Without the sounds of an engine to distract you, and with more time to contemplate your surroundings, a walking safari in Zambia is guaranteed to expand your understanding and appreciation of nature and the wildlife living within it.
South Luangwa National Park in Zambia is the birthplace of walking safaris and arguably the best destination for this wild and wonderful activity. Surrounded by some of Africa’s most remote and untouched wilderness, and guided by professional and highly knowledgeable guides, you will feel like you’re on a true adventure.
Here are 3 reasons why every nature lover should do a walking safari:
1. Slow down and appreciate the little things
Walking safaris provide you with the opportunity to experience Africa from the ground, rather than from within a vehicle. By immersing yourself in nature like this, you are able to observe details you would’ve missed. Slowing down, and exploring the area on your own two feet, allows you to gain an appreciation for even the smallest details of nature, from bird calls to insects to plants.
Photo © Robin Pope Safaris
2. Explore every nook and cranny
On foot, you are able to reach areas that are inaccessible by vehicle. You are not restricted by roads and rather can follow paths forged by wildlife. It’s an extremely freeing and exciting feeling to be able to explore places that can only be reached on foot.
Photo © Robin Pope Safaris
3. Reconnect with yourself
In addition to the heartfelt connection to nature that walking safaris are bound to inspire, you’ll also have the chance to reconnect with yourself. It’s a chance to remove yourself from the busy pace of everyday life and spend time contemplating what is truly important to you. The experience can be so therapeutic that many people have referred their walking safari experiences as ‘life-changing’.
While many lodges offer short bush walks, an actual walking safari involves being in the bush for multiple days and camping at night. But if the word ‘camping’ has put you off, don’t worry. Where we take you, it’s more like ‘glamping’.
Photo © Robin Pope Safaris
Here is a brief overview of what you could expect from a walking safari:
Starting at Nkwali Camp, you can relax and get a good night’s sleep in the comfortable bush homes before setting out into the wild the next morning. For the next five days, you will experience this remote area in the South Luangwa on a heightened level as you follow the Mupamadzi River, covering approximately 10km a day. The area is secluded and wild with a myriad of different animal specials and a huge variety of terrain and habitats. From insects to animal spoor, you will be taught about the many fascinating facets of the bush.
Photo © Robin Pope Safaris
Avoiding the midday heat, you can then enjoy a siesta after lunch, or simply just spend time relaxing, before going for a walk around camp in the afternoon. After which, you’ll return for sundowners and a ‘gourmet bush meal’ served around the fire, under the open sky! The nights are spent in fully serviced walk-in tents with full bedding. There is nothing ‘rustic’ about this camping experience!
Photo © Robin Pope Safaris
