Tracking Lions and Leopards in Untouched Africa
Zambia Walking Safari
Overview
Remote and untamed, Zambia is the legendary birthplace of the walking safari. With our expert Trip Leader Jason Alfonsi, step out of the vehicle and experience wild Africa—on foot. Exciting game walks reveal aspects of the bush in a way that is impossible from a vehicle, and with our expert guides, you’ll learn the secrets of the bush environment. From a vehicle you see the bush—on foot, you feel it! South Luangwa National Park—3,500 square miles of untouched wilderness—is an unforgettably beautiful place and our delightful private Hemingway-style mobile camps, complete with a chef, ensure cozy comfort. Our group size is six maximum!
Arrive: Mfuwe, Zambia
Depart: Mfuwe, Zambia
Highlights
- Experience an incredible walking safari with a small group (maximum of 6!), learning about the amazing skills of our bush trackers as you walk with them
- Stay in delightful full-service private mobile camps with a chef, surrounded by exquisite settings
- Enjoy great leopard sightings, take night drives to get closer to many nocturnal creatures
- Savor a full safari experience far from the lodge crowds
- No single supplement fees for solo travelers!
Itinerary
At superb Nkwali Camp, set on private land on the Luangwa River, the wildlife is all around us. The endemic Thornicroft’s giraffe is often seen near camp, and tonight we may hear them browsing outside our chalets. With the setting of the sun, a different world awakens, revealing the nocturnal realm of lions, genets, and hyenas.
A walking safari is the ultimate wilderness experience of South Luangwa, which absolutely teems with wildlife. In these unpopulated wilds, the terrain and habitats are varied and the game is shy and unused to humans. We have five full days to enjoy the best game tracking imaginable through varied habitats from hilly ridges to floodplains, from miombo woodland to mopane woodland to riverine woodland, and to the picturesque Mupamadzi River, with its clear waters. From examining a bird’s nest to tracking a lion, we’ll get an eye-opening experience of the fascinating bush ecosystem. Our private, moveable tented camps feature walk-in tents along with our own chef, a full kitchen, and camp services.
Around Nsefu, with its classic bush atmosphere, leopard sightings are frequent, and it is a thrill to see one of these gorgeous cats padding through the shadows, tails lifted high, or perched languidly in a sausage tree. Depart on Day 10 via Mfuwe or join our Among the Elephants and Rhinos Extension via majestic Victoria Falls.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 3, Moderate, according to our trip grading system. It is an active safari featuring extensive bush walking, a mix of moderate cross-country walks and hikes off trail, supplemented by game drives. Participants must have endurance, be agile, in good health, and in good shape. During the walking safari, we are in mobile camps and our schedule is a bit more flexible.
Average Hiking Day
- 6-8 miles
- 4-6 hours
We walk 6 to 8 miles per day, typically in the early morning and in the late afternoon. We walk cross-country and the terrain can be challenging from dried broken-clay riverbeds to overgrown brush. Well broken-in lightweight hiking boots or walking shoes with lug soles and ankle support are recommended.
To get the most out of this trip, we recommend you make a special effort to be in good physical condition. Daily brisk walking and/or regular hiking (or using a stair-climbing machine at your gym) are excellent preparatory exercises.
The best months for viewing wildlife are from May to October, when minimum rainfall forces the animals to the river and the grasses of the bushveld are short, improving gameviewing visibility. Most of Zambia lies on a wide plateau at about 3,000 feet, with the Zambezi and its tributaries (the Luangwa and Kafue) cutting deep valleys into the edges of the plateau. Although Zambia is in the tropics, the altitude of the plateau ensures that the climate is generally less hot than in surrounding countries. Average summer temperatures range between 77°F to 95°F. May to August is the cooler dry season, and temperatures can get as low as 50°F at night.
At Nkwali and Nsefu we stay in comfortable, airy bungalows that have en suite bathrooms with flush toilets and showers. Our fully serviced mobile camps are set up with well-equipped walk-in tents with full bedding. At each camp, there is a shower and a shared latrine-style toilet. Delicious meals of a high standard are served on the walking safari.
