Zambia, Botswana & South Africa Photo Safari Escorted by Professional Wildlife Photographer Paul Renner

14 Day African Photo Safari
September 20 to October 3, 2022

This adventurous African wildlife photo safari begins as we fly from Lusaka into South Luangwa National Park, Zambia’s premier wildlife game reserve. This region of the park is renowned for its prolific game – giraffe, hippos, buffalo, antelope, and crocodile are constant visitors to Mfuwe Lodge’s lagoon. Our adventure continues into Botswana where we will spend three nights at Chobe Game Lodge. It is the only permanent safari lodge located inside Chobe National Park. In addition to vast herds of buffalo, antelope, zebra, and giraffe these areas have good concentrations of sable antelope, lion, leopard, impala, hippo and wild dog. Chobe is home to the largest concentration of elephant in Africa. This area is one of Africa crown jewels. After three nights at Chobe, we fly to Camp Xakanaka, located in the Moremi Game Reserve in the heart of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. It is a protected area renowned for its frequent sighting of lion, leopard and African wild Dogs. Here in the Delta, on boat cruises you will enjoy sightings of wildlife together with spectacular scenery while making your way through gorgeous channels in tall Papyrus grass growing in the crystal clear waters of the Okavango Delta. We will spend our last three nights on safari in Madikwe Private Reserve located along South Africa’s northern border with Botswana. The vast assortment of vegetation and eco zones here, allow for the rich diversity of wildlife and bird species that inhabit the reserve. We will be focusing our lenses on elephant, both black and white rhino, buffalo, lion, cheetah, wild dog, and a myriad of other plains game species. This is a photo safari that is not to be missed!

This will be a spectacular photo safari and should not be missed!

LAND PACKAGE PRICE: $14,180 per person double occupancy

Single room supplement: $2985

(prices based on payment by check. If paying by credit card, add $495 service fee)

Included in the tour price:

• Small aircraft flights –Lusaka/Mfuwe/Livingstone & Kasane/Xakanaka/Maun/Gabarone

• Meet & Assist at Lusaka on arrival on Sept 20

• Professional English-speaking tour guides and drivers

• Game drives in open safari vehicles

• All National Parks and Game Reserve entrance fees

• Meals as listed per itinerary- Breakfast (B), Lunch (L) and Dinner (D)

• Luggage allowance is 75 pounds per person including carry-on an all small aircraft flights

• Mfuwe Lodge include: Accommodations, all meals, 2 game viewing activities daily, and laundry

• Chobe Game Lodge and Camp Xakanaka include: Accommodations, all meals, 2 game viewing activities daily, all drinks (excluding premium brands) laundry, medical evacuation insurance

• Impodimo Lodge include: Accommodations, all meals, 2 game viewing activities daily, and local drinks

NOT INCLUDED:

International airfare, Trip Cancellation/Medical Insurance fees, Visa entry fees, and associated service charges, Items of personal nature such as telephone calls, internet service charges, tips to porters, waiters, guides, drivers, laundry service charges, Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, bottled water not specified in the itinerary

SAFARI DAILY ITINERARY:

Tuesday, September 20: – Lusaka

Welcome to Zambia! Arrive Lusaka where our representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel where you overnight. Southern Sun Ridgeway

Wednesday, September 21: – South Luangwa

Early breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight to Mfuwe. On arrival, you will be transferred to your lodge nestled between two picturesque lagoons in the heart of South Luangwa National Park. Afternoon game drive followed by dinner. Mfuwe Lodge (BLD)

Mfuwe Lodge is nestled beneath a canopy of ebony and mahogany trees, beside two tranquil lagoons, where an endless stream of wildlife wanders. Scattered along the banks lie 18 thatched chalets with covered verandas that look out over resident hippo pods. The newly updated rooms provide comfortable seating areas and en-suite bathrooms with spacious walk-in showers. The airy interior of the main lodge is an exquisite complement to its natural surroundings. The open floor plan featuring cozy sofas and chairs and African-chic styling incorporates a lounge, dining and bar area under a thatch roof supported by palm poles and dominated by two impressive chimneys at opposite ends. There is a broad timber deck where the swimming pool is situated, overlooking the main lagoon. From here you can relax and cool off while witnessing the parade of wildlife nearby.

Thu/Fri, September 22/23: – South Luangwa

Morning and game afternoon viewing activities are planned for the next 2 days which could be by 4×4 open vehicles and safari walks. The now famous “walking safari” originated in this park and is still one of the finest ways to experience this pristine wilderness first hand. In between game drives, walks and mouthwatering meals, relax with a book on the library’s private deck, an ideal spot to take in the tranquility of Africa. The Luangwa River is one of the most intact major river system in Africa and is the life blood of the South Luangwa National Park. Mfuwe Lodge (BLD)

Saturday, September 24: – Chobe National Park

After breakfast transfer to the airstrip for your flight to Livingstone via Lusaka. Arrive Livingstone and transfer by road to Chobe Game Lodge. You will need to pass through the border post between Botswana and Zambia at Kazungula. Arrive in time for an afternoon game viewing activity, which is either a river cruise or a 4×4 game drive. Return back to the lodge for dinner. Chobe Game Lodge (BLD)

The Chobe National Park is renowned for Africa’s largest concentration of Elephants and is an all year round big game and birding destination. Picturesquely situated about 50 miles west of the Victoria Falls, overlooking the Chobe River and the Caprivi floodplains, the iconic Chobe Game Lodge is the only permanent safari lodge within the Chobe National Park.

