(7 day / 6 night)

Tanzania National Parks have opened up some great Wilderness Areas for walking safaris, and we are one of the few operators walking here. The below trip has been designed to allow for 3 days on foot, as well as some vehicle-based game viewing, and of course, we visit Ngorongoro.

We walk in a wilderness area of the Serengeti eco-system, with armed National Parks guide and our guides, without a vehicle in sight!  The safari is fully backed-up, with the support vehicle going ahead of the guests and setting up camp in private areas.

Our safari travels into the best areas of this game-packed region, camping amongst the game with the sounds of the African bush all around as well as getting out on foot for three days, actually IN the Park, with a lightweight camping rig and support crew.  Longer & shorter walks are available on request, including walking in the Ngorongoro Conservation area.

Tour Highlights :

  • Game drive in Ngorongoro Crater
  • Serengeti National Park
  • Serengeti plains

Day 1

After breakfast and a briefing at your Arusha hotel, depart to Ngorongoro.  Pause to admire the views of Lake Manyara from the escarpment above, then continue to the farming region of Karatu and the Ngorongoro Conservation area.

The Ngorongoro Crater, a UNSECO World Heritage site, is the largest unbroken caldera in the world.  Surrounded by very steep walls rising 610 metres from the crater floor, this natural amphitheatre measures 304²km in area.  It is home to up to 30 000 animals, almost half being wildebeest and zebra.  Buffalo, elephant, hippo, hyena, jackal, lion, serval, warthog, bushbuck, eland, huge herds of both Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle and numerous other buck are easily seen on the crater floor.

Thanks to anti-poaching patrols, the crater is now one of the few places in East Africa where visitors can see black rhino, with the number now approaching 25. Leopard may occasionally be seen in the trees of the forest surrounding the crater while cheetah are also present.  Countless flamingo form a pink blanket over the soda lakes while more than 100 species of birds not found in the Serengeti have been spotted.

Optional afternoon walk with a local Maasai guide in the area.

Overnight Sopa Lodge or similar.

Day 2 – Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti National Park

Head off early and descend into the Ngorongoro crater caldera for a morning of game viewing.  After a picnic lunch, we head toward the open Serengeti plains.

The Serengeti National Park is arguably the best known wildlife sanctuary in the world.  Serengeti means “endless plains” in the Masai language, and within its boundaries are more than three million large mammals.  About 35 species of plains animals may be seen here, including the so-called “big seven” – buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, cheetah and African hunting dog.  There is, of course, also a profusion of birdlife with over 500 species including bustards, cranes, eagles, herons, owls, storks, vultures and the bizarre, long-legged secretary birds.

Arrive late afternoon at your camp which will be home for the next two nights. (Depending on season)

Serengeti Wilderness Camp (central) OR Ndutu Wilderness Camp (southern Serengeti eco-system) 

Day 3

Full day of game drives in the Serengeti.

Overnight Serengeti Wilderness Camp  or Ndutu Wilderness Camp

Day 4 & 5 – Serengeti –Walking Safari

You will be accompanied by a trained, armed Parks guide as well as your guide as you head off on your walking safari. Two nights/three days are spent on this walk – unfolding the ‘smaller species’ and enjoying the solitude that a walking safari offers.

What to expect on your walking safari…..

Typically, you will have an early light breakfast… and start your walk before it gets too hot, and also to maximise the opportunity of seeing game when it’s a little more active, and with good photographic opportunities (ie lighting!).  We aim to walk about 3-4 hours in the morning maximum, before arriving at the camp and enjoying a brunch/lunch.  The afternoon will be spent relaxing at the camp, before heading off for a shorter walk in the vicinity of the camp.  Return for sundowners and dinner/overnight. All your supplies, tents etc are moved forward by your camp crew, leaving you with only your water and snacks to carry in your day pack. Overnight in a lightweight camp which consists of 2.5m by 2.5m walk-in dome tents, mess tent, bedding and mattresses, chairs, bush toilet and shower, fridge / cool box, and camp lighting.

Day 6 

This morning, enjoy a final morning walk in the cool of the day.  You then meet the vehicle for your transfer back to your camp in time for lunch.  Optional afternoon game drive.

Overnight Serengeti Wilderness Camp  or Ndutu Wilderness Camp

Day 7

Transfer by road or air back to Arusha. (Flight is optional but highly recommended. It’s a very long road transfer back to Arusha).

On safari…..

You are accompanied by an experienced guide, a safari chef and a camp assistant – all fully trained professionals who will prioritise your comfort and safety as well as striving to ensure optimal game-viewing opportunities throughout your journey.

In the safari vehicle you will find a selection of reference books on the parks, their flora and fauna, and a cool box or fridge for drinks.  The land-cruisers have game viewing hatches that allow 360-degree views, and are spacious and have an inverter for charging batteries, cameras and phones.

Package Includes:

  • Pick up from Arusha hotel and briefing
  • Services of driver/ guide
  • Park entrance fees
  • 1 night accommodation at Sopa Ngorongoro or similar
  • 3 nights accommodation at Serengeti/ Ndutu Wilderness Camps
  • 2 nights accommodation in Lightweight Walking Camp
  • Back up crew and vehicle for walking safari
  • Services of National Park guides on walk, walking safari fees and camp fees, and guide costs
  • Three meals a day whilst on safari and bottled water on walks

Package Excludes:

  • All flights
  • Visas
  • Pre/ post accommodation in Arusha
  • Airport transfers
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Drinks & tips
  • All optional extra tours

WALKING SAFARIS – LOGISTICS & EQUIPMENT – LIGHTWEIGHT WALKING CAMP
Tents – 2.5 x 2.5 m canvas dome tents, walk-in
Bedding – sleeping bags, liners, mattresses and pillows are all supplied
Toilets – short drop with toilet seat
Shower – bucket shower (hot water)
Washstands for morning water at tents
Mess tent, tables and chairs
Lamps in mess tents / torches supplied

COMMUNICATIONS & SUPPORT
Radios, mobile phones & GPS.

CREW
Trained walking guide
TANAPA (Tanzania National Parks) guide – armed,OR Ngorongoro Conservation Guide

Driver and cook and Parks Ranger at the camp.

MEALS
Three good meals a day and packed lunches as needed. Bottled water included on walk 3 litres / person / day (carried in supply vehicle)

GROUP SIZE
Maximum 8 pax. Larger groups may be quoted on request.

GUIDES 
TANAPA currently have limited trained walking guides. These need to be booked in advance. They have been trained locally and by NOLS (an American NGO), are armed and carry GPS and communications.  Our guides have also undertaken weaponry skills, walking qualification and ‘interpretive’ skills courses.

COSTS AND SAFARI DESIGN 
The minimum number of nights we will walk is 2 nights/3 days, up to a maximum of 4 nights/5 days in the currently available wilderness areas.