When considering a walking safari, there are a few places that offer high quality options in Southern Africa. Zambia is known as the pioneer for walking safaris, but why are they so well-known and considered some of the best walking options, and why choose a walking safari over a traditional safari experience?
Zambia boasts lush greenery and rugged landscapes along with 19 national parks, more than 60 animal species, over 400 bird species and 4th largest river in Africa, the Zambezi River – all making it a perfect escape into nature. The country is located in Southern Africa and borders Zimbabwe sharing the magnificent Victoria Falls – one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and the largest sheet of falling water in the world – a perfect 3-4 night combination along with your walking safari (Read our post about Victoria Falls to learn more)
Many walking safaris offer a mobile safari option where you will move camp each night and cover a larger area, all in the hands of a qualified guide and in luxury! Keep in mind that many places close during the rainy season as they become inaccessible. The best time to travel is between June and October, Zambia’s game viewing experiences increase throughout July and peak in South Luangwa National Park and Lower Zambezi National Park in August and September.
A walking safari offers quite a unique experience to other traditional safari experiences. Bring yourself down to the height of an animal, and imagine how everything might feel so much bigger, things that you would have only seen from afar are now under your feet. These experiences will have you discovering termite mounts, dung beetles, insects, and flowers along with spotting birds that may have been scared away from the vehicle of a traditional safari. When you are thrown into nature on foot, you are forced to engage all your senses for your own safety concerns and truly feel alive when spotting the “little five”. Here you can walk comfortably knowing the guide with you is well trained as every guide in Zambia has incredible strict exams to pass.
If you are willing to take the chance on this kind of experience and embrace the conditions you will be rewarded with some of Africa’s best experiences.