Walking safari in Zambia

At Wilderness, we don't offer dedicated specialist walking itineraries; instead walking safari activities form part of a broader luxury safari experience where conditions and locations allow. As far as a Zambia walking safari is concerned, some of our highlights include the memorable rhino walk near Wilderness Toka Leya in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, where you'll have the opportunity to observe these remarkable animals on foot alongside expert guides. Kafue National Park also offers seasonal walking opportunities where exploring on foot adds another dimension to your safari, complementing game drives and other activities.

Rather than covering large distances by vehicle, a Zambian walking safari allows you the opportunity to experience our wild spaces at a slower pace, taking time to notice the smaller details of the environment. Expect walks to last between two and four hours, usually in the cool of the early morning or late afternoon, with small groups of around four to eight guests. Every walk is led by a highly trained, armed guide who will show you spoor, tracks and interesting fauna, while ensuring your safety throughout the experience.

On your walking safari, you'll learn to identify animal tracks, recognise birds and calls, spot insects and smaller creatures, understand the importance of native plants, and discover the subtle signs that predators and herbivores leave behind. Wildlife encounters happen at a respectful and safe distance, deepening your appreciation of the bush and the delicate ecosystems that support it.
 

A Wilderness safari is about far more than walking alone. While we don't offer multi-day walking safari packages or Zambian walking tours, guided walks are included as a complimentary activity whenever seasonal conditions and wildlife movements allow. You can choose to swop a game drive for a walking safari, a boat trip or a cultural excursion, allowing you to discover all that Zambia has to offer.

In Kafue National Park, seasonal guided walks from Wilderness Shumba offer an unforgettable way to explore the remote Busanga Plains on foot. Led by armed, highly trained guides, these walks reveal the smaller details often missed from a vehicle. In Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, upstream from the Victoria Falls, Wilderness Toka Leya’s guided nature walks provide another opportunity to slow down, while boating, fishing on the Zambezi River and a back-of-house tour of the camp’s reforestation seedling nursery are some of the other activities on offer. Here, you can also enjoy the optional activity of a rhino walk (a small additional fee applies) with Department of National Parks and Wildlife scouts to observe these endangered animals at a safe distance.

Get in touch to discuss our Zambia walking safari options and build a package that best matches the experience you're looking for.

When is the best time for a walking safari in Zambia?

The best time for a walking safari in Zambia is during the dry, winter season from June to October. In Kafue National Park, our camps are only open during these months, when wildlife sighting opportunities around Busanga Plains are at their best. While guided walks may be available throughout the camp's operating season, they are typically done later in the dry season, when the bush has thinned and visibility is optimal. All walking activities remain subject to seasonal conditions and wildlife movements, ensuring every experience prioritises your safety.

Do you get to walk with animals on safari in Zambia?

In destinations such as Kafue National Park, the goal is not to walk alongside wildlife, but to observe animals safely in their natural habitat. These Zambian walking safaris don’t focus on getting you close to wildlife but rather on reading tracks, interpreting signs of animal activity and, where conditions allow, viewing animals from a safe distance.

One of the few exceptions is the rhino walk available from Wilderness Toka Leya. Here, you’ll travel by vehicle to an area in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park where a small population of closely monitored white rhinos is protected by Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife scouts. Because the rhinos are continuously monitored and habituated to the presence of conservation teams, it is possible to approach them quite closely on foot. 

Can I combine a walking safari with a ground (vehicle) safari?

Absolutely. In fact, that's how a Zambia walking safari with Wilderness is designed to be experienced. Rather than focusing exclusively on walking, our all-inclusive safaris offer a range of activities. A typical safari day includes two guided safari activities, usually morning and afternoon game drives, but these can be swapped for other experiences depending on your interests and seasonal conditions.

In Kafue National Park, combine traditional game drives in open 4x4 vehicles with seasonal guided walks, night drives and, earlier in the season when water levels are higher, boating excursions. While at Wilderness Toka Leya near Livingstone, your safari can be tailored to include game drives, guided nature walks, river cruises on the Zambezi, the unforgettable rhino encounter, catch-and-release fishing, a behind-the-scenes camp tour, tree planting, cultural experiences and guided visits to the Victoria Falls. If you'd like to add even more adventure, optional experiences such as scenic helicopter flights over the Falls and adrenaline activities can also be arranged.