You fly into Zambia’s capital and fly out: you are eager for something wild. Your small aircraft takes you across the vastness of Zambia, into the East Province, a region so remote it remains one of the world’s foremost wildlife sanctuaries. As you land in Mfuwe and hop on a 4x4, it would appear the safari’s already begun: animals are everywhere! In a simple drive to the camp you could have ticked off a couple of checklists, if this were a normal safari… but this is not a normal safari.
Agreed: it was a bit of a hectic start. But since last night’s sundowner you have started to sync with the rhythm of Africa, that mellow, addicting quality of time where everything happens slowly yet there is excitement everywhere. Alongside your armed guide, you explore the area, get your bearings, walk right past a herd of elephants and the matron tips her ears as if to say “Good morning to you!” Sipping coffee on the open lounge you are watching the hippos by the lagoon frolic and yawn. You sit back and think how out of the ordinary all of this is, and chuckle: now you are in safari mode.
It’s really early in the morning. Your luggage is loaded on a vehicle to be transported to the next lodge. There’s something special about travelling light and simply being free. Your guides are waiting by the fire, coffee at the ready. It’s time to head out. They shoulder their rifles and with a nudge you all start on your way. You leave the camp still in the blue dawn, into a misty wilderness, where nothing is scripted, nothing is pre-arranged, there are no set routes. Your spotter points to a pride of lions. “Let’s try to get closer,” he says. But you have to stay downwind. Your lead guide licks his finger and points it skyward to gauge wind direction, he reads a small bend in the grass, the curvature of the terrain, the time of day, and the mood of the lions. It sounds like hocus-pocus to the uninitiated, but it is the subtle art of tracking that can only be perfected after a lifetime in the bush. Your demeanor is calm but you can feel the rush of adrenaline. Primal experiences are like that: we crave them, we fear them, they change us, they are the defining moments of our lives.
It was getting dark, and you were still far away from the camp. Suddenly, the lights and the campfire appeared in the distance just as the cacophony of nighttime rose to a crescendo. The sight of the camp made the darkness around you ever more present, the contrast was so great. When you finally reached the camp it felt like a triumphal entry. After a shower dinner was waiting for you and after a few stories of the day’s adventures you felt the pleasurable exhaustion reserved for travellers. You thought you would take a day off today and just relax by the camp but legs have a mind of their own...
It’s time to leave eastern Zambia. There are certain wildlife parks that have become legendary. One of them is Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools. Well, the Lower Zambezi is that same area just on the Zambian side of the border. This relatively unknown area is ideal for Safari connoisseurs who wish to experience untouched wildlife and a variety of activities. From water safaris to tiger fishing, from stargazing to bird watching.
The Lower Zambezi is also a great area for walking safaris because it is underdeveloped and some of its best areas are difficult to reach by vehicle. By now you are well versed in the art of trekking in the African wilderness and it comes to you second-nature. You feel quite at home surrounded by big game with not vehicle in between, with no subterfuge: just you and the wild.
The Zambezi River is magnetic for animals. The river banks are one of the few places that fall outside the domain of the walking safari: huge herds of buffalo and elephant gather near the water and a land approach is beyond intrepid. But a water rapprochement is perfect. From water you are just metres away from hundreds upon hundreds of animals. Even your legs agree: this is awe-inspiring.
You are boarding your outward flight from Lusaka. The memories and experiences that you carry with you are priceless. The wild, Oh the wild!, the plane barely takes off and your heart already wants to find new trails, your legs want to walk with lions, your eyes want to gorge in endless horizons. We understand this longing, we’ve been there, and we keep coming back for more.
Provide us with a few starting details about your travel plans, and one of our specialists will be in touch to give you suggestions and ideas.
