Zambia - African Safari Photo Safari October 2027

This trip offers the experience of a lifetime on an EPIC photography safari focusing on the wildlife rich South Luangwa National Park at some of the most sought after camps for photographers in Zambia.

6 guests plus 2 tour leaders

Why South Luangwa Is One of Africa’s Most Extraordinary Wildlife Destinations

If you’re dreaming of an African safari that still feels wild, authentic, and deeply connected to nature, South Luangwa National Park is a place that will capture your heart. Tucked away in eastern Zambia, this iconic reserve is often called Africa’s best-kept secret—and for good reason.

A Haven for Wildlife

South Luangwa is home to an astonishing density of animals. Picture vast herds of elephants and buffalo moving across the plains; graceful giraffes browsing on acacia trees; hippos and crocodiles lining the banks of the winding Luangwa River; and prides of lions patrolling their territories in the golden evening light. And we have timed this trip in the heart of the dry season which brings the action to the river banks as all other waterholes have dried up (save for one to be discussed later). The wild dog puppies should be joining the pack on hunts on the floodplains and the spectacular carmine bee-eater chooses the banks of the South Luangwa river as nesting grounds during this time as well. Variety of species and action are the theme of this trip!

But the star of the show?

Leopards.

South Luangwa is renowned as one of the best leopard-viewing destinations on the planet and has earned the nickname "Valley of the Leopard".

Unspoiled, Untamed, and Unforgettable

Unlike crowded safari hotspots, South Luangwa remains wonderfully uncrowded. Here, you can sit quietly at a sighting without a dozen vehicles surrounding you. The sense of space, serenity, and exclusivity is a rare gift in today’s safari world.

A Photographer’s Paradise

The soft glow of dawn on the riverbanks, dramatic sunsets that turn the sky to fire, and wildlife that seems to pose naturally—South Luangwa offers endless opportunities for breathtaking photography. And we have chosen camps that are noted for their surrounding beauty in addition to healthy wildlife numbers - the Ebony Forest below will be our destination every morning for sunrise.

Dates September 30 - October 11 2027

Itinerary Logistics:

Arrival into Lusaka and overnight here. Next morning, private charter to Mfuwe Airport. Transfer from Mfuwe to Tafika Camp. On the 11th you will be returned to Mfuwe for private charter arriving in Lusaka airport around noon.

The itinerary begins on the northeastern area of the park:

Tafika Camp (4 nights) The camp with just six chalets is nestled in the shade of giant leadwood trees and verdant grass surroundings.  The camp offers guests rustic luxury with genuine authenticity and a down to earth, family-feel. Each chalet has a thatched roof, reed walls and all are spacious and comfortable. The en-suite bathrooms are enclosed but open to the sky, featuring a large shower, hot water, twin washbasins and inside a small thatch-roofed hut - a flushing toilet. Private verandas with table and chairs provide the perfect spot from which to enjoy a view over the Luangwa River, which is shaped like an S-bend. The main area is a large open-sided structure with a comfortable lounge area and a small bar along with a dining area. Owners John and Carol Coppinger have lived here for over 20 years and often join their clients for meals, as do the guides as well as their daughter and her husband (who now run the camp full time). This is what probably brings back returning guests each year – the friendly homely feeling one gets here. Meals are consistently delicious and no wonder why, when you see the fruit and vegetable garden that the talented chefs have at their finger-tips. Behind the camp is a ground level hide which looks out onto a clearing in the forest where one can see a constant stream of puku, baboon and elephants visiting the waterhole. Other animals in the area are lion, leopard, kudu, wilddog, porcupine, warthog, crocodile, hippo and plains game. Birds which can be spotted include bulbul, oxpecker, starling, weaver, scrub robin, giant eagle owl and plover. Tafika is actively involved with the surrounding community and over the years have raised funds and built a school for the village and helped with several projects there. Visits are encouraged, should you wish to do so. Wi-Fi is available in the main area of the lodge - please note it is very limited.

Side note - Tafika has become well known in recent years with the popularity of a series of documentaries following Tafika's resident leopard Olimba called Leopard Legacy and Kingdom. Both episodes were filmed exclusively from Tafika.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKzjZu_KVzU

After our last morning game drive we will collect our luggage and boat across the river to meet our guides.

The adventure continues on the western side of the river at two Shenton Camps which are two special little camps - what most would call genuine, traditional and ‘down-to-earth’ camps but within one of our favorite spots in all of Africa for wildlife photography. We will explore places like Fish Eagle Lagoon, Tsetse Lagoon and Lion Pan to create an extremely balanced and photogenic wildlife portfolio.

Camp 2:

