Walking or "foot" safaris in big game areas is an uniquely exciting and rare activity. Most of the big game parks in Africa don't allow it, for obvious reasons. There are even areas in American national parks which forbid any possible close physical contact with wild game.

But in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park, it's altogether different. More than a half century ago, the famous conservationist Norman Carr began methodically habituating wild, big game in this area to his walks, and then to his walks with friends. With time, many professional guides learned the techniques and today, Luangwa is known more for its walking safaris than its vehicle safaris.

South Luangwa is a large and fabulous wilderness. It has no fewer cats, hyaenas, elephants or other big game than any other similar big game wilderness in Africa. What's different is that the animals that live along the established tourist walking trails are comfortable with the tourists doing so.

This quintessential walking safari is led by one of Zambia's most famous walking guides, and it begins with several nights in a camp and ends at camp where there will be vehicle game drives and night drives as well. But the core program is for the intrepid adventurer who wants to see Africa on foot, and there is no better safari to do so!

The 5-day walking safari follows the Mupamadzi River, covering approximately 10km a day. This clear river is a major tributary of the Luangwa. The area is remote and wild, the terrain and habitats varied and the game shy. From ants to buffalo, a bird's nest to tracking a lion, you will learn the many facets of the bush.

The fully serviced mobile camp is extremely comfortable and well-equipped with walk-in tents and full bedding. The shower is under a tree and the loo is a long drop with a wooden throne. Meals of a high standard are served under the open sky.

The prices include: **A Safari Guide who stays with you throughout and manages the entire program; ** Landrovers & Landcruisers for vehicle game drives; ** Meals as detailed in brackets following each day's description below; ** All park entrance fees, VAT and other government taxes; ** Comprehensive pre-trip material with discount coupons for travel gear and equipment. Additional expenses not included, estimated at around $380 per person: - Meals not included; - All beverages; - Requisite visas and other travel preparations like inoculations; - Tipping.

Contact EWT for the best international air fares and for recommendations on how to use your frequent flyer miles.

  

  

By now your professional guide has determined your optimum and most enjoyable pace, and today is the best change for encountering some special game along this beautifully clear river. We return to camp for all meals. Dinner and overnight in our Adventure Camp.  [b-l-d]

  

  

After an early breakfast, head north to start your extended walking safari. The drive to the start point is roughly 55 miles to theMupamadzi River along a bush road, through remote parts of the park. You arrive our Adventure Camp for lunch around mid day. The camp is already set up for your arrival with well-equipped walk-in tents. The shower is under a tree and the toilet is a long drop with a wooden throne. Enjoy a relaxing siesta after lunch before tea and a short afternoon walk which returns for sundowners and dinner in the open under the stars!  [b-l-d]

  

  

  

Up at sunrise for the morning walk. The area is remote and wild, the terrain and habitats varied and the game shy and unused to man. From ants to buffalo, a bird's nest to tracking a lion, you will learn the many facets of the bush. During the day camp is packed up and moved, and lunch is waiting us at our new location after the morning walk. Time for a siesta and afternoon walk. Dinner and overnight in our Adventure Camp.  [b-l-d]

  

  

  

On arrival at Mfuwe International Airport a world class Zambian guide will meet you. The drive to Nkwali Camp is about an hour through colorful local scenes of villages, agriculture as well as bush. Nkwali Camp has a wide view of the Luangwa River. Overlooking the South Luangwa National Park, Nkwali is ideally situated for the start of your safari. The six rooms all look out over the river and have open air bathrooms. Depending on your arrival time in the day you will enjoy a lunch followed by a short afternoon game drive or afternoon tea and dinner followed by a night game drive. Meals and overnight in camp.  [ -l-d]

  

A dawn breakfast is served around the campfire with some porridge heated on the fire and toast cooked by the coals. The morning walk or drive will leave soon after, entering the park by boat from the camp or by the nearby pontoon. The game in the area is excellent and includes many family herds of elephants and the endemic species of giraffe, the Thornicroft. A mid morning break of tea, coffee and cake will be taken by a scenic point on a lagoon or the Luangwa River. Return to camp for lunch around mid day. After lunch you can cool off in the swimming pool or siesta. Tea will be served in the afternoon and then off on an afternoon game drive that continues into the early night giving the chance to see the nocturnal world. Dinner and overnight at Nkwali Camp.  [b-l-d]

  

  

  

Another day for exploring this intriguing area. We return to camp for all the meals. Overnight in our Adventure Camp.  [b-l-d]

  

  

We move further down the river, today. The clear water Mupamadzi River is a major tributary of the Luangwa and we are likely to encounter a great variety of animals, big and small. We arrive the third placement along the river in time for lunch, followed by afternoon activities, dinner and overnight in our Adventure Camp.  [b-l-d]

After an early breakfast, we bid goodbye to our Mupadazi River camp staff and drive to the Luangwa River, a 4 to 5 hour driver. We'll be met by a boat and cross the river enroute Tena Tena Camp. This remote and small camp lies within Luangwa National Park and enjoys a stunning location on a sweeping bend of the Luangwa River. A grove of mahogany trees shade the large custom-made tents. From the thatched dining room and bar, guests can watch the elephants, hippo and antelope on the riverbank. Most meals are taken under the shade of a huge Mahogany tree in the center of the camp. On arrival you will be shown to your tent and then lunch will be served followed by a well deserved siesta before the afternoon and evening game drive. Time to rest those weary legs!! Dinner and overnight at Tena Tena Camp.  [b-l-d]

Different guests may opt to do different things, today. One possibility is an all-day game drive with a picnic lunch to the Nsefu Scetor of the park. Those still interested in walking will visit the spectacular Buca Buca Lagoon, where a whole morning can be spent quietly sitting while the game comes down to feed and drink. Meals and overnight at Tena Tena Camp.  [b-l-d]

Options continue on this last day of your safari. In addition to game drives and additional walks, today you can opt to visit a local village. Meals and overnight at Tena Tena Camp.  [b-l-d]

You'll be privately transferred to Mfuwe airport, which is about a 90-minute drive from camp.   [b- -]