Home to the largest unbroken caldera in the world, northern Tanzania offers diverse landscapes, extinct volcanoes and varied wildlife. A scenic walking safari here takes you away from the crowds and allows you to immerse yourself in the beautiful highlands, smelling the red-baked earth and scanning the bushes for signs of action.
My 10-day Tanzania walking safari
My 10-day walking safari takes me from Lake Manyara’s shores, around the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater and through the vast Serengeti with its herds of zebra and wildebeest. Accompanied by expert guides, the aim is to experience remote bushland on a mobile safari, meeting local tribes and encountering true cultural interactions along the way.
Beginning outside Arusha at Mount Meru
My journey begins just outside the bustling town of Arusha at the charming Rivertrees Country Inn. Sprawling across ten acres of fertile greenery, this former coffee farm still retains the nostalgic air of a well-loved homestead. Nestled in the foothills of Mount Meru, elegant rustic cottages are dotted along the river. Combining unpretentious comfort with subtle accents of style, there’s a genuine sense of warmth here, encouraging guests to take a moment of calm before the real adventure begins!
Step out on safari in Tanzania
"We spot a multitude of animal and bird life before scrambling up a large granite rock for sundowners, watching as the cloud formations light up with the last of the setting sun."
Exploring Manyara National Park
Day two arrives and it’s an early morning pick up and transfer to Lake Manyara. We cycle the last 20 km through friendly villages to the National Park Gate and our first camp – Manyara Green Camp – located on the banks of the Endabash River at the bottom of a huge waterfall. The camp consists of eight en-suite eco tents set on raised platforms with cosy beds, stylish interiors, gauze roofs for star-gazing, and a deck to relax on.
After a comfortable night, we rise for breakfast around the fire, feasting on homemade muesli, platters of fruit and freshly made pancakes, plus eggs, bacon and fried tomatoes. Accompanied by our ranger and well-trained guides, we set out along the shallow Lake Manyara, teeming with flamingo, hippo and plains game. A herd of galloping zebra shy away from us, splashing through the briny water, as we reach the sulphurous bubbling hot springs. On returning to the camp, the ever-smiling team of staff are on hand to dispense gin and tonics and a warm bucket shower.
Walking the rim of Ngorongoro Crater
We journey up to the Ngorongoro Highlands and spend the night in comfort with hot water bottles tucked into comfy beds. As the sun floods through the bearded lahai trees, we set off on our crater rim hike.
Unlike the 4×4 drives that take place on the crater floor, our hike takes us through dense forested paths where Maasai herdsmen lead their cattle to water in the clear cold streams. We eat a picnic lunch overlooking the gorgeous crater views before descending through the forest to the open plans, broken only by Maasai thatched roofs peeping out of the grasses.
Whilst spotting larger animals such as zebra, buffalo, hippo, lion and leopard is extremely exhilarating, walking safaris are also about discovering the tiniest creatures and plants that make up the ecosystem. From fascinating insects emerging from their papery cocoons on passing bushes to brilliant-hued birds and towering red termite nests alive with activity, every step taken passes something wondrous and amazing.
After a second day of walking along the crater, we travel into the vast Serengeti to our final walking camp, set beneath the giant kopjes.
Walking at a steady pace we head out onto the Serengeti plains with giraffe grazing on the acacia and balentis. (©Wayo)
Walking camps, set up in remote wilderness areas, afford you privacy away from other tourists. With gauze tops and sides you have stunning views of the night skies. (©Wayo)
Discovering the vast Serengeti
A fabulous walk the next morning takes us onto the far-stretching Serengeti plains. We have a picnic brunch on a kopje with eland grazing nearby and plenty of birds and agama lizards to watch.
A long line of zebra steadily stream past on their way to meet the larger herds already gathering on the horizon, lured by the scent of rain. Walking at a steady pace we pass through groves and get out onto the plains with hyena skulking in small depressions and giraffe grazing on the acacia and balentis.
The sun gets stronger and we finally spot camp in the distance. Welcome cold drinks greet us on arrival and lunch is served beneath shady trees as we spot different birds darting above. We all take time to catch up on reading and writing before enjoying an evening stroll to watch the sun lowering in the sky. We spot a multitude of animal and bird life before scrambling up a large granite rock for sundowners, watching as the cloud formations light up with the last of the setting sun.
Hot water for showering awaits us back in camp before dinner is served beside the crackling fire, accompanied by the spine-chilling grunt of a male lion pacing through his territory in the near distance.
Frequently Asked Questions about Walking in Northern Tanzania
Do you have to be fit to take a walking safari in Tanzania?
You do not have to be ultra-fit or active to enjoy a walking safari – some days you don’t even need to walk anywhere if you don’t feel like it. Wildlife will come and go in front of camp so game viewing can also happen from the sofa! Take this journey at your own pace and soak up the remote beauty of the Serengeti.
When is the best time to visit the Ngorongoro Conservation Area?
The best time to walk in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Highlands, and the Serengeti is during the dry season – June through to September, when vegetation is low and ground is dry for walking.
What is the accommodation like on this walking safari?
Wayo have a variety of accommodation options depending on the activities you undertake. We stayed in ‘Green Camps’ in the Manyara Region and the Serengeti, which are beautiful tented suites set on raised decks with stunning views of the surrounds. There are king-sized beds and an ensuite tent for each of the eight spacious guest suites. The Serengeti Green Camp changes between the north and south of the Serengeti depending on the time of year to offer the best Great Migration wildlife viewing.
If you are undertaking a walking safari over several days, you will stay in a Walking Camp in a wilderness area, affording you privacy away from other tourists. Walking Camps are simple fly camps set up by the team in time for your arrival. The tents have gauze tops and sides, providing stunning views of the night skies and awaking to views through the surrounding grasses. There’s a fly sheet for the top if there’s rain.
Can I walk within the Ngorongoro Crater?
No, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area doesn’t allow walking safaris on the crater floor. However our walks are around the crater rim, camping just outside the Conservation Area each night amongst the acacia woodlands.
Plan your Tanzania walking safari with the Explorations Company
Our Tanzania experts are on hand to help you plan your own bespoke Tanzania walking safari. Get in touch on +44 (0)1367 850566 (UK) or (US toll free) 1-855-216-5040. Alternatively make an enquiry.
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