Discover your inner explorer in Zambia’s wild heart

Our early pioneer, Norman Carr, believed that you never truly knew or understood a country and its wildlife until you had walked it. It’s for this very reason that Zambia has been crowned home of the Walking Safari as this philosophy has been instilled in generations of Zambians.

At Time + Tide Safaris, we invite our guests to follow the road less traveled with our Walking Safari Guides – some having trained with Norman himself – and immerse themselves in the unspoiled wilderness of South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi and Liuwa Plain.

The traditional Walking Safari is the ultimate way for guests to slow down, reconnect with nature and experience Africa in its entirety. Although you may be able to travel further by vehicle, being on foot allows you to experience and embrace a new array of scents, sounds, and signals of the bush such as where a honey badger lay the night before or how dung beetles tackle their crucial task so diligently. The magic is in the finer details of the wild world that surrounds us.

History of the Walking Safari

The legendary Norman Carr was a man ahead of his time. He was a bold innovator of the Walking Safari which initiated a far-reaching concept that was to pave the way for modern conservation and ecotourism. Back in 1950, he encouraged Senior Chief Nsefu – Paramount Chief of the Kunda people in the Luangwa Valley – to set aside a portion of tribal land as a game reserve and built the first game viewing camp open to the public in Zambia.

His dream was to secure the future of this unique wilderness by ensuring that the local population would benefit through the conservation of the wildlife and habitat of the Luangwa Valley. It was during this time that Norman Carr pioneered the Walking Safari experience.

Routes + Journey Information

Begin your journey at our Seasonal Camps – open from the 20th of May to the 15th of November every year – exploring the wilds of the South Luangwa in the tradition of the Walking Safari from camp to camp. Originally sited by Norman Carr decades ago, the camps are located in the best game areas of the whole National Park.

As with all of our journeys, Walking Safaris are flexible itineraries that we design to your preference based on your choice of Seasonal Camps and the length of your stay. Whether you opt for our most popular five-night walking safari itinerary or extend it to 10 nights for the full circuit with 2 nights spent at each Seasonal Camp, this raw, authentic experience will transport you to a whole different world.

The distances and walking times between each of our Seasonal Camps:

+ Luwi to Nsolo – 9.5 km (approximately 2.5 – 3 hours)
+ Nsolo to Kakuli – 14 km (approximately 4 – 4.5 hours)
+ Nsolo to Mchenja – 12 km (approximately 4 hours)
+ Kakuli to Mchenja – 7 km (approximately 2 hours)

For every Walking Safari experience, our guests dictate the pace and are accompanied by a Time + Tide Guide and a scout. Zambia has exceptionally high Walking Safari Guide standards and exams, therefore allowing guests to be at ease and feel safe in the wilderness. The recommended minimum age is 12 years old and is at the discretion of our Guides.

Walk as much or as little as you please, as there is always the alternative option of a vehicle transfer between camps with all luggage being transferred ahead of you. In addition to your morning walking safari, game drives are available in the evening too.

Take a Walk on The Wild Side

In a world where everyone is seeking real wellness, connecting with wild places and embracing the present moment, a Walking Safari offers all these and more. Whether you’re a first-time safari goer, a seasoned one, or a family joining us on a safari adventure, we invite you to follow in the footsteps of early conservationists and immerse yourself in the abundance of wildlife in an unspoiled wilderness.

    FOLLOW THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

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    Destinations

    Zambia

    Zambia is Africa's best kept secret, with its vast landscapes, diverse wildlife and welcoming culture. Trace the steps of early conservationists while experiencing walking safaris in the South Luangwa. Come face to face with giants as you glide quietly in a canoe along the reeds in the Lower Zambezi. Feel the rumble of a distant thunderstorm on Liuwa Plain’s horizon as you marvel at the sight of gathering wildebeest amongst a flush of colourful wildflowers.

