Five reasons we keep returning to walking safaris

Walking safaris are a unique and thoroughly rewarding way to experience Africa’s wildlife and wilderness.

Pioneered in Zambia in the 1970s, walking safaris are permitted in all the country’s national parks – as they are in Zimbabwe. This is not the case in most of Africa’s National Parks where they are either not allowed, or only by special licence. In addition to National Parks there are private concessions across Africa where walking safaris are possible, and rewarding.

Here are five reasons for setting out on foot:

1. The wildest country

The best walking safaris are undertaken in the wildest, most remote areas – far from any roads and vehicles. There are never any shared sightings on a walking safari, and it is rare indeed to encounter anything other than wildlife.

The North and South Luangwa in Zambia remain arguably the very best places to experience a walking safari, while the Kafue is also hugely rewarding.

Zimbabwe’s Gonarezhou, Mana Pools and Hwange are also superb walking destinations. In East Africa, Ruaha in Tanzania and Laikipia in Kenya stand out.

2. Top Guides

Walking safari guides are always the best qualified and most experienced.

3. You are a participant, not a passenger.

On foot, it is everyone’s responsibility to stay alert. How much noise you make and what you wear will directly affect what you might see and how you experience it.

4. All creatures great and small.

On a walking safari you interact with the landscape immediately in front of you – and need to watch, listen and read the tracks in order to be aware of what is there. While you may rarely get as close to most mammals on foot as you do in a vehicle, because their instinctive reaction to man on foot is to flee, you will often feel closer. Walking gives an unparalleled opportunity to listen, and to watch how everything fits into the environment.

5. Tiny camps

Walking safaris are always undertaken in small, like-minded groups – typically capped at six participants. Therefore, the camps often have a capacity of six guests, or less.

If your idea of luxury is to get away from it all, walking safaris deliver in spades.