Walking Safaris (trip)

Walking Safaris

  • Active & Adventure

Contact provider for price1 DaysYear-round
Comfort accommodations Exertion level: 3
Operator: Africa Dream Safaris 12 people max
Experience the unique sights, smells, and sounds of Africa unconstrained by a vehicle. Immerse yourself into the subtle yet beautiful details of this wild place. Learn to recognize different animal footprints. See and touch the different plants that form the bottom level of an immense food chain. Watch curiously as a dung beetle recycles waste from the plains or take a minute to watch a butterfly or hummingbird move from flower to flower. Learn about ancient medicinal plants that have been used for thousands of years to cure various ailments. On foot you can really take notice of the little things that are passed quickly by while driving. Walking in the bush could prove to be one of the highlights of your safari as you track animal footprints, game view on foot, and learn about ecology and culture from your Maasai Warrior or Park Ranger Guide.

0 testimonials about this trip.

3 testimonials about the provider, Africa Dream Safaris:

  • Reviewer: Mark, Kim, Miles & Evan C. located in Seattle,, WA

    We really had a memorable trip to Tanzania thanks in large part to ADS whose personnel and attention to detail allowed us to focus on the jewels of Africa – the landscape, people and wildlife. Each day proved as special as the one before. Reflecting on each day we were sure that the next could not live up to the last – but we were consistently proved wrong!

    From following a male lion down a dusty road to his lioness and young cubs, with no one else anywhere to be seen to intrude upon our private viewing, to a pair of cheetahs who sought out the shade of our Land Cruiser for more than an hour, to the adolescent rough-housing of two young elephants, each trying to exert his dominance over the other, each day held its own unique surprises for us. As eventful as each day was, the service and accommodation that greeted us each evening was beyond our expectations and truly appreciated.

    As I review the photos of our trip, a smile comes to my face remembering fondly our trip of a lifetime. We have already shared our experience with several of our friends who have indicated that they will be contacting you in the near future to help plan their trip to Africa. Please feel free to use either Kim or I as a reference for ADS.

  • Reviewer: Jon, Elizabeth and Katherine B. Sally and Carl Z. located in Frisco, TX

    I'm not sure where to start. The trip was beyond all of our expectations. We were thrilled with all of the accommodations and especially grateful for the services of Wilfred, our guide. He was without a doubt the supreme facilitator of our amazing experience. We cannot say enough wonderful things about him from the gentle way about him to his very keen understanding of the ecosystems we experienced. He was truly a blessing on this trip and we hated to say goodbye to him as we left for Zanzibar.

    Our itinerary was very well suited for the four adults and especially the two kids. It was a perfect balance of game drives and relaxation time so that all could experience the full pleasure of this amazing continent. We all knew this was to be the trip of a lifetime and yet, none of us were prepared for just how impactful this adventure would be. It's been over a week and we still cannot stop talking about the trip nor finding a few moments to look at the pictures we took.

    I could go on forever talking about our experiences but let me leave you with one thought: every one of us walks away from this journey an ambassador for Tanzania, Africa, and Africa Dream Safaris. It was truly the trip of a lifetime and one I hope we can repeat some day.

    Thank you Sharon for all of your help in making this happen.

  • Reviewer: Sharon W. Family located in Holland,, PA

    Our safari with your company was everything we imagined and more. I only wish I can do it again!

    Some of our highlights included seeing three lions not more then 300 feet from our camp, observing mating lions, seeing a big group of twenty plus lions right next to our car. Also at Gol Kopjes we saw four cheetahs hunt a wildebeest and then two big males lions came and chased the cheetahs away. Other highlights included seeing two families of cheetahs fighting, 9 rhinos in the crater and a gazelle giving birth where we observed the whole event.

    Just to let you know, I put a couple of CD's of photos in the mail to you yesterday. They are some of my favorites, straight out of the camera. No editing yet. Feel free to use any you'd like. I made sure to take some of Stone Town and the Spice Tour on Zanzibar.

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Special information

  • This is a custom departure, meaning this trip is offered on dates that you arrange privately with the provider. Additionally, you need to form your own private group for this trip. The itinerary and price here is just a sample. Contact the provider for detailed pricing, minimum group size, and scheduling information. For most providers, the larger the group you are traveling with, the lower the per-person cost will be.

