Zambia
4 Day Walking Safari with Legendary Master Guide Deb Tittle
A Little More Info
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Single travelers staying in a room by themselves will be charged this additional single supplement fee, as all of our regular prices are otherwise based on double occupancy.
SINGLE SHARE OPTIONS (if available)
If you are traveling alone and wish to share a room, we will make every effort to find you a roommate of the same gender, in which case you will not have to pay the single supplement fee. The single supplement will be charged until we are able to confirm a roommate for you. If we are able to match you with a roommate, the single supplement will be refunded. In the event that we cannot find a share for you, you will be required to pay the single supplement fee.
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Zambia
4 Day Walking Safari with Legendary Master Guide Deb Tittle
Destinations
- South Luangwa National Park, Mapazi Camp
Highlights
- Legendary Master Guide Deb Tittle, trainer of other guides in advanced tracking skills. Deb has made an art out of tracking.
- Un-habituated Wildlife - Game in this remote area is less used to human presence so you see true "wild" behavior.
- Walking Safaris - for the broadest diversity of game and more intimate & authentic safari experience not available elsewhere in Africa.
- No Jeep Competition - you won't find vehicles or other safaris chasing herds and lion prides as is typical in most of Africa.
- Extremely Remote Safari Bushcamp.
- Includes All Meals
Itinerary at a Glance
- DAY 1 Lusaka, South Luangwa
- DAY 2 South Luangwa, Walking Safaris
- DAY 3 South Luangwa, Walking Safaris
- DAY 4 South Luangwa, Lusaka
4 Day Walking Safari with Legendary Master Guide Deb Tittle
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1 Lusaka / South Luangwa
Deb Tittle has over 22 years of experience guiding in the Luangwa, 15 of which she has specializing in walking safaris. She is widely regarded as one of the top safari guides in Africa. This expertly guided walking safari is for groups of up to 4 guests (or single parties maximum of 6). All walks are accompanied by an experienced, armed ranger. This is a fully immersive experience and there is no Wi-Fi. Mapazi Camp is situated in the remote north eastern corner of South Luangwa National Park on the banks of the Luangwa River only 5km south of the Mupamadzi River confluence. Importantly, this area is untouched wilderness; there is no network of game-viewing roads. The only road access is to our camp.
DAY 2-3 Walking Safaris - South Luangwa
Imagine seeing leopards, elephants, hippos, cape buffalo, giraffes, and more while walking! South Luangwa is known as the home of the walking safari. Walking through big game country with elite Master Naturalists Deb Tittle is a truly exciting - and more intimate - way to experience Africa. As a participant rather than just a tourist, you'll learn to interpret subtle signs and tracks and to identify new scents, listen for alarm cries that reveal the whereabouts of predators, and discover the wonder of life in the bush. An armed scout will accompany your guide for the utmost safety.
Deb has a uniquely flexible approach to the nature of a safari walk; following each day’s action as it unfolds, she builds the experience around the abilities and interests of her guests. Morning walks will kick off early to maximize the cooler temperatures when wildlife is most active – a tactical tea stop en route allows for rest and the ability to connect with Deb and learn more about her extraordinary expertise. Afternoon walks will cover less ground so you can enjoy the beautiful light before sunset. Overnight at Mapazi Bushcamp.
DAY 4 South Luangwa / Lusaka
A final morning safari with Deb may be possible depending on departure requirements. Return flight from Mfuwe back to Lusaka.
Additional nights available upon request.
Zambia Lodging
Our Ultimate Wildlife itinerary specializes in small mid and high end safari lodges and luxury mobile camps, many of which have been featured in top travel magazines. Great care has gone into our selection of lodging partners, with particular emphasis on lodges that offer outstanding wildlife viewing opportunities. These breathtaking lodges offer all the comforts of home, including hot & cold water, flush toilets, tastefully decorated beds and delicious meals, sometimes extravagant, always healthy, and catering to special dietary needs.
SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK
Deb Tittle's Mapazi Bushcamp
Mapazi Camp is situated in the remote north eastern corner of South Luangwa National Park on the banks of the Luangwa River only 5km south of the Mupamadzi River confluence. Importantly, this area is untouched wilderness; there is no network of game-viewing roads. The only road access is to our camp.
