IMO, you should be considering Zimbabwe and Zambia, if hiking and off the beaten track are major considerations. Especially if you are adventurous, active, and want to keep the costs reasonable.

Robin Pope safaris are renowned for their walking safaris. Also look into the overnight walks available in Hluhluwe-ImFolozi NP and the overnight walks available in Kruger. They will be wild enough!

http://www.kznwildlife.com/index.php?/Imfolozi-Game-Reserve-Trails-Imfolozi-Wilderness-Area.html

http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/tourism/activities/wilderness/default.php

I haven't done a safari with this guy, Gavin Blair, but I met him and his wife in the Falkland Islands (on a photography trip) and talked to him several times over a couple of days. I really liked him and thought he would be great to go on a safari with. I'm pretty sure he told us walking safaris are his favorite. I don't know his pricing but you should check him out. His website is www.gavinblairsafaris.com/

Good luck!
Cindy

Emerald season pricing in the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia is not bad, mmrgarden, I've been checking out walking safaris too. But nothing in Zambia is remotely cheap anymore if you're not doing a self-drive. Perhaps you can stay reasonably cheaply at one of the camps outside South Luangwa and hire a ZAWA ranger to go on walks with you? Alternatively, you could stay at one of the
more reasonable camps in North Luangwa that cater to self drivers and organize walks from those camps (luangwablondes can probably make very helpful suggestions to you for these types of safaris).

Perhaps others can tell you about walks in Zimbabwe. I know you are allowed to walk in Mana Pools, so perhaps that will be possible, though not sure if the park will be open at that tine if the year.

Another good walking safari can be had in the NCA in Tanzania. Perhaps you could hire a good guide & vehicle and spend some quality time there? You will also be able to sneak in the migration in southern Serengeti if you do that.

I am no expert on this! Just been checking out a similar safari for us as well and thought I'd share some ideas. Happy planning.

I'd agree with Zambia or Zimbabwe for walking but mid-Feb to mid-March is not a good time to do that I thought. In fact aren't some Zim/Zam camps are closed then?

Some questions:

Do you want all 4 weeks on foot or just some walking opportunities throughout your vacation?

Do you have a budget you can share? I know you stated mid-range, but that can mean different things to different people.

Does mobile walking interest you where you walk from camp to camp?

There are all sorts of hikes in Uganda and Rwanda to see chimps, gorillas, birds, colobus monkeys, waterfalls, etc.

You can climb Kilimanjaro, a very long arduous walk.

Post the itinerary you are considering for feedback.

I second christabir's remark about the Kruger overnight walking safaris, having done a couple of them myself. They are always the highlight of my trip, and the last I checked they were at least 50% less than any overnight walking safari in Zambia.

We were in Zambia this past October, and both camps we stayed at (Kaingo and Old Mondoro) were closing at the end of the month and not re-opening until April. So, is you wish to visit in February/March, Zambia may be out. If the dates of your visit are flexible, then Zambia is certainly worth considering. We walked at both camps and the walks/guides were fabulous.

We spent a week in the Drakensburg, and the scenery is lovely. As for Kruger, I spent ten days there in 2005 and would love to return, but, when the park staff started needing speed guns to control traffic, it was time to go elsewhere. Get on the SAN Parks forum (sanparks.org - click on the "interact" button near the top right) and read about Kruger, so you will know exactly what to expect. CR