Itinerary

Mara River: View hippos and crocodiles on a 30-minute walking safari along the banks of the Mara River in the remote reaches of the Northern Serengeti. This is one of our favorite walks and is highly recommended in the dry season. Short but sweet, this walk provides an opportunity for great game viewing on foot while surrounded by one of the most pristine wilderness areas in the Serengeti. With a little luck you might just witness the famous wildebeest crossing. A stay at Migration Tented Lodge, Lobo Wildlife Lodge or Calabash Tented Lodge is required in order to facilitate the Mara River walking safari.

Mbalageti River: Cross the Mbalageti River swing bridge on a 1.5-hour walking safari from Mbalageti Tented Lodge. The walk departs from the lodge and winds down the Mwamnevi Hill to the Dutwa Plains. It’s a short crossing across the Dutwa plains to get to the Mbalageti River, which is enclosed in a thick canopy of gallery forest. Bird life is amazing by the river and it feels like being in a rain forest. After you cross the swing bridge, refreshments are offered before you embark on the return route back to Mbalageti Tented Lodge. This walk is a great experience year round and an overnight stay is required at Mbalageti Tented Lodge.

Olduvai Gorge & Maasai Boma: Walk through the Southern Serengeti Plains near Olduvai Gorge in the company of a Maasai Warrior. This special walking safari takes approximately one hour to complete and culminates with a tour of a local Maasai Boma (village) and an optional visit to the Olduvai Gorge Museum. Take your time on the walk tracking footprints and enjoying the scenery and wildlife. Your Maasai guide will explain many interesting things about the ‘bush’ and his culture. During the dry season, there is a good chance that you will encounter giraffes and Grant’s gazelles. During the green season, the migratory animals may also be seen including wildebeest, zebra, and Thomson’s gazelles.

Tarangire: Encounter big game on foot including giraffes and elephants on one of many walking safaris throughout Tarangire National Park. One of the highlights of any Tarangire walking safari is the opportunity to see the rare and beautiful lesser kudu antelope. Kudus are notoriously shy and will quickly hide at the sound of an approaching vehicle. Walking safaris throughout Tarangire yield frequent sightings of this elegant antelope as one quietly traverses the thick bush habitat where they reside. Walking safaris in Tarangire may be conducted year round from Tarangire Treetops Lodge, Kikoti Tented Lodge or Oliver’s Tented Lodge. Each respective lodge has in house guides that we can arrange to lead a walking safari should you be interested.

Angata Kiti: Walk through a beautiful valley in the remote reaches of the Eastern Serengeti Plains. Angata Kiti is a small valley that cuts through the ancient Gol Mountains. Nasera Rock, a huge granite monolith, marks the entrance to Angata Kiti and makes an ideal starting point for this two to four hour walking safari. The Angata Kiti walk is truly an amazing adventure off the beaten path and is perhaps our favorite walking safari. Wildlife viewing can be spectacular here during the green season and the goal of this walk is to witness the great wildebeest migration of foot. Due to Angata Kiti’s remote location, an overnight stay at the nearby Nasera Rock Private Luxury Camp is required. Please note that these remote eastern plains receive the least amount of rainfall in the entire ecosystem. This small amount of rainfall, combined with a shallow soil base which allows water to dry quickly, can make wildlife viewing unpredictable at times. Angata Kiti is only recommended during the green season.

Okarien Gorge: Hike through a massive cliff gorge that is the primary nesting site of the Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture. These vultures are cliff nesters and breed one chick a year every March when the great wildebeest migration is located in the immediate area. It is fascinating to watch the vultures soaring overhead as you walk through the surreal looking gorge. A walking safari at Olkarien Gorge also provides an opportunity for interactions with the Maasai, who typically bring their cattle to drink at the base of the gorge. Olkarien Gorge rests at the eastern edge of the Gol Mountains and is only recommended during the green season. Due to the remote location, an overnight stay at the nearby Nasera Rock Private Luxury Camp is required.

Empakaai Crater: This adventurous walk is a full day’s hike to the floor of Empakaai Crater, which is nearly 4 miles wide. The steep walls of the caldera soar above the crater floor approximately 1,000 feet. A trail into the crater leads from the eastern rim down through the forest to Empakaai’s floor and the lake, which is sometimes home to flamingos. Be on the look out for buffalo, blue monkeys and the rare bushbuck as you descend down through the lush green forest. Beautiful and colorful birds such as turacos and sunbirds may also be seen in the forest. Two nights at Ngorongoro Sopa are required in order to facilitate this full day hike.

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