There is just something about the wildlife and the scenic beauty of Africa that really touches people, even if it is only seen through photographs, movies or documentaries about the African continent. As a result, many people eventually find their way to Africa to experience a real African safari. Walking safaris are a unique way to experience the nature, people and animals there, and they are becoming one of the most popular types of safari holidays that people are booking.

A walking safari allows the adventuresome traveler to truly get "up close" and "personal" with the wilds of this vast and amazing continent. Walking quietly through an African safari wildlife park that is known to be inhabited by big game and other wild animals is a completely different experience that allows the visitor the opportunity to begin to feel as though they are part of the overall wilderness experience.

Such an experience is in stark contrast to being restricted to viewing the landscape and the animals from within a vehicle. Even a slow moving vehicle cannot give people the sense of their surroundings that walking safaris can provide, as the group makes their way through plains and forests of the wild.

Of course, this also means that it is important to have skilled, knowledgeable and experienced safari travel guides leading the walking safari. Indeed, it would be completely foolhardy to undertake such an endeavor without a safari guide nearby and well-armed. And, this does serve to highlight the fact that a walking safari can be more dangerous because the participants are not protected by vehicles, which can speed away from danger at high speeds.

Instead, a successful walking safari relies on keen observation skills that an experienced safari guide will bring to the expedition. Such guides will lead the safari travel guests into locations where they can enjoy better and closer views of the wildlife, while at the same time assuring their safety to the best of their abilities. Depending on the size of the safari group, there may be several guides and staff members who travel armed and ready to defend and protect.

With a walking safari there is the potential to encounter just about any type of wild beast or bird that is native to the area. A common sight is a giraffe grazing on the juicy, tender leaves up in the tree tops, an enormous elephant pushing over an old tree, an African savanna buffalo at a watering hole, or even scavengers picking over what is left of yesterdays kill.

A walking safari is not for everyone, though. In order to participate, you need to be physically up to the task of walking for hours in the heat of the African plains or the humidity of the jungles. While the pace is usually fairly slow and there are many stops to listen, watch and observe the wildlife around you, it can still be a draining experience for anyone who is less than fit. Anyone who is contemplating a walking safari should be in good enough condition to be able to walk for several hours per day, and each consecutive day, for the duration of the safari.

Another consideration about walking safaris is that these treks are definitely geared towards people who are either seeking out high adventure, or who are not bothered by potential risks. Although most of these safaris are safe, anyone who would not be comfortable with an unexpected, dangerous situation should book a safari travel package that is vehicle-based.

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