Sunday/Monday: September 25/26: – Chobe National Park

Awake early in the morning for breakfast and the game viewing activity. Spend the day relaxing around the pool before the afternoon game viewing activity. Enjoy dinner at the lodge. Chobe Game Lodge (BLD)

Tuesday, September 27: – Moremi Game Reserve

After breakfast and the morning game viewing activity take the chartered flight to Moremi airstrip. Arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon activity. The Moremi Reserve is rated as one of Africa’s finest game-viewing areas, offering sanctuary to abundant herds of elephant, sable, giraffe, tsessebe, lechwe, wildebeest, impala and waterbuck. Lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and hyena complete the picture. Birding is quite spectacular, especially during spring and summer when the migrants breed. Return back to the camp with time to freshen up in your tent before enjoying dinner. Camp Xakanaka (BLD)

The prime location of Camp Xakanaxa on the banks of the Khwai River on the Xakanaxa Lagoon, in the heart of the Moremi Game Reserve, makes it one of the very few safari camps that offers guests an authentic, year-round Okavango Delta land and water safari experience. Here, where the life-giving waters of the Okavango meet up with the vast Kalahari, ancient Mopane forests, open grassland, seasonal floodplains and Riverine habitats have formed, creating one of the most magnificent and welcoming animal sanctuaries in all of Africa.

Wednesday, September 28: – Moremi Game Reserve

Awake early for a quick breakfast and the game viewing activity, which could be by an open 4×4 land rover, powerboat or traditional dugout canoe (mokoro) on the Okavango Delta’s waterways. Spend time relaxing around the pool or catch up on your reading. Depart on the afternoon game viewing activity before returning back to camp for dinner. Enjoy after dinner drinks around the campfire. Camp Xakanaka (BLD)

Thursday, September 29: – Maun

After breakfast and your game viewing game activity, transfer to the airstrip for your flight to Maun. Arrive Maun and transfer to your hotel located close to the airport. Rest of the afternoon at leisure. Cresta Maun Hotel (BLD)

Friday, September 30: – Madikwe Game Reserve

Early breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight to Gaborone. Arrive Gaborone where you will be met and transfer to the border between Botswana and South Africa for immigrations formalities. Continue for a short drive to Madikwe Game reserve, situated in the North-West province of South Africa. The vast variety of vegetation and eco zones allows for a rich diversity of wildlife and bird species to inhabit the reserve. The reserve is home to 28 different mammal species which were released into the park through a relocation process called Operation Phoenix. This was the largest game translocation exercise in the world, with more than 8 000 animals being released into the reserve, starting in 1991 and the project was completed in 1997 and included the release of species such as elephant, both black and white rhino, buffalo, lion, cheetah, wild dog, and other plains game species.

Arrive in time for lunch and afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight at the lodge. Impodimo Game Lodge (BLD)

A luxury 5 star game lodge, is situated in Madikwe Game Reserve. Daily game drives give you the opportunity to view a wide variety of wildlife species, including the Big 5 mammals. 

Impodimo Game Lodge is set along a rocky ridge commanding stunning vistas of the reserve. It is also located at the source of a natural spring, which provides the lodge with elevated views as well as riverine serenity. The lodge offers dawn and dusk safaris. The safaris are carefully timed to ensure optimal seasonal comfort.

Each of the suites have been carefully positioned to ensure absolute privacy. Spacious in design, each includes a closed system fireplace, climate control air conditioner, mini bar fridge, tea & coffee making facilities and full en-suite bathroom and outside shower. Your private deck allows uninterrupted views of the Madikwe Game Reserve.

The team has gone to great lengths to ensure that guests have as much choice as possible in enjoying their experience, 7-seater land rovers are used. Impodimo is the first lodge in Madikwe Game Reserve to have qualified Shangaan trackers as part of the team. This adds a different dimension to the safari experience ensuring consistent big game sightings.    

Saturday/Sunday, October 01/02: – Madikwe Game Reserve

Set out before breakfast by 4×4 safari vehicle for your morning game drive. Return from the excitement of the bush to a sumptuous breakfast or brunch and then relax at the pool or the sala overlooking the waterhole where game may come to quench their thirst. In the afternoon, when the heat of the African sun has diminished and the shadows are longer, head out again on a sundowner safari, where you will stop to watch the sun set on this bushveld paradise. Once the sun has set and darkness descends, continue the safari where the more nocturnal creatures now rule the bush. Return to the lodge where you will be treated to the finest Pan-African cuisine with your hosts in the open air boma, and share your days adventures. Impodimo Game Lodge (BLD)

Monday, October 03 : Madikwe to Johannesburg

Departure A final game drive this morning is scheduled before returning to the lodge for breakfast. After breakfast, drive to Johannesburg to connect with your evening flight home. (BL)

Cape Town Extension – from $ 1410 per person sharing.

4 Days / 3 nights with airfare from Johannesburg, tours, transfers and 3 nights’ accommodation at the Southern Sun Waterfront with daily breakfast.

Cape Town, South Africa’s most popular travel destination has rightfully earned its reputation as one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Transfixed between Table Mountain and seven spectacular ocean beaches, it is a rare blend of cosmopolitan sophistication with superb cuisine and African culture. Included are guided tours of the city, Table Mountain, Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Simon’s Town and penguins at Boulders Beach.  

 

For more information and reservations, contact:

Paul Renner at 949.295.3136                               Email: paulrenner3@cox.net www.rennersafaris.com

or

call Prem Sharma at Best Safaris 714-985-3456 e-mail:  Prem@bestsafaris.com