Zambia has reopened her doors and with so many of our team having lived and worked here it’s one we feel particularly close to.  Here’s a real ‘escape from it all’ suggestion.

One of Africa’s oldest safari destinations, Zambia is where walking safaris were pioneered with safari legends Norman Carr and Robin Pope striding out into the wilderness to explore.  Today it’s still a fascinating and powerful place, little visited compared to some of its neighbours. Walking is an incredible way to way to experience everything from elephants and towering trees, to the tiniest insects and plants.  Some walking safaris are truly mobile and involve walking to a new camp every day, while others entail just a couple of hours walking from camp in the early morning or late afternoon.  We’ve suggested the ‘in between model’ here where you split your time between four lovely traditional bush camps in the South Luangwa Valley National Park, walking from one to the other over the course of your safari.

River views from the lounge at Chindeni

It’s an incredibly intimate experience with the bush which allows you to feel, hear and smell Africa.  You wake in the morning and walk to the next camp, arriving in time for lunch and a cold drink.  There are several camp combinations you could use but we’ve suggested those owned and run by The Bushcamp Company for this example.

Walking with the wildlife

The start point is Chindeni, set on the banks of an oxbow lagoon frequented by wildlife all year round.  The four en-suite tents are on raised private decks which are great places to sit and watch the animal goings-on or to enjoy the extensive birdlife and serene lagoon.

Sunny tents at Chindeni

From here it’s a three and a half hour walk to Bilimungwe, a hidden gem under huge mahogany trees and a fabulous spot for elephants. The thatched chalets sit on stilts with magnificent views over one of the three nearby water holes.

Walking with giraffe en-route to Bilimingwe

Next stop, and a leisurely three hour stroll, is Kapamba where the stone and thatch chalets are just metres from the Kapamba River. The wonderful wildlife sightings in this remote corner of the South Luangwa are accompanied by a hint of luxury, with a private plunge pool for each chalet the ultimate in bush indulgence.  The river is crystal clear too and wading out for a sundowner is a really special experience.

Luxurious acccommodation at Kapamba

Just over two hours further down the river is Zungulila, a charming spot with breathtaking views and where natural springs draw huge herds of wildlife.  The four thatched chalets are raised on wooden decks with full outdoor en-suite facilities evoking the safari style of days gone by.

Relaxing at the end of the day

If there was ever a safari to restore the soul this has to be right up there.  No traffic, no WiFI, no people – just you, your guide and the wildlife.  Lucinda, one of our senior sales staff, is planning to host a Zambian walking safari in 2022.  Let us know if you would like the details or for more general information on Zambia see our ‘how to do Zambia’ blog.

What Next?

Please talk to us if you’d like to know more about travelling to Zambia.  We have the latest advice to hand and will be able to guide you through the possibilities. Chatting to people by phone or email is what we do best. We listen, we explain, we answer all sorts of questions even those you didn’t know to ask, and finally we make suggestions. If this is your first time to Africa or your twenty first, we have a team standing by to help make the planning easy and the journey the best ever.

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