SOUTH LUANGWA SAFARI
/14 – 24 OCTOBER 2020
11 DAY / 10 NIGHT wILDLIFE pHOTO sAFARI
The South Luangwa National Park, located on the eastern side of Zambia between the Murchison escarpment on the west and the Luangwa River on the east, marks the end of the Great Rift Valley. This is one of the last remaining unspoiled wilderness areas in Africa and home to this photo safari for 10 nights.
The simple authentic Kuyenda is set beneath shady trees by the Manzi River. Here, you hardly need look for it as it will come to you. Settle down in the lounge and look out over the rippling grasses of the neighboring plain where the drama of the African wilderness is played out each day. The second camp, the seductive Bilimungwe camp feels like it has grown organically out of the surrounding landscape. Set beneath a huge mahogany tree, the heart of Bilimungwe is the cool, shady lounge area that looks out over one of the camp’s three waterholes.
You’re never far away from the meandering Luangwa river, with pools of water, ox-bow lakes and dead-end tributaries, And it is in these pools of water, during the dry season, that we find stunning wildlife. The national park is home to large populations of leopards, elephants, buffalo, hippopotamus, lions and giraffe. Birds are also a major attraction in Luangwa with over 400 species recorded. One of the highlights is the birding experience - thousands of nesting bee eaters - and large birds feeding on the fish in drying pools. In short it’s an amazing experience that you just have to participate in.
Call Ed on +1-919-527-4440 now to discuss or reserve this trip over the phone.
STARTING LOCATION / ENDING LOCATION
This photo safari starts and ends at the Lusaka International Airport, Lusaka, Zambia.
PRICE
$9,900 per person based on double occupancy. Single supplements may be available.
ABOUT THE SAFARI TOUR
Join me as your tour guide and photography tutor on a wildlife photo safari to Zambia. The 11 day safari will see us fly into Lusaka where the participants meet for the first night to discuss the program over welcome drinks. The next day we fly to Mfuwe Airport and to the first camp at Mfuwe Lodge. We then spend 3 nights at Kuyenda before heading to Bilimungwe for another 4 nights.
Every day we enjoy two games drives, one in the morning and the second late afternoon and into the evening. The park is renown for hundreds of hippo in pools and in the river, large water birds along the river, packs of wild dogs hunting, herds of elephants in the woodlands or drinking from the river’s edge, lions, leopards and buffalo.
South Luangwa was picked as a photo safari destination because of its open terrain, variety of wildlife, birds, and unique landscapes, and its authentic safari feel. The techniques and explanations, adapted to the situation at hand, provided from time to time can be put into practice and immediately experienced in the field. In addition to the technical knowledge, you will gain a greater appreciation for, and understanding of, the magnificent animals we’ll encounter.
The experienced game rangers who accompany us on game drives will explain the behavior and lifestyle of the animals as we encounter them, enabling you to take meaningful images depicting the nature of your fascinating subjects.
SERVICES AND FACILITIES
The tour accommodates a maximum of 4 photographers. The same ground transport company will accompany the photography group for the duration of the outing. The staggered seat position allows guests to photograph in all directions.
From your arrival at the starting location until your departure all regular expenses are covered. This includes
Ten nights 4 and 5 star accommodation and all meals at the lodges
20 game drives dedicated to photographing wildlife
Services of a professional photographer guide
Radio linked vehicles to report animal sightings as they happen
All airport transfers and relevant park fees
Ground transportation of luggage
Local alcoholic beverages at camp (includes water) and on game drives
Fees, tourism taxes and levies
EXCLUDED
International flights to and from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, Lusaka, Zambia
Medical inoculations, vaccinations, travel medicines and prophylactics
Premium alcoholic beverages
Tips and gratuities for camp staff, guides, rangers and trackers
Visas and insurances
Optional personal purchases, tours and extra activities
Itinerary
Generally the daily schedule will be as follows:
05:30 – Wake-up and meet for coffee and a small meal
06:00 – Morning game drive
10:30 – Breakfast / Lunch depending on appetite
12:00 – Rest and own time - on some days, we can optionally review images and address photography questions
15:30 – Meet for high tea
16:00 – Afternoon game drive
19:30 – Drinks, dinner and backups followed by a good rest
14 October 2020
Arrive at Lusaka International Airport and head to the Radisson Blu Hotel Lusaka using the hotel shuttle service. Here we will meet up as a group for the first time, have dinner and prepare for our short flight early the following morning.
