Introduction
Instead of going on a safari drive, try going on a walking safari with a guide so you can see the finer details of the environment that you might have otherwise missed. Insects, birds, trees, and bees are some of the topics that one of our knowledgeable guides can discuss with you as you walk along ancient wildlife paths, focus on the complexities of the bush, and learn more about these topics. When you finally get up close and personal with a towering giraffe or a curious zebra on foot, it will undoubtedly be an experience you will remember for the rest of your life.
During a walking safari led by an armed guide, you will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the natural environment. You should take advantage of this opportunity to stretch your legs and take in the more intricate aspects of the forest, such as the hard-working dung beetle and the majestic trees. Be on the lookout for animal spoor and tracks, pause to inhale the aroma of the plants, and do not rush through the process of appreciating the smaller animals that are frequently overlooked.
What is Guided Walk?
Exploring untamed wilderness on foot is an unforgettable experience that can be had by participating in a guided walking safari adventure. Travel on a well-worn path through the backcountry and into inaccessible jungles as the sun begins to set, all while coming face to face with large wild game animals. An authentic and one-of-a-kind perspective on the continent’s animal life, plant life, and ecosystems can be gained through participation in a guided walking safari.
Walking safari adventure trips provide an authentic taste of the wilderness while dressing travelers for the comforts of an adventure. These trips range from bush walks with tribe leaders, which reveal a completely different way of life, to sleeping under the stars on a multi-day guided hiking safari expedition. It is impossible to have such a genuine experience while traveling in a safari vehicle or staying in a lodge. Discover a level of detail that you have never seen before, from the tiniest of reptiles and insects to the process that safari guides use to track down large game in the wild.
Guidelines of Guided Walk Safari
1. Safety First
Everyone who is considering organizing a walking safari’s first and foremost concern should be their safety. However, you can have peace of mind knowing that you will be accompanied by an experienced guide who will (in some locations) be armed with rifles and possibly an additional scout who will stay by your side throughout the entirety of the walking safari. It ought to put your nerves at ease and enable you to take pleasure in the experience.
2. Be Prepared
Some walking safaris are brief excursions through the wilderness that last no more than a few hours, while others span multiple days and involve camping out or staying in some other form of accommodation. A certain level of fitness is required for a walking safari, so make sure you are ready for it before you go on one of these adventures.
3. Always Listen to Your Guide
Always take into account what your tour guide has to say. They won’t ever steer you in the wrong direction. The guides have a thorough understanding of the animals, including how they behave and how they respond to visitors. While you explore the natural wonders of the wilderness, it is their responsibility to keep you safe.
4. Always be Calm
If you find yourself in a sticky situation, you shouldn’t try to escape by running. Even though it seems obvious, some people will still freak out and run. Any sudden movement can alert a nearby animal, which may then become frightened. And if you try to escape, they will most likely chase after you, making the situation even more dangerous.
5. Don’t Wander Off
Make sure you don’t get lost. Keep an arm’s length away from one another and move in a single file while you are on the safari. If something catches your eye and you want to learn more about it, speak with your safari guide.
6. Stay Quiet
It is important to remember that walking safaris are meant to be experienced, so refrain from talking nonstop throughout the safari, and if you do speak, try to keep your volume down. It will prevent you from communing with nature and will also terrify the local wildlife. If you need to inquire about something of significance, you should do so in a low voice.
7. Wear Hiking Boots
Bush walks on safari take visitors through a variety of landscapes, so it’s important to bring a good pair of hiking boots with you. They will protect your feet from thorns, spikes, and other hazards that may be present on rugged terrain, such as insect bites and stings.
Remember to give your shoes a good shake before putting them back on to make sure that nothing has crept into them while you were not looking. This will ensure that nothing harmful has entered your shoes. You should tap them, turn them over, and shake them before using them.
Things to Bring in Guided Walk Safari
When going on a walking safari, you should bring the necessities with you, such as insect repellent, bottled water, sunscreen, and a raincoat if the area is prone to rain showers. Your tour operator for the walking safari will provide you with a list of the necessities that you need to bring with you on the trip. In addition, you ought to bring along any prescribed medications and a first-aid kit, even though, probably, your guide will also bring along a first-aid kit.
For those of you going on guided walk safaris, the following is a list of what you need to pack:
- Don’t forget to bring a hat with a wide brim, sunscreen, and insect-repellent spray.
- Fleece jackets to keep you warm and beanies to cover your ears to protect against the chill of the mornings and evenings.
- Make sure you bring along some comfortable, neutral-colored clothes like jerseys, raincoats, or bush jackets. On a walking safari, you should avoid wearing vibrant and eye-catching colors and instead opt for earthy tones such as khaki, green, and brown.
- Bring along a pair of hiking boots for the walking safaris, as well as a pair of sandals or open-toed shoes for lounging around camp.
