Walking Safaris in Tanzania
Experiencing Africa’s wilderness areas is integral to most of our trips, and there’s no better way than on foot. Walking safaris in Africa are completely different to game drives – being on foot brings about a totally new way of understanding your surroundings.
Walking safaris were the original safari and remain the purest form. Away from the comfort of the 4WD safari vehicle your senses suddenly awaken as the bush becomes more ‘real’. This is where humans evolved and experiencing the sounds and smells just as all our ancestors did can be profound. Encountering animals on their terms as a participant in their world can be far more rewarding than just spectating – few things are as humbling as meeting a wild elephant on foot.
Walks typically last two to four hours, and they’re not usually route-marches! Depending on the country, there may be a single safari guide, a guide and a national park’s scout, or even two guides – certainly in most areas where walking safaris may encounter dangerous big game at least one of the party will be armed.
Your safari guide will usually identify tracks, highlight interesting insects, talk about fascinating plants and discuss the ecosystem in general – as well as sometimes tracking some of the larger animals. It’s a great way to appreciate the smaller wildlife, which can’t be so easily seen from a vehicle, as well as to experience the buzz of being out with the big game.
Most of our countries offer safari walks, however the precise forms of these vary considerably between the countries, reserves and camps. The scenery, group size, and the quality and likelihood of encountering big game plays a part – but by far the most important factor in your experience is the guide. We know many of the continent’s best walking safari guides; speak to one of our experts about the best way to incorporate walking safaris into your trip.
Tanzania walking safaris: the best lodges and camps
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.
