Zambia; one of Southern Africa's least crowded and profoundly wildlife-rich destinations. It shelters extraordinary natural beauty and is one of the most pristine and unspoiled wildlife havens on the continent, it truly is an absolute treasure trove. You'll soon see why it is one of my favourite safari and wildlife countries.

This extremely considered wildlife photography safari offers a true wilderness experience and will take you to two of Zambia's most remarkable wilderness areas, getting you up close and personal with iconic African wildlife. Due to their remoteness there will be minimal chance of throngs of tourists gatecrashing wildlife sightings. If wildlife photography is a passion, this safari will certainly deliver.

Firstly; we head to the spectacular Lower Zambezi National Park, which spans 4,092 square kilometres (1,580 square miles) of pristine wilderness. It is situated adjacent to Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park, creating a giant expanse of protected wilderness. It boasts breathtaking vistas over the Zambezi River, as well as lush riverine surrounds.

This leg of your Zambia photo safari will see you exploring and photographing some of the best forest habitat, not just in Africa, but in the world. The stage is always set here and with tall trees, green canopies and arching boughs – it’s lights, camera, action from the get-go. 

The Lower Zambezi is home to a plethora of African species and it is literally crawling with elephants, wandering through the giant trees and swimming in the Zambezi River. Want an elephant standing on its back legs and reaching for fruit with its trunk, then this is the place. This is also one of the best locations in all of Africa to photograph leopards but with the forest setting being so sublime, it becomes THE BEST place in Africa to photograph these enigmatic cats. 

This applies to all the other animals too. Being able to place your subject in such a beautiful environment is what makes this one of Africa’s most sought-after photographic destinations. This park is currently the one of the best places in Africa to photograph wild dogs, also dubbed the painted wolf, hunting and they hunt a range of subjects (including Cape buffalo).

Off-road driving is allowed and you will have maximum freedom to get out the safari vehicle and work with the light and angles which can help create astounding eye-level wildlife imagery.

Secondly; we head to one of Southern Africa's most renowned wildlife sanctuaries, Kafue National Park. Found in the centre of western Zambia, Kafue is the oldest and largest of Zambia’s national parks, covering a massive 22 400 km² / 8 650 mi². Thanks to its size and variety of habitats, it holds a fantastic diversity of wildlife including four of the Big Five with only rhino being absent. It's certainly less crowded than other National Parks meaning wildlife sightings are more exclusive and peaceful which in turn means less jostling for the prime photography positions.

The opportunities for photographing some of Southern Africa's most resplendent bird species are also one of the major draws to both the Lower Zambezi and Kafue National Parks with over 850 being present throughout the country.

This bucket-list safari will get you up close and personal with iconic African wildlife, promoting fantastic photographic opportunities by open 4x4 safari vehicle, riverboats and on foot. If wildlife photography is a passion, this safari will certainly deliver.

A Zambia photo safari is the official ‘off the beaten track’ safari destination of both Southern and East Africa. Do you want to experience Africa how it once was, then then this Zambia Wildlife Photography Safari is the one for you.

Your safari is much more than travelling to places far and wild. It’s about immersing you in the environment, giving you the best, most intimate experience with every detail taken in to consideration. Reaching fantastic places, searching for beautiful and inspiring aspects of wildlife and the natural world. All are key to helping you capture more thought provoking images.

If you've not been on a wildlife photography centric safari before, here is a quick low down on how a typical day works.

We wake before dawn with hot coffee/tea and fresh pastries being brought to your tent then head out to explore the wilderness. 

Leaving camp as the day begins to break for numerous reasons. Predators are likely to still be active and the potential for early morning, golden light is at a premium.

Generally, breakfast will be picnic style in the bush as we search for wildlife photography opportunities and then we will arrive back in camp in time for lunch. During the middle of the day, most wildlife will be snoozing and keeping cool in the shade. This is our opportunity to download and look through images as well as talk through editing and post processing techniques.

Around mid-afternoon we'll meet in the central area of camp before heading out for an afternoon activity, finding more opportunities for photography and making sure we're in prime place to take advantage of the golden hues of sunset.

Just after dusk, we'll arrive back in camp with a warm welcome awaiting us. Drinks around the 'bush TV' (campfire), sharing stories from the day's adventure then settling down to dinner beneath the stars. Once the day has concluded and you've retired to your tent with the sounds of the African wilderness surrounding you, providing the perfect 'white noise' to lull you into a satisfying slumber...

Day one sees our small group of wildlife photography enthusiasts assemble in Zambia's capitol, Lusaka. 

After arriving at the international airport and clearing immigration, you will be transported by road transfer to a lovely, relaxed boutique hotel. The perfect venue to prepare for the upcoming adventures.

When the group is fully assembled, your host and wildlife photography guide, Alex will talk through all the logistics and answer any questions you have as well as sharing photography insights and inspiration for the journey ahead.

The rest of the day is simple, a delicious dinner and early to bed to dream about the incredible wildlife photography journey you're about to embark on!

Accommodation: Latitude 15 Hotel, Lusaka. Bed and breakfast.

Today the safari begins properly. After an early breakfast, we head to the airport and domestic departures to catch our local flight to Lower Zambezi National Park. Our home for the next five nights is the wonderful Chula Island Camp located deep within the Zambezi Valley.

This region of the Lower Zambezi has been carefully chosen to give photographic access to both old forest and on the famous Zambezi River itself.

Right from the start, your Zambia photo safari will be wild and free as you begin to take in ‘real Africa’. Arriving in camp to a refreshing drink and face towel, you will be briefed by the camp manager. Camp is set on the banks of the Zambezi River and elephants pretty much have right of way in this camp, so the briefing is important – this is not 'touristy' Africa!

