How a Nyerere walking safari works
A walking safari in Nyerere National Park takes you out of the vehicle and into the bush with a ranger. It is one of the three ways to see the park: game drives, boat safaris on the Rufiji and guided walks. You need to book ahead, and the park issues a permit for the walk.
On foot you notice smaller things than from a vehicle: tracks, dung, insects, the smell of the miombo woodland. Large animals are not the point of a walk, and nobody can promise a sighting. Treat the walk as a different way to read the landscape, and keep your game drives for the big animals.
Our picks: walking safaris
Walks with a ranger of one to two and a half hours, each combined with a boat ride or game drive.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
5-day Mikumi and Nyerere safari with a ranger walk
- Park fees included
- Rufiji boat safari
- Walk with a ranger
Two days in Mikumi, then three in Nyerere National Park (formerly part of the Selous), in a private 4x4 with a driver-guide. Accommodation and meals follow the itinerary, and a village visit is part of it.
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2-day fly-in safari with a walk and a boat ride
- Return flights included
- Park entry and taxes
- Open jeep, full board
From a Zanzibar hotel by private van and plane into Nyerere National Park (formerly part of the Selous), with a game drive, a walk with an armed ranger and a boat ride of about two hours on the Rufiji. One night in mid-range accommodation.
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3-day safari with boat, game drive and a short bush walk
- Park entry included
- About 1 hour walking safari
- Two nights, meals
Day 1 is a boat safari, day 2 a full-day game drive and day 3 a walking safari of about an hour. Flights are extra.
Check availability →Nyerere safaris and tours
Guided safaris in and around Nyerere National Park with live prices and availability. Ask the operator whether a walk can be added to your stay.
Rules on a walk
What the ranger will ask of you.
An armed ranger and set paths
Walks go with an armed ranger on designated paths. Some programs add a second armed guide.
Stay in line and follow instructions
Follow the ranger's instructions at all times. The ranger decides the route.
No feeding, no shortcuts
Do not feed animals and do not leave the permitted paths. The same rules apply on game drives, where you stay on the open tracks.
Keep away from the water's edge
Hippos and crocodiles live along the Rufiji and its lakes. Approaching the shore or animals on foot is only for guests with an authorised escort. The Nyerere boat safari is the safer way to watch them.
Walking safari fees on the tariff
Amounts from the 2022/23 tariff, per person, before tax.
| Item | Non-East African visitors and residents | East African citizens | Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short walk, 1 to 4 hours | $20 | TZS 5,000 | $10 (from age 12) or TZS 2,500 |
| Long walk, over 4 hours | $25 | TZS 10,000 | $15 (from age 12) or TZS 5,000 |
| Guide fee, per group and day | $40 | TZS 30,000 | – |
These are the amounts of the 2022/23 tariff. Check the current amount before you book, and ask whether the price of your safari already includes the walk and the guide fee. Entry to the park is charged on top of this, see our Nyerere park fees page.
For most visitors, a short walk of one to four hours added to a stay with game drives is the sensible start. A long walk makes sense if you already know the park and want more time on foot.
Age limits and who can join
The old tariff has a child category from age 12, which is a price category and not a promise that a child can join. Some operators take guests on their walks only from age 16. The minimum age depends on the operator.
If you travel with teenagers, ask your operator for its own limit before you pay. Wear closed shoes, a hat and long trousers, and carry water.
Planning your Nyerere walking safari
Five points to settle when you book.
Ask for the walk when you book
Walks are arranged in advance with a permit, so you cannot count on joining one on the day. Say in your first message that you want one.
Ask about start time and route
Start times, routes and group size depend on the operator and the ranger. There is no fixed daily departure to rely on, so ask what your operator plans.
Pick the season with care
Heavy rain makes tracks and river crossings harder. Read the Nyerere weather page before you fix dates.
Combine it with a boat trip and drives
A day in the park often mixes a game drive and a boat trip on the Rufiji. Start with the Nyerere safari page for how the days fit together.
Choose where you sleep
Camps along the Rufiji and its lakes differ in what they offer. See Nyerere lodges and camps for the types of stay.
More on Nyerere
Where to go next.
Nyerere animals
Elephants, lions, hippos and the birds of the park.
African wild dogs
Packs, research and why a sighting is never certain.
Park fees
Entry, vehicle and payment, with the tariff year.
If you want to compare with another southern park, walks are also a feature of walking safaris in Ruaha.
Nyerere walking safari: frequently asked questions
Can you do a walking safari in Nyerere National Park?
Yes. Ranger-led walks are one of the activities of the park, next to game drives and boat safaris. They need advance booking and a permit.
How much does a walking safari cost?
Under the 2022/23 tariff, a short walk of 1 to 4 hours costs $20 and a long walk of over 4 hours $25 for adult non-East African visitors, plus a guide fee of $40 per group and day. Amounts are before tax and may have changed, so check them before you book.
How old do you have to be?
The tariff has a child price from age 12, but some operators take guests on walks only from 16. Ask your operator for its own limit.
Is a walking safari dangerous?
Any walk near wild animals carries risk. Rangers carry arms, choose the route and stop the group when needed. Follow their instructions and stay in line, and keep away from the water's edge.
Can I walk on my own in the park?
No. Plan every walk with a ranger on a permitted path.
What should I wear on a walking safari?
Closed shoes, a hat and long trousers, and carry water. Your ranger will tell you more before you set off.