Zambia is home to extraordinary landscapes and an abundance of wildlife, and it provides an exclusive, unique safari experience. 30% of the country is protected, making Zambia home to an richness of wildlife. On this tour we take you, in an exclusive small group of just four people, to two of Zambia’s most beautiful national parks.
This photo safari Zambia takes place at the end of the dry season. The animals gather by the last waterholes on the South Luangwa and the Zambezi River. The chances of taking spectacular wildlife pictures are therefore exceptionally high. We take you to the best places with a high density of leopards, large lion populations and large herds of buffalo and elephants.
This photo tour in the South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi is aimed for ambitious wildlife photographers and is an exceptional opportunity to experience and photograph two spectacular and special national parks in southern Africa in detail. Temperatures can be hot at this time of year. The sweat is however often rewarded with exceptional images.
CHF 14’900.- | Price per person in a single room |
Double room on request only |
I was able to travel to the south of Botswana with Amazing Views in October 2021. The game reserve in the Tuli Block surprised us with unique sightings. In addition to lions, elephants and a wild cat with its cub, we were able to enjoy several leopard sightings. Playful in the flowering Raintree, having fun with a feather, sneaking up on a prey - nothing was missing. Not forgetting the exciting ‘sessions’ in the Hide. Thank you Thomas and Hannes, it was a pure pleasure to be able to share these experiences with you.
It was my first photo trip to Africa. The diverse - and, thanks to the driving skills of the guides, close-up - encounters in the private game reserve were impressive: leopards, cheetahs, lions, hyenas, jackals, elephants, giraffes, antelopes, zebras, monkeys, bee-eaters, eagles, vultures and much more. We also had an excellent photo guide with us in Hannes Lochner, who was able to share a lot of his experiences with us. That makes you want more!
The photo tour ‘Botswana up close’ exceeded all my expectations. I was able to experience and photograph countless unforgettable moments. Hannes' professional guidance was brilliant. Everything ‘around’ with a super lodge, extremely good safari guides and the cosy group made this trip the perfect experience. Thank you. Can only recommend this to everyone.
The careful selection of locations/lodges and the extremely knowledgeable and professional local guide made the trip through parts of Botswana a real highlight. The photographer James Clifford knows the places and positions where the animals can be put in the right light and imparts a lot of interesting information about the nature and behaviour of the animals in this unique environment. I returned home with many great pictures and numerous unique impressions.
Individual arrival in Lusaka. If you arrive by flights recommended by us, you will be picked up at the airport in Lusaka and driven to your hotel.
You will stay at a charming hotel in Lusaka. To recover after the flight, you can enjoy the amenities of the hotel.
In the morning you fly to the Lower Zambezi National Park. On arrival, you will be transferred to our camp at the eastern end of the park. It is situated directly on the banks of the Zambezi River and is surrounded by the famous and beautiful winter thorn forest. Due to the elevated construction on platforms connected by footbridges, you are very close to the wildlife in this camp. Elephant, buffalo, antelope – and even the occasional lion or leopard – often pass through the camp, so you can watch and photograph the wildlife from the comfort of your room.
There are only few camps in this region of the national park, so sightings are often exclusive and more private experience for guests. As the area has a high density of leopards for its size, it is sometimes referred to as the Sabi Sands of Zambia.
The first activity starts in the afternoon.
Lower Zambezi National Park
The Lower Zambezi National Park is located in the south-eastern part of Zambia on the border with Zimbabwe. The park is located opposite the Mana Pools National Park on the banks of the Zambezi River between the Kariba Dam and the mouth of the Luangwa. With an area of around 4,092 km², it is one of the smaller national parks. The park was only opened up to tourists in the 1980s and is still one of the less touristically developed places. This untamed beauty makes this park a special safari experience.
The park’s landscape is characterized by dense forests, floodplains, vast grasslands and breathtaking views of the Zambezi River and the mountains on the horizon. This unique backdrop makes the park one of the most beautiful photo opportunities in Africa.
Most game drives in the Lower Zambezi take place along the valley floor, as most of the animals gather in the narrow section between the steep slopes and the river. Huge herds of elephants can often be photographed on the riverbanks, as well as waterbucks and buffalos jumping from island to island. Activity highlights include a boat safari on the Zambezi River for a very special perspective on the wildlife that comes to the riverbanks in search of food.
The camp’s location on the eastern side of the national park near the forest allows for epic sightings with few other vehicles. You will be out twice a day to track down wildlife and capture those on camera.
Animals you can expect to see during your stay include elephants, buffalos, zebras, leopards, lions, African wild dogs, kudus, waterbucks and hippos, as well as a variety of other species.
In the morning you fly back to Lusaka. And then on to Mfuwe, the gateway to the South Luangwa National Park. After the one-hour flight, we move to our first camp. It is located in the northernmost part of the South Luangwa National Park on an oxbow lake of the Luangwa River. It is a three-hour transfer to the lodge.
South Luangwa National Park
The national park is one of the most spectacular national parks in Africa. With its diverse landscapes and central location on the Luangwa River, the park is home to a huge population of wild animals. Over 200 different mammal species and around 400 bird species live together in this protected area.
