" South Luangwa: Where Safari Tradition Inspires Safari Future
The Very Best of Traditional Game Drive & Optional Walking Safaris
Plus Specialist Mammal & Bird Hides
A fabulous combination for any wildlife photographer! "
Trai Anfield, Tour Director
South Luangwa, Zambia, Photography Safari
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
10 day specialist photography safari in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
Tailor-made to your budget & schedule - perfect for family / friends / photography clubs exclusive booking!
Fitness level required: Easy. Vehicle safaris & hides easy. Optional extra easy - moderate walking safaris.
Tour leader: Trai Anfield - award winning wildlife photographer, film maker, travel writer and broadcaster
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South Luangwa - Valley of the Leopard
Everyone has a favourite safari destination, and if you spend time in South Luangwa I bet it will rocket to the top of your list! This is a place to fall in love with: stunning scenery, astounding amounts of wildlife and authentic safari experiences - complemented by contemporary additions - all make for a beguiling destination that will beckon you back, time after time.
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From shimmering rainbows of bee eaters to the rib-shuddering roar of lions in the darkness, your senses will come alive in one of Africa's truly great wildlife destinations.
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YOUR SOUTH LUANGWA HIGHLIGHTS
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Very high predator density with relaxed big cats, especially several resident leopards and lion prides
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Good chance of African painted dog (wild dog)
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Renowned as the best place in Africa for walking safaris - photograph large mammals on foot, low angles
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Several hides available for large mammals, including elephant, buffalo, hippo, zebra, lion
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Specialist floating hide for carmine bee eaters
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Options for 3 different activities per day: walk / drive / hide
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Off road and after dark driving allowed
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Astro photography sessions available on request
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Small group size - max 6 guests
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Two exclusive-use game vehicles - everyone has a full row of seats
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Two small, intimate camps - just 4 / 6 tents in each
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Camps focussed on photographers and flexible to allow us to stay on sightings
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The most peaceful area of South Luangwa - no crowds at sightings
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Safari scheduled to ensure optimum photographic conditions and access to species
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Beginner friendly plus great for intermediate/experienced photographers
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1-2-1 technical tuition, post production sessions and creative inspiration with award-winning tour leader
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Knowledgeable and experienced local guides throughout your stay
Activity images below ©Kaingo/Mwamba
Walking Safaris In South Luangwa
Encountering large, charismatic animals on foot and at close range is the most thrilling of safari experiences, especially for photographers: it's a revelation to be able to shoot from ground level perspectives, often leading to even more powerful and dynamic shots than are possible from a vehicle.
South Luangwa is the premium place for African walking safaris and was the first place to offer them. As a consequence the animals here are relaxed about being approached on foot, and the guides are immensely experienced in this type of activity.
YOUR SOUTH LUANGWA PHOTOGRAPHY SAFARI ITINERARY
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Day 1
As our flight to South Luangwa National Park will depart bright and early on August 22nd we advise that your international flight arrives in Lusaka on 21st August and you take advantage of the included night of hotel accommodation near the airport (B&B)
Day 2 (B,L,D)
Fly Lusaka - Mfuwe
Transfer 2.5 hrs by vehicle to Kaingo camp.
Our transfer is a game drive in its own right, so have your cameras at the ready right from the minute we land! Along the way you'll start to appreciate the beauty of South Luangwa, as well as the sheer volume of wildlife living here along the River Luangwa and the surrounding mopane, ebony and baobab forests, ox-bow lagoons and the open Lion Plain close to camp.
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We will check in and have lunch at camp, then we're straight out on afternoon game activities to begin exploring the magnificent habitats of this northern sector of the park. Here both prey species and predators are abundant in extraordinary densities, with 10 resident leopards and substantial prides of lion. Elephant are found in large numbers too, alongside hippo, buffalo, giraffe all drawn to the last of the dry season water in oxbow lagoons and small waterholes.
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Days 3 - 6 (B,L,D)
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Typical Schedule For Full days In South Luangwa
05:30 Wake-up Drums (Light breakfast served tea/coffee etc)
06:00 Morning game activity walk/drive/hide
11:00 Communal Brunch
12:30 Midday game activity hide/short walk
15:00 Afternoon tea
15:30 Afternoon game activity drive/hide including sundowners & snacks (while shooting if preferred!)
20:00 Pre-dinner drinks at bar
20:15 Evening dinner (3 course served meal)
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Please note: we are staying in small camps where management understands photography, so arrangements can be flexible. For example, we may stay out of camp on sightings and have brunch brought out into the bush rather than having to leave the action.
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We have the privilege of spending each day in the wilderness in search of the finest photographic opportunities, either by vehicle, on foot or taking advantage of one or more of the the hides exclusive to guests at Kaingo - these include:
Hippo Hide
A water level view of all the grumpy action around a busy hippo pool - never a dull moment!
Elephant Hide & Star Bed
A raised hide overlooking a lagoon which attracts large numbers of elephant.
My guests can book either the Elephant Hide or Numbu Plains star bed, at no additional charge, to experience an overnight stay like no other!
During our stay at both Kaingo and Mwamba camps we will also have access to the following hides, which are available to guests staying at both camps
Carmine Bee Eater Hide
A floating hide, operational only during the carmine nesting season - it should be coming into operation by the time we visit.
The Wild Dog Lagoon Hide
Though wild dog are not guaranteed by any means, they do show up here from time to time, alongside many more regular smaller mammals and birds
Day 7
Today we switch to our next camp, Mwamba. It is not far, and the transfer takes the form of a relaxed morning game drive.
We may also take a short walk or hide session in the middle part of the day.
In the afternoon we set out on another photographic expedition, either by vehicle, or depending where the action is, in one of the following hides, which are exclusively available to Mwamba guests... just us!
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The Last Waterhole Hide
A famous hide with water level & slightly raised shooting positions, which attracts large mammals in impressive numbers
Numbu Plains Star Bed
Numbu Plains
Sometimes all you want to do is reflect in peace on your incredible day, and marvel at the universe.
The Numbu Plains star bed is a prefect and private hideaway for dreaming under the stars and listening to the bush at night ...though lions roaring may well interrupt the peace!
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My guests may book either the Elephant Hide or Numbu Plains star bed, at no additional charge, to experience an overnight stay like no other!
Days 8 & 9 (B,L,D)
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We have the luxury of spending each day at Mwamba out in the wilderness, in search of close encounters with the local wildlife and unique photographic opportunities. We may set out either by vehicle, on foot or may decide one of the 4 available hides holds the best opportunities - every day is different!
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Day 10 (B)
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After our last early morning activity and brunch we say goodbye to South Luangwa, taking wonderful memories, fantastic images and new friendships with us. Our transfer to Mfuwe will take the form of a final game drive, so keep your cameras at the ready! A short flight from Mfuwe to Lusaka will connect us with our international flights home, or onward plans in Africa.
BOOK YOUR TAILOR MADE SOUTH LUANGWA PHOTOGRAPHY SAFARI
​Your quote will include:
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1 night Lusaka hotel accommodation (B&B)
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5 nights Kaingo Camp, South Luangwa (all inclusive full board)
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3 nights Mwamba Camp, South Luangwa (all inclusive full board)
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All airport transfers
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Return flights Lusaka - Mfuwe
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All road transfers within South Luangwa NP
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All reserve entry fees, game drive, walking and hide activities
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Expert wildlife photography / videography tuition
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Expert local guides
​​Excludes:
International flights, visas, personal travel insurance, meals not stated, gratuities.