Walking safari experiences

Tarangire has a rare water source flowing through the area, drawing in great herds of elephant and other wildlife. This, combined with mild weather conditions creates the ideal environment for walking safaris. Spend anything from a morning to a couple of nights on foot, as a trained guide leads you on an interpretive wilderness journey, examining all the links, from the Siafu ants to the mighty bull elephant, in the circle of life.

The South Luangwa might be the home of the walking safari, but the North Luangwa is where they really come alive. Here, there are no game drives, just your own two feet and truly excellent guides that know the wilderness like the back of their hands - and zero permanent lodges cluttering up the landscape! The walks aren’t designed to be route marches either - it’s all about taking in the epic wildlife and scenery and truly getting back to nature. Stroll beside languid waterways where hippos doze and the birdlife is incredible, watch the horizon for members of the Big Five and delight in the smallest details. That's what a walking safari is all about.

Phinda offers the rare opportunity to see both black and white rhino in the wild. Experienced guides take you out into the bush on foot, where they interpret the tracks and signs in the attempt to locate one of these majestic creatures—one of Africa's biggest and most endangered animals.

Walking is the ideal way to experience the raw beauty of Tuli. Being on foot provides game viewing opportunities that you wouldn't otherwise have on a game drive through this rugged landscape. It is also a much more intimate experience, as you enjoy learning about some of the smaller creatures of the bush, and appreciate the art of tracking animals that you might not even know existed. You can reach many areas that vehicles can't go. Tuli is famous for its large elephant populations, and one of the greatest experiences is to encounter one of these great beasts on foot with an experienced guide (safely, from a distance). Walking offers a holistic experience—a peaceful opportunity for reflection.

Pioneered by the legendary conservationist Norman Carr in the 1950s, South Luangwa is the birthplace of the walking safari. You'll be led by a park ranger and expert guide, trained to decipher the tiniest detail and predict an animal's movements, often leading to moments unique to a walking safari. And your guide has a bank of knowledge to go with every discovery. Along the way, you'll cross rivers in between herds of elephant and spy on leopard dozing in a tree, stopping occasionally to examine the handiwork of a dung beetle, admire the birds, or for a well-earned cup of tea. Seeing wildlife undisturbed and in their own element, from the smallest critters to the biggest, this is a walking safari in South Luangwa. Leave at first light to catch the animals at their most active and you'll be out for around four hours. For the most comfortable and lucrative conditions, June to September is the best time to go. Don't miss this Timbuktu favourite!

As Zambia's largest park, Kafue may seem more suited to all-day game drives, but walking safaris are one of its hidden gems...Picture strolling across the flood plains in the early morning light without another soul around for miles, heaven! With your seasoned guide leading the way, put your walking boots to good use as you explore this exquisite wilderness, spying huge herds of red lechwe, cheetah speeding to catch their prey and learning to read the signs these creatures leave behind. Without the rumble of an engine or clues given over walkie-talkie, you'll get back to the roots of a safari. The best time to see the most wildlife is, of course, the dry season (May to October) and September is especially good for avid birders.

The Selous is the largest game reserve in Africa and indeed the world. The reserve is named after the famous hunter and military scout who was killed here by a German sniper’s bullet during WW I. Kenyan conservationist Richard Bonham made walking safaris here the gold standard, exploring the place in the 1980s with the most intrepid of clients. Walking in the Selous has always been about a state of mind and not body or the distance covered; it is an opportunity to exercise the senses, to unload the burden of modern contraptions and the yoke of occupational stress.

Luambe is simply made for a walking safari, be it an active morning leg stretch or a gentle afternoon stroll. When you step off the vehicle, it’s time to learn about the smaller creatures of the bush, the way they interact and what happens behind the scenes. And believe us, there’s a lot to learn and it’s endlessly fascinating.

Feel the crunch of the soil beneath your boots and learn to hear the tell-tale rustle of wildlife on a bush walk. Straight after breakfast set out to uncover the secrets of the Serengeti. While the specifics depend on where you are, you'll have the chance to take a microscope to the landscape. Joined by your knowledgable guide, follow a flutter of wings to see lovebirds snacking on figs, peer into an earthy warthog burrow and inspect every track you can find. You could just be following a pride of lion (who should be napping in the distance) or thirsty elephant on the way to a waterhole! Whether it's scanning acacia bark for tiny critters or staring skyward to see an eagle soaring overhead, the essence of the Serengeti is yours to experience.

As one of the oldest wildernesses in Africa, Hwange is certainly worth taking a closer look and that's exactly what you'll do on a walking safari. Hwange's diversity of landscapes - from the water-logged pans to wind-swept Kalahari sands, and the wildlife that roams between them is staggering. Your sure-footed guide will lead you on a journey of following tracks, listening for calls (and learning what they mean) and examining the tiniest details to learn their secrets. And you're bound to encounter the stars of Hwange, the elephant who march grandly across the plains and, sometimes, through camp! After refreshments and a spot of sky-gazing, you'll return to base.