This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more

Skip to main content

Talk to an expert 1-800-242-2434 Lines open now

User menu
Walking safaris in Zambia
Walking safaris in Zambia
Walking safaris in Zambia
Walking safaris in Zambia
Walking safaris in Zambia
Walking safaris in Zambia
Walking safaris in Zambia
Walking safaris in Zambia
Walking safaris in Zambia
Walking safaris in Zambia
Walking safaris in Zambia
Walking safaris in Zambia

Zambia offers Africa's widest choice of reliably excellent walking safaris.

Most camps in the South Luangwa National Park have highly experienced walking guides.

Some safari camps in the Luangwa national parks focus exclusively on walking safaris...

...giving a completely different feel to those which offer a mix of activities.

Walking by a pod of hippos near Kaingo Camp

Zambia walking safaris

Walking safaris in Zambia: our top 10 safaris

Zambia offers Africa's widest choice of reliably excellent walking safaris. Strict guiding exams have guaranteed consistently high standards for walking safaris in Zambia. Then great wildlife and high-quality camps run by bush enthusiasts combine to make Zambian walking safaris amongst the best anywhere.

The South Luangwa National Park is said to be the birthplace of walking safaris and you'll still find some of the continent's best on-foot experiences here. Virtually every camp has highly experienced walking guides. There are also camps in the Lower Zambezi National Park and Kafue National Park that offer fantastic walking safaris.

Look hard and in both North and South Luangwa national parks you can also find safari camps which only offer walking safaris! If you like the idea of walking, then these are great little camps to stay in, and have a completely different feel to those which offer a mix of activities. Either way you are bound to benefit enormously from the highly qualified guides' expert knowledge.


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.


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.


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.


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

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.


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.

Mwaleshi Camp

Mwaleshi is one of Africa's top walking camps, dedicated to walking safaris, and run by Remote Africa Safaris, one of the Luangwa Valley's most experienced safari companies. Walks from Mwaleshi usually involve cooling paddles across the shallow Mwaleshi River. Bliss!


Kakuli Bushcamp

Norman Carr pioneered photographic walking safaris in the Luangwa Valley and his legacy lives on at Kakuli Bushcamp, and its sister-camps, which have some of the park’s best walking guides. Kakuli can be used as one ‘stop’ on a longer camp-to-camp walking safari.

Mchenja Bushcamp

Mchenja Bushcamp is in a good game-viewing area and always offers good walking safaris. Mchenja is particularly easy to combine into a camp-to-camp walking trip, it’s only a morning's walk from its sister-camps, Kakuli Bushcamp and Luwi Bushcamp.


Tena Tena

Tena Tena overlooks the Luangwa River on the edge of the Nsefu Sector, some of which is very open and flat, so well suited to those looking for a walking safari in Zambia. The guiding standards are also very high. Serious walkers might choose to sleep under the stars at a Robin Pope Safaris bushcamp.

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.


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.


Old Mondoro Bushcamp

Old Mondoro is in a quiet, game-filled area of the Lower Zambezi, where patches of forest provide shady areas with good visibility. This is complemented by excellent guides making this one of the best camps for walking safaris in Zambia.

Tena Tena

Tena Tena overlooks the Luangwa River on the edge of the Nsefu Sector, some of which is very open and flat, so well suited to those looking for a walking safari in Zambia. The guiding standards are also very high. Serious walkers might choose to sleep under the stars at a Robin Pope Safaris bushcamp.


Old Mondoro Bushcamp

Old Mondoro is in a quiet, game-filled area of the Lower Zambezi, where patches of forest provide shady areas with good visibility. This is complemented by excellent guides making this one of the best camps for walking safaris in Zambia.

Great walking safaris elsewhere in Africa

We can also arrange excellent walking safaris elsewhere in Africa. Here are our top tips in other countries.


Walking safaris in Botswana

Botswana

Botswana isn't well known for walking safaris. This stems primarily from the lack of strong national ...

Walking safaris in Kenya

Kenya

Walking is prohibited in most of Kenya's national parks and reserves; driving is often the only option...

