Zambia's South Luangwa is renowned for its walking

Walking safaris

Walking safaris in Africa

Experiencing Africa's wilderness areas is integral to most of our trips, and there's no better way than on foot. Walking safaris in Africa are completely different to game drives – being on foot brings about a totally new way of understanding your surroundings.

Walking safaris were the original safari and remain the purest form. Away from the comfort of the 4WD safari vehicle your senses suddenly awaken as the bush becomes more ‘real’. This is where humans evolved and experiencing the sounds and smells just as all our ancestors did can be profound. Encountering animals on their terms as a participant in their world can be far more rewarding than just spectating – few things are as humbling as meeting a wild elephant on foot.

Walks typically last two to four hours, and they’re not usually route-marches! Depending on the country, there may be a single safari guide, a guide and a national park’s scout, or even two guides – certainly in most areas where walking safaris may encounter dangerous big game at least one of the party will be armed.

Your safari guide will usually identify tracks, highlight interesting insects, talk about fascinating plants and discuss the ecosystem in general – as well as sometimes tracking some of the larger animals. It’s a great way to appreciate the smaller wildlife, which can’t be so easily seen from a vehicle, as well as to experience the buzz of being out with the big game.

Most of our countries offer safari walks, however the precise forms of these vary considerably between the countries, reserves and camps. The scenery, group size, and the quality and likelihood of encountering big game plays a part – but by far the most important factor in your experience is the guide. We know many of the continent’s best walking safari guides; speak to one of our experts about the best way to incorporate walking safaris into your trip.

Our top walking safaris

For many, the only way to really experience Africa. Get inspired for your walking safari.

Jackal Fly-in Safari

8 days • 2 locations
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT

Enjoy a range of activities on this luxury fly-in safari. Explore the remoter regions of Ruaha National Park and Nyerere National Park with phenomenal guides during stays at two impressively comfortable camps that remain perfectly in keeping with their surroundings.

US$7,740 - US$9,960 per person

Beho Beho

Walking safaris at Beho Beho are some of the best you will find in Tanzania. With extremely knowledgeable, well-trained guides, and good wildlife viewing in Nyerere National Park. The high guiding standards translate into visitors gaining more of an insight into the park.

Ikuka Safari Camp

Head out for a walking safari with a knowledgeable guide from Ikuka and discover the lesser-known flora and fauna of the bush. Learn how to identify bird calls and how to recognise animal tracks and scat, and the many medicinal uses of plants.

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Scrub Hare Safari

7 days • 3 locations
LUSAKA AIRPORT TO LUSAKA AIRPORT

Camps run by welcoming owners with a passion for their environment are rare, and Tafika is one of the best. Combine this with walking safaris at equally excellent bushcamps for the best of the South Luangwa.

US$5,790 - US$6,760 per person

Tafika

Tafika is owned and run by John Coppinger, one of the most experienced guides for walking safaris in Zambia, who helps to monitor guiding standards in the valley. Camp-to-camp walking trails are possible between Tafika and its satellite bushcamps, Crocodile and Chikoko.

Chikoko Tree Camp

Chikoko is run by Remote Africa Safaris, a company with considerable experience of running walking safaris in Zambia. The lack of roads and vehicles, and the camp-to-camp trails, make this one of the best spots for walking in Zambia.

Big Lagoon Camp

Located in a remote area with great wildlife and no interruptions from vehicles, Big Lagoon Camp is one of the best camps for walking safaris in Zambia. Top walking guides, and porters to transfer your luggage between camps, add to the experience.

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Lion Safari

7 days • 2 locations
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT

The classic Expert Africa Zimbabwe safari. Combining two of our favourite independent camps, each run by celebrated guides, exciting game drives, world-class walks and canoeing in premier wildlife watching destinations.

US$6,730 - US$9,320 per person

Vundu Camp

Mana Pools is one of Africa's best parks for walking, and Vundu Camp focuses squarely on the very best professional guiding. The open environment gives good visibility, and walkers can often get surprisingly close to relaxed bull elephants, or packs of wild dogs.

Camp Hwange

For a wildlife safari in Zimbabwe, consider Camp Hwange, which has a very strong focus on top guiding. Whether watching wildlife by vehicle or tracking it on foot, you can expect to be led by incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides with a real passion for the bush.

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Side-striped Jackal Safari

6 days • 2 locations
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT

Get an in-depth experience of Zimbabwe’s colossal Hwange National Park, staying at two experience-focused camps with excellent guiding in contrasting areas. An adventurous safari for the real enthusiast.

US$3,220 - US$4,840 per person

Hwange Bush Camp

Walking safaris in Zimbabwe are exemplified by Hwange Bush Camp. Tracking big animals such as elephant, lion and occasionally black rhino on foot would be typical of a morning's activity – and you’ll also be introduced to the smaller creatures of Hwange National Park.