15 October 2020
The photography party flies to Mfuwe Airport and transfers to Mfuwe Lodge. The first drive is about enjoying, relaxing and to get familiar with the photography from the vehicle, the local landscape and photographic opportunities. After using the setting sun to our advantage, we will return to camp for dinner before getting a good night’s rest.
16 October 2020
We head out to Kuyenda Lodge from Mfuwe Lodge, the first camp in the bush and our home for 3 nights. Daily schedule applies.
17 October 2020 - 18 October 2020
Daily schedule applies. Kuyenda Lodge
19 October 2020
On this morning we head out for a morning game drive. After breakfast in camp we make our short journey through the park to the excellent Bilimungwe camp, some 2 hour’s drive away, our new bush home for 4 nights. Daily schedule activities apply to give you the best opportunity to build your portfolio of images.
20 October 2020 - 22 October 2020
Daily schedule applies. Bilimungwe Lodge
23 October 2020
On our last morning we head out for our regular game drive before returning to camp for a late breakfast whereafter we make our way to Mfuwe Lodge. In the afternoon we head out for a last game drive followed by a celebratory end of tour dinner.
24 October 2020
This morning we have breakfast and proceed to the Mfuwe Airport and onward to Lusaka in time to catch our homeward flight or onward to your next destination. It is here where our photography journey ends.
NEXT STEP
Now that you are all fired up with that tingling feeling in your toes and butterflies in your stomach, click the button below to make a booking and request more info to plan your journey.
FEES AND TERMS OF PAYMENT
COST & TERMS OF PAYMENT
The 11 day (10 nights) all-inclusive photographic safari tour costs $9,900 per person.
Costs are per person sharing.
A deposit of $1,000 per guest is required at the time of booking. Balance is payable, by check or wire transfer only, no later than 90 days before the start of the tour. Cancellations more than 90 days prior to departure will be refunded in full (less the processing fee of $250). Cancellations within 90 days prior to departure will be refunded in full (less the processing fee) provided we can find another guest to take your place.
As a limited number of spaces are available, if a guest is unwilling to share with another guest of the same gender, then a single supplement will be charged. Although we will try to accommodate requests for single occupancy, this cannot be guaranteed.
We reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary if conditions warrant such an action. We will attempt to notify participants of changes with as much notice as possible. Changes having an impact on the schedule or on costs will be borne by the participants.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
PHYSICAL HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
This is a great opportunity for you to take pictures of the environment and observe animals in the wild. Most travelling is undertaken in an open-air vehicle from which images are made. Walking from the accommodation rooms to the main dining area and to the safari vehicle is the only necessary effort required. Game walks in the bush, weather permitting, are optional – you should be able to climb into and out of a safari vehicle and walk unaided for short distances. Guests must complete a standard liability waiver before participating in this safari.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This safari tour visits three luxurious and well appointed lodges, all located inside the South Luangwa National Park. The safari starts on your arrival at the Lusaka International Airport, Zambia. The transfer between the lodges involves travel by road through the Park – about a 3 hour drive – in an open air safari vehicle. This has been determined as the most convenient and cost-effective manner to visit the region. Please note that minor changes to the itinerary and/or flight schedules may occur due to local conditions and to better accommodate our group. You will be informed, to the extent possible, in advance of any such changes.
MANDATORY MEDICAL EVACUATION INSURANCE
Some of the areas we visit are wild and at a distance from major cities; it is a condition of this booking for guests to carry their own medical evacuation insurance. You will be asked to provide independent documentary evidence of such cover, failing which cover will be provided for you at your cost and added to your account.
Please provide the office with the insurance company’s name, contact number and your individual policy number. Thank you for understanding that this policy exists in the interest of our guests’ safety.
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS TO AND FROM THE STARTING LOCATION
This safari starts and ends in Lusaka, Zambia. Your travel arrangements must ensure that you arrive at Lusaka International Airport, Lusaka, Zambia (airport code LUN) no later than 17:00 on the first day of the tour. That evening the group will meet for a member introduction and welcome cocktails offered by the organizers. This tour ends at 16:00 on the last day – please arrange departures from Lusaka International Airport, Lusaka, Zambia no earlier than 10:00 on the final day. If you plan to participate in any add-on side trip, the routing will determine the itinerary at the time of reservation. Please consider allowing us to plan any side trips in Africa for you - we are experts on Africa travel.