A typical day starts with an early wake-up call and tea, coffee, cereals, and toast. After breakfast, we depart on a game drive, with a midmorning stop for tea/coffee and cakes. We return anytime between 9:30 am and midday. After lunch, there is a chance to rest, read, or spend a few quiet hours viewing animals near our accommodation. Around 4 pm, following tea and cakes, we depart on a game drive that continues through sundown -- and sometimes into the evening for exciting nighttime gameviewing. We return for hot showers, drinks at the bar, a three-course dinner, and perhaps a nightcap sitting around the fire under the stars. We retire around 10:30 pm, as the hyenas begin to call.
Our game drives are in open 4WD vehicles, a boon for great photographic opportunities. During drives and walks, we can at times get quite close to wild animals. Being very quiet improves everybody’s chances of observation. In the interest of safety, your Trip Leader explains limitations on movement while on game drives, in the safari vehicles, and around camp. Incidents with wild animals are extremely rare on safaris, but no trip can guarantee immunity from such incidents. Wilderness Travel is not to be held responsible for incidents involving the behavior of wildlife.
Client Testimonials
"My first trip to Africa and I loved it. The camps were comfortable without being ’‘over the top’ and the guides were great. All the staff was amazing."
Ann Z.
Pensacola FL
"What an amazing experience. The memories made on this trip will last forever. Thank you!"
Bill Z.
Watertown, SD
"I had a superb trip—not only the itinerary, locations, and experiences, but the staff at all venues were truly outstanding. Also, Jason Alfonsi is a real gem, a polished diamond!"
Brian T.
Scottsdale, AZ
"Having experienced many 4WD game drives, I have to admit that I’ve become a walking safari fan. It’s a whole different type of experience, much more intimate."
Dennis H.
Venice, CA
"On the walking safari, we saw no other people! The animals were splendid, and Zambia is so wild and special."
Dianne L.
Fairfax Station, VA
"The combination of a walking safari and vehicle safari is excellent."
Dieter S.
Green Valley, AZ
"The mobile camps provided the type of experience I was looking for—on foot with no other people or vehicles around."
Doug C.
Boise, ID
"Memories from the Zambia Walking Safari will last a lifetime for me. The wildlife, the terrain, the staff, accommodations, and our guide Jason Alfonsi were all tremendous. I guess the best way to describe my experience is that I can't wait to return. Wherever we go next, Wilderness Travel will be our first choice."
Gary T.
Seattle, WA
"Our first Wilderness trip has left us most impressed."
Helen and Alan B.
Willowdale, Ontario
"Every aspect of the trip was fantastic. I had not really given thought to the food prior to leaving but was totally wowed by the quality, variety, and service. Our chef was amazing!"
Jennifer T.
Guttenberg, NJ
"An amazing trip. Everyone should get the opportunity to go on a trip like this!"
Julia V.
St. Louis, MO
"An eye-opening experience into the wildlife, culture, and people of Zambia."
Larry S.
Dayton, OH
"Absolutely without a doubt the trip of a lifetime for our family!"
Lisa D.
Dublin,CA
"I absolutely loved this trip. The walking safari takes Africa to a new experience."
Pam P.
Portland, OR
"This was an inspiring trip. I particularly enjoyed the walking part of the safari, which really gives you a taste of life in the African bush. The national park we visited is beautiful and remote and the accommodations are charming and well run."
Peter and Henry H.
New York, NY
"It was a perfect trip that met and exceeded all my expectations. Jason couldn't have been more fun and all the food was fantastic!"
Sally B.
Diamond Bar, CA
"Of the many adventure travel experiences we have had, this was tops."
Steve F.
Philomath, OR
"This was the second time we've made this trip, and it was just as impressive as the first time."
Steve F.
Philomath, OR
"I would like to do this same trip again! I loved very minute of it. Everyone was wonderful and Jason was unbelievable."
Sue V.
Haslett, MI
"It was the adventure of a lifetime and I felt very well cared for."
Susan D.
Eastham, MA
"This was a trip of a lifetime, made special by our incredible good fortune at seeing such a range of wildlife in unique settings."
Susan T.
Columbia, SC
"Wonderful trip—it met all of my expectations and more! The camping experience was much better that I had anticipated!"
Suzanne O.
Trumbull, CT
"Fabulous trip. Our cook on the mobile portion of the safari was amazing. Excellent food everywhere and a great itinerary."
Vicki G.
Oakland, CA
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.