Camp Hwange

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Bat Hawk Safari

7 days • 2 locations
HARARE AIRPORT TO JOHANNESBURG AIRPORT

Explore two areas revered by safari enthusiasts with some of Africa’s best walking and some superb guiding – even by Zimbabwe’s high standards – for a varied and wonderfully immersive wilderness experience.

US$8,110 - US$10,240 per person

Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge

Gonarezhou is one of Zimbabwe's least developed and least visited national parks. This largely unspoilt wilderness is one of the best places to explore on a walking safari and Chilo Gorge's guiding team are one of the best to show you around.

Little Vundu

Mana Pools renowned for its walking safaris, the open environment gives good visibility and walkers can often get surprisingly close to relaxed elephants, or packs of wild dogs in the company of a fully qualified professional guide from Little Vundu.

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Yellow Baboon Fly-In Safari

7 days • 2 locations
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT

Two authentic bushcamps offer access to Ruaha’s remote wildernesses through walking safaris, day and night 4WD drives and fly-camping. Explore in almost utter isolation, with superb guiding to heighten your immersion in nature.

US$7,950 - US$9,220 per person

Kwihala Camp

Experienced guides and a variety of walking safaris, that can take you to parts of the park inaccessible by road, make Kwihala one of the best camps for walking in Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park.

Kichaka Expeditions

Kichaka offers one of the most unique, exclusive and remote walking experiences in Africa. The camp’s owner, Moli, is an extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide. He leads many of these walking safaris and is more adept than most at actively tracking big game.

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Civet Safari

9 days • 4 locations
LUSAKA AIRPORT TO LUSAKA AIRPORT

Combining three intimate bushcamps in the quieter south of the South Luangwa, this safari will appeal to those looking for an interesting mix of walking and vehicle safari.

US$7,480 - US$9,230 per person

Chamilandu Bushcamp

With good guides, varied terrain, and the ability to walk to several of its sister camps, Chamilandu is a very good choice for a walking safari in Zambia.

Bilimungwe Bushcamp

The area surrounding Bilimungwe camp is varied, with some pretty stretches of riverine woodland, thicker miombo woodland and open waterholes. Excellent walking guides and the ability to walk between camps make this an excellent choice for a walking safari in Zambia.

Kapamba Bushcamp

Walking safaris between Kapamba and its sister camps are a great way to see Zambia on foot. A typical itinerary might start at Chamilandu, walking to Chindeni, Bilimungwe and then Kapamba. Each walk lasts around three or four hours.

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Robin Pope Walking Safari

7 days • 3 locations
LUSAKA AIRPORT TO LUSAKA AIRPORT

The definitive, original mobile walking safari; explore the remote north of the South Luangwa on foot while staying in a simple mobile camp that moves with the group.

US$6,500 - US$7,870 per person

Nsefu

The area surrounding Nsefu is open and flat with excellent game and varied vegetation, which makes it a great base for walking safaris in Zambia. Keen walkers might opt to sleep under the stars at a Robin Pope Safaris bushcamp.

Robin Pope mobile

Photographic walking safaris were pioneered in Zambia’s Luangwa Valley – where Robin Pope’s operation is la crème de la crème. It’s a trip for purists, who can expect great guiding and like-minded company from other enthusiasts of bush walking.

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Perekani Walking Trail

10 days • 5 locations
LUSAKA AIRPORT TO LUSAKA AIRPORT

Five smart but rustic bushcamps are the comfortable staging posts for this walking safari in South Luangwa. The route offers outstanding seclusion and rich wildlife with top-quality guiding throughout.

US$9,070 - US$10,950 per person

Mwamba Bushcamp

Mwamba lies in a game-rich area which, combined with expert guides, makes it a great spot for walking safaris in Zambia. Guests combining their stay at Mwamba with its sister camp, Kaingo, can walk from camp to camp.

Tafika

Chikoko Tree Camp

Big Lagoon Camp

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Oribi Safari

10 days • 4 locations
LUSAKA AIRPORT TO LUSAKA AIRPORT

This is a great safari for those looking to immerse themselves in true wilderness, with few additional frills yet considerable authentic comfort. The standard of guiding is consistently impressive and the walking safaris throughout are a real highlight.

US$12,510 - US$13,140 per person

Tafika

Kutali Camp

Kyle Branch helped design the new National Guide Training Program in Zambia, and has a wealth of experience guiding walking safaris. The area around Kutali is remote, but with plenty of wildlife, and the island is perfect for exploring on foot.

Chula Island Camp

The area around Chula is remote, but with plenty of wildlife - a perfect spot for a Zambian walking safari with one of the camp’s experienced guides.

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