- It’s not required that you walk through the bush on a walking safari. Depending on where you’re going, you should be prepared to travel through a variety of environments, including beaches, forests, and plateaus; therefore, you should ensure that you are wearing appropriate clothing and shoes for the terrain.
- Bring a camera along on your walking safari and don’t forget to bring extra batteries so you can capture all the amazing moments.
- Using binoculars will enable you to get a more detailed view of distant objects and animals.
Guided Walk Safari Destination
1. Semuliki National Park
Kirumia Trail is the location of the park’s nature walks and is located within Semuliki National Park. The Kirumia Trail is a thirteen-kilometer-long path that travels through the thick of the forest to the Semuliki River. This guided walking safari trip begins at 8:00 and lasts approximately 6-8 hours; it is the ideal hiking trail for people who are interested in birds and nature. From the park’s eastern border, home to the endangered DeBrazza’s monkey, to the Semliki River, the Red Monkey Track travels a distance of 11 kilometers (7.1 mi). You can see primates and hot springs along the Sempaya Nature Trail, which is eight kilometers long. The shorter guided hike on the trail, which lasts between two and four hours, is also available and can take place either in the morning or in the afternoon.
2. Kidepo
Kidepo Valley offers guided walking safari adventures that travel through the Lomej Mountains, which can be reached on foot in approximately four hours. The hike will get underway at 7:00. Shorter guided walks of approximately two hours can be arranged through the Narus Valley, which encompasses a five-kilometer radius surrounding the Apoka Tourism Centre.
In addition, tourists can take a stroll through the beautiful Kidepo River Valley, which features banks covered in attractive Borassus palm forest. Hikers who start from Apoka can cover the distance to Namamkweny Valley in just under an hour.
Visitors can also have a one-of-a-kind cultural experience and meet members of the IK tribe by going on hikes that have been prearranged to take place outside the park in the Morungole Mountains.
3. Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is one of the few national parks that allow for a wide variety of guided nature walks, including nature walks and other types of outdoor activities that take place within the park itself. At Rwonyo, there is a salt lick that can be reached via a guided walk. The salty rocks at the lick attract a variety of animals. The western side of the lake is the location of a guided walking safari that begins at 7:00 and lasts for two hours.
At this time of the day, you may come across hyenas making their way back to their dens as well as hippos making their way back to the lake. Hikes through the woods offer visitors the chance to see forest birds and mammals, and the ascent to the peak of the hill is rewarded with a breathtaking panorama of nine of the region’s fourteen lakes.
Rubanga Forest, which can be visited only after prior arrangement and while accompanied by a ranger, is of particular interest to people who enjoy going on hikes and watching birds.
4. Tanzania
When going on a walking safari in Tanzania, it is recommended that you visit a portion of the southern circuit. Ruaha National Park is the largest national park in East Africa; however, due to its more remote location, it is a less crowded option and receives a significantly lower number of visitors than its neighbor, the Serengeti National Park. Ruaha National Park contains a wide variety of landscapes, such as grassy plains and hills, acacia and miombo woods, baobab trees, and the magnificent Ruaha River. Allow trained professionals to lead you safely through the treacherous terrain of Ruaha National Park in the same way that the indigenous people of the land navigated it, on foot and with the excitement of not being able to see what’s hiding in the bushes.
A visit to Tarangire National Park in Tanzania is highly recommended for those interested in going on a walking safari. The Tarangire River, which during the dry season draws a significant number of animals to its banks, gave the park its name. Elephants and enormous baobab trees, some of which are more than a thousand years old, have made Tarangire a well-known destination for wildlife enthusiasts. You will have the opportunity to see rare sights, such as elephants standing as close as 15 meters (50 feet) away if you choose to explore the area on foot while being accompanied by a trained and knowledgeable field guide.
5. Zambia
On a walking safari through Zambia, South Luangwa National Park, which is considered to be the “birthplace” of walking safaris, is a fantastic destination to explore. The park is famous for the exceptional walking safaris that they offer during the dry season. It is during this time that the park has one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in all of Africa; during this time, the animals flock to the banks of the Luangwa River, which is an amazing sight to see.
Multi-day itineraries provide the opportunity to explore these classic wilderness areas to the fullest: expect jaw-dropping game viewing under the watchful eyes of some of the best guides in Africa. Multi-day itineraries come complete with comfortable camps along the way. The South Luangwa National Park is home to a variety of animals that can only be found there, such as the Crawshay’s zebra, Cookson’s wildebeest, and Thornicroft’s giraffe. If you’re lucky, you might even see all three!
