A walking safari strips the experience back to its purest form — no engine, no vehicle, just you, an expert armed guide and the sounds and scents of the wild. It is the most intimate way to connect with the bush.
Pioneered in Zambia’s South Luangwa, walking safaris are now offered across Africa, focusing on tracks, smaller creatures, birds and the thrill of approaching game on foot.
Highlights of Walking Safari
Mana Pools, Zimbabwe
Renowned guides and on-foot encounters along the Zambezi.
Explore Mana Pools, Zimbabwe →Expert armed guides
Safety, fieldcraft and an unmatched depth of bush knowledge.
The small details
Tracks, birds, plants and the stories the bush tells on foot.
Best countries for a walking safari
Walking safaris are about the small details and the thrill of being on foot, and a few countries do them better than anywhere. Here is where to go, and why.
Zambia
The birthplace of the walking safari. South Luangwa's expert guides and remote bush camps set the global standard.
Explore Zambia → Southern AfricaZimbabwe
Home to Africa's most rigorously trained guides. Mana Pools is legendary for walking among elephant and wild dog.
Explore Zimbabwe → Southern AfricaBotswana
Wilderness walks in private Okavango concessions, paired with water and 4x4 safaris for real variety.
Explore Botswana → Eastern AfricaTanzania
Walk the wild Nyerere (Selous) and Ruaha in the south, far from the vehicles of the northern circuit.
Explore Tanzania →Know before you go
The practical details we handle for you — flights, entry, health and money — summarized here so nothing surprises you. Requirements can change, so we confirm everything when you book.
Getting there from the USA
South Luangwa is reached via Johannesburg or Nairobi to Lusaka, then a short hop to Mfuwe. Mana Pools connects through Harare or Victoria Falls. We arrange every leg.
Visas & entry
Zambia is visa-free for US citizens; the $50 KAZA UniVisa is only needed if combining with the Zimbabwean side of Victoria Falls. Zimbabwe visa on arrival (~$30) for Mana Pools.
Health
Both valleys are malaria areas — prophylaxis advised. Walking is gentle-paced (3–4 hours in the cool morning) and suits any reasonably fit traveler; minimum ages apply, usually 12–16.
Money & tipping
Camps are bespoke. Tipping is at your discretion — around $20–25 per guest per day for your walking guide, plus a camp staff tip box.
Best time to visit
Dry season — the prime, and often only, walking-safari window.
Shoulder months with green scenery and fewer travelers.
In the rainy months many of these same camps drop their rates by 20–40% — emerald landscapes, newborn wildlife, superb birding and far fewer vehicles. Peak season isn't the only great season: tell us your budget and we'll show you what the green season buys.
Planning & cost
Fully tailor-made — priced privately to your camps, season and travel style. No fixed packages.
Every journey is private and tailor-made — your own guide and vehicle, the finest lodges, and a specialist on call throughout.
Everything else,
answered before you ask
The practical details that apply to every safari we plan — so this page is the only one you need.
Money & tipping
US dollars are accepted at virtually every camp, and cards work at lodges and city hotels. Your trip is fully inclusive, so cash is mainly for tips: plan on roughly $10–20 per guest per day for your guide and $10–15 for camp staff, handed over at the end of each stay. We send exact guidance with your final documents.
Health & safety
See a travel clinic 6–8 weeks before departure for routine shots and malaria advice (most safari regions require prophylaxis; parts of South Africa are malaria-free). Camps are remote but professionally run, with radio contact and evacuation cover — we require travel insurance that includes emergency medical evacuation.
Staying connected
Nearly all lodges have Wi-Fi in the main areas (often in-tent too), and an eSIM from your US carrier covers the cities. Expect to be offline on game drives — most guests come to see that as the point. Family back home can always reach you through us, day or night.
What to pack
Soft duffel bags only (light aircraft cap luggage around 33 lb / 15 kg), neutral-colored layers for cold mornings and warm afternoons, and binoculars. Laundry is included at almost every camp, so pack for 4–5 days no matter the trip length.
Full packing list →Continue exploring
Zambia
A Zambia safari means the home of the walking safari — and the Zambian side of Victoria Falls.
Explore → Southern AfricaZimbabwe
A Zimbabwe safari runs from Victoria Falls to Hwange’s elephants and the wild canoeing of Mana Pools.
Explore → ExperienceBig Five Safari
A Big Five safari — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino, Africa’s most sought-after sightings.
Explore →Walking Safari FAQs
Let's design your Walking Safari journey.
Tell us how you like to travel and our experts will craft your private, tailor-made itinerary — no obligation.
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