Originating and cultivated in Zambia’s Luangwa Valley in the 60’s, the appeal of walking safari’s has recently grown in popularity across the African continent. In itself it is far more than an activity, it is the most immediate way to awaken all of your senses and begin to use them to interpret, experience and immerse yourself in the natural world around you. 

Europe doesn’t immediately appear to be the setting for a walking safari yet it holds areas not only of outstanding beauty but also areas that exhibit intact ecosystems, centred around apex predators and heavyweight herbivores. 

European walking safari is geared towards amplifying participants connections to the natural world as well facilitating wild and raw adventure experiences in nature. The knowledge gained through activities and workshops will help you better understand the relationship you share with nature on your doorstep and beyond.  

CARBON FOOTPRINT COMMITMENT

We offer a range of nature connection courses and expeditions within the Netherlands but also run expeditions to foreign countries within Europe. This obviously asks participants to travel long distances. In the current climate crisis many people are taking the decision to not travel by air. All our destinations in Europe are reachable by train. For Romania it is a 22 hour trip from Amsterdam to Timisoara via Frankfurt and Budapest. For Belarus it is a day travel from Amsterdam to Minsk via Berlin and Warsaw.

For those wishing to still travel by air we pledge to invest from profits 40 euros pp into the carbon offsetting program Sustainable Travel International  (https://sustainabletravel.org) that specifically invest in retaining continuous forest cover rather than in plantation schemes. 

If these travel conditions mean that travelling abroad is not for you then please do scroll down in our expedition segment and see the nature courses that are available in the Netherlands and the city nature tours in Amsterdam. 

NATURE CONNECTIVE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM IN COLLABORATION WITH NIEK VAN HALTEREN

Destination: Picos de Europa, Spain

Duration: 5 days 26th-30th November 2024

Group Size: 6-8 people; places still available

Age: 21+

Cost: Upon Request

In collaboration with Niek van Halteren we will be running an expedition that focuses on deep nature connection. In the true spirit of the walking safari ethos we will camp out on mountain meadows that lace across spectacular ridge lines. Adventure awaits as we follow a wolf packs, connect with vulture ecology and learn about the effects that deep nature connection can have on Leadership, systems thinking and personal development.The scenery, traditional culture and wilderness here are something to be experienced. Such beauty in Europe is unrivalled. Alongside breathing and personal coaching exercises conducted by Niek van Halteren, participants will also learn about the reconnection and ecology from wilderness guide Kristian de la Riva. By dovetailing deep ecology sessions with breathing sessions we aim to create a totally unique experiences in stunning wilderness landscapes. 

The itinerary for the trip starts with our arrival at Asturias Airport and then taking a transfer to the town of Riano that sits to the south of the Picos de Europa massif.

Wild camping is scheduled on the itinerary however this is not a bushcraft experience rather an engagement with natures intricate networks and your own relationship to it

This trip is based on hiking within remote wilderness areas so a good level of fitness is required. See more details on the Asturias expedition page

For all bookings & enquiries please contact: europeanwalkingsafari@gmail.com