
Paleo Trails Africa
Summit & savanna, one operator
Assistance
Everything you need to know before booking a walking safari.
Send an inquiry through the contact form with your dates, group size and interests. A trip planner will respond within two business days with route options, a draft itinerary and a price estimate. We'll refine it together until it feels right.
June to August and December are the peak trekking seasons with the driest conditions. January through March also offers excellent trails with fewer crowds. The shoulder months, April, May, and November, bring greener landscapes and quieter routes, though some rain is expected.
Start with your fitness, available days and the scenery you want. Easy day hikes like the Ngong Hills need little preparation, while Moderate trails such as the Aberdare or Loita Hills suit regular walkers, and summit treks like Mount Kenya or Kilimanjaro require training and altitude experience. Tell your planner your background and they'll match you to the right trail.
Each trail is rated by difficulty: Easy, Moderate, or Challenging. We'll help you choose a route suited to your fitness level. Most guests with a reasonable walking fitness handle Moderate trails well. For Challenging routes, we recommend some preparatory hill walking.
Absolutely. Private trips are available for solo travellers, couples, families, or any group that prefers their own guide and itinerary. Just mention it in your inquiry and we'll tailor the experience to your group alone.
Yes. Solo women trek with us regularly, either on a private trip or alongside other travellers. You'll always be with a certified local guide, and camping arrangements are made with your comfort and privacy in mind. If you have questions about a specific trail, just ask.
We recommend booking at least 6–8 weeks ahead, especially for peak season (June–August, December). For custom corporate or group treks, 3–4 months is ideal to secure preferred guides and dates.
Yes, routes are adjusted for mixed fitness levels and group logistics. Corporate treks include private camp setup, dietary accommodations, and flexible pacing for work groups. We also arrange team-building activities along the trail.
On multi-day trails you sleep in tents we provide (set up by our crew) or in mountain huts where they exist, such as on Mount Kenya. Camps are chosen for water access, shelter and views. Each guest gets a sleeping mat, and we can advise on or supply sleeping bags.
Camps and huts have basic toilet facilities. There are no showers on most trails, so bring wet wipes and a small towel. Guides will point out river or stream spots where a wash is practical. On day hikes, facilities are available at the trailhead or park gate.
Our cooks prepare fresh, hearty meals on the trail: cooked breakfasts, packed or hot lunches, and three-course dinners. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and allergy-sensitive options are all accommodated. Tell us about dietary needs when you book and we'll plan the menu around them.
Carry a refillable water bottle or hydration bladder (2–3 litres). We treat and supply safe drinking water at camps and rest points, so you refill as you go rather than carrying everything for the whole trek.
On multi-day treks, porters carry the shared camping gear, food and your main bag, so on the trail you only carry a light daypack with water, layers, snacks and sunscreen. We'll advise a sensible main-bag weight when you book. On day hikes you carry your own small daypack.
A full packing list is provided after booking. The essentials include lightweight trekking trousers, a waterproof jacket, sturdy walking shoes or boots, a sun hat, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle. We provide all camping equipment, meals, and first-aid supplies.
Guides monitor conditions daily and plan routes with sheltered options. If a trail becomes unsafe, we adjust the day's route, timing or order rather than push on. In rare cases a summit attempt may be delayed or rerouted. Our priority is that you come down safe and still have a great trip.
We pace every route to climb high and sleep low, and guides are trained to recognise symptoms early. If altitude sickness appears, the treatment is immediate descent, which we start without hesitation. Our itineraries build in acclimatisation days, and your guide will carry (and know how to use) emergency supplies.
All guides are Wilderness First Responder certified. We carry satellite communication devices on every trip and routes are chosen to maintain access to emergency evacuation points. Group sizes are capped at 8 guests per guide to ensure personal attention and safety.
Your guide handles the scene while a second team member contacts our Nairobi operations desk by satellite phone. We coordinate evacuation by vehicle, or by air where needed, and stay in touch with your emergency contacts. Every guest also has emergency evacuation cover included in their trip.
Every guide is from the region they walk you through: trained, certified, and paid a transparent fair-wage standard. They know the birds, the weather signs, and the stories that maps leave out. Many are from Maasai, Kikuyu, or other local communities with generations of knowledge of the land.
Yes, travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is mandatory for all guests. We recommend providers who cover trekking activities up to 4,000 m altitude, such as World Nomads or MUA Kenya.
Guiding fees, park and conservancy entry, meals on the trail, camping or mountain hut accommodation, and emergency evacuation cover are standard. Transport to and from the trailhead can be arranged at an additional cost.
We can arrange transport from Nairobi (or other pick-up points) to the trailhead and back, including for day hikes. It's added to your quote at cost, and we'll coordinate timings around your flights or other plans.
A 50% deposit confirms your booking, with the balance due 30 days before your trip starts. We'll send payment details with your confirmation, and you'll receive a receipt for every payment.
Free cancellation up to 30 days before the trip. 50% refund between 14–30 days. No refund within 14 days, but we'll work with you to reschedule if circumstances allow. For corporate bookings, terms are agreed individually.
Yes. You can move dates or switch routes up to 30 days before your trip at no charge, subject to availability. Closer to departure we'll do our best to accommodate changes, though costs already committed (permits, deposits to camps) may apply.
Yes, and it's a popular combination. After a trek you can add a Maasai Mara game drive, rhino and chimpanzee viewing at Ol Pejeta, or an Amboseli safari below Kilimanjaro. We handle the logistics so you simply walk, then watch.
We do. For guests arriving before or leaving after a trek, we can book comfortable Nairobi accommodation and arrange the connections to your trailhead, so your trip starts smoothly.
Yes. We coordinate pick-ups and drop-offs at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi to fit your flight times, and can extend the same service to other airports used on regional treks.
That's our favourite brief. Combine trails, add a safari, throw in a rest day or a cultural visit, and we'll design a private itinerary around your dates, budget and pace. We then quote it as one clear package.
Ask a walker anything about routes, fitness, or what to pack. We reply within two business days.