
Tanzania Walking Safari | Tanzania Safari
Tanzania Waking Safari
Tanzania classifies its wild areas in different ways, each with different rules – meaning that the practices, and standards, of walking safaris differ widely. We have some first-rate walking safaris in Tanzania, with great guides – chosen, as usual, by seeing them first hand. Some of the real stars are the walking safaris done on fly-camping trips.
Walks in the National Parks have to abide by the strict rules laid out by TANAPA (Tanzanian National Park Authorities); these rules have been put in place to make walking as safe as possible. No more than six guests are able to go on a walk at any one time; and they must be accompanied by at least one TANAPA qualified armed ranger, who must stick to specific walking routes. These regulations are however relatively new to Tanzania’s national parks; and so we would only recommend walking from camps that we know have a consistent record for reliably good walking safaris, and well established guides.
Tanzania’s Game Reserves are run by a slightly more relaxed organization called the Game Division whose regulations are less clear – this has created a disparity in walking safari standards. Walking Safaris are hugely dependent on how experienced and knowledgeable the guide is – they can therefore be a bit hit-and-miss. All of our recommended Camps use their own highly qualified guides who stick to rules, which have been set by their specific camp – these walking safaris are very good. So do include some walking in your Tanzania safari, but do talk to us first as experiences can vary hugely between camps.
Walking Safari in Tanzania
Walking in Katavi National Park
Revel in the unforgettable opportunity of getting up close with the prized wilderness of the Katavi National Park, on an interpretive walking safari in the company of an armed scout and guide. The park’s endless plains and vast open skies will leave you mesmerised and feeling completely at one with nature. This exceptional game viewing adventure is a wonderful alternative to traditional game drives. Your expert guide will translate the intricacies of the bush and introduce you to its smaller creatures and its larger animal and birdlife. A dream destination for those that love the isolation of the magnificent bush, Katavi is unspoilt and rarely visited. The Katuma River is the highlight for an abundance of extraordinary game viewing, as well as the seasonal, marshy Katavi and Chada Lakes, and the neighbouring flat, grassy valley floor floodplains. Sweeping across the terrain are enormous herds of buffalo and elephant, and just behind them zebra, giraffe, impala, eland, sable and roan antelope, and reedbuck. The artful predators including the lion and spotted hyena bring up the rear, and never trail too far off. Get up close and personal to the African bush on an incredible walking safari, an experience not to be missed, as you come encounter its captivating sights, fascinating sounds and distinct aromas. |
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Walking in Nyerere National Park
Bush walking safari is an adventure packed activity where participants embark on relaxed, guided walks in a wildlife conservantion area with the objective of seeing wild animals in a more natural way without using vehicle. There are two types of nature walks offered while at Nyerere National Park. Nature walks within the camp and one outside the main reserve. The duration for this walks within the camp is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour and the rate ranges from USD 50 to USD 75 per person. The duration for walks outside the main reserve is approximately 2 1/2 to 3 hours covering a distance of 9 – 15 km and includes a packed breakfast/lunch depending on the timings and game drives en route to and from the walking safari location and the rate ranges from USD 90 to USD 150 per person. These nature walks are preferrably done early mornings or late in the afternoon when the sun is not too hot. |
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Walking in Ruaha National Park
A wonderful introduction to the smaller wildlife and spectacular array of the Ruaha National Park, a 2-3 hour walking safari, in the company of a knowledgeable guide, offers a truly special and unique perspective of the park’s fascinating inhabitants. A not-to-be-missed attraction are the park’s towering baobabs who stand vigil over the landscape. Their striking appearance makes for great photographic opportunities! Another prominent feature of Ruaha are the sparkling waterways that attract an abundance of game. The best time to embark on a walking safari is in late June. A magnificent line up of game is on show for you at this fantastic Park. Predators abound and lion, leopard and cheetah, as well as wild dog and hyena will be happy to present themselves to you. While out walking, if you are incredibly quiet and stealthy, you can get up close and personal with impressive buffalo and elephant herds. The gushing Ruaha River is at the heart of the Park and drifts into the Rufiji River in the Selous, and on to the Indian Ocean. Numerous smaller seasonal rivers course into the Ruaha including the Mzombe and the Mwagusi. |
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Walking in Serengeti National Park
The emphasis on this trip is on quietly exploring the wilder areas of the park on foot, well away from any crowds. Serengeti has a number of different wilderness areas where we can offer walking. During the dry season – between July and October – we are likely to be in the far north of the park. This is the time when the wildebeest migration is crossing the Mara River and there are times when this can be observed on foot as one of the wilderness zones lies along the banks of the Mara River in the far northwest of the park. Seeing a crossing does of course require time, patience and a healthy dose of luck. Later in the season as the herds move southwards walks are moved to the central area of the Serengeti – a stunning area of gently rolling hills and valleys with scattered woodland and river lines and interspersed with large smooth granite outcrops (known locally as kopjes) which make the perfect platform on which to spend the heat of the day watching the wildlife below. Nights under the starsNight times in the Serengeti are something never to be forgotten – under a panoply of stars you will be serenaded by the sounds of the African night; the roar of lion the braying of zebra or the insistent frog like croaking of the giant herds of wildebeest as they graze slowly around and sometimes through your camp by night. |
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Walking in Tarangire National Park
Tarangire offers amazing walking experiences with its abundance of wildlife in the dry season. Best time to walk in the park is June – October and sometimes into November if the early rains are late. After the rains the grass gets too long to safely walk in the park. Tarangire offers one of the highest densities of elephant in East Africa so one has a great chance to see elephant on foot. The mammal and bird diversity is very high – One can see more then 15 mammal species and 80 bird species in one day! The distance of your walk is purely up to you and can range from 1km to 10km depending on your preference. One tends to go for a morning walk, back to camp for lunch then a shorter evening walk once it has cooled off. The walks tend to be slower paced as there is always a lot to observe. You will always be accompanied by an armed Dorobo walking guide who also acts as your bush interpreter.With all of our walking areas one can spend 2 to 8 days with the option of game driving to the next walking zone. |
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