Walking Safari – EXTRAORDINARY AFRICA

Adam has recently returned from a wonderful solo safari to Zambia. Here’s his post-trip thoughts:

First and absolutely foremost, thank you for your itinerary and in particular your suggestion for Lower Zambezi and Anabezi. The ‘camp’ is truly exceptional and the National Park not far behind! I’m always conscious to avoid recent-ism but… we’ve been all around the world, all 7 continents and I genuinely can’t recall staying anywhere like it. The facilities and people were first class. Given that it was 44c & 45c on the last 2 days, the private plunge pool was essential! Being right on the river and having those activities for the evenings were a wonderful change up from hot game drives! Thank you. I would say you can confidently include Anabezi on any future itinerary without fear of disappointment.

Also LOVED Nkwali, the people were amazing. The guides In Zambia were incredible, such teachers! I know everyone raves about the qualification process from Zambian guides (and Zim of course) but until you experience it… I can honestly say I learnt more in 3 days with Kanga from Robin Pope Safaris than I have in all of my previous trips to Africa combined.

Thank you again, not only for your itinerary but for your communications and organisation. All of my transfers and internal flights were faultless. Your land agents in Zambia were v sweet and looked after me. I shall take a break from Africa (but I thought this after returning from Uganda in March!), when I do return I shall certainly be in touch.

It’s fair to say that some of us may have been guilty of being a little… sedentary over the last 18 months. So frankly, now we’re able to get out and about again, we’re ditching the game drive vehicles and getting active. Jogging with wildlife rangers, riding with rhinos, walking with Maasai warriors- yes please! Even better- now is the time to go, while parks are empty and special offers abound.

Running with Rangers at Ol Pejeta Bush Camp

Jogging isn’t something you associate too closely with safari, for risk of looking a little too much like… erm, prey. However, when surrounded by a team of experienced bush rangers, we feel pretty safe. Each day the rangers who protect the Ol Pejeta Conservancy head out on an early morning run, and guests at Ol Pejeta Bush Camp are more than welcome to join them. Needless to say, this is something you need to be pretty fit for- running at least 5km without stopping would be an absolute minimum requirement- but then there’s plenty of space for breakfast afterwards!

Walking safaris with Maasai Trails

After the stresses and strains of lockdown and isolation, calming down, slowing down, and reconnecting with world seems pretty appealing. The Loita Hills are an incredibly special area, home to traditional Maasai communities. They’re covered in dense woodland, known as the Forest of the Lost Child, which is sacred to the Maasai. Exploring on foot with Maasai Trails is a fabulous way to get to know the birds and butterflies of the forest, the medicinal plants, and most importantly, your Maasai hosts, usually young, fun warriors who are up to any hiking challenge- we’ve yet to hear of them being outpaced!

Riding with rhinos on Lewa

Lovely Lewa is a conservancy that’s captured many hearts, and the rolling downland is perfectly suited to riding safaris. As an added bonus, this is a stronghold for rhino within Kenya, so chances are, if you’re here for a few days, you’re more than likely to get lucky. There are horses to cater to both beginners and more experienced riders, with a weight limit of 85kgs for beginners and 90kgs for experienced riders.

For competent riders, we can arrange sleepouts, and multi-day rides. Riding is available from Lewa Wilderness, Lewa Safari Camp, Sirikoi and Lewa House, all on Lewa, and Borana (which also offers mountain biking for non-riders), on the neighbouring conservancy.

Mountain-biking on Loisaba

While riding safaris have long been popular, these days not everyone’s experienced on horseback and mountain biking has much the same thrill. Speeding along tracks in the open air, covering more ground than you ever could on foot, and yet feeling very much part of the bush. Loisaba Tented Camp is a brilliant spot to do this in- the views alone make the uphill bits worthwhile, and downhill is just exhilarating!

Raring to go?