Text and photos by Miles Gravett, WT Staff | Zambia Walking Safari
Remote, raw, and untouched, Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park is the birthplace of the walking safari. It’s still one of the only places in the world where you can have this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
I recently joined WT’s Zambia Walking Safari trip for a week of total immersion in the wilderness of South Luangwa National Park. The trip included both walking and driving safaris with accommodations in secluded full-service private mobile camps, for a full safari experience that’s far from the crowded lodges.
With our amazingly knowledgeable tour guide, Jason, and a maximum group size of just six travelers, this trip trades Land Cruiser-bound wildlife viewing for something far more intimate, exciting, and active: experiencing Africa on foot.
Read on for everything you need to know to prepare for a walking safari in Zambia, from what to wear to when to visit. On a walking safari in Zambia, you don’t feel like you are just observing the wilderness—you really do feel like you are part of it!
Why Take a Walking Safari in Zambia?
You’ll see tons of wildlife on a walking safari in South Lwangwa. We saw four of the Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos) on the first day, and continued to have exciting daily sightings. We saw every African animal you can think of on this trip (except rhinos)—from giraffes to leopards.
The real magic of this trip, though, lies in its solitude with no crowds—just pure, wild Africa! Incredibly, for the entire time at the mobile camps along the banks of the Mupamadzi River, we did not see a single other person that was not in our group or part of the camp!
A Typical Day on a Walking Safari
Each day started at sunrise with a tasty breakfast and coffee by the campfire, followed by a morning walk through hills, woodlands, and open plains. Setting out on the daily walks, we never knew what we were going to see. But with Jason’s wealth of knowledge and our armed ranger, Philemon, we felt very safe, even when happening upon a sleeping lion in tall grass, seeing a pack of hyenas and pride of lions vying over a fresh kill, or getting charged by an elephant!
We would track animal prints, learn to read the bush, take tea breaks beneath shady trees and end each day with my favorite activity, sundowner drinks. Chef Albert at our private mobile camps made outstanding food and even baked delicious homemade bread on site!
The team at the mobile camps was outstanding and even though we were far from anywhere, the tents, dining, and service were extraordinary. With the addition of luxurious stays at Nkwali and Nsefu Camps, the beauty and warmth of the Zambian people, and this incredibly unique and active experience, you have the perfect safari adventure.
What to Pack for a Walking Safari
When packing for a walking safari, the most important items to pack include comfortable and sturdy walking shoes, earth-toned clothing, a hat and sunglasses, sunscreen, a water bottle, and a light day pack.
It’s important to blend into your surroundings during a walking safari, so your clothing should be in tones of beige, green, or gray—no whites or blacks. Trousers in a lightweight material like cotton or linen are great to keep you cool yet protected from bugs, and trousers that zip into shorts are even better in case it gets hot. We recommend wearing a lightweight t-shirt with either short or long sleeves, depending on whether or not you want to totally shield yourself from the sun, and bring a lightweight jacket, too, for chilly mornings.
While heavy hiking boots are not necessary, broken-in lightweight hiking boots make the best footwear. But sturdy running shoes work, too—I wore running shoes which were great and super comfortable, but they did have a buffalo thorn come through the sole. A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are essential for UV protection, and you’ll likely want to stash bug repellent and toilet paper in your day pack. Bring binoculars, your camera, and a good book, too! Less is more as everything is mostly provided and there’s daily laundry service available on a WT tour.
Best Time of Year to Go on a Walking Safari in Zambia
I traveled to Zambia in September—it’s the country’s peak dry season, which also makes it the best time for wildlife viewing as all the animals gather at waterholes for a drink. July through September is the most popular time to visit Zambia as you’ll have dry, comfortable walking weather and the best chance at wildlife spotting.
But I’d love to return earlier in the season when the river is flowing and there is more greenery. The shoulder months of May and June offer more verdant landscapes and fewer tourists—although a walking safari in Zambia is always a peaceful, secluded experience, no matter what time of year you visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, walking safaris in Zambia are quite safe. Zambia makes guides go through extensive training and enforces rigorous safety standards when it comes to safaris—an armed ranger was with us at all times in the bush. All safaris carry an inherent risk, but as long as you listen to your ranger’s instructions you can trust you’ll be well taken care of.
Walking safaris are immersive walks through the bush during which you’ll be accompanied by a guide and an armed ranger. Walks set out either right from your camp or from a designated starting point to which you’ll be driven, and usually last for a few hours.
The best national parks for safaris in Zambia include South Luangwa National Park, the birthplace of the walking safari, along with Kafue National Park and Lower Zambezi National Park, both of which have tons of rare and diverse wildlife along with boat-based safari activities.
