well-trained to deal with any eventuality. But their job is also to introduce you to the African bush as it really is: to allow you to get eyeball to eyeball with the intricate natural mechanisms that govern the bush - not to mention getting you within a stone's throw of some of Africa's biggest, meanest and most intimidating big game.

A walking safari is where you learn how the bush works - from the bottom up. As you walk through the bush, your guide will point out different soil types that dictate the vegetation and relate the importance of all the small role players like the dung beetle.

Sit under a shady tree next to a burrow and hear about the residential arrangements made between the nocturnal aardvark and diurnal warthog, and then it's 'crouch and freeze!' as a huge bull elephant sails into view, his trunk periscope-like as he sniffs the air.

Walking safaris can take many shapes and forms - a gentle amble of a couple of hours to a tough week in the bush, overnighting at fly camps.

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The Kruger National Park is the flagship of South Africa's many parks and reserves. One of the things it does, and does particularly well, is offer walking trails through the wildlife-packed bushveld.

Try the superb Honeyguide Khoka Moya Safari Lodge or its sister camp the Honeyguide Mantobeni Tented Safari Camp for trails of anything up to three awesome days. Why not check out one of the best trail options: Rhino Post or travel to one of the many fabulous private reserves like Ngala and book yourself onto the Ngala Walking Safari?

The remote northern reaches of Kruger are excellent for wilderness walks - head for Pafuri and prepare for an adventure.

The Okavango Delta in Botswana is an enormous watery, green wilderness of islands and floodplains... and wall-to-wall game. It's a great place for walking trails and all lodges offer day walks but few do it better than Chitabe Trails Camp or Tubu Tree Camp where you can head into the bush for days at a time.

The walking safari is in many ways synonymous with Zambia, and the South Luangwa National Park in particular.

The legendary Robin Pope offers once-in-a-lifetime trails from his many camps and lodges, including the eccentric Chongwe River Safari Lodge and Nkwali. Check out his superb tour Robin Pope's Luangwa or many of the other walking safaris on offer including Classic Zambia Walking Safari or Zambia Walking Holiday.