Lion Camp (3 nights) Lion Camp is a stylish, unique and independent lodge situated in a remote part of South Luangwa National Park with abundant and uncongested game viewing on the doorstep. Located 40km upstream from the main Mfuwe gate, and on the banks of an oxbow lagoon or “wafwa,” which retains a small amount of water all year, the lodge looks out onto open grassland. By day the plain is frequented by grazing mammals, and by night it becomes a hunting ground for Lions.Lion Camp has just nine canvas and thatch chalets accommodating a maximum of 18 guests. Built on raised wooden platforms, they are linked to each other and the main area by a raised wooden boardwalk. Each chalet has either a four poster king-size double bed or twin beds, and a walk-in mosquito net. They are all ensuite with a shower and toilet, and have private decks overlooking the open plain in front.An infinity swimming pool, lower deck with sun loungers, central bar and fireplace are located in the main area, along with a library and small shop. 220V inverter power is available in each chalet. The lodge is regularly updated; the most recent refurbishment was in 2010 when Stephen Falcke Interiors introduced fresh and vibrant colours.Mealtimes at Lion Camp are social occasions and are highly convivial, with fabulous food and plenty of stories from your Lion Camp hosts. Our set menu is varied and healthy. Lunch is buffet style, and the evening meal is plated. All food is prepared on site from fresh ingredients by our team of talented Zambian chefs.Wi-Fi is available in the Main Area of the lodge and rooms.There are no credit card facilities at the camp.Includes: All meals, shared game viewing activities per day (walking safaris are conducted in the morning only), bar, limited laundry (4 pieces pp a day only), Airport from/to Mfuwe Int Airport / Lion Camp (2.5 hours drive) ONLY for 3+ night stay, sales tax, tourism levy and service charge. Excludes: premium brand drinks, gratuities and items of a personal nature.

Camp 3

Kaingo (3 nights) Kaingo is a quaint, quiet property with a main thatched dining room and lounge area near the elevated edge of the Luangwa River. The camp is shaded by sausage trees and wild gardenia. The main building is open on three sides to allow a breeze through the room and to the one side is a huge ebony tree trunk which is used as the bar counter. There are reference books and lots of artefacts collected from around Zambia and the bush in general. There are also lounging chairs and a dining room table, but a short walk towards the river finds a ‘gangplank’ to a pontoon floating on the river, which serves as another bar and as a great place for birdwatching and observing the game coming down to drink during the heat of the day. There are six bedrooms, all thatched and built of brick, which is rather unusual in this park, as most camps tend to be tented. The white-walled bedrooms have twin or double beds, with white bed linen and kuba cloth (with shells), desk and chair and a veranda. The bathroom is en-suite and simple, with basin running water, flush loo and shower. Four of the six bedrooms also have outside bathrooms, so you can bathe under the stars surrounded by candles and be serenaded by the sound of the river a few metres away. The rooms are set back a little from the edge of the river bank and there is a small decking area with safari deck chairs in a little clearing, so you can sit here and relax and bird watch during the heat of the day. The views are really beautiful and you can see so much from the comfort of your chair!

The meals at Kaingo are wholesome – English and continental breakfasts but more often than not, a brunch is served including the above as well as a hot dish like lasagne and salads. Dinners are three courses – generally soup to start followed by roast chicken or beef and then a dessert to follow, such as a fruit tart.

Whats Included - all room and board, guide and park fees, and two private flight charters.

Whats Not Included - Flights to Lusaka, gratuities and Zambian visa fees

What to Wear/Bring - Write-up provided to guests

Camera/Lens Recommendations - TBD

Price :

Couple/shared rooms: $18,500 USD Per Person

Single Guests: $21,500 USD Per Person

Deposit schedule: 50% deposit at signup required by check or wire transfer. Credit card payments via invoice can be arranged however a 3.75% fee will be added.

Please email me with any questions you may have or if you are interested in putting down a deposit at harrycollinsphotography@gmail.com

More info about South Luangwa

The Luangwa Valley (inc South Luangwa National Park) marks almost the end of the Great Rift Valley and is one of Africa’s last unspoiled wilderness areas, covering an area of 9,000 km² through which the winding Luangwa River flows. To the west of the park lies the Muchinga Escarpment which feeds small streams down to the park. Much of the park actually remains unexplored (mostly the western side of the park). The ox bow lagoons, woodland and plains of the valley are where large concentrations of game can be found, including elephant and Cape buffalo. Other animals found in the park include: leopard, lion, Thornicroft’s giraffe (endemic), hippopotamus, puku, crocodiles, Crayshaw’s zebra (endemic), Cookson’s wildebeest (endemic), waterbuck, warthog and some 400 species of birds including 39 species of birds of prey. The Luangwa River has one of the highest concentrations of hippo in Africa and pods of 50 strong are normal. There are alluvial soils and pristine riparian forests. The landscape is further added to with the magnificent species of giant mahogany, mopane, sausage trees, miombo woodlands include - winter thorn, marula, vegetable ivory palm trees, tamarind, leadwood and baobab trees. The best way to discover the bush is to explore it on foot during the day accompanied by guides and scouts, to then to revisit it in the evening when spotlight safaris are in open vehicles picking out the nocturnal animals from owls, nightjars and genets to leopard. We have also seen civet, spotted hyena and white-tailed mongoose on these drives. The park has one of the highest concentrations of leopards in Africa.  Bird watching is superb here and near the end of the dry season, when the river and oxbow lagoons begin to recede, hundreds of large water birds can be seen wading through the shallows. Yellow billed storks dominate the lagoons especially in the Nsefu region around the natural salt springs, whilst pelicans, saddle bill storks, marabou stork, great white egrets, black-headed herons, open billed storks and the stately goliath heron can also be seen. Of the most beautiful are the elegant crowned cranes with their golden tufts and they congregate in large flocks at the salt pans. Other birds to be seen in the park include Bennett’s woodpecker, carmine bee eater and European bee eater, oxpeckers, sandpipers, blackeyed bulbul, firefinches, and Lillian’s lovebirds. The best birding time is from December through March when the summer migrants have arrived and are breeding. However the carmine bee-eaters arrive in August/September until the end of the year and their nesting time is around September/October.