The South Luangwa National Park is famous for its guided walking safaris. This was initiated in the late 60s by National Parks and Wildlife Service. Derek’s father, Barry Shenton, was at the time a warden of Kafue National Park and introduced the same walking safaris there.

A Zambian walking safari is a unique way to experience the African bush and observe its wildlife. Setting out from camp, a group of no more than six guests are escorted by a professional walking guide and an armed ZAWA scout. This system of two people leading the walk has proved to be very safe over the years, and in Derek’s opinion as a guide, makes it possible to make sure our guests get the most out of the experience while maintaining the highest possible levels of safety.

A typical walking safari from Kaingo or Mwamba has a duration of approximately 3 hours, there are some beautiful walks around both of our camps that highlight the specialities of the area. Including a 3km long several hundred-year-old Ebony Grove, various waterholes, tributaries of the Luangwa River, and beautiful Mopane woodlands to name a few.

A large part of a walking safari revolves around tracking animals – from big cats to a multitude of wildlife such as Kudu, Eland, Elephants, Giraffe, and the endemic Cookson’s Wildebeest. Of course walks bring you closer to the smaller things, the incredible flora, bird life, and arthropods. You will see most of the big game, but not always necessarily as close as you will from the vehicle. The wonderful thing about being on walking safari is you get to touch, feel and smell the environment that the wildlife inhabits, including looking closely at tracks and droppings, nests, insects and particularly a good look at our native flora including the majestic old trees that are found in the riverine areas of the Luangwa.