< Travel Guides
Top 5 Walking & Trekking Holidays
By Rod Tether
1. WORLD-CLASS WALKING SAFARI IN ZAMBIA’S LUANGWA VALLEY
BEST TIME TO VISIT: DRY SEASON – JUNE TO OCTOBER
The Luangwa Valley is where walking safaris were born back in the 1960’s. Now nearing their sixth decade immense pride is still taken in their operation and execution, a gruelling apprenticeship and qualification system ensures only the top guides become walking guides and ensures the superb safety record.
The Luangwa Valley also happens to be one of the most beautiful places you could undertake a walking safari, the slow meandering eponymous river is flanked by beautiful glades of riverine forest and green grazing plains. An ever changing landscape where the only constant are the hippos and crocs. Plentiful elephant and a plethora of antelope along with graceful giraffe and humongous herds of buffalo complete the picture.
Head up to the far north of the South Luangwa National Park and you’re guaranteed to be in one of the few places on the planet where lion far outnumber man. Here along the crystal clear Mupamadzi River you can find one of the most authentic safaris available anywhere – and the focus is very much about being on foot.
Combine with… Lower Zambezi where the ability to get out on the river on boat or canoe affords another perspective, or over to the Victoria Falls.
2. LUXURY TREKKING IN NEPAL’S HIMALAYAS
BEST TIME TO VISIT: OCTOBER/NOVEMBER AND MARCH/APRIL
Nepal offers some of the best trekking in the world amid truly spectacular mountain scenery. The country is home to eight of the ten tallest mountains on earth, and while they are hugely impressive even from afar, nothing beats getting up and close and personal with the Himalayas on foot.
Hiking for four to six hours each day in the company of your expert guide our luxury adventure takes you along ancient winding paths between snow-capped peaks and roaring glacial rivers amid the epic mountain landscape. You only need carry what you need for the day and there’s plenty of time to soak up the extraordinary views and discover village culture.
Each night is spent at a rustically comfortable mountain lodge with en-suite rooms; luxury here is the excellent personal service, evening drinks around a dancing fire, your bed warmed by a hot water bottle and falling asleep beneath a blanket of stars.
Combine with… a safari in search of tiger and rhino in Chitwan National Park
3. TREKKING WITH A PRIVATE CAMP IN MOROCCO’S HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS
BEST TIME TO VISIT: YEAR ROUND
Morocco is a wonderfully exciting country to explore. It’s a short flight from Europe and offers unimaginable diversity, from the souks and squares of the imperial cities to the dunes and mountains of the south.
Time slows down when you head off into the wilds of Morocco. For just a few days you can leave the modern world behind and gently explore the stunning mountain passes, accompanied by your expert Berber guide. Our trekking holidays in Morocco are typically spread over 4 days and 3 nights – a complete adventure that starts with 4-5 hour jeep journey to your pick up point where your private crew and pack animals await you. The treks take you up arid hills, plains peppered with sweet-scented herbs and then, suddenly, impossibly lush valleys.
Walk by day to explore soaring mountain passes, leafy groves of almond trees and high alpine pastures. At the end of the day your luxurious tented awaits you – crisp white walk-in safari tents, proper sheets and duvets, khilims and a brocaded dining tent. Mint tea revives after the days walk, while freshly cooked food is prepared by your chef under a blanket of stars.
Combine with… time in the bustling souks and squares of Marrakech.
4. WALKING SAFARI ALONG THE DRY RIVERS OF RUAHA
BEST TIME TO VISIT: DRY SEASON – JUNE TO NOVEMBER
Ruaha is East Africa’s largest National Park and the best in the region to undertake a proper walking safari. The Great Ruaha River, with its impressive gorges, pools and rapids runs or a hundred miles close the park’s southern boundary creating stunning rugged landscapes.
Ruaha sits at the crossroads of East and Southern African flora and fauna with good populations of Greater and Lesser Kudu, ostrich, eland, sable, a lot of lion, wild dog and a bird list comparable to all of Botswana. It’s also home to one of the highest concentrations of elephants in the world and few animals are as rewarding when encountered on foot as elephant.
Nowhere in Ruaha is busy, with the Park receiving a fraction of the visitors that head to the more famous northern attractions of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, but in a remote northern corner the inimitable Kichaka Expeditions has been operating gold-standard small tented camps and fly-camping since 2003, where the ethos has always been to get out on foot and be properly immersed in the wilderness.
Combine with… the Selous Game Reserve which has a much more southern African feel – or hit the beach on Zanzibar.