Mapazi camp is nestled under mature shade trees with walk-in (Meru style) tents each with views of the river, and a centrally located “Chitenje” (bar/lounge) under canvas. Each tent has access from both ends to allow a through-breeze and gauze panels for an all-around view. It features a shaded porch with reclining chairs, proper beds with comfortable mattresses, (twin or double), and private bathroom with flushing toilet, shower and basin (hot & cold running water). The camp is solar-powered with a generator for back up and has a bush kitchen, laundry, 2 well maintained vehicles and a satellite phone. This is a fully immersive experience and there is no Wi-Fi or service.
Zambia Activities
At a Glance
We know you've chosen to travel with us for our wildlife emphasis, so we've included a wide variety of adventure activities designed to educate, inspire, and bring out the wonder in you. All of our activities are flexibly designed to accommodate different skill levels and interests, while exposing you to a variety of unique eco-systems in order to see the most amount of wildlife. And did we mention fun? Safari activities in 2 distinct regions of Zambia expose you to more natural wonder, more ecosystems - and more wildlife - than any other conventional tour.
- Walking Safaris
Other Activities
Walking Safaris
South Luangwa is known as the home of the walking safari. Walking through big game country with our elite Master Naturalists is a truly exciting - and more intimate - way to experience Africa. As a participant rather than just a tourist, you'll learn to interpret subtle signs and tracks and to identify new scents, listen for alarm cries that reveal the whereabouts of predators, and discover the wonder of life in the bush. While animals are more wary of humans on foot than in vehicles, an armed scout will compliment our guide for the utmost safety. You will determine how far you'd like to walk. The walking is always flat, since there are no hills, and easy since we don't have to cover any specific amount of miles, and the pace is usually very relaxed. We may also drive to an area where game has moved during the night and then walk from there.
Zambia Wildlife
Likely Sightings
Large Mammals: Red Lechwe, Oribi, Common Reedbuck, Blue Wildebeest (Gnu), Eland
Small Mammals: Sharpe's Grysbok, Klipspringer, Rock Hyrax (Dassie), Yellow-Spotted Rock Hyrax, Water (Marsh) Mongoose, Striped Weasel
Predators/Scavengers: Cheetah, Leopard, Wild Dog, Honey Badger (Ratel), Cape Clawless Otter, Spotted-Necked Otter
Primates: Thick-Tailed Galago (Bushbaby), Lesser Bushbaby
Rodents & Shrews: Woodland Dormouse, Four-Toed Elephant-Shrew, Multimammate Rat, Tree Rat, Springhare, Smith's Bush Squirrel
Birds: Ostrich, Grebes, Cormorants/Darter, Purple Heron, Malagasy Pond-Heron, Hamerkop, African Sacred Ibis, African Spoonbill, Greater Flamingo, Secretarybird, Bat Hawk, Tawny Eagle, Booted Eagle, African Crowned Eagle, Western Banded Snake Eagle, African Goshawk, African Marsh-Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, Crested Francolin, Shelly's Francolin, Swainson's Spurfowl, Helmeted Guineafowl, Wattled Crane, Rails/Crakes/Finfood/Jacanas, Bustards/Korhaans, Shorebirds/Waders, Thick-knees (Dikkops)/Coursers/Pratincoles, Skuas (Jaegers)/Gulls/Terns, Skimmer, Grey-headed Parrot, Meyer's Parrot, Lilian's Lovebird, Schalow's Turaco (Loerie), African Scops Owl, Southern White-Faced Scops Owl, African Barred Owlet (Owl), Verreaux's (Giant) Eagle Owl, Pel's Fishing Owl, Mousebirds/Trogons, Pied Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, African Pygmy-Kingfisher, Lilac-Breasted Roller, Racket-Tailed Roller, Trumpeter Hornbill, Red-Billed Hornbill, Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill, Crowned Hornbill, Black-Collared Barbet, Acacia Pied Barbet, Fork-Tailed Drongo, Corvids, Tits/Creeper, Babblers, Bulbuls/Greenbuls/Nicator, Thrushes/Rock-Thrush, Wheaters/Chats, Hyliotas/Tit-Babblers/Warblers, Apalis/Crombecs/Eremomelas, Camaropteras/Wren-Warblers, Grassbird/Rockrunner/Grass-Warbler, Cisticolas/Prinas, Flycatchers/Batis, Wagtails/Pipits/Longclaws, Shrikes/Boubous/Tchagras, Bush-Shrikes/Helmet-Shrikes, Starlings/Oxpeckers, Sugarbirds/Sunbirds/White-Eyes, Buffalo-Weavers/Sparrow-Weavers/Sparrows, Weaver/Cuckoo-Finch, Quelleas/Bishops/Widowbirds, Pytilias/Waxbills/Firefinches, Finches/Mannikins, Whydahs/Indigobirds (Widowfinches), Canaries/Seedeaters/Citril/Siskin/Buntings
Prolific Sightings
Wild Planet's wildlife safaris are designed for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Our "Ultimate Wildlife" eco-adventures are specially designed for maximum wildlife viewing. We take care to seek out wildlife that is rare, off the beaten path, and in greater numbers than you will see on conventional tours.
