Walking safaris were born in Zambia where pioneers trekked and tracked through the Luangwa Valley encountering leopard and hippo, wild dog, and giraffe, elephant, lion, and buffalo on foot. Imagine the thrill of meeting these wild African residents on foot and watching them from your position on the ground; senses standing to attention, adrenalin pumping through the veins, every smell and sound a pungent trigger to remind you of this primitive activity. In the greater scheme of things, the vehicle is a modern invention, and before safari game drives, hunter-gatherers and explorers would traverse these wild territories on foot. Plenty of our guests request the walking safari experience, and we know that there is no better place in Africa to send them than Zambia. Right now, Mwamba Bush Camp is all the magic we need, and these photos are proof of that.
Mwamba is a little slice of serenity in South Luangwa National Park, on the banks of the Mwamba River. It is blissfully exclusive and simple with only 3 chalets built simply from reeds under the shade of large tree canopies. Each chalet has a spacious en suite bathroom, which is open to the sky and perfectly equipped with hot bucket showers and flushing toilets. Above each bed, a skylight is shaped out of the reed ceiling and covered with mosquito netting, offering unique bedtime star gazing without pesky bugs.
The rest of this relaxed and informal camp fits the mould with a wonderfully rustic, yet properly stocked, bar area, which is built underneath large trees and always accompanied by birdsong. The beauty of this remote and wild little camp is its perfect blend of modern comfort and wildness. And we haven’t even started on the safari activities…
There is a little sleep-out platform, which overlooks a waterhole and the incredible horizon that lights up at sunset and stains the sky all shades of tangerine and watermelon. Romantically draped in a mosquito net and raised high off the ground, this place makes for one memorable honeymoon destination! Mwamba has a well camouflaged hide, which is built from natural reeds and is positioned along the riverbank, offering a secret spot to sit in silence and watch as some of the roaming wild animals stop by for a drink, none the wiser of your presence.
Each day, there are three optional activities to take part in: walking safaris, game drives, and sessions in the hides. Morning, midday, and evening offer something different, so that you will have no reason for fomo! Setting off on foot at first light might be the best way to start the day, drinking in the waking bushveld, reading the signs of the night in the sand, and listening to the birds chime with the break of day. Crossing rivers and valleys, out in the open, under the inquisitive and skeptical eyes of the many herds of giraffe, zebra, puku, waterbuck, pods of wallowing hippo, cantering African wild dogs, and snoozing members of the Mwamba lion pride.
Midday is the best time to amble down to the hide and set up with your camera, ready for some fantastic photo opportunities, and by the time afternoon rolls around, it’s the perfect time for a game drive to explore the area at a different pace and cover more ground. Game drives are plenty of fun, blowing your hair back and cooling you down, while views of the amazing Luangwa drift past and create memories you’ll never forget. Of course, there’s always a scenic spot to stop, stretch your legs and enjoy a refreshment, likely in the company of animals.
