Long walks in Kenya/Tanzania

Someone at some point over the last few years did a 3 day walking safari somewhere around Tsavo. If this is of any interest to you I could do a search in the trip report index for you. Just let me know?

Yes, that's exactly what I'm thinking about! Thanks. I'll try to search more myself too.

I haven't done it myself but there's The Great Walk in Tsavo http://www.tropical-ice.com/it_grtwalk.htm There have been a some past posts and photo links on this forum about it if you search.

We've done overnight fly camping with walks at Kicheche in the Mara. We only did 2-3 hour walks but that was by choice. Perhaps you could arrange longer walks. Also depending on where the fly camp is situated, it may be possible to walk from main camp to the fly camp and vv (instead of having a vehicle transfer you to/from the fly camp and starting your walks from the fly camp which is what we did).

We've also done walks on El Karama Ranch in Laikipia. Again we only did short ones but it may be possible to arrange something longer. You would see plenty of game here. They also have a horse riding operation and have added camels as well so it may be possible to organize multi-day camping/camel supported walking safaris. I know they do multi-day camping/horseback safaris moving from camp to camp so I'm imagining something similar except walking and using camels as pack animals.

Karisa on Tumaren Ranch in Laikipia specializes in walking safaris. I haven't used them before. They only have camping on the ranch but offer different levels of camping/guiding depending on your preference/needs.

Good luck!

I wanted to add that Tropical Ice also offers other multi-day walks besides the Tsavo one.

And it's Karisia not Karisa.

Here is the info from the index on the walking safari I mentioned. Note that it is 12 days - not three as I thought I remembered but still you may find the report good to read & the pictures fun to look at! Patty, I looked for the one you mentioned, but couldn't find it in the index. Maybe it's in the ones I haven't read yet from last August though - hope I haven't missed any!

TREEHUGGER KENYA JUNE 2007

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=4&tid=35026958 (REPORT)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ralphpina/sets/72157600464728547/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/clarissahughes/sets/72157600716777319/


Agent, Outfitter: ECO AFRICA TRAVEL
Guide:
Type: WALKING SAFARI IN TSAVO
Logistics: walking
Things you shouldn’t miss: this is a great description of a 12-day walking safari! Cool!

ITINERARY:
This walk covers 153 kms in 12 days.
Starting in Mzima Springs in Tsavo West, this walk follows the contour of the old WW1 road alongside the Tsavo river.

Lynda,
We were referring to the same walk. Thanks for looking it up. Those are exactly the photos I was thinking of. I think Tropical Ice is the ground operator in Kenya.

Lewa Downs does nice walks. I went for half a day, but I'm sure you could go the whole day.

But for walking in Kenya, I'd agree Tsavo is the signature destination.

You can also do all-day or even several-day walks in the Ngorongoro Conservation area of Tanzania, mainly to Olmoti or Empakaai craters. I haven't used this company, but their itinerary will give you an idea of what to research:

http://www.utalii.com/itineraries/ngoro_tara.htm

You can also go out walking with the Hadzabe, a hunter-gatherer tribe near Lake Eyasi.

I too was thinking about the walk in/around the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) - Olmoti can be done as half-day during your stay on the crater rim, while Empakaai can be an extended trek for a few days, sleeping out. Most outfitters can arrange this for you.

Did you consider Suguroi Hills Tree House at Serian? You hike from Serian's main camp to the treehouse accompanied by Serian guides, spend a night or two and return to Serian on foot. Access is by foot only. The Australian ambassador to Kenya was at Serian when we were there and she hiked to and stayed at Suguroi and loved it. I am afraid I don't remember how long the hike was - but I am certain the guides could make it an all-day hike if you wish. Have a look at the Serian website - the info is there. www.serian.net - the link to the info is right on the main page under the Serian Kenya info. Robin

try the 4 day wal from Sand Rivers Selous - this is amazing - more info at http://www.sand-rivers-selous.com/camp/activities.html

micmic, I was just on the website for one of the companies that we travelled with May - Warrior Trails in Tanzania & lo & behold, there is a whole section of walks in Tanzania that I came across!

It says that they will customize any number of days for you, so here is another link for you -

http://warriortrails.com/Warrior%20Walks.htm#Serengeti%20Sunset%20Hike

We did our TZ portion of the trip with them in May, so I can definitely attest to the fact they they are a good, reliable company. It is owned by a Maasai from the highlands area, so he would defnitely know all the good areas to hike!

The 3-4 hour walk along the Ruaha River is a beauty - can do if from any camp there as it's run by the rangers. No real tracking involved though... you follow the river and see what you see. I was told that there were also plans to add more walking opportunties there, and I think some of the camps might already have the walking and fly camping thing going on. Maybe inquire with the camps to see if the more varied walking opportunties have happened. Would be a great place for it.

Other that I know of from experience/seen with eyes.... Kicheche and Serian and other camps outside the Mara, as previously mentioned. I'm hoping to try the overnight Kicheche one next month if they don't stop because of the rains. Elsa's Kopje does/did them in Meru in the dry season, but I think they were pretty short.

And, in or after the rainy season it's possible walks might be off because the grass is too long to be safe or there are too many ticks around.(That's extrapolation from experience but it is just common sense)

But my general impression has been that in East Africa they do not go actively "looking" for animals so much - at least in Kenya, walks seem to usually be in specially designated "safe" areas - even outside the parks. There was the infamous case of the jogger who sued Lewa when she got stomped and crippled by an elephant on a "jog". She awas awarded massive damages by the courts and I think that gives some idea of the mentality of (some of??) the authorities to this. My impression is that is not the case in some other countries?

Just so everyone knows, it wasn't an elephant attack of a jogger on Lewa Conservancy but on one of the adjoining community areas. True that LWC was sued as it was claimed that they were involved with the camp in question.