Walking Safari in South Luangwa

Your walking safari begins at Luwi Camp: no engines, no fences – just you and the untamed wilderness. With your guide at your side, you set out on foot, discovering fresh tracks, listening to the rustle of grass, and experiencing how intense the bush feels without a vehicle. After your first exploration, a welcoming tent awaits, open to nature and thoughtfully designed for comfort. The real luxury here is the rare chance to slow down and reconnect. As night falls, you gather around the fire, the adventure only just beginning.

The trail to Nsolo takes you across sandy riverbeds and through quiet forests where every sound feels amplified. With each step, the safari becomes more personal: the texture of the earth underfoot, the scent of dry grass, the crack of branches in the distance. Nsolo lies on a seasonal riverbed often frequented by lions and wild dogs. Small and characterful, this camp embodies the intimacy of a true bush experience – a place where adventure and comfort meet in perfect balance.

Spending a night under the open sky is the essence of this journey. Your bedroll is set beneath a canopy of stars, the fire glows, and the bush comes alive around you. There are no walls, no distance – only you, the wilderness, and the magic of the moment. With expert guides ensuring safety and a simple yet refined setup, you drift into sleep accompanied by the sounds of the night. It is here that you truly understand what a walking safari means: the simplicity of the moment and the overwhelming sense of being deep in Africa.

From Nsolo you continue to Kakuli, perched high above a sweeping curve of the Luangwa River. The walk itself is rewarding, but Kakuli is renowned for exceptional encounters – especially leopards, which are frequently sighted in this area. Mornings invite you to explore on foot, while afternoons may include a game drive as predators become active at dusk. Kakuli represents the essence of South Luangwa: immersive, raw and unforgettable, right in the heart of the Valley of the Leopard.

The expedition continues to Mchenja, famed for its setting beneath towering ebony trees. The route combines open plains with shady woodland, each step revealing new impressions of the Luangwa. At the camp, elegance meets seclusion: a peaceful veranda overlooking the river, elephants passing by, and the quiet rhythm of the bush. Mchenja is a place to pause, to take in the stillness, and to experience the subtle luxury of space and silence in the wild.

After days on foot, your journey ends with a striking contrast. Chinzombo, Time + Tide’s flagship camp, offers spacious villas with private pools and sweeping river views. Modern architecture blends with the soul of a classic safari camp, creating an atmosphere both refined and authentic. Here you can unwind with a spa treatment, lounge on the river deck or dine under the stars. Chinzombo provides the perfect finale – where adventure and exclusivity meet in one extraordinary setting.

On your final morning, you leave Chinzombo for the transfer back to Mfuwe Airport. Along the way, the South Luangwa may grant you one last encounter – a herd of elephants crossing the track, or a flash of birdlife in the trees. Then it is time to say goodbye, carrying with you the memory of an expedition that brought you closer to Africa, step by step.