Wilderness Walking

WATCH THIS SPACE! WE PLAN TO DEVELOP MORE ALL-DAY AND OVERNIGHT WALKING SAFARIS THIS YEAR, SO IF YOU ENJOY WILDERNESS WALKING BUA RIVER LODGE COULD BECOME A DESTINATION FOR YOU!

By far the best way to see the wildlife of Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve is to leave your vehicle and walk. You may not come across buffalo or elephant but you will find wonderful woodland, fascinating flowers, intriguing insects and tantalizing tracks.

We offer walking safaris of between one hour and all day to suit all abilities.

Early morning walks – the best time, when the larger mammals are most active – can be concluded with a bush breakfast beside the river in the dry season, late afternoon walks with sundowners in a wilderness setting. In the winter, lunch can be served overlooking crocodile pools. Take a full moon walk and see the reserve in, literally, a very different light!

We have now developed a number of longer, more challenging walks deep into the heart of the reserve, into the hills north of the river and following the gorge that the Bua flows through as it makes its way to the lake.

The ascent of Chipata Mountain on the western edge of the reserve is one of the more challenging activities on offer. The mountain rises to nearly 1,700 metres above sea level and is cloaked in magnificent evergreen forest.

We set out before sunrise in the lodge's open-topped land rover and drive right across the reserve to Chipata Camp. After a bush breakfast, we climb through sparse woodland on the steep lower slopes of the mountain until, quite suddenly, we are enclosed in the dappled light of the forest. A steep ascent under giant forest trees, with blue monkeys calling overhead, leads in one hour and a half, to the rocky summit. On clear days the views are stunning.

A packed lunch can be eaten on the summit or saved until we are back at the camp, where cold drinks also await.

Please note that we require prior notice for all-day hikes and the ascent of Chipata Mountain. Please book these activities when you book your accommodation.

In the future, we hope to be able to offer overnight hikes, with bush camping, to the more remote parts of the reserve. So little of the reserve is explored that hikers will be exploring areas little seen since the reserve was gazetted more than 50 years ago.