Yes!walking safari allowed/permited/is now possible in Tanzania Nationak Park, In essence, walking safaris/guided walks are organized in the natural areas, where tourists move on foot to see the natural attraction, such as plants and wild animals. These walks take about three and four hours. A walk longer than four hours, is not called walking safari, it is called hiking.
In a walking Tanzania safari-tourists/visitors watch, notice or study birds, butterflies, wild animals at a closer distance. In a walking safari, it is not advised to simply rush tourists/visitors, rather they are given time to watch and learn different aspects of a culture or an object.
This involves making preparation for the safari/walking tour, including preparing equipment’s/tools for the journey, deciding for the do and don’ts, appropriate time etc.The following Tanzania safari tools are some of the recommended for a safari:
1. water bottles,
2. wind/rain protecting clothes
3. binoculars
4. first Aid Kit
5. Walking sticks/poles
6. Field note book
7. Camera, films and spare batteries
8. Travel clock/watch and a torch
9. Snacks
10.Gaiters
11.A spare of light weight safari boots/flat shoes (e.g. canvas
12.Area maps and GPS
13.Flora and Fauna maps
14.Other equipment’s like knives, machetes, shovels e.t.c.
The best time to conduct a walking tour in Tanzania safari is either early in the morning or late evening.
If the safari involves a place where there are wild animals, the knowledge of animals’ behavior and ecology is essential – why?
Timing could involve avoiding carrying safari when animals are active or when the day heat is high.
The guide of Tanzania safari will assume some of the following roles during a walking/guided safari:
1.Leadership e.g. showing the tracks or signs of animals
2.Path finder
3.Interpreter and information giver
4.Enforce rules
5.Foreseer/controller of the tourists/visitors’ activities and behaviors
6.Ensuring the safety of tourists/visitors
7. Provider of First Aid where necessary
1. Arrive early (at least 15 minutes before departure)
2. Dress in proper clothes
3. Approach the group and introduce himself/herself to the group with enthusiasm
4. Observe personality and professionalism
5. Make a cross-check to see whether all team members are physically fit
6. Emphasize on important issues for that particular journey, e.g. the do & don’ts, every participant to be a career of another participant, ensuring togetherness.
7. Check whether tourists/visitors are in proper dress
8. Make a brief introduction about the journey
It is important to note that:
1. In case the walking Tanzania safari is taking place in a national park, game reserve, or conserved area, where there are some wild animals, the animals may become dangerous to tourists/visitors. It is the role of a guide to make sure that, the walking safari is escorted by a game ranger ,or any other person authorized to use a fire arm
2. In many circumstances, a walking Tanzania safari is conducted by one tour guide, especially when the group is manageable. But there are circumstances, where the group is unmanageable. It is the role of a tour guide to seek support from a work mate or any colleague from other company, who is knowledgeable about guiding,if the group cannot be controlled by one guide.
3. In case two or more guides are involved in a walking Tanzania safari, the role of each guide must be stated before the safari begins. In most cases, the lead guide will be walking in front,while interpreting and the other guide will be walking behind the tourists, to ensure their safety.
Note that, it is the role of the person carrying the firearm to point the firearm, to the safe direction all the time when not in use.
1.Watch the muzzle
2.Treat every firearm with respect
3.Be sure of the target and what is in front of it and beyond it
4. Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot
5.Check your barrel and ammunition
6.Unload the ammunitions when not in use
7.Point the firearm only at something you intend to shoot
8.Don’t run, jump or climb with a loaded firearm
9.Store fire arm and ammunitions separately and safely
10 Avoid using alcoholic drink before and during shooting
1.Consider pace that is comfortable to the tourists/visitors,the rule is that don’t move so fast nor too slow before some of the group members.
2.The guide in Tanzania safari should be a leader and if accompanied by a ranger, the ranger should walk behind the group.
3.If you want to elaborate something, make sure every member of the group, is in view of you and talk to the entire group rather than to individuals.
4.If a walk is to be conducted inside a building, the guide must spend some time outside the building, to explain its history and features.
5.Make it a rule to count the group members after every stop.
6.The guide in Tanzania safari, must make it a rule,that when someone wants to leave the group or stop for some reasons, must provide prior information to ensure togetherness
7.Guide in Tanzania safari are Monitor safety of the group all the time
8.Guide in Tanzania safari are Provide first aid in case of accident, injury or any unhealthy event
9.Let tourists/visitors enjoy nature by themselves rather than being told about it
1. After reaching the point of destination,Tanzania guide must let the group know that, the walking safari is over and the group need to walk back to the point of departure
2. Note that: cars may be needed to bring the visitors back to the point of origin.The trail that was used for Tanzania walking safari may not be used in return.
1. Weather fluctuation and this can affect the tour in one or many ways.
2.Attack from wild animals,may occur if proper precaution/protection is not taken into consideration, during a walking safari.
3.Injury may occur in Tanzania safari if, different hazards are not identified and avoided.
4.Tourist loss because of a sudden attack, may sometimes occur and cause tourists to get lost while trying to escape.