Our expert naturalist guides will educate you in the field so your experience is intimate and unparalleled. Still, wildlife viewing can unpredictable and requires patience and sensory awareness. A partial list of some of the animals you are likely to see is below
Large Mammals: African Elephant, African Buffalo, Hippopotamus, Southern Giraffe, Plains (Burchell's) Zebra, Roan, Sable, Bushbuck, Common Duiker, Impala, Puku, Greater Kudu, Common Waterbuck
Small Mammals: Warthog, Bushpig, Aardvark, Banded Mongoose, Slender Mongoose, White-Tailed Mongoose,
Predators/Scavengers: Lion, Leopard, Spotted Hyena, Side-striped Jackal, African Civet, Large-Spotted Genet
Primates: Vervet (Green) Monkey, Yellow Baboon
Rodents & Shrews: Scrub Hare, Porcupine, Tree Squirrel
Reptiles: Snakes, Lizards, Chameleons, Crocodile, Turtles/Tortoises/Terrapins
Birds: Goliath Heron, White Stork, African Openbill, Marabou Stork, Grey Crowned Crane, Sandgrouse/Pigeons/Doves, Swifts/Spinetails, European Bee-Eater, Southern Carmine Bee-Eater, Larks/Sparrow-Larks (Finch-Larks), Swallows/Martins/Saw-Wings, Robin-Chats/Palm-Thrush/Aleths/Scrub-Robins
Rare or Endangered Possible Sightings
Large Mammals: Grysbok, Steenbok, Suni, Tsessebe, Crawshay's Zebra, Hartebeest, Black Rhino
Small Mammals: Aardwolf , Bat-eared Fox, Tree Hyrax, Dwarf Mongoose, Bushy-Tailed Mongoose, Selous' Mongoose, Marsh Mongoose, Meller's Mongoose, Temminck's Pangolin, Striped Polecat (Zorilla)
Predators/Scavengers: Serval, Caracal, African Wild Cat, Small-spotted Genet, Black-Backed Jackal
Primates: Chacma Baboon, Samango (Blue) Monkey, Maloney's Monkey, Night Ape
Rodents & Shrews: Rock Elephant-Shrew, Hedgehog, Four-striped Mouse, Sun Squirrel
Birds: Yellow-Billed Stork, Saddle-Billed Stork, Shoebill, Steppe Buzzard, Grey Go-Away-Bird (Lourie)
Zambia Guides
Deb Tittle
Nsefu Sector, South Luangwa National Park Walking Safaris
Born in England, Deb grew up watching Africa’s wildlife on television; these early impressions sparked her life-long fascination with, and study of, animal behaviour. After university she sought a way to explore these game-rich areas herself and signed up to drive Overland Expeditions throughout East, Central and Southern Africa. Several years, many parks and some great stories later, Deb chose South Luangwa as her intended home.
Her first job in Zambia, running tented mobile safaris, exposed her to the wonders of walking in the bush and with a pair of binoculars sent by Mum she began to study the wildlife more closely.
Deb passed her guiding exams in the mid 90’s and has spent the last 22 years interpreting the nuances of the bush and enjoying Luangwa’s magic with her guests. Whilst developing her own skills (over 2,500 walks) Deb has imparted much of her knowledge to local Zambians many of whom now enjoy successful careers as safari guides and conservationists.
Deb established Mapazi Camp, your accommodation for the trip, to offer the type of bespoke safari she personally enjoys: walks tailored to the ability and interests of each individual party; every guest involved in the interpretation of the bush, following the action, having fun and honing their own safari skills in the process.
Evenings enjoying cold drinks by the fire, wholesome food, comfortable beds and the sounds of the bush.
Over the coming years Mapazi camp will not only serve as Deb’s base to explore this remote and beautiful corner of SLNP on walking safaris but importantly, serve as a base for anti-poaching patrols in the quiet (off season) months to help protect Luangwa’s wonderful wildlife.