    Destinations

    Madagascar

    Fringed by white sand beaches and colourful coral reefs, Miavana is a haven of luxury at the ends of the Earth. Raw and refined, this private island sanctuary brings together world-class luxury in a world of rare wildlife and extraordinary landscapes. Madagascar is like nowhere else on the planet. A land of lemurs and chameleons, turtles and terns, where unknown species are still being discovered to this day. Miavana is the ultimate destination for modern-day explorers, an adventure playground offering an unrivalled range of activities that span the horizons of land, sea and air, celebrating the very best of this remarkable region.

    Zambia

    South Luangwa

    Just a one hour flight from Lusaka, the South Luangwa is known for its big cat sightings and often referred to as the Valley of the Leopard. It is in the South Luangwa that the legendary Norman Carr pioneered the walking safari and conservation-based tourism in Africa. Zambia's outstanding reputation of guiding is ever prevalent in our team with some of our guides having trained with Norman himself.  Our guides offer guests a raw, authentic safari experience and don't let the finer details in these vast spaces pass you by. 

    Zambia

    Liuwa Plain

    Liuwa Plain’s vast savannah is one of the oldest conservation areas in Africa, yet it’s one of Africa’s best-kept secrets. With its golden grasslands and shimmering lagoons, Liuwa Plain transforms with the arrival of the rains from a vast grass plains to a watery wonderland.

    Zambia

    Lower Zambezi

    Nestled between the imposing mountain escarpment to the north and the mighty Zambezi River to the south, the Lower Zambezi Valley has a variety of activities that few, if any, other destinations can offer. It has been described by guests as their "happy place" because of its beautiful scenery, peaceful riverside woodlands and abundant wildlife. The Lower Zambezi is just a short 30 minute flight from Lusaka and offers guests the thrill of tiger-fishing to peaceful wildlife sightings on the banks of the river while canoeing or boating. Our guides strive to make each guest feel like they are part of the landscape and not a mere spectator.

    "The uniqueness of being in a camp with only four safari tents is the ultimate feeling of luxury.  Luwi overlooks a wide open grassland that on my first morning we watched a high speed chase - a pack of Wilddogs on a hunt.  It was exhilarating to watch and sent our heart rates through the sky adding a lot of chatter and laughter once the pack had passed by."
    Jessica, Guest Time + Tide Luwi
    "The authenticity and remoteness of the seasonal camps will be a special experience that I will long to return to.  There really is no place on earth that you can really escape like you can at the seasonal camps.  Falling asleep at Kakuli to the distant lion roars and waking to the call of the fish eagle - really what a magical walking safari!"
    Lara, Guest Time + Tide Kakuli
    This is the most magical place you're ever likely to experience. Nestled under a grove of imposing Albida trees, it is clearly favoured by the many elephant who graze on the Albida pods. Their presence adds an incredibly special energy to the camp. 
    Charles, Guest at Time + Tide Chongwe Camp
    The lodge is stunning and all the staff are utterly wonderful. The views from the lodge are outstanding, lovely Liuwa wilderness. My bedroom was incredibly comfortable, very stylish, hitting a difficult combination of minimalist yet luxury. Incredibly comfortable bed and many relaxing areas to rest. 
    Mandy, Guest at Time + Tide King Lewanika
    Our family had the most joyful time at Chongwe, really everything was perfect and every detail taken care of. The team ensured we had the best time at every activity (even tiger fishing!). We felt privileged to spend a few days here and look forward to returning.
    Richard, Guest at Time + Tide Chongwe
    "Thank you for embracing the unique culture of Barotseland through storytelling, song, dance, drums and the marimba - this is a jewel in the necklace of the African Parks managed conservation areas we are visiting across Africa - much appreciated."
    Kingsley Holgate, Guest at Time + Tide King Lewanika
    Chinzombo is a stunning lodge in a beautiful location of the South Luangwa. The rooms are luxurious and spacious, with a deck and plunge pool overlooking the Luangwa River. There is always an abundance of wildlife around the rooms, we had a banded mongoose, bushbuck, elephants and hippo's - just to name a few.
    Michael, Guest at Time + Tide Chinzombo