Tanzania walking safaris: the best lodges and camps
Tanzania classifies its wild areas in different ways, each with different rules – meaning the practices and standards of walking safaris can vary widely. That said, we’ve found some excellent options, with first-rate guiding and beautifully remote settings. Walks from fly-camping trips in the Selous or Ruaha, chimpanzee trekking in the Mahale Mountains, and guided walks in Tarangire – where big game sightings on foot are possible – are all standout experiences.
In Tanzania’s National Parks, walks must comply with TANAPA (Tanzanian National Park Authority) regulations, designed to ensure safety. Only six guests are allowed per walk, accompanied by a TANAPA-qualified armed ranger, and routes are often fixed. These rules are relatively recent, so we only recommend camps with a consistent track record and experienced walking guides.
Game Reserves, managed by the more flexible Game Division, operate under looser regulations, and this has led to some inconsistency in walking quality. That’s why we only work with camps that employ highly skilled guides and enforce robust internal safety protocols.
So whether you're looking to stretch your legs after long game drives, walk among elephants in Tarangire, or learn about medicinal plants and wildlife from a Maasai guide near Ngorongoro, a walking safari in Tanzania can be an unforgettable part of your trip — just be sure to take advice from those who know where to find the very best.
Best camps & lodges for Walking safaris in Tanzania
Beho Beho
Walking safaris at Beho Beho are some of the best you will find in Tanzania. With extremely knowledgeable, well-trained guides, and good wildlife viewing in Nyerere National Park. The high guiding standards translate into visitors gaining more of an insight into the park.
Lemala Ngorongoro
Lemala Ngorongoro Tented Camp is in a pretty, forested part of the Ngorongoro Crater rim and is a lovely place for walking in Tanzania. Such walks can be long or short, taking you through rolling hills with the option of visiting Maasai villages on the way.
Ndutu Safari Lodge
Ndutu Safari Lodge is just inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where walking safaris in Tanzania are allowed when accompanied by a park ranger. Walks last around two hours and concentrate on the woodlands near Lake Ndutu. Must be pre-arranged.
Kuro Tarangire
Walking safaris from Kuro are a great way to explore a much less-visited side of Tarangire National Park. With the bonus of the chance of spotting big game, and often ending in a bush breakfast, it makes a lovely change to a safari from a vehicle.
Serengeti Walking Mobile
Serengeti National Park is a spectacular option for a walking safari in Tanzania. This private tented camp stands in a wilderness area within the park. Led by an engaging guide you'll explore parts of the Serengeti that are largely vehicle-free.
Ikuka Safari Camp
Head out for a walking safari with a knowledgeable guide from Ikuka and discover the lesser-known flora and fauna of the bush. Learn how to identify bird calls and how to recognise animal tracks and scat, and the many medicinal uses of plants.
Manyara Green Camp
Join an experienced walking guide to explore the shores of Lake Manyara where you can discover the diversity birdlife as well as the larger mammals. This is a great way to escape the vehicles and see the park from a different perspective.
Mwagusi Safari Camp
Highly trained guides from Mwagusi Safari Camp will take you to discover the lesser-known flora and fauna of the bush; learn how to recognise different droppings, how to identify bird calls and the many medicinal uses of plants.
Kichaka Zumbua
Kichaka is known for its outstanding walking safaris which take place in remote regions of Ruaha. The two guides, Moli and Jaques, are both highly experienced and their enthusiasm is infectious.
Oliver's Camp
Oliver's Camp offers guiding walking safaris within Tarangire National Park - a great way to experience the environment from a different perspective and really appreciate the little things.
Sand Rivers fly-camp
Sand Rivers fly-camps usually include time spent walking as well as driving, and the guides here are first-rate - walking safaris are one of the camp's specialities.
Chada fly-camping
Walking safaris are usually integral to fly-camping trips - and both combined give a really great sense of this amazing wilderness area.
Siwandu
Enjoy a morning walking safari with an experienced guide from Siwandu, and discover the beauty of the bush up close.
Beho Beho Tree-house
Beho Beho's treehouse involves mostly walking safaris - with some of Africa's very best professional walking guides
Chada Camp
Chada Camp is particularly good for walking safaris, which are always accompanied by an armed game scout.
Walking safaris elsewhere in Africa
Our top ideas and inspiration for Walking safaris in other countries.
Where to see wildlife species in Tanzania
Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.
Lion
Panthera leo
Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.
81% SUCCESS
3,674 sightings from 4,539 observations
Leopard
Panthera pardus
The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.
47% SUCCESS
2,370 sightings from 5,037 observations
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.
33% SUCCESS
1,289 sightings from 3,855 observations
Wild dog
Lycaon pictus
African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.
32% SUCCESS
1,049 sightings from 3,322 observations
Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta
The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.
55% SUCCESS
2,632 sightings from 4,798 observations
Wildebeest
Connochaetes sp.
Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.
68% SUCCESS
3,008 sightings from 4,452 observations
Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.
83% SUCCESS
3,100 sightings from 3,738 observations
Chimpanzee
Pan troglodytes
The chimpanzee is our closest living relative. This highly intelligent great ape is a forest animal with a sophisticated social life. Any encounter in the wild is a memorable experience.
100% SUCCESS
28 sightings from 28 observations
Eland
Taurotragus oryx
Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.
49% SUCCESS
1,768 sightings from 3,572 observations
Elephant
Loxodonta africana
By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.
91% SUCCESS
4,431 sightings from 4,871 observations
Oryx
Oryx sp.
Oryx are impressive antelopes, with a powerful physique and elegant markings set off by rapier-like horns. They cut a distinctive dash in some of Africa’s harshest landscapes.
69% SUCCESS
1,614 sightings from 2,334 observations
Gerenuk
Litocranius walleri
With its slender frame and extraordinarily long neck, this unmistakable East African antelope resembles an attenuated impala and often stands on its back legs browse high shrubs.
73% SUCCESS
113 sightings from 155 observations
Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.
86% SUCCESS
4,282 sightings from 4,994 observations
Hippo
Hippopotamus amphibius
The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.
89% SUCCESS
3,224 sightings from 3,619 observations
Roan antelope
Hippotragus equinus
Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.
25% SUCCESS
601 sightings from 2,430 observations
Sable antelope
Hippotragus niger
Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.
24% SUCCESS
578 sightings from 2,440 observations
Sitatunga
Tragelaphus spekii
The sitatunga is the most aquatic of Africa’s antelopes and specially adapted to its swampy habitats. Though widespread across Africa, only a handful of places offer reliable sightings.
19% SUCCESS
78 sightings from 407 observations
Striped Hyena
Hyaena hyaena
The striped hyena is the most widespread of the world’s hyenas, but absent from southern Africa. A rarely-seen nocturnal scavenger, it is shyer and more solitary than its spotted cousin.
13% SUCCESS
141 sightings from 1,097 observations
Zebra
Equus sp.
The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.
84% SUCCESS
4,654 sightings from 5,533 observations
Aardvark
Orycteropus afer
The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.
2% SUCCESS
82 sightings from 3,987 observations
Pangolin
Smutsia sp.
Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.
2% SUCCESS
70 sightings from 4,029 observations
Black Rhino
Diceros bicornis
The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.
30% SUCCESS
758 sightings from 2,501 observations
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