Walking Cheetahs and Meeting Baby Lions at Chaminuka Lounge, Zambia
Some days on the road stick with you long after you’ve unpacked your bags — our last day in Zambia was one of those, part inspiration, part pure wonder.
A Morning That Changed My Perspective
Before the animals, there were the people. We visited an entrepreneurial center for women in Zambia, and I left genuinely inspired by what they’re building. The center helps women running small businesses — think selling tomatoes streetside — think bigger, scale what they’ve started, and grow an economy from the ground up. It’s the kind of work that stays with you and shapes how you think about your own goals, both creative and personal.
Safari, Cheetahs, and a Very Good Surprise
To close out the trip, we spent the afternoon at Chaminuka Lounge, where we took a safari and — almost unbelievably — walked cheetahs. They have to be walked on leashes, since they’re the fastest animals on Earth, but they’ve got a huge stretch of land to run and clearly know and trust the workers who care for them.
Then came the surprise: we stumbled onto some baby lions and white rhinos completely by accident, and I’m not sure we could have pulled ourselves away even if we’d tried. There’s something about being that close to animals that size, at that age, that resets your whole sense of scale.
The Photos
What follows is a set of images from that afternoon — the cheetahs on their walk, the baby lions we couldn’t leave, and a few frames from the rest of the day.
If a trip built around moments like this — safari mornings, unexpected wildlife encounters, and travel photography that actually captures how it felt — sounds like your kind of adventure, I’d love to help you plan and document it.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Chaminuka Lounge?
Chaminuka Lounge is a game lodge and wildlife reserve in Zambia, known for guided safaris and hands-on encounters like walking cheetahs.
Can you actually walk with cheetahs in Zambia?
Yes — at Chaminuka Lounge, cheetahs are walked on leashes by trained handlers, since they’re the fastest land animals and need a controlled, trusting relationship with their caretakers.
Do you photograph travel and safari trips?
Yes — I love documenting travel and wildlife experiences like this one, capturing both the adventure and the quieter, unexpected moments along the way.
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