Tanzania is one of Africa best safari destinations with quality game views for some of Africa most iconic wildlife and one of the best bush experience you can have. The country has 22 national parks spread out in the northern and Southern region of the country. Whereas game drives are the dominant activities in Tanzania walking safaris are increasingly becoming popular as more travelers seek to have a more intimate bush experience off the beaten paths. Walking trails in Tanzania range from multiple day fly camping for an inside-out bush experience to a camp based walk in the vicinity of your camp and then canopy boardwalk for unbroken aerial views. In this guide we shall look at some of Tanzania best walking tours you can pick for your next safari.
1. Serengeti wilderness walking tours
With over 14763 square kilometers of wilderness, most of Serengeti tracts of Savannah remains untouched. Here walking safari can be a camp based experience or a fly camp excursion where guests walk to new campgrounds with a light weight canvas leading to a new set of experiences each and every day. Most of the fly camping excursions are offered by mobile camps in the south eastern region starting from the Ngorongoro Ndutu Areas. Camps in the grumeti private game reserve also offer fly camping and camp based walking excursions whereby guests get immersed to some of the major game spots in the conservancy that forms one of the critical areas for the western migration. Facilities in the Seronera area which is the central region and most visited part of serengeti also offer walking Safaris within their concession areas for an equally walking safari experience.
2. Ngorongoro smaller crater treks
Ngorongoro is the worlds largest unbroken caldera estimated to be about 21 kms wide. The volcano also has two other less famous but equally alluring craters, Empakaai and Olmoti craters on the edges of the main craters. Visitors who would like to experience the magnificent phenomenon on foot has the opportunity to embark on a 3-4 hrs trek round the crater rim to the two smaller craters in one of the most adventurous experience you can have in Africa. The walk passes along established Masai trails and has spellbinding flora view mostly encompassing dense woodlands. Though most of the animals do not leave the crater you may encounter the more sneaky leopards, primates and other smaller animals that prefer forest dwellings. The Empakaai crater has a small Salty crater lake that features incredible flamingo scenes over the wet season.
3. Lake Manyara board walking / Shoreline trail
The lake Manyara treetop walkaway is a 370 m long sky- high walking escapade taking you through the canopy of the dense woodlands on the steeps of Lake Manyara rift valley escarpments. Although the canopy isn’t in a dwelling for the major animals found in Lake Manyara, the flora scenes in this walkaway is unmatched with alluringly dense canopy that look like a green mat when viewed at a vintage in the walkaway. The canopy is also a refuge for some primates and forest dwelling bird varieties. Since the walk is perfectly on the forest height visitors are able to view birds perched high on the trees at a close range.
Also offered in Lake Manyara is a shoreline walking safari that leads to some of the most exciting shoreline bird scenes, a range of floral varieties in different ecosystems and hot springs.
4. Arusha national park walking safari
Arusha national park is one of the safari destinations in the northern circuit. The walking Safari take place at the bases of mt Meru the second highest mountain in Tanzania. Some of the best sights you will encounter in your trails are the momella lakes . The crater lakes are very distinct in the alkalinity levels with both fresh and water lagoons. The difference in pH give each lake a different adaptation for different microorganisms which uniquely affect their water colors. Here you are likely to encounter large flocks of flamingos. Other natural features include waterfalls and volcanoes. At Arusha national park the view of both Mt Meru and Kilimanjaro is mind-blowing. Even though the park is not a leading game destination you are likely to come across zebras, cape buffaloes, giraffes, gazelles and elands. Arusha walking safari only require one full day or a few hours depending on individual fitness.
5. Tarangire game walking safari/ fly camping
Tarangire national park is at the centre of admiration of Africa bushlands with its signature large boabab trees. The park has some of the best trails following the tracks of elephants in to some of the most desolate locations of Africa. The guided walking excursion will lead to some mind blowing sights of the big games of Africa as well as different bird varieties that dwells on the savannah plains. Asilia owned Olivers fly camp is the best accommodation for walking safaris in Tarangire. Set at a prime location and near a watering point on the south eastern side of the park, the camp offer some of the best fly camping safari you can have in Tanzania. The fly camping excursions take you in different location along the river beds of Tarangire river where thousands of wildlife mostly elephants are congregating. This leads to one of the best contacts you can have with wildlife during a walking safari.
6. Selous/ Nyerere game walking safari
Selous national park is one of Africa vast wildernesses almost twice the size of Kruger National park in south Africa. The park is dominated by River Rufiji that cut across leading to a flora rich river basin that is the last refuge for wildlife in the dry season. The river is also one of the largest river in East Africa and is a dwelling for very big crocodiles and hippos. The walking safaris here are primarily for game viewing whereby you will be accompanied by armed ranger and a guide into the wilderness in the foray of the big games of Africa and some smaller animals which could haven’t been found when mounted on a safari vehicle. Sand river selous camp offer the best walking safari in the park. The camp once ranked as the best facility in the southern Tanzania region is perfectly set on the banks of river Rufuji with daily walking trails offered along the river basin. Guests can also embarked on a multi day fly camping guided walk taking you to different camping spots in the vast wilderness.
7. Ruaha walking safari
Ruaha national park is the southern region of central Tanzania. The park is dominated by Great Ruaha river and its tributaries which acts as a refuge for wildlife over the dry season and therefore the park is one of the best dry weather destination in Tanzania. The park is famous for its diverse flora encompassing both the open savannah of East Africa and the miombo woodlands that dominate the southern Africa region. Here walking safari take place inside the park and are tailored into your own personal liking; from a 5 hrs morning walk to multi day mobile camping escapade. Since the park is on the transition between the southern vegetation and the East Africa you are likely to encounter a wider range of bird varieties in different adaptations more than any other place in Tanzania. Walking safari will also help you discover animal footprints, flowering plants and small animals like squirrels that dwells in the open savannah.
