Interact With Wildlife on a Zambia Walking Safari

Zambia, the place where the African walking safari was pioneered, is one of the last unspoilt wilderness regions of Africa. The entire country is remote, pristine, and mesmerizing. It’s one of the few places on earth where travellers can interact with an astonishing diversity of wildlife in true tranquility. It has been said that, "From a vehicle you see Africa. On foot you feel, hear, and smell Africa." It was in Zambia, over 60 years ago, that legendary British conservationist Norman Carr pioneered the concept of a walking safari. Back in the days when an African safari was a hunting experience, Norman started taking people to look at animals and photograph them, rather than shoot them. He started teaching wildlife education and conservation to locals and visitors, and led walking safaris that immersed people in the sights, sounds, and smells of the bush. By tracking wild animals and exploring rich ecosystems on foot, travellers would come away with an unrivalled wildlife experience and profound respect for Mother Nature’s flora and fauna. Today, Zambia offers Africa's widest choice of reliably outstanding walking safaris. In the country’s best wildlife parks, thrilling sightings of leopard, elephant, hippo, lion, and wild dog are as good as guaranteed. Zambia’s specialist guides have passed strict tests and share deep and intricate knowledge of the majestic creatures that inhabit the dense woodland, oxbow pools, and grassy plains. You can literally follow in the footsteps of elephant and antelope and observe pods of hippos basking in the sunshine. Zambia is home to increasingly endangered indigenous wildlife, and you’ll relish the moments you spent in their astonishing presence.

Together with conventional game viewing by vehicle, Zambia walking safaris are the most exciting and in-demand activities in the African bush. 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. With 60 different animal species and 400 species of birds appearing in the park, including 39 birds of prey and 47 migrant species, the place is truly a nature lover's paradise. It’s also a botanist's delight, with magnificent trees like the tamarind and the baobab flourishing here among exotic wildflowers. A special experience that’s unique to Zambia is the Walking Mobile Safari, where the guests walk between camps which are moved and set up ahead of their arrival. At Zambia’s secluded and unique camps you’re guaranteed a spectacularly authentic safari experience. You can take your meals under the open sky, sip on sundowners, and watch the Big 5 games animals pass through unfenced lodge grounds.

In addition to its intimate walking and driving safaris, Zambia offers a wide range of travel experiences, from gentle canoe trips down the Zambezi River and fascinating interactions with remote African villages, to adrenaline-pumping bungee jumping. Zambia is also home to one of the seven natural wonders of the world, which it shares with Zimbabwe - Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls is the world's biggest waterfall, known to locals as Mosi-oa-Tunya (“the smoke that thunders”). The great wildlife, gorgeous natural wonders, incredible scenery, and high-quality camps run by bush enthusiasts, combine to make Zambia tours among the best in the world. Suggested Itinerary: 9-Day Zambia Walking Safari -South Luangwa Encounter

By Kirsty Perring