Walk on the Wild Side in Untouched Africa
Zambia Walking Safari
Overview
Remote and untamed, Zambia is the legendary birthplace of the walking safari. With our expert Trip Leader Jason Alfonsi, we invite you to step out of the vehicle and experience wild Africa—on foot. Exciting game walks reveal aspects of wild Africa in a way that is impossible from a vehicle. On foot, you actually become a part of the environment and it's a much richer experience. As they say, from a vehicle, you see the bush—on foot, you feel it! South Luangwa National Park—3,500 square miles of untouched wilderness—is an unforgettably beautiful place and our private Hemingway-style mobile camps ensure cozy comfort.
Arrive: Mfuwe, Zambia
Depart: Mfuwe, Zambia
Highlights
- Experience an incredible walking safari with a small group (maximum 6!) for an authentic and intimate experience
- Enjoy great leopard sightings and the possibility of predator-prey interactions
- Take night drives to get closer to many nocturnal creatures
- Stay in delightful full-service private mobile camps with a chef
Itinerary
At 12-guest Nkwali Camp, set on private land on the Luangwa River, the wildlife is all around us. The endemic Thornicroft's giraffe is often seen near camp, and tonight we may hear them browsing outside our chalets. With the setting of the sun, a different world awakens, revealing the nocturnal realm of lion, genet, and hyena.
In this remote and untouched environment where we'll see no other people, we have five full days to enjoy the best walking imaginable, taking us through several habitats each day, from hilly ridges to floodplains, from miombo woodland to mopani woodland to riverine woodland, and to the picturesque Mupamadzi River, with its clear waters and white sand. From examining a bird's nest to tracking a lion, we'll get an eye-opening experience of the fascinating bush ecosystem. Our private, moveable tented camps feature walk-in tents and our own chef and full kitchen and camp services.
Around Nsefu, a secluded camp with a classic bush atmosphere, leopard sightings are frequent, and it is a thrill to see one of these gorgeous cats padding through the shadows, its tail lifted high, or perched languidly in a sausage tree. Depart on Day 10 via Mfuwe or extend to majestic Victoria Falls.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 3, Moderate, according to our trip grading system. It is an active safari featuring extensive bush walking, a mix of moderate cross-country walks and hikes off trail, supplemented by game drives. Participants must have endurance, be agile, in good health, and in good shape. During the walking safari, we are in mobile camps and our schedule is a bit more flexible.
Review Trip Level Details
We walk 6-8 miles per day, typically in the early morning and in the late afternoon. We walk cross-country and the terrain can be challenging from dried broken-clay riverbeds to overgrown brush. Well broken-in lightweight hiking boots or walking shoes with lug soles and ankle support are recommended.
The best months for viewing wildlife are from May to October, when minimum rainfall forces the animals to the river and the grasses of the bushveld are short, improving gameviewing visibility. Most of Zambia lies on a wide plateau at about 3,000 feet, with the Zambezi and its tributaries (the Luangwa and Kafue) cutting deep valleys into the edges of the plateau. Although Zambia is in the tropics, the altitude of the plateau ensures that the climate is generally less hot than in surrounding countries. Average summer temperatures range between 77°F to 95°F. May to August is the cooler dry season, and temperatures can get as low as 50°F at night.
At Nkwali and Nsefu we stay in comfortable, airy bungalows that have en suite bathrooms with flush toilets and showers. Our fully serviced mobile camps are set up with well-equipped walk-in tents with full bedding. At each camp, there is a shower and a shared latrine-style toilet. Delicious meals of a high standard are served on the walking safari.
A typical day starts with an early wake-up call and tea, coffee, cereals, and toast. After breakfast, we depart on a game drive, with a midmorning stop for tea/coffee and cakes. We return anytime between 9:30 am and midday. After lunch, there is a chance to rest, read, or spend a few quiet hours viewing animals near our accommodation. Around 4 pm, following tea and cakes, we depart on a game drive that continues through sundown -- and sometimes into the evening for exciting nighttime gameviewing. We return for hot showers, drinks at the bar, a three-course dinner, and perhaps a nightcap sitting around the fire under the stars. We retire around 10:30 pm, as the hyenas begin to call.
