Our monthly newsletter highlights the best of our unique stories from Africa in combination with hidden treasures we feel you may find interesting. This includes the best safaris, activities, accommodation, experiences, cultural experiences and conservation.
This month we are focussing on one of the most amazing safari experiences any safari-goer could wish for in Tanzania
Tanzania: Big Game Walking Safaris
Tanzania remains the quintessential safari destination in Africa. But what if we told you the experience could be so much more than what has come to be expected.
Not many travellers are aware of the fact that you can do walking safaris in Tanzania and more specifically the Serengeti, let alone big game walking safaris.
We strongly believe our slow safaris will have a powerful impact on you and will transform how you experience Africa. Imagine walking with the migration, being the only people there, slowly walking alongside thousands of wildebeest and zebra who, as the day progresses, gradually become habituated to your presence and accept you in their herd. Feel the thunder of their hooves underfoot, hear their calling from mother to calf and smell the African earth. Imagine walking through a beautiful valley to find lion hunting buffalo only metres away, and stopping in the shade of a tree to watch the drama unfold, knowing you are the only people to witness this extraordinary spectacle.
Please read on to find out more about this experience. If we have you dreaming of this unique type of safari, then get in touch to chat with us.
Traditional "Old School" Big Game Walking Safaris
Imagine a safari like it was done "back-in-the-day", in a more traditional sense. Green safari camps, walking safaris across the plains of the Serengeti immersed in nature with some of the creature comforts you’ve come to know and love.
We do most things differently, and we would like to knock your socks off on a stunning safari taking you off the beaten track, getting you out of the safari-vehicle and staying in smaller more environmentally minded camps. We will take you to areas of Tanzania where tourist numbers are few, but wildlife is plentiful.
By walking you become one with the landscape and wildlife around you. Your senses are heightened; your pace slows down, so you start to notice the little things from the birds to the insects, noticing the subtle changes in biodiversity and geology.
The Experts View
Clyde Beaty, one of the co-founders of Tailormade Africa is himself a professional guide of 14 years who specialised in big game walking safaris. Here is his view on this exciting news!
"Tanzania is an extraordinary safari destination in terms of wildlife viewing and in the last decade or so has also seen a huge leap in terms of camp quality, guide training, staff training and management. There has been so much time, effort and money spent on making the camp and lodge experience appropriately match the quality of the game viewing. What has always suffered however and continues to do so is the fact that there are currently no national safari guide examinations in Tanzania. Unlike Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa where rigorous and very difficult examinations determine the quality levels of guides, in Tanzania it is entirely up to the safari operator to have "in-house" guiding schools and examinations. There are currently less than 10 operators whose guiding infrastructure is of acceptable levels.
The best walking safaris in Tanzania are restricted primarily to Ruaha National Park and until now virtually nothing in the Serengeti. There are a lot of camps and lodges that offer "walking safaris" but in truth, they are nothing more than a very placid nature ramble. Big Game walking safaris, where one can track and approach Elephant and Lion for example or anything really requires a highly skilled professional guide to be able to do that safely for both yourselves and the wildlife. It is these types of walking safaris that truly stand the experience out from any other kind of safari experience.
We have partnered with the only operator who has been given licence to walk in the Serengeti National Park proper - not on the periphery but in the park itself and in lovely remote locations that are simple, not accessible to regular safari goers. From semi-permanent camp based walks to full adventurous walking trails covering parts of the Serengeti we can now give clients the kind of walking safari only really attainable in Southern Africa countries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa. It's really exciting so book now!!!"
'Green', 'Walking' & 'Fly' Safari Camps
Our walks operate from our three types of camps, Serengeti Green Camps (Manyara and Kogatende only), our Serengeti Walking Camps (3-metre dome tents with proper beds and private bathrooms (not attached) and simpler Fly Camps (small dome tents with mattresses on the floor and shared bathrooms). Depending on the level of adventure/comfort and duration of your walk we will tailor a programme to suit your age, interest and ability.
Serengeti Green Camps - Location Location Location...Our Serengeti Green Camp moves from Southern Serengeti (Nabi Hill area mid-December – March) to the Northern Serengeti (Kogatende area July – October / November) which allows us to ensure you are always in the very best location to get close to the magic of the migration and all the wildlife action.
Serengeti Walking Camps - Our walking camps offer a truly authentic bush camp experience. They comprise of six (split into two areas) double/ twin 3m dome tents with proper beds, crisp linens and a private bathroom (accessible from just outside your tent) with a compost toilet and hot bush bucket shower.
Fly Camps – These are a much more basic form of camp for the really adventurous spirit.
Give us a call on +44 (0) 7809726266 or contact us to discuss this unique safari opportunity not to be missed. Let us take you on a journey of a lifetime.