Zambia FAQ
Zambia Facts for Visitors
Visas
If your itinerary includes Mana Pools, you will be crossing the border into Zimbabwe and you will need a multiple-entry Zambian visa. Multiple-entry visas must be applied for in advance through the Zambian Embassy. Complete information, including a downloadable application, can be found at www.zambiaembassy.org under "Visa and Consular". The cost of a multiple-entry visa is about $80. It is recommended that you submit your application 1-2 months prior to your departure date.
If your itinerary does not include Mana Pools, you can obtain a visa at the point of entry into Zambia. Current charges are around $50 for tourists of most nationalities (U.S., Canada, and the U.K. If your nationality differs from those listed, please ask about visas before booking.
Please note that your passport must be valid for at least six months after the intended date of departure from Zambia and have at least two blank pages.
Departure Tax
Is payable locally in dollars by all guests for each departure. International Airport Tax - US$25; Domestic Airport Tax - US$8.
Water
It is recommended that you only drink bottled water as the bacteria in the water can be quite aggressive to unfamiliar intestinal flora. If you have doubts, do not use the tap water, even for brushing teeth. TIP: Your local natural market, health food store, or vitamin shop may carry a natural product called Grapefruit Seed Extract. Other names include Naturbiotic Citricidal GSE. This totally natural product is a wonder for both prevention and treatment of all sorts of intestinal problems. It kills a long list of bacteria and protozoa, including Giardia, when used properly! 2-4 tablets of Grapefruit Seed extract with water once or twice each day acts as a prophylactic and will go a long way in preventing Montezuma's Revenge and other intestinal upset. Highly recommended.
Money / Currency
Zambia's unit of currency is the kwacha (ZMK.) At the airport and in the larger cities and towns, you can exchange travelers' checks and US dollars to kwacha. When changing U.S. dollars, use new or undamaged bills, as torn or heavily crinkled bills are not accepted. Some of the larger banks will have ATMS that can withdraw funds using Visa cards - be sure you know your PIN number. Additionally, Robin Pope Safaris accepts Visa for payments made in their camps. Credit cards are becoming more widely accepted, however not in remote areas, and should not be relied on. If you plan to use a credit or debit card, remember to call your bank in advance of your trip and let them know you will be using the card internationally. If you don't do this, banks will sometimes flag your account for fraudulent activity when you use your card abroad and it can be difficult to have the fraud alert lifted quickly.
Voltage / Outlets
Electricity can vary by location in Zambia but is usually 220-240 volts with Type C, Type G or Type D outlets. You will need to bring a converter for any appliances you plan to use that can't handle the higher voltage. Additionally, you will need a plug adapter that fit the specific plug types mentioned above. At the camps with generators (Nsefu and Tena Tena), hairdryers cannot be used, however simple battery recharging will be fine.
Climate
June-July: This is the "dry season" and is also winter. The grass dies back and the lagoons start to dry up. Expect warm days, but cold at night and in the early mornings. Jackets are needed.
August: Varies from cool to hot, can still have cold spells, bush is dry, lagoons are shrinking, and game viewing is increasing.
September: Hot, dry and hazy. Trees flower and lose leaves. Game viewing is excellent.
October: Very dry with excellent game viewing. There will likely be an occasional rain where it will cool down and clear the air. It can be very hot (up to 40 degrees C in the shade). New growth starts and there are newborns everywhere by the end of the month. The woodlands are all very green near the end of Oct.
This Trip's Exclusive Wildlife Features:
- Legendary Master Guide Deb Tittle - who relies on advanced tracking skills and experience, not radios
- Un-habituated Wildlife - in remote areas of South Luangwa less used to humans so you can see true "wild" behavior
- Walking Safaris - for the broadest diversity of game and more intimate & authentic safari experience not available elsewhere in Africa
- No Jeep Competition - you won't find vehicles or other safaris chasing herds and lion prides as is typical in most of Africa
- Legendary Master Guide Deb Tittle - who relies on advanced tracking skills and experience, not radios
- Un-habituated Wildlife - in remote areas of South Luangwa less used to humans so you can see true "wild" behavior
- Walking Safaris - for the broadest diversity of game and more intimate & authentic safari experience not available elsewhere in Africa
- No Jeep Competition - you won't find vehicles or other safaris chasing herds and lion prides as is typical in most of Africa
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