 Thrilling
walking safari in the Park
By Elisha Mayallah
One of the few things I learnt about a walking safari in the Arusha National
Park while planning our trip was that it had been attracting many tourists
lately. The walking safari is just one of the features that make this Park
different from other great game Parks. Yet, strangely, the walking safari as we
know it is comparatively a recent product, brought by the Park authorities.
All Tanzania national parks are beautiful from the tourist view, but game
viewing from a car doesn't always give the real feel of what the Park can offer.
Through walking I hoped to find a little more adventure and insight, and I
thought, perhaps this is a more practical reflection of humans relationship with
the nature and wild animals than the one we have become used to.
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Tourists in this park are very likely
to enjoy the greatest wildlife spectacles left on the planet. |
"If you are an active or adventurous type, then walking is the most exciting and
educational way of getting to grips with the wilderness", said Mr. Erastus
Lufungulo, the Chief Park Warden of the Arusha National Park.
It was precisely an opportunity for close contact with the nature which had
attracted me to this Park, famed for the diverse and plentiful wildlife that
roams its vast savannas, wetlands and forests sweeping landscapes that typify
authentic Africa.
Mr. Godson Kimaro, the Park Warden set the scene for my encounter with the
wilderness in the heart of the now very popular Park. At heart this was why I
had come, but when it went down to a walking safari in the Park, I began to
think seriously about the risks.
He, however, assured me that, unlikely as it sounded, no animal would attack us
while walking. During the walk we were to be accompanied by an alert and armed
game ranger to protect us from rowdy animals. For, the choice between safety and
possible death isn't a difficult one. I preferred safety and still loved to live
very much.
It did not take long for Mr. Kimaro and I to appreciate the remarkable
surroundings in which we found ourselves. In the tranquillizing heat of
midmorning, our slow passage through the papyrus reeds and placid waterways was
mesmerizing and peaceful. Nothing to do except enjoy the sunshine and warmth,
reflect on our journey and expect more adventures.
Another few minutes walk brought us to an undistinguished area of tall trees.
All I needed was to watch where I stepped, to avoid sinking into muddy water.
The idea here was that you walk around on appointed paths.
The paths followed dry watercourses under towering trees with many unusual trees
which were just getting their leaves as those around them were losing theirs.
We walked in a single file behind the armed game ranger, and once he motioned to
us to be still and quiet, explaining that an elephant was feeding in a nearby
tree. We could see the top of the tree being shaken and pulled, and heard the
sounds of branches being torn. After watching alertly for some moments, the
ranger finally signalled we could continue. We kept clear of trees lined near
the waterways because of the elephants.
It was cool, moist day and overwhelming, and I felt greatly privileged to be
there. The bush was in excellent condition giving us clear sightings of
wildlife. Birds were plentiful and along the way three birds were preying on
exposed insects.
At a further distance we saw young warthogs with their aerial tails scuttled
ahead as a red duicker watched inquisitively from a shady spot. We walked
through a land of tall trees populated with African wildlife nesting in a
woodland thicket. The birds thrilled the air in great, swirling mesmerizing
flocks.
After the tour, I can confirm that tourists in this Park are very likely to
enjoy the greatest wildlife spectacles left on the planet, and the wilderness
without hearing or seeing any other signs of humanity except other tourists and
game rangers. In terms of value for money this is the best safari deal near
Arusha, Moshi and Nairobi destinations.
When I bade farewell to my new-found love - Arusha National Park - it was a
heavy heart! "You should have been here a long-time ago!" said Mr. Erastus
Lufungulo, the Chief Park Warden as he drove me out of the Park.
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