The Serengeti is well known for it’s sensational wildlife, but few people realize it also offers outstanding walking safaris
The majority of visitors experience Serengeti’s diverse wildlife - including the world-famous wildebeest migration - from a vehicle. However, there are a small number of companies licensed to operate in specially designated wilderness zones where game-driving is not allowed. Walking is tightly regulated and is always conducted by experienced and knowledgeable armed guides.
Here the emphasis is on quietly exploring the wilder areas of the park on foot, well away from any crowds. Walking safaris in these areas can be anything from a night or two, to longer expeditions over many days, supported by a lightweight mobile camp. Our recommendation would be to consider a minimum of 2 nights on a walk which can easily be combined with a few more nights in camps or lodges in other parts of the park.
Walking in the bush is a slow reveal. In a vehicle it’s possible to drive up to observe a lion from just a few feet away, on foot however the satisfaction comes from the skill required to observe animals without yourself becoming the centre of attention. This means observing wind direction, reading spoor and animal tracks and paying close attention to the behavior of other wildlife. And nothing can match the thrill when you do get close to big game on foot.
Serengeti has a number of different wilderness areas where we can offer walking. During the dry season - between July and October - we are likely to be in the far north of the park. This is the time when the wildebeest migration is crossing the Mara River and there are times when this can be observed on foot as one of the wilderness zones lies along the banks of the Mara River in the far northwest of the park. Seeing a crossing does of course require time, patience and a healthy dose of luck.
Later in the season as the herds move southwards walks are moved to the central area of the Serengeti – a stunning area of gently rolling hills and valleys with scattered woodland and river lines and interspersed with large smooth granite outcrops (known locally as kopjes) which make the perfect platform on which to spend the heat of the day watching the wildlife below.
While most of these safaris are tailor-made, we’ve dug up a few special opportunities where you can join a group of like-minded people.   These trips run in January, February, July, August and September.   It’s as easy as a phone call, so get in touch to find out more.