South Africa & Zambia Photo Safari
Limited to only 8 Participants

Escorted by Professional Wildlife Photographer Paul Renner

August 30 – September 13, 2024

Join me for this unique opportunity on a private safari in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park to photograph African wildlife and landscapes along the Luangwa River. We will be staying in three Private Bush Camps and at one of our favorites, Mfuwe Lodge. The beautiful Bush Camps are located in remote areas along the Luangwa River. Our group will have exclusive use each of the bush camps. We will have the area to ourselves to enjoy and photograph. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife that often wander right into camp! This will be a once in a lifetime opportunity you will not want to miss!

Escorted by professional wildlife photographer Paul Renner

Land Package Price: $13,940 per person double occupancy

Land Tour Price includes:

* Meet & Assist at Johannesburg and Lusaka airports

* Small aircraft flights – Lusaka/Mfuwe/Mfuwe/Lusaka (Note: Luggage allowance is 60 pounds per person including carry on            

* Meals as indicated in in the itinerary – (B= Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

* Transfers to/from airport/hotel/camps

* 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)

Excludes:

* International Airfare to Lusaka and return

* Beverages other than specified

* Tips for driver/guides, gratuities to porters and waiters

* All items of a personal nature and everything else not mentioned

* Travel insurance, applicable visas, all items of a personal nature (e.g. telephone, fax, etc.)

August 30: Friday – Johannesburg

Welcome to South Africa! Arrive in Johannesburg where our representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for overnight. Southern Sun O.R. Tambo Hotel (Bed and Breakfast)

August 31: Saturday – Road transfer to Madikwe

This morning we transfer by road 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 spanning six years, the project included the release of species such as elephant, black and white rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, and other plains game species.

Arrive in time for lunch and afternoon game drive. At Impodemo they have a new photo blind where we will be able to photograph animals at eye level as they come for water during the midday heat. Imagine photographing elephants interacting only a few feet from you! Dinner and overnight at the lodge. Impodimo Game Lodge (BLD)

A luxury 5-star game lodge, Impodimo 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 a water hole that attracts  elephants, kudu, zebra, giraffe, lions, wild dogs and much more.   The lodge offers dawn and dusk safaris. The safaris are carefully timed to ensure optimal seasonal comfort.

Each of the suites has 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 staff at the lodge goes to great lengths to ensure that guests have as much choice as possible in enjoying their experience. 7-seater land rovers are used for game viewing. 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.

September 01/02: Sun/Mon – Madikwe Game Reserve

Set out before breakfast with your cameras in hand in our 4×4 safari vehicles 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 salon overlooking the waterhole where game often comes 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)

September 03: Tuesday – Lusaka

After our morning game drive and delicious breakfast, we return to Johannesburg to catch our flight to Lusaka. Overnight at the SoutherSun Ridgeway(BL)

September 4: Wednsday– South Luangwa This morning we fly into South Luangwa National Park, Zambia’s premier wildlife game reserve. This region of the park is renowned for its prolific game – leopards, lions, giraffes, hippos, buffalo, antelope, and crocodile are frequent visitors to the Lodge’s lagoon. Afternoon game drive followed by dinner. KuKaya Lodge (BLD)

Kukaya Lodge is nestled beneath a canopy of huge ebony and mahogany trees overlooking a meadow, where an endless stream of wildlife wanders in for water and grazing. Scattered along the banks of the meadow, lie beautiful permanent tented chalets with covered verandas that look out over the meadow which is usually teeming with wildlife. The newly constructed rooms provide comfortable seating areas and en-suite bathrooms with spacious walk-in showers. There is a broad timber deck where the swimming pool is situated, overlooking the lagoon. From here you can relax and cool off while witnessing the parade of wildlife nearby. 

September 5: Thursday – Bilimungwe Bush Camp

A game drive with many photo opportunities awaits us on the way to our bush camp called Bilimingwe. We will be passing through areas that remind us of “old Africa” without all of the tourists and vehicles just wilderness loaded with wildlife. Along the way we may pass through herds of elephants, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, plains animals and many beautiful birds. The water hole in front of the dining area attracts wildlife of all types thus offering us many photo opportunities right from the deck. Bilimungwe Bush Camp (BLD)

At Bilimungwe Bush Camp, the traditions of an African bushcamp meet elegance and style and create a stunning camp that feels as if it has grown organically from the surrounds. At the heart is the lounge area, shaded by a huge mahogany tree and overlooking a waterhole. The four thatched rooms are raised on stilts. The rich, wood interiors echo the trees and the furniture is hand-carved by local artisans. After an early morning game drive, head back to your room for a refreshing, open-air waterfall shower, or continue the wildlife spectacle from your private deck. With the open waters of the Luangwa River also on your doorstep and a nearby plain where leopard prowl, it’s clear that this is photographers and nature-lovers paradise. Evenings are spent sharing our stories of our adventures around a campfire and enjoying the starlit African nights

September 06/07: Fri/Sat – Bilimungwe Bush Camp

Morning and afternoon wildlife viewing game drives are planned for the next 2 days. We travel in open 4×4 open safari Land Rovers. The Luangwa River is one of the most intact major river systems in Africa and is the life blood of the South Luangwa National Park. Bilimungwe Bush Camp (BLD)

September 8: Sunday – Chindeni Bush Camp

Morning Game Drive, breakfast then transfer on a game drive in our safari Land Rovers to Chindeni Bush Camp. (BLD)

September 09/10: Mon/Tues – Chindeni Bush Camp

Located on a remote lagoon that fills with water from the Luangwa River, lies Chindeni Bush Camp, a camp that combines the isolation and superb game-viewing opportunities of a true bush camp with a touch of luxury. Chindeni is surrounded by some of the park’s richest wildlife. Watching an elephant take a dip in the lagoon can be an exhilarating photography experience while you are relaxing between game drives.

 September 11/12: Wed- Mfuwe Lodge

Today we travel to Mfuwe Lodge where will have morning and afternoon wildlife viewing game drives during the next 2 days. We travel in open 4×4 open safari Land Rovers.

The Luangwa River is one of the most intact major river systems in Africa and is the life blood of the South Luangwa National Park. 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 meanders near water. 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.

 September 13: Friday- Depart for Home

We will enjoy our last game drive , have breakfast and catch our flight from Mfuwe to Lusaka, Zambia and from there we board our flight home.