Zambia: Pioneer of the Walking Safari

The British conservationist Norman Carr pioneered the concept of the walking safari in the African country of Zambia. The idea of shifting the focus away from game hunting and towards conservation and responsible travel first came to him during the 1930s, and he instigated the first safari two decades later with a focus on photography and learning about the wildlife of South Luangwa National Park.

Concept of the Zambia Walking Safari

Walking safaris are an immersive means of engaging with African wildlife. In place of a vehicle, travelers follow – literally – in the footsteps of big cats and herd animals. Tying in with the notion of slow travel and responsible tourism, walking safaris are a low-density model of engaging with the bush. Without the roar of four-wheel drives, reserves such as South Luangwa National Park retain their authenticity and create a more intimate experience. 

Zambia is considered to have some of the best-trained guides in Africa who are experts in reading tracks and explaining how the ecosystem functions. Besides spotting the larger creatures, guides are also experts at locating smaller insects and contextualising the flora. 

Best Places for Walking Safaris in Zambia

South Luangwa National Park is the home of walking safaris where many lodges offer multi-day walking safaris for a deeper discovery of the reserve. As one of Africa’s greatest wildlife reserves, herds of elephants and hippos frequently gather around the Luangwa River while Crawshay’s zebras roam the plains. It’s also one of the best places for seeing leopards, particularly at night. Lilac-breasted rollers are among the 400 bird species present in the park.

Significantly more remote than its southern counterpart, the untamed floodplains and riverine forests of the North Luangwa National Park are explored almost exclusively though walking safaris. Fewer visitors explore this park which means the animals wilder and this makes for some thrilling sightings – particularly of hunting lions and the rare Cookson’s wildebeest. This is also one of the only places in Zambia inhabited by black rhinos. 

The Lower Zambezi National Park offers a variety of walking safaris, game drives, and canoe safaris. Getting out on the water is highly recommended as this provides an equally immersive encounter with such creatures as elephants and hippos. Crocodiles are often seen lounging on the banks of the Zambezi River. 

A Typical Day on a Walking Safari

Mornings start with coffee around the fire followed by a walking safari of around three hours. There’s usually a siesta back at camp during the afternoon when the sun is at its strongest. Late afternoon or dusk walks are usually available, with the option to switch to a vehicle if conditions require it so. Evenings are spent around the campfire under the stars.

The dry season (June to October) is the best time to plan a walking safari in Zambia. The weather is cooler, more camps are open for business, and animals tend to congregate around water sources. 

Luxury meets adventure on a walking safari in Zambia. Whereas some bush camps are rustic, others offer deluxe features including stylish tents and fine dining. Contact Darby at Darby’s Destinations today to book a safari experience in Zambia.