The landscape along the river is characterised by magnificent acacia and ebony forests as well as idyllic floodplains and lagoons. The further you travel inland, the more Miombo woodland alternates with extensive grass steppes.
The national park offers great opportunities for game viewing. The chances of encountering lions and leopards are very good. The wonderful landscape and abundant wildlife make the Luangwa Valley an unrivalled destination for your photo safari. The travelling season takes place at the end of the dry season. All the animals gather along the river. The temperatures are sometimes hot. You will be rewarded with the chance to take unique wildlife pictures.
In the early mornings and late afternoons, you will go on further game drives along the Luangwa River in search of spectacular wildlife sightings. In October, the water in the river becomes scarce and numerous hippos share the space in the remaining pools in a very confined area. There is a lot of action among the animals, so that impressive shots of the interactions can be captured.
You also have the opportunity to observe wild animals from the lodge. There is also a hide at water level from which you can photograph the animals drinking from a spectacular perspective.
Today it’s time to say goodbye to paradise. You fly from Lower Zambezi National Park back to Lusaka and start your individual journey home or onwards.
Beautiful, charming boutique hotel with a well-tended garden, large lounge and spacious rooms. A perfect oasis of well-being to recover from the long flight journey.
The rooms are uniquely furnished and have a small lounge with desk, cosy beds, a modern bathroom, Wi-Fi and much more.
The hotel has a very good restaurant and is approx. 20 km from the international airport.
Our first camp is situated on the banks of the water in the middle of mesmerizing woodlands. Raised walkways connect the main lodge with the individual suites. The lodge is not fenced so that the wild animals can roam freely in the surrounding area. You can observe and photograph the animals at close range from the hide at the water’s edge.
The camp offers 10 luxurious suites made of wood, canvas and thatch on stilts. From the private deck you have a spectacular view. All suites offer maximum privacy and relaxation. They have a spacious bathroom with hot and cold running water.
In the main lodge there are various seating areas, a pool, a well-stocked bar, a snooker table, a coffee station and a small, cosy reading corner for wildlife. From the lodge you can look out over the vast plains and watch and photograph the passing wildlife. There is also a shop, a small fitness room and even a quiet photo studio with a large work area. The camp’s kitchen serves lovingly prepared meals, which are served at various locations around the lodge.
The camp has a 24-hour power supply. The water comes from a borehole and is filtered by a state-of-the-art filtration and aeration system. Free Wifi is available in the camp.
Renew your love of nature in one of the twelve tented suites overlooking the Zambezi River, the Zambezi floodplain or the Kulefu Channel. Each tent has an en-suite indoor bathroom with a Victorian-style bath and an outdoor bathroom with an outdoor shower. Relax on the viewing deck with plunge pool while watching the animals graze and bathe in the river from the elevated and secure platform.
The communal areas are decorated in classic African style with a modern twist, offering guests the opportunity to experience the Lower Zambezi and its wilderness while relaxing at camp. A central deck is the centrepiece of the lodge and houses the main dining area, high tea and the meeting point for activities and exciting conversations. The deck offers breathtaking views of the Zambezi River and floodplain and is visited daily by elephants, buffalos, impalas, waterbucks, warthosgs and a variety of birds. Another deck offers more peace and relaxation with a second pool.
The camp is situated at the eastern end of the Lower Zambezi National Park in the heart of the famous Winterthorn Forest. As there are only few camps at this end of the park, sightings are often exclusive and there are few to no other vehicles, allowing for minimal impact on the wildlife and a more private experience for guests.
During the travel time in October, the dry season is at its peak. Temperatures can get hot during the day. The average temperature during the day is around 36 degrees. The peaks can be higher. Temperatures cool down to around 20 degrees at night.
On domestic flights, you benefit from an increased baggage limit of approx. 30kg. You can take your photographic equipment with you without having to worry about the usual 15kg limit per person for checked and hand baggage.
The trip does not require any special physical requirements.
We strongly advise you to purchase insurance for cancellation and return journey costs, which will be needed in the event of a secluded region being evacuated, a local hospital stay or return travel costs to your home country.
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) regularly publishes information on countries where there are potential security or other risks. The FDFA’s travel advice is based on its own sources of information that are considered to be trustworthy. This travel advice can be found on the FDFA website: www.eda.admin.ch
TCs of Amazing Views Adventure Tours apply, as well as all other conditions which are listed in the descriptions for the respective trips.
We reserve the right to change prices (especially due to exchange rate fluctuations).
Please fill in the form below with the requested details and return it to Amazing Views Photo & Adventure Tours. We will send you a trip confirmation and an invoice for the deposit. Bookings are held as provisional until the required deposit is received.
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Melde Dich hier für den kostenlosen Download des eBooks an. Etwa einmal pro Monat erhältst Du weitere Tipps und Informationen rund die Reisefotografie in unserem Newsletter. Deine E-Mail-Adresse wird nicht an Dritte weitergegeben.
Melde Dich hier für den kostenlosen Download des eBooks an. Etwa einmal pro Monat erhältst Du weitere Tipps und Informationen rund die Reisefotografie in unserem Newsletter. Deine E-Mail-Adresse wird nicht an Dritte weitergegeben.