THE WALKING SAFARI
TOP FIVE DESTINATIONS
The walking safari is one of the most special, interactive safari experiences. It’s the ultimate wildlife experience and brings a new element of freedom and connection to nature.
It is a beautiful way to revisit the pioneer days of safari, before scheduled game drives or distance from the wildlife. If you’re after a truly special African experience, a walking safari is a must!
Here are Pembury’s top five places to go on a walking safari:
1. South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
South Luangwa National Park in Zambia pioneered the walking safari. One of Africa’s greatest untouched regions, it encapsulates the essence of true African wilderness. Their walking safari will let you in on often overlooked secrets of the bush. A skilled guide will give you deeper insight and interaction with the environment – pointing out smaller animals, birds and plants. It is the ideal way to experience Zambia’s wildlife from a new perspective and with deeper understanding.
2. North Luangwa National Park, Zambia
If you’re after a truly immersive and unobtrusive African experience, North Luangwa National Park is the place for you. There are no permanent lodges and limited safari operators have permission to conduct walking safaris. It offers a stripped-back safari experience, giving a sense of Africa as it was – wild and untouched.
3. Kruger National Park, South Africa
South Africa’s Kruger National Park offers the Meandering Adventure – a classic Kruger experience. It combines the traditional game drive with the walking safari providing the classic Big Five safari with the immersive safari experience. Kruger provides a slow-paced, relaxed walking experience with a series of leisurely three to four-hour bush walks spread over several days. It’s the ideal way to enjoy the wilderness at your own pace.
4. Chief’s Island, Botswana
Chief’s Island is some of the only permanent dry land in the everchanging Okavango Delta. Another dynamic safari experience, guided walks are combined with water-based mokoro rides. Chief’s Island offers the experience of both woodland and savannah combined with spectacular floodplains and lagoons. If you’re a birder, this is the ideal safari for you – it is one of Africa’s top birding destinations.
5. Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
Ruaha National Park is Tanzania’s largest national park. It is one of Africa’s lesser-known game parks and is definitely a hidden gem. It is home to the highest concentration of elephants in East Africa as well as the endangered African wild dog, 571 bird species and over 1650 plant species. As a result, it promises a truly vibrant and diverse walking safari experience. A walking safari is the ideal way to immerse yourself in the area among the dramatic baobab and Acacia trees.
