The Luangwa River valley, in the east of Zambia is protected in three national parks: South Luangwa National Park, Luambe National Park and North Luangwa National Park. Tohgether they have one of the highest concentrations of multi-day wilderness walking options in Africa.

Easiest to access, and the place with the most camps and lodges is South Luangwa, credited with being one of the first places in Africa to offer guided Wilderness Trails. Spread over 9000km²of the river valley, the park lives to the seasonal ebb and flood of the rivers which are flanked by riparian forests. The floodplain woodlands, which are dominated by mopane trees, are home to a variety of herbivores and their predators. There is a very strong focus on walking in the park, and visitors can choose from an excellent range of lodges, bush camps and mobile walking safaris. Ther ‘walking only’ options are Robin Pope Bush Camp, Robin Pope Mobile and Tafika Walking Trails (by Remote Africa Safaris). These companies also offer small seasonal camps that mix walks and driving, while drives and camp-to-camp walks are offered by Time+Tide, The Bushcamp Company and Shenton Safaris. Just about all of the other venues along the Luangwa River and its tributaries, and some outside the park gates, can offer walks.

Luambe National Park is a smaller park well-located between the northern and southern sections of Luangwa National Park, and walking safaris are available with Luangwa Valley Safaris. The terrain of is diverse and includes open grasslands, riverine forests, and mopane woodlands and the Luangwa River flows through the park, creating a network of channels and lagoons. The river is flanked by riverine forests, which are home to a variety of tree species such as ebony, sausage, and mahogany.

North Luangwa National Park is a protected area located in the northern part of the Luangwa Valley, and the location for a successful black rhino reintroduction initiative. The Mwaleshi and Luangwa rivers flow through the park, and forests trees include winter thorn, ebony, mahogany and sausage tree. The park is more remote than South Luangwa, and has less facilities and camps. Wildlife viewing is primarily on foot, and there are a number of seasonal operations including Remote African Safaris.

Backpacking safari in the Luangwa River valley

A unique opportunity to backpack in the remote heartland of the Luangwa River valley in Luambe National Park.

8 pax

6 Days

From $1,995

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Luxury slackpacking in Luambe

Slackpacking and fly-camping in comfort in the little-visited Luambe National Park.

8 pax

6 Days

From $2,865

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Tafika Walking Trails

The ultimate in immersive Luangwa walking, the Tafika Walking Trails camps can only be accessed on foot.

6 pax

5 Days

From $2,240

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Seasonal Trails Camp in the Remote Wilds of North Luangwa

A vast expanse of wilderness with few vehicle tracks, North Luangwa is best explored on foot. The perfect base is Mwaleshi, a remote seasonal camp dedicated to walking safaris.

6 pax

4 Days

From $2,080

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Luangwa Bush Camp Walks with Robin Pope

By day walk with some of Africa’s best trails guides, and by night camp out in the African bush.

4 pax

4 Days

From $1,815

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Classic Mobile Walking Safari in the Luangwa valley

The quintessential Robin Pope mobile safari experience, a week on foot with a low-impact camp moved each day to a new wilderness location.

6 pax

8 Days

From $6,323

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A group of walkers moves away from the camera in a forest in South Luanwa in Zambia. The forest floor is sparsely vegetated and dappled by early morning shadows of the large tree trunks

Africa’s First Wilderness Trails

Wander camp-to-camp on Africa’s original mobile walking safari, an experience unchanged since pioneered by Norman Carr in the 1950s.

6 pax

6 Days

From $4,770

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Camp to Camp in South Luangwa

Walk from intimate seasonal camps on the Luangwa and its tributaries with The Bushcamp Company.

8 pax

7 Days

From $4,380

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