For travellers who prefer their adventures grounded – literally – Denis Costello’s Walking Safaris of Africa is a compelling companion.
At a time when safari travel is increasingly shaped by luxury lodges and high‑speed game drives, Costello shifts the lens back to the continent’s most elemental experience: exploring Africa on foot, guided by expert trackers, naturalists, and the rhythms of the landscape itself.
Costello brings decades of travel writing experience to the book, and it shows. His approach is measured, deeply informed, and refreshingly unhurried. Rather than offering a breathless checklist of destinations, he builds a thoughtful, continent‑spanning portrait of walking safaris from Zambia’s Luangwa Valley and Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools to Kenya’s conservancies and South Africa’s lesser‑known wilderness areas. Each chapter blends practical insight with a sense of place, giving readers a clear understanding of what makes each region distinct, and why walking remains the most intimate way to experience it.
For business travellers especially those who tack on a few days of leisure to long‑haul trips the book is surprisingly useful. Costello is meticulous about logistics: the best seasons, the level of fitness required, the guiding standards, and the subtle differences between a gentle nature walk and a multi‑day expedition. His writing demystifies the experience without stripping away its magic, making it easier for time‑pressed travellers to choose the right style of safari for their schedule and comfort level.
What elevates the book is Costello’s ability to balance romance with realism. He captures the sensory detail of walking in big‑game country the quiet tension, the scent of dust and wild sage, the thrill of reading tracks while also addressing safety, conservation, and the ethics of responsible tourism. His respect for the guides who lead these walks is evident throughout, and he highlights their expertise with the kind of nuance that only comes from firsthand experience.
Not just a guidebook it’s an invitation to experience the continent with a sense of humility and curiosity. For business travellers seeking meaningful, restorative add‑ons to their African itineraries, Costello offers both clarity and inspiration.