Zambia Walking Safari

Step into the wild on this journey across the wildernesses of Zambia’s Luangwa Valley, where leopard stalk the night and a true adventure awaits. Expert guides lead you away from the ordinary to hidden corners of this remote Eden rarely seen by tourists; fall in love with the African bush in a new way in the area that pioneered the walking safari. Reconnect with nature as you fall asleep listening to the call of distant lions after a day exploring the sweeping Luangwa plains and rivers.

1. Fly to Lusaka

2. Days 1-2: South Luangwa National Park

   The adventure begins as you land at Mfuwe Airport, gateway to the South Luangwa, and are met by a Robin Pope guide who whisks you off to Zambia’s wild Luangwa Valley. Your first night is spent relaxing along the banks of the Luangwa River at Nkwali Camp, set in the dappled shade of towering ebony trees. Each of the six chalets look out over a vast meander of the river, a perfect spot to refresh after your journey. Watch as elephants come to cool off in the golden afternoon light from your private terrace before enjoying a dinner under the stars on the open terrace overlooking the lazy waters of the Luangwa’s lagoons.

   Accommodation: Nkwali Camp (1 night)

3. Days 2-7: South Luangwa National Park

   This morning you leave the everyday behind as you are picked up by your guide and team for the next five nights and head to the little trodden paths of the northern national park. Your home for the coming days is a fully serviced and set up mobile camp, a chance to get back to the real soul of safari and immerse yourself in the magic of the African bush. Each of the meru tents comes with full bedding and small terrace, while hot bucket showers are welcome after a day’s walking. Set along the banks of the Mupamadzi River, the camp is an escape into another wilder world. 
   You get up with the dawn, enjoying a light breakfast as the sun slowly rises over the horizon before setting out in the cool of the morning on your walking safari. Home of this inimitable experience, South Luangwa boasts large numbers of Africa’s most prized wildlife including leopard, lion, elephant, wild dog and so much more. However, on foot you truly appreciate this enchanting location – seeing the bush in a whole new light. Your expert guide will bring the landscape to life, from ants to buffalo weavers to tracking lions across the plains, unearth the many and ever-changing faces of the bush. Nights are spent under the blazing Milky Way and star strewn sky, sitting round a crackling fire with a cold beer in hand, your only company the haunting calls of hyenas in the distance.
   

   Accommodation: Robin Pope Safaris Mobile Camp (5 nights)

4. Days 7-8: South Luangwa National Park

   Today you are taken back to the main area of the South Luangwa to Tena Tena Camp where you can relish in a few more creature comforts over the evening. The six tents and camp snake along the river, kept cool by the lush trees overhead. Set out on an afternoon game drive or feel the thrill of spotting nocturnal creatures as they catch the rays of a spotlight on a night drive.

   Accommodation: Tena Tena Camp (1 night)

5. Days 8-11: North Luangwa National Park

   After breakfast you are drive back to Mfuwe Airport where your flight to the North Luangwa awaits. Be sure to take your binoculars aboard so you can watch out over the landscape below for tell tale shapes of elephant and giraffe. The short flight lands in the remote North Luangwa where your guide from Remote African Safaris drives you to the banks of the Luangwa River before you take a five-minute canoe trip to your final stop. Takwela Camp harks back to a different time and a simpler safari. With only two tents and maximum of four guests, delight in being hundreds of miles from civilisation. The open rooms and natural style blends with the surroundings, and solar panels mean that you can stay without impacting on the landscape. 
   Located at a confluence of the Luangwa and Mwaleshi Rivers, the camp has mesmerising views across the water, where resident hippos honk and splash. A truly intimate safari in this unexplored gem is a real extravagance that is hard to beat. Set out on game drives to seek the wildlife that calls this place home, traverse the darkness on a night drive where leopard stalk or trek across the wild on walking safari to where few have ever trod. Every day is a different surprise, and with only three camps in an area three times the size of Greater London, be assured of complete exclusivity. 
   

   Accommodation: Takwela Camp (3 nights)

6. Fly home

   It’s a sad return to reality on your last day, after a last safari it’s a short flight back to Mfuwe where you catch your flight to Lusaka and onwards to your final destination.

South Luangwa and North Luangwa