Walking safaris in Namibia

Namibia

Namibia has some of Africa's most dramatic scenery and many great hikes and walking trails: it's ...

Walking safaris in Tanzania

Tanzania

Tanzania classifies its wild areas in different ways, each with different rules - meaning that ...

Walking safaris in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe

Walking can be a big part of a safari in Zimbabwe. Exceptionally high guiding standards due to ...

Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite animals

Many of our travellers ask our help for choose a great wildlife safari. Our research gives you insights into where to find particular species.


Lion

Lion

Panthera leo

Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.

82% SUCCESS

2,934 sightings from 3,600 observations

Where to see lion in Africa

Leopard

Leopard

Panthera pardus

The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.

47% SUCCESS

1,875 sightings from 3,986 observations

Where to see leopard in Africa

Wild dog

Wild dog

Lycaon pictus

African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.

31% SUCCESS

840 sightings from 2,672 observations

Where to see wild dog in Africa

Cheetah

Cheetah

Acinonyx jubatus

The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.

33% SUCCESS

1,008 sightings from 3,047 observations

Where to see cheetah in Africa

Buffalo

Buffalo

Syncerus caffer

One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.

83% SUCCESS

2,472 sightings from 2,982 observations

Where to see buffalo in Africa

Eland

Eland

Taurotragus oryx

Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.

49% SUCCESS

1,405 sightings from 2,877 observations

Where to see eland in Africa

Elephant

Elephant

Loxodonta africana

By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.

91% SUCCESS

3,504 sightings from 3,850 observations

Where to see elephant in Africa

Giraffe

Giraffe

Giraffa camelopardalis

The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.

86% SUCCESS

3,374 sightings from 3,911 observations

Where to see giraffe in Africa

Hippo

Hippo

Hippopotamus amphibius

The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.

89% SUCCESS

2,562 sightings from 2,875 observations

Where to see hippo in Africa

Roan antelope

Roan antelope

Hippotragus equinus

Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.

23% SUCCESS

457 sightings from 1,958 observations

Where to see roan antelope in Africa

Sable antelope

Sable antelope

Hippotragus niger

Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.

22% SUCCESS

436 sightings from 1,952 observations

Where to see sable antelope in Africa

Spotted Hyena

Spotted Hyena

Crocuta crocuta

The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.

55% SUCCESS

2,098 sightings from 3,799 observations

Where to see spotted hyena in Africa

Wildebeest

Wildebeest

Connochaetes sp.

Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.

68% SUCCESS

2,383 sightings from 3,524 observations

Where to see wildebeest in Africa

Zebra

Zebra

Equus sp.

The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.

84% SUCCESS

3,684 sightings from 4,366 observations

Where to see zebra in Africa

Aardvark

Aardvark

Orycteropus afer

The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.

2% SUCCESS

67 sightings from 3,205 observations

Where to see aardvark in Africa

Pangolin

Pangolin

Smutsia sp.

Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.

2% SUCCESS

52 sightings from 3,201 observations

Where to see pangolin in Africa

Black Rhino

Black Rhino

Diceros bicornis

The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.

31% SUCCESS

607 sightings from 1,963 observations

Where to see black rhino in Africa

White Rhino

White Rhino

Ceratotherium simum

The white rhino is the largest and most numerous of the world’s five rhinoceros species. They are larger, easier to see and generally more approachable than the black rhino.

44% SUCCESS

476 sightings from 1,083 observations

Where to see white rhino in Africa

Sitatunga

Sitatunga

Tragelaphus spekii

The sitatunga is the most aquatic of Africa’s antelopes and specially adapted to its swampy habitats. Though widespread across Africa, only a handful of places offer reliable sightings.

19% SUCCESS

60 sightings from 316 observations

Where to see sitatunga in Africa

Inspire me

Need inspiration?

Let our trip chooser narrow down the options for you

Inspire me

Login to Expert Africa

Sign in with password

Sign in with email link


New to Expert Africa? Create an account

Forgotten your details?

It's free & quick to set up

  • Save your wish-list
  • Send us an enquiry
  • Pay online for your trip
  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Give us feedback on your trip
  • Full site benefits of the site

Need some help? Talk to our team