9-Day Zambia Walking Safari: South Luangwa & Lower Zambezi

Walking Safari: Zambia on Foot & by River

A Zambia walking safari itinerary in the craft’s birthplace.

The route Lusaka → South Luangwa → Lower Zambezi

The Zambia walking safari itinerary, day by day

A Zambia walking safari itinerary in the craft’s birthplace: tracking big game on foot in South Luangwa, then canoeing the Lower Zambezi past elephants and hippo pods.

Nothing here is fixed. In fact, this is the route we plan most often. So tell us what to keep, lengthen or swap, and we’ll send you your own version, fully priced.

Best time to go

June–October dry season; September for carmine bee-eaters and peak river life.

US travelers: check current entry requirements for each country on travel.state.gov and then we walk you through visas at booking, too.

Day 1

Lusaka

Arrive Zambia, then overnight or connect straight on to the Luangwa Valley.

Days 2–5

South Luangwa

Morning walks between remote Luangwa bush camps with Zambia’s legendary guides. Above all, this is leopard country, by night drive and on foot by day.

Days 6–8

Lower Zambezi

Then fly to the river for canoe safaris drifting past elephants, tiger-fishing, and sundowners on the water with Zimbabwe’s mountains beyond.

Day 9

Home

Finally, fly out via Lusaka, or extend to Victoria Falls, an easy hop away.

Where you’ll stay on this walking safari

We select your accommodation privately after we understand your dates, pace and priorities. Specifically, we recommend each camp, lodge or villa for its location, guiding, privacy, room configuration and seasonal suitability. You’ll see the places we suggest, and why, in your proposal.

Plan your private safari

All lodging & meals

Every camp night, all meals and house drinks on safari.

Private guide & vehicle

A private expert guide and 4x4 where specified; at fly-in camps, game drives may be shared unless a private vehicle is reserved.

Fees & flights within Africa

Park fees, light-aircraft hops and meet-and-greet on every leg.

One transparent quote

Priced to your budget, your camps and the season. No set packages.

This journey at a glance

Duration & route

9 days · 9-Day Luangwa & Zambezi

Best months

June – October

Best suited to

Seasoned safari-goers

The heart of it

Walking safaris in South Luangwa and the Lower Zambezi

Typical private investment

Every itinerary is priced individually, to your budget.

Based on two guests sharing. Final pricing therefore depends on season, camps, private guiding, internal flights and itinerary length. International flights are excluded.

Generally included

Every camp named night by night · internal flights and transfers · park and conservancy fees · meals and game activities per each lodge’s terms · airport meet & greet · a founder’s direct line while you travel.

In other words, this itinerary is a starting shape, not a package. Instead, every journey is fully tailor-made around your dates, pace and interests. Design this journey privately →

Questions about this Zambia walking safari

Gentle 2–4 hour morning walks at tracking pace. It’s about signs, birds and behavior, not distance. Also, every walk has a drive alternative, and afternoons are on wheels or water.

It’s better as a second. The valley’s magic is subtlety and walking craft rather than nonstop spectacle. Still, first-timers who love wild places do fall for it hard.

Easily. Indeed, Livingstone is a short flight from the Lower Zambezi and makes a natural two-night finale.

Make this journey yours.

Tell us when you’d like to go and what you’d change. We’ll send back your own fully priced version within a few days.

This Zambia walking safari itinerary is a proven shape, although we can dial the walking up or down.

Plan your safari