Botswana: a luxury safari destination

Many people have different expectations of a safari on the African continent: some enjoy relaxing in five-star accommodation with spas and the latest treatments, top-class dining and fine wines, while others want to fully immerse themselves in the jungle. Either experience will allow for high-quality game viewing, but the latter definitely gives a real sense of “unplugged” Africa.

Walking safaris were pioneered in South Luangwa in Zambia by the renowned Norman Carr over fifty years ago and today his legacy is a small selection of high quality ‘jungle camps’ which are platforms for exciting walking safaris. “Jungle camps” tend to be much smaller than traditional safari lodges, with 6-10 guests at a time, and are more traditional in layout with a handful of thatched-roof huts, usually opening to a quiet bend in the Luangwa River.

The key to any safari in Africa is the quality of the guide and Zambian guides are among the best: taking guests on foot requires a high level of concentration and sensory perception. Imagine coming across all the wildlife you would see from the comfort of your set in a large 4×4 vehicle, now imagine the same experience on foot. Safety is paramount and the experience is unforgettable. My first walking safari in South Luangwa brought our small group within 100 feet of a pair of mating leopards!

Zambia’s national parks are well established and during the dry season, which runs from May to the end of October, South Luangwa offers an exceptional view of the game. Large breeding herds of elephants trail through the mopane forests, along with equally large herds of buffalo. Large prides of lions defend their territories from local competition and the chances of seeing leopards in the wild are perhaps higher than elsewhere in Africa. Many different species of antelope thrive in Zambia, with Thorneycroft’s giraffe and Cookson’s wildebeest being more unusual.

The Luangwa River is home to high concentrations of hippos, and as the dry season progresses and the river shrinks, it is not uncommon to see groups of several hundred hippos gathering in the deeper channels. Strategically placed photo hides provide exceptional opportunities to get up close to these large “river horses” and observe their behavior.

Zambia is easily accessible with direct flights from the UK to the capital, Lusaka. A short flight then takes you to the small town of Mfuwe, which is the gateway to a South Luangwa safari. And as you make your way to camp, the spectacular beauty of one of Africa’s last truly wild areas unfolds, drawing you in and holding your imagination captive for days to come.

If a walking safari in Zambia sounds like the style of safari you’d enjoy, be sure to talk to someone who has visited the area and can give you an unbiased view of the best location and camp for you based on your expectations, as some camps are more rustic than others.