Africa Walking Safaris

Many people like to experience their safari with their feet on the ground. Walking integrates you back into being part of the living system as the animals now understand you to be an animal too interacting in their environment. At the slower pace and on ground level you can experience the things usually missed while driving. You may examine all the spoor (tracks) of various animals as well as their dung. Your senses tune in for sounds and smells of the bush. Insects, small mammals and reptiles are more likely to be discovered. When encounters occur with large game, including lions and elephants, your body may dig up feelings and senses that have been hibernating in your family for thousands of years invoking the sense of a true return to the wild. Such wonderment cannot be duplicated by viewing game from a vehicle.

Photo of African Wild Dogs During a Walking Safari

There are different types of walking safaris. For the adventurous who want the exercise it is possible to conduct a walking circuit trekking daily to a new camp each night. Usually a support staff will move your luggage for you to each camp. Other safaris will offer a home base of a single camp with daily walks in the area.

Tracking safaris are becoming popular. In reality, no matter how they are marketed a good guide is likely to track spoor on any walking safari but sometimes there is a species of emphasis such as rhino tracking with an ultimate goal to try and locate a certain species on foot.

Safety is a consideration for taking a walking safari. It is important to go with an excellent experienced guide. There are many fine guides who have conducted walking safaris for years and know how to navigate the terrain in a safe manner. You do need to have a bit more of an adventure quotient to your personality to enjoy a walking safari vs. all driving but in reality it is a low risk activity when in the company of a professional guide and can provide a further level of connection to the wild of Africa.