| The first step in planning a walking | | | | Safaris |
| safari is to decide on the type of | | | | Nsefu Walking Safari, Luangwa Valley, |
| safari that suits you best. | | | | Zambia: a seven night (set-date) safari |
| The following summary offers some | | | | that includes three days of walking in |
| explanation of the differences between: | | | | the riverine areas of the Nsefu sector. |
| "wilderness trails", | | | | Combines with Nkwali and Nsefu camps. |
| "backed up" walking safaris and | | | | The Lion Trail, Matusadona, Zimbabwe: A |
| trails from fixed bases (tented camps, | | | | four day backed up walking safari on the |
| seasonal bushcamps and lodges) | | | | Matusadona shoreline. The area is famed |
| Wilderness Trails | | | | for its lions - a boat is used to |
| These walking safaris are well suited to | | | | compliment the walking on this safari |
| active and adventurous participants. | | | | and is an invaluable aid for getting |
| They offer a rare and intimate | | | | into areas where lion and other game |
| opportunity to explore and learn about | | | | activity is high. Black rhino tracking |
| the African bush, its game and birdlife. | | | | is an option on this safari. |
| | | | The Selinda Trail, Selinda Reserve, |
| These are "full participation" camping | | | | Botwana: a four to six day walking |
| type safaris on which trailists and camp | | | | safari for up to six guests utilising |
| staff carry all gear and provisions in | | | | the Motswiri, Zibalianja and Selinda |
| backpacks. | | | | camps, definitely the best way to |
| In all cases the safari is lead by an | | | | explore the Linyanti. |
| armed Professional Guide and the group | | | | Walking safaris from fixed bases |
| size is limited to a maximum of six | | | | The tented camps, seasonal bush camps |
| members. | | | | and lodges serve as fixed bases from |
| The wilderness trails are usually a | | | | which walking trails are conducted. In |
| four-day excursion in a big game area. | | | | all cases, these bases are located in |
| Water availability (springs and rivers), | | | | areas of exceptional beauty, usually |
| weather conditions, game activity, | | | | tucked away and blending with the bush |
| fitness and the interests of members on | | | | and terrain - all are within relatively |
| safari generally determine the route and | | | | simple reach of areas that have big game |
| pace of these trails. | | | | (elephant, buffalo, antelope and smaller |
| Traditional tracking methods are used - | | | | mammals are fairly common residents at |
| the objective is often to find specific | | | | some of these camps). |
| game species including lion, leopard or | | | | Generally speaking, the smaller tented |
| black rhino where they occur. | | | | and seasonal bush camps are located well |
| Bush skills are put to a fine test on | | | | within the boundaries of National Parks |
| these safaris. | | | | and game reserves - permanent lodges are |
| These safaris are not military-style | | | | usually found bordering on the outside |
| "route marches" but a fair degree of | | | | of these areas. |
| fitness is required. | | | | The tented camps are usually centre |
| Camps are generally basic, often | | | | around a tented communal lounging/dining |
| consisting of little more than two-man | | | | area. Accommodations are in large |
| dome tents for sleeping - mosquito nets | | | | walk-in tents often with en-suite |
| alone, are in many cases a preferred | | | | facilities. Standards range from |
| shelter. | | | | "traditional" to luxurious. |
| The best wilderness trails are found in | | | | The seasonal bush camps tend to |
| Zimbabwe's side of the Zambezi Valley; | | | | incorporate some tented accommodation |
| both Mana Pools (Chitake Springs) and | | | | but are largely made from local |
| Matusadona are particularly good areas. | | | | materials including reeds, thatch and |
| There is one wilderness trail with a | | | | timber. They close in the wet season |
| difference - a grand portered trail over | | | | and are often rebuilt from scratch at |
| a week in the Zambia's Luangwa Valley is | | | | the beginning of the dry season. As |
| available on special request only. | | | | with the tented camps, bush camps tend |
| "Backed up" Walking Safaris | | | | to be small, often accommodating a |
| The "backed up" walking trails generally | | | | maxiumum of six guests. |
| trace a specific walking route through a | | | | Lodges are generally larger, usually |
| wilderness area to rendezvous points en | | | | accommodating over sixteen guests in |
| route where overnight camps have been | | | | individual chalets and bungalows. In |
| established by a support team. Each one | | | | many cases lodges offer better standards |
| of the backed up walking trails that we | | | | than those found at some of the best |
| offer is unique in character, they tend | | | | hotels in Southern Africa's capital |
| to focus on specific wilderness areas | | | | cities. |
| known for their remoteness, natural | | | | Walking safaris from these fixed bases |
| beauty or particularly good wildlife | | | | usually take place in the early mornings |
| conditions. | | | | and evenings when game is more active. |
| In each case, the Professional Guides | | | | Vehicles are often used to get within |
| who lead the safaris are recognised as | | | | closer reach of areas where game is more |
| being amongst the best in Africa. | | | | prolific. |
| Accommodation standards vary from | | | | There's always a lot of flexibility - as |
| deluxe-tented camps to relatively basic | | | | with the wilderness trails and backed up |
| fly camps. | | | | safaris, routines are largely determined |
| Similarly meals range in quality from | | | | by the elements, game conditions and |
| regular "home-cooked" fare to "bush | | | | guest interests. |
| meals" - in all cases food is wholesome | | | | Professional Guides are resident at all |
| and provided in sufficient quantities. | | | | of these camps, often supported by |
| The backed up walking trails are often | | | | learner guides and scouts. Armed and |
| used in conjunction with semi-permanent | | | | appropriately qualified personnel |
| tented, seasonal bush camps and | | | | undertake all safari activities. |
| permanent lodges. | | | | Fixed bases generally have more |
| These safaris generally provide more | | | | resources and additional staff on hand - |
| creature comforts than the wilderness | | | | creature comforts and extra activities |
| trails. | | | | are often more readily available. |
| They're usually highly personalised and | | | | In some areas, e.g. Zimbabwe's |
| often limited to a maximum of 6 guests. | | | | Matusadona, boats and pontoons are |
| Zambia and Zimbabwe boast the better | | | | available for some game viewing |
| backed up walking safaris, Botswana has | | | | activities, birding and fishing. |
| one particularly good backed up walking | | | | In the Kafue, Okavango, Matusadona and |
| safari in the Selinda Reserve. | | | | Mana Pools areas, canoes are also often |
| We strongly recommend the following | | | | on hand - a unique dimension to game |
| backed up walking safaris: | | | | viewing and birding. |
| The Zambezi Odyssey Safaris - a | | | | Night drives are permitted in Zambia and |
| selection of trips concentrated in Mana | | | | private reserves and concessions |
| Pools and the Chitake concession with | | | | elsewhere - they provide an excellent |
| the option of combining canoeing on the | | | | opportunity to spend time seeking out |
| lower Zambezi. | | | | nocturnal species (they also add more |
| Mupamadzi Safari, Luangwa Valley, | | | | game viewing hours to the day). |
| Zambia: a nine night (set-date) safari | | | | There are a wide variety of camp and |
| that includes five days of walking on | | | | lodge options to choose from in |
| the Mupamadzi River. Combines with | | | | Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana |
| Nkwali and Nsefu camps. Robin Pope | | | | |