Walking Safaris in Zambia
South Luangwa National Park in Zambia is famous for it’s guided walking safaris, the activity was initiated in the late 60s by national parks and wildlife service. My father Barry Shenton was at that time a warden of Kafue National Park and introduced the same walking safaris there.
A Zambia walking safari in offers a unique way to experience the bush and observe the African wildlife. Setting out from camp a group of no more than 6 guests are escorted by a professional walking guide and an armed ZAWA scout. This system of two people leading the walk has proved to be very safe over the years and in my opinion as a guide makes it possible to make sure our guests get the most out of the experience whilst maintaining the highest possible levels of safety.
A typical walking safari from Kaingo camp or Mwamba Bush Camp has a duration of approximately 3 hours. There are a number of beautiful walks around both of our camps that highlight the specialiities of the area. From Kaingo, these include walking through our several hundred year old, 3km long ebony forest; various waterholes and inland lagoons and along tributaries from the main Luangwa river. From Mwamba walks take in the Mwamba river, the Crocodile river and beautiful Mopane woodland which is dotted with inland waterholes. There are also a number of large plains surrounding Mwamba which are host to a multitude of game such as Eland, Kudu, huge heards of buffalo and the rare Cookson’s Wildebeest. The area behind Mwamba is one of the last strongholds of this rare and indigenous wildebeest.
Tracking the big cats is a large part of a walking safari, and around Kaingo and Mwamba we can expect to meet the Mwamba pride ( 36 lions sometimes split into smaller groups) and the area has approximately 10 resident leopards. Nothing beats the thrill of creeping up to big cats after following a chain of alarm calls and tracks.
Other big game includes a large number of elephants, hippos and giraffes.
Different Walking Safari options
The morning activity offers the best opportunity for walking as it is possible to do a three hour walk. This walk tends to leave camp around 6am and will be halted for a tea break at about the half way point before walking back to camp via a different route. We also do afternoon walks which depart at approximately 4:15 and continue until the sun goes down where you will be met with sundowners and can continue on with your night drive. From Kaingo the nearby Ebony Forest makes a beautiful shady spot for a midday visit for those guests who fancy an alternative to a hide trip as part of their midday activity.Some walks can include stopping in at a photographic hide.
For those who prefer more walking a ‘camp out’ might be of interest, this additional activity sees you walking out of camp mid afternoon to a very remote set of lagoons far inland from Mwamba Bush Camp, camping out in the middle of the bush with just a mosquito net between you and the stars (and a fire and an armed scout between you and the wildlife).
Our season is just 5 short months and each month is fantastic for walking, although for those who struggle with exertion during the heat, the early months of May through August would be best.
Preparation for a walking Safari
Very little is required to take part in a Luangwa walking safari. The most important garments are bush coloured clothes. Suitable walking shoes can be normal trainers – although preferably not bright white ones. Open shoes are not ideal owing to the Rhino thistle which can turn your toes into a pin cushion. The ground is fairly flat (i.e. not hilly), although the cotton soil does get broken up during the rainy season by the large mammals and can be quite uneven.
A hat, sunblock and binoculars are essential for a walking safari.
Questions about walking Safaris
Luangwa has an excellent safety history on walking safaris, each walk must be escorted by an armed scout and a qualified walking guide who has specialist training in walking safety and first aid. First aid kits and radios are carried on all walks.
Accommodation is either at Kaingo camp, Mwamba Bush Camp or on a specialist ‘camp out’ . Kaingo is a sturdy camp made of brick and thatch, Mwamba is much more open to the elements with soaring skylights, reed walls, thatch roofs and ensuite bathrooms which are open to the stars. For the more adventurous camp-outs offer the most natural bush experience of all with just a mosquito net between you and the great African sky.
You will see most of the big game, but not always necessarily as close as you will from the vehicle. The wonderful thing about being on walking safari is you get to touch, feel and smell the environment that the wildlife inhabits; including looking closely at tracks and droppings, nests, insects and particularly a good look at our native flora including the majestic old trees that are found in the riverine areas of the Luangwa.