6. Botswana
During a walking safari in Botswana, you will feel your senses heighten as you follow in the tracks of the wildlife that lives in the Delta. Discover the nuances of tracking, such as how the significance of each bent blade of grass and imprint in the dirt can be interpreted in terms of the animals and plants that are present. In addition to having the opportunity to smell and taste the wild herbs, your guide will also provide you with information regarding their traditional applications. There are many things to see, ranging from the “little miracles” that can be found in the bush to the “Big 5” that can be seen walking along the riverbanks.
If you’re looking for an experience that’s a little out of the ordinary, walking across the Makgadikgadi Pans is about as unique as it gets. These salt pans are the largest in the world, spanning a total area of 9,942 square miles across 16,000 kilometers. There is a good chance that you will come across meerkats and that you will travel across the enchanting yet desolate salt flats that are surrounded by the annual zebra migration that travels through the Makgadikgadi Pans.
7. South Africa
The Kruger National Park is widely regarded as one of the top destinations in South Africa for those interested in going on a walking safari. This well-known safari destination is home to some of the world’s best dry-season bush walk expeditions, which typically span multiple days.
It is also possible to go on walking safaris in some of South Africa’s private reserves, such as the ones located in Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands Game Reserve, the Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu Natal. They all provide interactive bush walks that showcase a higher level of detail than you would normally encounter on a regular game drive. This level of detail can only be experienced when walking through the African bush.
8. Mweya Peninsula
On the Mweya Peninsula, a guided walking safari will take you through savannah and woodland, where you can see beautiful views and bold warthogs.
Visitors can take a stroll along the Ishasha River at the southern end of the park, where they can see a variety of forest and savanna birds and mammal species. They also have the unique opportunity on this walk to get extremely close to hippos on foot while remaining perfectly safe on the raised bank above the river. This walk is one of the most popular activities in this section of the park.
This nature walk is the perfect complement to a longer stay in Queen Elizabeth and a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel.
9. Murchison Falls National Park
Guided walking safaris in Murchison Falls National Park and the Conservation Area are great. Guided nature trails through Kaniyo Pabidi and Rabongo Forests reveal many primates and birds, while 2-4 hours of guided swamp walks around the Nile-Lake Albert Delta may reveal the Shoebill when the water level is low. After an afternoon boating upriver, hike 45 minutes through woodland to the top of Murchison Falls for a different view.
10. Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is one of the best safari destinations for seeing the Big Five and other species up close and personal. Safari guides, particularly those trained to lead walking safaris, receive extensive training. Guiding is a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation in Zimbabwe, and there are still large rural communities with people who are deeply connected to the land and its wild inhabitants.
Walking safaris are available through private concessions in Hwange National Park, which is home to a diverse range of wildlife. Walking safaris are an awe-inspiring and humbling experience because you traverse the same routes where animals graze freely and can see their intimate lives from a safe following distance. During the dry season, Hwange National Park attracts a large number of elephants who congregate in large numbers.
Benefits of Going on a Guided Walk Safari
1. Can get you up close with the wilderness
When you go on a walking safari, you can get up close and personal with the natural environment. Your senses will be reawakened by them. You will get the impression that you are an integral part of the environment, which will elevate your safari experience above and beyond that of a typical vacation. During a game drive, guests are kept in enclosed vehicles and are strongly discouraged from exiting the vehicles or getting too close to the animals they see.
2. One with the animals
When you go on a walking safari, the wild animals you encounter may very well pay attention to your group as you pass by as you make your way through the area. The feeling of being seen and acknowledged by wild animals as fellow animals taps into the most fundamental levels of our animal nature. These kinds of experiences generate excitement, which is then emotionally amplified and accompanied by smells and sounds that are experienced up close, thereby contributing to the formation of memories that will last a lifetime.
3. Guided walking safari can give you more access than a game drive
The game vehicles are limited in their access to certain locations. When you go on a walking safari, you can typically explore every nook and cranny of the national parks and game reserves you visit. In addition to this, you are not limited in any way by the absence of roads, and instead, a knowledgeable safari guide will lead you through the wilderness along animal trails.
4. Can give you a new perspective
When going on a walking safari, it is of the utmost importance, and not just for reasons of safety, to have an experienced guide accompany you. Some tales can be told by experienced guides, and it is easier to retain information when it is told in the form of a story. Walking safaris will provide you with a fresh viewpoint as well as a newfound respect for nature and the animals that inhabit it.
5. An immersive experience
When traveling, one must always maintain a mindful attitude. Simply put, it is a more enjoyable experience, and you are better able to take in the one-of-a-kind qualities of the world that is all around you. A walking safari provides a more immersive experience than other types of safaris do because, unlike other types of safaris, it makes you a participant rather than an observer of the environment.
Conclusion
During a guided walking safari, your guide will enlighten you on various interesting aspects of the natural environment by providing factual information. You will undoubtedly have a wonderful and once-in-a-lifetime experience as a result of learning about and gaining an understanding of the wilderness.