Tanzania is among the best destinations you can enjoy walking safaris while in Africa.

However, it is vital to distinguish between ‘hiking or climbing up hills’ for instance climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and having a ‘walking safari’ in the wilderness, which in this case I am talking about. Fortunately, Tanzania prides on a number of the finest walking-safari guides, who lead trips through the best-walking destinations in the country such as the Selous, Katavi, Mahale, and Ruaha, and not to forget the long-ago walking safaris through the Ngorongoro Highlands as well as the Gol Mountains north of the country.

Below I highlight some of the best destinations you can opt for while in Tanzania and further talk about briefly their duration, roughness as well as how they can be approached.

The Selous Walking Safari

five days or more can be spent walking through the northern wilder part of the Selous equipped with a mosquito net and a fly camp. These two are a wonderful compliment to a number of days in a permanent camp/lodge in Selous Game Reserve.

The Serengeti Walking Safaris

Short three to four days walking-safaris have over the recent years been introduced in Serengeti National Park organized by the park authority itself. Fortunately, these can somewhat be incorporated into your northern circuit Tanzania safari. A preferential option is having a seven to ten days safari that comprises walking, game drives, and camping using private mobile camping or light-mobile camping.

The Ngorongoro Highlands Walking Safaris

These present a wonderful variety of walking opportunities, extending farther away from the Crater. Frequently supported by the local Masai people with their donkeys, these are actually more cultural and wilderness walks than the intense game drive, although there are various trails around the hills, forests, and ridges of Empakaai, Lemagrut, and Olmoti where you can enjoy the sights of the plentiful flowers, birds and animals. These amazing walks can go as far as the southern part of the Serengeti plains, trailing the drainage lines as well as the dried river beds all through to the direction of the Olduvai plus Ndutu which are best visited through the months of December to May. Alternatively trail the beautiful route that begins at the Empakaai Crater all the way down to the gorgeous Lake Natron, comprising the peak of the only remaining active volcano in this region – Oldonyo Lengai which can be traveled by the physically fit and brave-hearted.

Northern Tanzania Walking Safaris

There are several additional alternatives in northern Tanzania varying from Arusha National Park, in addition to the lower inclines of Mount Meru which offer splendid two to three days walking safari; the West Kilimanjaro old ranches where you can enjoy a combination of safari walks with game drives as well as horse-riding safaris, and the open plains; the wilderness of Longido as well as Natron plus the southern part of Tarangire National Park, together with the community regions in the east towards the stunning Maasai Steppe. Among the most well-liked ways of experiencing a number of areas in just one safari, combined with some game drives and camping off the beaten track is through the use of light-mobile camping together with kit plus back-up cut down to the lowest as this is very flexible,

Western Tanzania

In Western Tanzania, there are a number of wilderness walking safaris conducted in Katavi and there you can enjoy three to four days of walking as you move in the isolated fly camps and pleasure in a lengthy stay at the stunning Chada Katavi and if you have more time on you can stay for even a week-long adventure. A perfect combination with all this are additional days at Greystoke Mahale and while there you can enjoy the different walking opportunities offered in the Mahale Mountains forests regardless of whether you’re looking for chimpanzees or simply exploring this stunning natural wilderness. This adventure offers a very spectacular contrast to all the game experiences offered in other parts of the country.

Several people prefer to simply integrate walking with a blend of other adventure activities, such as daytime game drives, night drives, fishing as well as fly-camping. The majority of the best options to incorporate into your safari can be offered in the Loliondo, Katavi, and the Selous. For many visitors, a stay of three or four days at any of these camps as well as an opportunity to participate in various walks with a very knowledgeable yet experienced guide is the finest way to have a feel of a true African walking safari in the wilderness.

The finest time in the year to enjoy walks in Katavi, as well as Selous, is from June up to October. If you are interested in taking walks in the Northern, southern, or eastern rims of the Serengeti as well as the Ngorongoro Conservation Area then the finest time is from December to May, whereas central and northern Serengeti, as well as the Tarangire area, can best be done starting July to October.