Where is the  the best place for Walking Safaris in Tanzania?

Tanzania is a huge country in East Africa, and this is an advantage for adventure seekers. There are many places for doing walking safari in Tanzania which includes:

Selous Game Reserve (Nyerere National Park)

Renowned for vast, remote and less crowded national park, offers and excellent walking safari opportunities. Visitors  can get an intimate experience tracking wildlife on foot with expert guides and armed rangers.  Travellers get a chance to see lions, wild dogs , elephants and even small big five which is not easy to see while on game drive.

Ruaha National Park

Less visited but offers dramatic landscapes and diverse fauna, ideal for adventurous walking safaris focusing on predator tracking and bird watching.

Ruaha is gemstone of walking safari in Tanzania, with extended horizon like Serengeti . Ruaha is beyond magic when you think of wilderness area in Tanzania . Ruaha is home for largest groups of lions ( lion-glade ), sable and roan antellopes, wild dogs and more than 570 species of birds.

This parks is less crowded , that offer the exclusive package for clients who real want to feel disconnected with city life.  Walking safari price is higher compared with other places because of the park geography

Serengeti  National Park

This is is the  hotspot for real walking safari in Tanzania , though is famous for vehicle safaris. There are selected wilderness zone. Serengeti ecosystem is very  vibrant from  wildlife , birds, plants, rocky kopjes, drainage lines and endless horizon.

When on walking safari safari travellers will have a chance  to explore the migration routes and observation of predator- prey – dynamics. There is a possibility  to go beyond and escape the noise classic game drives and enjoy the Serengeti wilderness in private.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Ngorongoro Crater is well known location when you mention the word “Ngorongoro”, But What if you’re missing the point ? Ngorongoro Conservation Area ( NCAA) is the collection of unique places to for exploration including Empakai Crater , Olmoti Crater .

Walking safari is prohibited inside the Ngorongoro Crater, though walking safari take place far from the crater.  Ngorongoro walking safari can be arranged for 2-4 days , with a possibility to extend to Lake Natron or even Serengeti

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park is an amazind destination for walking safari experience in Tanzania.  The park is well known for large groups of elephants , wildcats include lions and leopard. The baobab  forest, plants and birds species.

Tarangri offer shorter guided walking safari focused on exploration for both smaller and bigger wildlife, walking duration is from 2-4 hours and 4-6 hours for long walks.

How long should you spend on a walking safari ?

Walkng safari last between 2 -4 hours for short walks while above 4-6 hours is considered as long walking safari. For immersive wilderness experience 2 to 4 days is recommended.

Extended walking safari up to 5 days can be arranged for adventure seekers who real wish to explore the Tanzania wilderness to its core and feel the personal touch with nature.

Longer walking safaris provide an opportunity for deeper exploration and more time to track wildlife on foot without vehicles, but short walks best integrated into normal game drives.

Refer the Guideline for Walking Safaris by Tanzania National Parks

Chart 9: Walking Safari Cost in Tanzania

Aspect	Details
Cost per person/day	$150 – $180 (full day); $40 – $75 (half-day shorter walks)
Top locations	Selous (Nyerere), Ruaha, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire
Typical walk duration	2 to 4 hours per walk
Recommended length	2 to 4 days for walking-focused itineraries
Highlights	Close wildlife encounters, bird watching, predator tracking, immersive experience

Pro tips :  Walking safari is the new luxury when it comes to safari experience. Imagine the intimate connection with wilderness, from the big five to small five. Walking  safari fill the gap, against traditional game drive  that relies on vehicles.  Perfect choice  travellers seeking for authentic bush experience in Tanzania

How can a walking safari be integrated with game drives and other activities in a Tanzania itinerary?”

The answer is “Absolutely YES”. Walking safari best combined with other safari packages in Tanzania.  Normal game drives ( vehicle safari ), blend perfect with walking safari , for parks like Tarangire, travellers can spend 4hours on walks and continuous with game drive.

For longer walking safari, 2-6 days , travellers will get a chance to combine with cultural experience, hot air ballon rides.

Below we have created sample itinerary which combine walking safari and other activities

Example Itinerary 1: Classic Northern Circuit Safari with Walking Safari Add-on

Day 1-2: Arusha and Tarangire National Park

Drive from Arusha to Tarangire , soon after arrival begin with traditional game drives in Tarangire, known for its large elephant herds and iconic baobab trees. Accommodations in luxury lodges or tented camps for dinner and overnight. ( Recommended accomodation: Sopa Lodges , Ang’ata Tarangire , Elephant Spring Lodge , Tarangire Mawe camps)

Day 3: Tarangire Walking Safari

Enjoy a guided walking safari in Tarangire. This half-day walk focuses on bird watching, tracking animal footprints, and exploring baobab forests on foot, providing an intimate experience with nature. Dinner and overnight at your lodge

Recommended accomodation: Sopa Lodges , Ang’ata Tarangire , Elephant Spring Lodge , Tarangire Mawe camps)

 

Day 4-6: Serengeti National Park

Early morning check-out from Tarangire to Serengeti, transit via Ngorongoro Conservation Area

After arrival to  Serengeti , experience game drives tracking the great migration or predators. Optionally, add a short walking safari in remote areas of Serengeti with expert guides to see small fauna and footprint analysis.