Our game drives are in open 4WD vehicles, a boon for great photographic opportunities. During drives and walks, we can at times get quite close to wild animals. Being very quiet improves everybody's chances of observation. In the interest of safety, your Trip Leader explains limitations on movement while on game drives, in the safari vehicles, and around camp. Incidents with wild animals are extremely rare on safaris, but no trip can guarantee immunity from such incidents. Wilderness Travel is not to be held responsible for incidents involving the behavior of wildlife.
Client Testimonials
"My first trip to Africa and I loved it. The camps were comfortable without being ’‘over the top’ and the guides were great. All the staff was amazing."
Ann Z.
Pensacola FL
"What an amazing experience. The memories made on this trip will last forever. Thank you!"
Bill Z.
Watertown, SD
"I had a superb trip—not only the itinerary, locations, and experiences, but the staff at all venues were truly outstanding. Also, Jason Alfonsi is a real gem, a polished diamond!"
Brian T.
Scottsdale, AZ
"Having experienced many 4WD game drives, I have to admit that I’ve become a walking safari fan. It’s a whole different type of experience, much more intimate."
Dennis H.
Venice, CA
"On the walking safari, we saw no other people! The animals were splendid, and Zambia is so wild and special."
Dianne L.
Fairfax Station, VA
"The combination of a walking safari and vehicle safari is excellent."
Dieter S.
Green Valley, AZ
"Memories from the Zambia Walking Safari will last a lifetime for me. The wildlife, the terrain, the staff, accommodations, and our guide Jason Alfonsi were all tremendous. I guess the best way to describe my experience is that I can't wait to return. Wherever we go next, Wilderness Travel will be our first choice."
Gary T.
Seattle, WA
"Our first Wilderness trip has left us most impressed."
Helen and Alan B.
Willowdale, Ontario
"Every aspect of the trip was fantastic. I had not really given thought to the food prior to leaving but was totally wowed by the quality, variety, and service. Our chef was amazing!"
Jennifer T.
Guttenberg, NJ
"An amazing trip. Everyone should get the opportunity to go on a trip like this!"
Julia V.
St. Louis, MO
"An eye-opening experience into the wildlife, culture, and people of Zambia."
Larry S.
Dayton, OH
"Absolutely without a doubt the trip of a lifetime for our family!"
Lisa D.
Dublin,CA
"I absolutely loved this trip. The walking safari takes Africa to a new experience."
Pam P.
Portland, OR
"This was an inspiring trip. I particularly enjoyed the walking part of the safari, which really gives you a taste of life in the African bush. The national park we visited is beautiful and remote and the accommodations are charming and well run."
Peter and Henry H.
New York, NY
"It was a perfect trip that met and exceeded all my expectations. Jason couldn't have been more fun and all the food was fantastic!"
Sally B.
Diamond Bar, CA
"Of the many adventure travel experiences we have had, this was tops."
Steve F.
Philomath, OR
"This was the second time we've made this trip, and it was just as impressive as the first time."
Steve F.
Philomath, OR
"I would like to do this same trip again! I loved very minute of it. Everyone was wonderful and Jason was unbelievable."
Sue V.
Haslett, MI
"It was the adventure of a lifetime and I felt very well cared for."
Susan D.
Eastham, MA
"This was a trip of a lifetime, made special by our incredible good fortune at seeing such a range of wildlife in unique settings."
Susan T.
Columbia, SC
"Wonderful trip—it met all of my expectations and more! The camping experience was much better that I had anticipated!"
Suzanne O.
Trumbull, CT
"Fabulous trip. Our cook on the mobile portion of the safari was amazing. Excellent food everywhere and a great itinerary."
Vicki G.
Oakland, CA
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Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.