Domestic flights between Lusaka and Mfuwe; all meals as indicated in itinerary; all park entry fees; all meals, snacks, and beverages while at Kapani Lodge and bush camps; all game drives & walking safaris; all photographic instruction.
International flights to Lusaka; entry visas; airport and departure taxes; excess baggage charges; travel insurance; international airport transfers.
Your luxurious adventure to the South Luangwa offers you the chance to “Go Wild” with true African walking safaris at no extra charge. Nothing quite beats the thrill of wandering amongst the savannah trees, listening to the wildlife all around you. Keep your eyes alert and tread quietly as we track giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, warthog, and lion, with only a single rifle for protection. This is the ultimate African wildlife safari experience.
Climate: Dry (Arid and Semiarid)
Fitness: Low
Style: Luxurious
*EXACT DEPARTURE DATE FOR OCTOBER 2013 TO BE CONFIRMED.*
Zambia, the “Real Africa”, is fast becoming the number one choice for photo safari adventures, and is regarded by many as Africa’s best kept secret. Ranging from the mighty Victoria Falls to the world-renowned National Parks of the Luangwa and Zambezi valleys. Overlooked by most tour operators, this region offers a rare and pristine African bush experience ideal for an African photography tour.
The Luangwa is known for its large populations of elephant, hippo, lion, African wild dog, and is widely accepted as one of the best places in Africa to see leopard. Genets, civets and mongoose are all common, whilst the porcupines and honey badgers are always very entertaining.
Your Wild Focus photo tour starts at the Kapani Lodge where we stay for three nights before driving deeper into the Luangwa Valley. We then enjoy the thrill of camping out at two luxury bush camps, complete with all of your creature comforts.
Each day you will search for wildlife from your spacious game-viewing vehicle, and for the more adventurous, you can choose to “Go Wild” with professionally guided walking safaris. In the evening you can enjoy thrilling night drives, searching the Africanwild by spotlight for active predators, listening in anticipation for the sound of the kill.
***Exact tour dates for October 2012 will not be set until we reach our minimum group number of 6 participants. To confirm a spot on this amazing photo safari please book now and pay only the minimum deposit. This deposit is fully refundable should Wild Focus not proceed with the tour for any reason, or if you decide not to participate (subject to the terms and conditions).
Day 1: Arrive Kapani Lodge
Meet your Wild Focus guide and fellow photographers at the Lusaka Airport where you will then be escorted to your connecting flight to Mfuwe. Enjoy spectacular views as you glide into the South Luangwa valley. This scenic flight takes just over an hour and presents a wonderful opportunity to capture the earth from above. On arrival at the Mfuwe Airport, you will be transported to the beautiful Kapani Lodge, where you can settle into your luxurious suite. Take a moment to breath in your surroundings and enjoy the warm welcome from the friendly lodge staff. Your exciting photo safari is about to begin!
With the African skies warming to a brilliant burnt orange, you will board your safari jeep and embark on your first night drive. There will be a brief stop for refreshments and snacks at sundown, and then we will continue into the darkness of the evening in search of nocturnal species such as the genet and civet. Twilight is also the ideal time for viewing lion and leopard. As shadows paint the landscape, these mighty cats truly come alive, patrolling their territories and hunting for prey.
Day 2,3: Kapani Safari Lodge
Your next two days at Kapani Lodge will begin with an early morning game drive, giving us great opportunities to photograph the wildlife in the beautiful morning African light. As we cruise out into the sparkling sunrise, your guide will provide you with information on the local natural history, and provide all the valuable photographic instruction you require to get the best results. During the heat of the afternoon when the wildlife seeks out shady refuge, you can choose to relax or join your Wild Focus guide for a classroom-style photo workshop. Game drives will resume in the late afternoon, taking advantage of the golden hours, and then further into the evening when we will pull out the spotlight to search for nocturnal wildlife.
Day 4,5,6: Mchenja Bush Camp
On the morning of day five we will make our way to our first bush camp known as Mchenja, looking for wildlife along the way. A real taste of indulgence awaits you at Mchenja, a gorgeous bush camp set under the shade of immense ebony trees. The individually designed tents each have a bath inside as well as a private outdoor shower and toilet. The camp includes a large traditional chitenje (outdoor lounge) for sharing food and good company. The central chitenje houses a small pool alongside the bar as well as a comfortable lounge area. Enjoy the taste sensations of the sumptuous Mchenja meals, which are often served on the banks of the river.
Over the next three days we will conduct daily game drives to photograph the dense concentration of wildlife, including leopard and lion that frequently wander this area. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided daily, and for those opting to “Go Wild”, we offer professionally guided walking safaris for a more adventurous approach to photographing the wildlife.
Days 7,8: Kakuli Bush Camp
After another cheerful Mchenja breakfast we prepare for our adventure further into the African bush, making our way to the Kakuli Bush Camp. Jump aboard our safari jeep for a game drive all the way to the Kakuli Bush Camp, our second of two luxury bush camps situated deep in the South Luangwa Valley. Kakuli features luxury tents with stunning views of the Luangwa River, which is home to one of the largest concentrations of hippos and crocodiles in Africa.
Daily photo game drives and walking safaris will be conducted in the same manner as previous days.
Day 9: Departure Day
This morning we will enjoy one final fresh Kakuli breakfast, and then we will depart camp and make our way to the Mfuwe Airport for your domestic flight back to Lusaka. Once in Lusaka we will say our goodbyes.
***This is a typical itinerary for this photo safari. The exact itinerary, which will look very much like this one, will be sent to those who have expressed interest in this tour. Contact us if you would like Wild Focus to send you the actual itinerary when its confirmed.***
Ph: +1 206 923 9453
info@wildfocus.com
Wild Focus photo tours guides photographers of all levels to many unique and exotic places around the world, focusing on the appreciation of nature from both behind and beyond the lens. If you’re new to photography, eager to learn more about your camera, and want to come home from your holidays with exceptional wildlife images - a Wild Focus photography safari is perfect for you. If you know your camera well, but want to discover exciting new locations and learn more about the finer details of photography – a Wild Focus photography workshop offers just what you need. Or, if you simply want to enjoy beautiful landscapes and exciting wildlife with someone that can help you capture the experience – a Wild Focus photography tour is the answer. It’s just a question of where in the Wild you want to go?
Wild Focus has a wide variety of photo tours available, all of which are designed by industry leading professional photographers, like Wild Focus president, Jamie Scarrow. Jamie has worked as a wildlife guide and photographer for the past fifteen years in some of the world’s most exotic locations, and has a passion for sharing his experiences with like-minded wildlife enthusiasts and photographers. Jamie has an extensive background with the grizzly and spirit bears of British Columbia, so if you have a desire to get up close to grizzlies in the wild and capture breath-taking images of these majestic animals, then you definitely want to check out the grizzly bear tours we have available.
Perhaps a true African photo safari is what you’re looking for. If so, Wild Focus is excited to take you into the wildlife paradise of places like the South Luangwa Valley in Zambia. Look forward to getting phenomenal photos of lion, leopard and more on these exciting photo holidays.
For the true adventurists, Wild Focus offers thrilling photo expeditions to the far ends of the earth. Join a photo tour to Antarctica to immerse yourself in this glaciated heaven, home to several photogenic species of penguin, whales, and seals such as the infamous leopard seal. Go even further into this polar oasis with our Antarctic photo expedition that visits the gorgeous Falkland Islands and the wildlife haven of South Georgia, the land of the King penguin.
There is a big beautiful world out there to Explore, Discover, and Capture, so start your adventure today by finding the Wild Focus photography tour that’s right for you.