Recommended Accomodation : Serengeti Serena, Ang’ata Serengeti , Tukaone Weavers Camps , Dunia Camps , Siringit Luxury Camps or Serengeti Melia

 

Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater Rim Walk

Drive from Serengeti back to Ngorongoro, after arrival you will continue with a guided walk along parts of the crater rim offers panoramic views, geological insights, and opportunities to see smaller creatures missed on game drives.

Accomodation : Wayo Walking Camp ( Mobile )

 

Example Itinerary 2: Southern Circuit Adventure with Extended Walking Safari

Day 1-2: Selous Game Reserve (Nyerere National Park)

Begin with traditional game drives and river cruises. Selous is famed for its wild feel and fewer tourists.

 

Day 3-5: Selous Walking Safari

Multi-day walking safari where guests trek through wilderness on foot with expert guides. Camp-based or luxury mobile lodges provide accommodations. Walk daily for 3 to 5 hours at varied paces, focusing on tracking wildlife, learning about plants and ecology, and night walks.

 

Day 6-7: Ruaha National Park

Continue vehicle safaris in Ruaha, known for big cat sightings and large herds of elephants. Optionally include a shorter walking safari for a fresh perspective.

 

 

Chart 10: Summary Table of Safari Types Combined with Walking Safaris

This chart illustrates the best combined safari types with a walking safari

Safari Type	Best Complementary Experience	Recommended Duration	Key Benefits
Walking + Game Drives	Northern and Southern Circuits	2 to 4 days walking + remaining game drives	Mix active exploration with rest and macro views
Walking + Balloon Ride	Serengeti	1 walking day + balloon ride day	Unique aerial and close-up perspectives
Walking + Cultural Visits	Maasai or Hadzabe village interactions	Walking days + cultural exploration days	Rich cultural and ecological immersion

What are the benefits of combining a walking safari with other safari types in Tanzania?

Create a Balance of  Physical Activity

Walking safari is require more energy since its a physical demanding activity, combining with vehicle based game drive gives time for relaxation and varied perspectives.

Focus on Wildlife Diversity ( Maximize Your WIldlife Encounters )

Different safari methods yield different wildlife experiences. Use walking safaris to explore micro-ecosystems and learn tracking skills, while game drives provide opportunities to see large mammals and vast herds.

Walking Safaris: Offer a more thrilling and personal connection with “safer” plains game. The experience of making eye contact with a giraffe or a zebra on its own terms, without the barrier of a vehicle, is uniquely powerful. You also become an expert in reading the “bush newspaper” the tracks, droppings, and signs that tell the story of the animals that passed through.
Game Drives: Ideal for safely observing dangerous animals like lions, leopards, and elephants at close quarters and for seeing vast herds

 

Seasonal Considerations ( Whether)

Walking safaris are best in cooler months or early mornings; plan a game drive during mid-day. Therefore combining walking safari with game drive help you to create a balance and fit with the weather.

Recommended Lodges and Camps for Walking Safaris in Tanzania

Choosing the right lodge or camp is essential for a comfortable and safe walking safari experience. Here are some excellent accommodations near prime walking safari locations:

Selous Game Reserve (Nyerere National Park)

• Sand Rivers Selous: Luxury tented camp offering guided walking safaris, river cruises, and game drives. Known for excellent service and wilderness immersion.
• Siwandu Camp: Remote and exclusive, perfect for multi-day walking safaris with skilled guides and mobile camping options.
• Beho Beho: Considered one of the finest camps in the reserve with exceptional views.
• Siwandu Camp: Formerly Selous Safari Camp, it is known for being in a prime game area and offering great value.
• Selous Serena Camp: Features luxurious tents with elegant bathrooms and private viewing decks.
• Mivumo River Lodge: A “little gem” nestled on the Rufiji River bank.
• Kiba Point Selous: An exclusive retreat in a highly game-rich part of the park.
• Selous Impala Camp: Located on the banks of the Rufiji River, known for good wildlife viewing opportunities.
• Lake Manze Tented Camp: A simple and adventurous camp that is popular for its location on an “elephant highway”.
• Rufiji River Camp: Considered one of the more budget-friendly options in the area.
• Selous Wilderness Camp: Located on the Rufiji River, it is positioned away from the main safari routes.
• Selous Kinga Lodge: A camp-style lodge offering an authentic safari experience.
• Selous Safari Lodge: A newer lodge situated outside the park boundaries, offering a convenient location and competitive pricing.

Ruaha National Park

• Mdonya Old River Camp: Intimate, eco-friendly camp ideal for walking and vehicle-based safaris in a pristine environment.
• Sand Rivers Ruaha: Upscale resort combining walking safaris with relaxed luxury and fine dining.
• Ikuka Safari Camp: An upscale, stylish camp perched on an escarpment with panoramic park views
• Jongomero Camp: A luxurious camp in a remote area offering excellent guiding and service
• Kichaka Zumbua: A small, luxurious camp known for exceptional walking safaris.
• Kokoko Camp: A boutique camp surrounded by baobab trees in a prime wildlife area.
• Mwagusi Safari Camp: A long-established, permanent tented camp in a remote location
• Kigelia Ruaha: A stylish tented camp that balances a simple setup with comforts.
• Tandala Tented Camp: A popular option for visitors to the park.
• Usangu Expedition Camp: A conservation-focused camp in the remote Usangu Wetlands.

 

Northern Circuit (Serengeti and Ngorongoro):

• Serengeti Serengeti Pioneer Camp: Provides walking safari options with comfortable, traditional tents and great access to walking routes.
• Ngorongoro Crater Lodge: Offers guided crater rim walks alongside luxury accommodation with stunning views.
• Mwiba Lodge: Offers walking safaris as part of its activities in the Southern Serengeti/Ndutu area.
• Wayo Walking Camp: This camp is specifically designed for walking safaris and offers a truly immersive nature experience in the Serengeti.
• Singita Sasakwa Lodge: A luxury lodge in the Grumeti area that provides walking safaris and other activities.
• Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti: Located in the Central Serengeti, this lodge is a good base for walking safaris and offers a variety of amenities.
• Dunia Camp: A luxury camp in the Central Serengeti that offers walking safaris and is known for its luxury amenities.
• Nomad Serengeti Camp: A mobile tented camp that moves with the migration and offers walking safaris.
• Singita Mara River Tented Camp: Located in the Mara River area, this camp is ideal for guests looking for a more remote walking safari experience.

Northern Circuit (Tarangire )

• Oliver’s Camp: Known for recapturing the ambience of early safaris, this camp offers a high-adventure experience with expert guides.
• Tarangire Treetops: A unique lodge where accommodations are built in the trees, offering a nostalgic and elevated perspective.
• Mpingo Ridge: Situated on an escarpment with panoramic views, this camp provides a luxury experience with a focus on being integrated with the natural environment.
• Baobab Tented Camp: Located directly inside the park, this camp gives guests an exclusive experience, especially in the early mornings and late afternoons when other visitors have left.
• Chem Chem Lodge: A private, upscale lodge that focuses on both high-end guest experiences and conservation efforts in the area.
• Sanctuary Swala Camp: A secluded, luxury tented camp that provides an exclusive and private safari experience, away from the crowds.
• Tarangire Safari Lodge: A well-known, family-run lodge with panoramic views and a long history of catering to wildlife enthusiasts.
• Sangaiwe Tented Lodge: Another option with amazing views of Lake Burunge, providing great service and a comfortable stay.
• Burunge Tented Lodge: Offers a comfortable and scenic option with great views of Lake Burunge.
• Nyikani Camp Tarangire: A camp with tents equipped with private verandas and en-suite bathrooms.
• Kuro Tarangire: A camp located near the Kuro Airstrip, offering a secluded experience.

Packing Tips for Walking Safaris in Tanzania

Clothing: Lightweight, neutral-colored clothes in breathable fabrics to blend into the environment and stay cool. Long sleeves and pants for sun and insect protection.

Footwear: Comfortable, sturdy walking boots or shoes with good ankle support and grip for varying terrain. Avoid sandals.

Sun Protection: Wide-brimmed hat, high SPF sunscreen, and sunglasses.

Water Bottle: Carry water to stay hydrated during walks.

Insect Repellent: Essential to protect against mosquitoes and other insects.

Binoculars and Camera: Lightweight binoculars and a good camera with a zoom lens capture wildlife details beyond walking distance.

Daypack: To carry essentials like water, camera, snacks, sunscreen, and extra layers.

Protips : Remember, Inside a vehicle, you are a spectator. On foot, you become a participant.
Incorporating walking safaris into your Tanzania itinerary enriches your connection with the environment and provides diverse wildlife viewing opportunities not possible with vehicle-based safaris alone. Planning with attention to physical activity and seasonality will help you enjoy the best of both worlds.