With expansive views and no fences, you will be both extremely comfortable and in the wild, and on a night you'll be lulled to sleep by snorting hippo, feeding elephants and roaring lions.

After settling in to camp, enjoying lunch (and maybe a quick siesta), we'll head out on our first afternoon safari and begin exploring the wonderful Lower Zambezi.

Activities here will be a healthy mixture of game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, motorised boat safaris, walking safaris (which promote amazing eye-level photography opportunities) and also a quintessentially Zambian safari pursuit - the canoe! Highly qualified guides lead us along some of the most tranquil and picturesque channels, getting close to creatures big and small, in silence...

On the first afternoon, we may head out by motorised boat, going in search of swimming elephants, spouting hippos, kingfishers and colourful bee-eater colonies. Photographing silhouettes from on the river, as the sun sets behind the Zambezi escarpment, you will fall hopelessly in love with this special and wild corner of Africa.

As the day draws to an end with the sun on your back and a cocktail in hand as you watch the sun set over the waters of the mighty Zambezi River – you will be glad to be alive and really appreciate the wonderful place you find yourself!

Accommodation : Chula Island Camp, Lower Zambezi National Park. Full board.

Chula Island Camp is a beautiful tented camp that combines understated luxury with the charm and spirit of a true seasonal bush camp. With only six guest tents and a maximum of twelve guests, Chula offers an intimate and exclusive escape in the heart of the Zambezi wilderness.

Each tent is carefully positioned to make the most of the island’s setting, with sweeping views across the Zambezi River. The tents are bespoke and exceptionally comfortable, featuring high-quality linen, plush mattresses, flushing toilets, running water, and traditional bucket showers.

At the heart of camp, a stretch-canvas main area rests beneath the cool shade of Natal Mahogany trees — a perfect spot for relaxed meals, quiet reading, or simply taking in the sights and sounds of the wild.

Days filled with wildlife photography in a sublime setting.

After an early morning breakfast around the campfire with fresh muffins and porridge, à la Zambian style (or maybe just a cup of coffee if you prefer as it will still be dark), you head off on a safari drive.

At 4,092 km² of protected wilderness, the Lower Zambezi National Park has minimal human access and the irresistible, life-giving Zambezi River as its heart. 

Simply put, the Lower Zambezi has some of the finest big game wildlife viewing in Southern Africa. This, coupled with the variety of safari activities on offer and the aesthetics of this park, make for a truly fantastic wildlife spectacle as well as outstanding photography opportunities. 

This part of the park offers an incredible mosaic of habitats and it feels ancient because it is ancient. Giant baobab trees, oxbow lakes, secret forests reminiscent of the Jungle Book (but African style), woodlands and floodplains all combine making this a photo safari for true Africa aficionados. 

There's ample space in the safari vehicle for everyone and your gear so you don’t need to leave any lenses behind for this Zambia photo safari - but remember sometimes less is more and saves constantly changing lenses and missing those key shots. The plethora of photographic subjects on offer is tremendous. From shy forest dwellers like civets and porcupines through to antelope, hippos, eagles, large herds of buffalo and lots and lots of elephants, very often bashing palm and winterthorne trees – releasing a torrent of falling fruit.

Large predators are very much in attendance here and you can expect lion and leopard. Even wild dog are very well represented. The most notable omissions in the area are giraffe and cheetah. However a night-time safari scouting for honey badger and aardvark should help make up for that!

Along with an exceptionally talented local guide, working as a team both they and Alex (who is a fully qualified and very experienced safari guide), will show you the best nooks and crannies in the park. You will be on pole position for both the action and light and you will also receive expert tuition pertaining to composition and camera settings for each scene and subject on your Lower Zambezi photo safari.

We'll take the sightings at our own, unhurried pace, spending time with our wildlife subjects in order to better understand their behaviour all in aid of capturing more. engaging wildlife imagery.

After a morning searching for photographic subjects, we'll return to camp for brunch but only once the light is thoroughly burnt off of course!

There will be time to download your images and take a rest looking over the languid Zambezi River from your tent before meeting for afternoon tea. By this time it will be hot and the animals of the Lower Zambezi will have been drawn to the river’s edge.

Depending on the morning's sightings we may take to the river again, the boat you are in is fast enough to capitalise on any photo opportunities that present themselves. Swimming elephants, crocodiles stalking stampeding buffalo, yawning hippos, flying bee-eaters – the list of photographic possibilities on the river just goes on and on. 

In between safari activities we'll also plenty of opportunity to go through images you've taken with considered and constructive sessions offering suggestions for composition as well as editing techniques.

Returning to camp once it is dark, another delightful dinner and hot shower await. There's time to quickly download memory cards before drifting off to sleep - the good news is that you awake only to do it all over again.

Accommodation : Chula Island Camp, Lower Zambezi National Park. Full board.

This morning we wave our goodbyes to Chula Island and the Lower Zambezi, heading back to the local airstrip for our internal flight towards Kafue National Park, named after the Kafue River, a major tributary of the Zambezi that flows through it

Kafue National Park is Zambia’s largest and oldest national park, and is quite possibly one of Africa’s last great expanses of well-protected remote and pristine wilderness. It is is a spectacular example of true African wilderness with the Busanga Plains stretching as far as the eye can see. Wildlife viewing is exceptional all year round and a beautiful wildlife haven which you can’t properly envisage until you’ve seen it with your own eyes. It an excellent destination for those seeking a less crowded safari experience.

The area is one of Zambia’s most significant wetland resources and supports tremendous diversity. Fertile dambos (lagoon swamps) situated in the south are fed by the Lunga, Lufupa and Kafue Rivers – prime locations for viewing some of the 500 species of birds found in the park. This vast area of virgin bushveld is waiting for you to explore it and there is quite simply an abundance of wildlife.

Red lechwe leaping across shallow wetlands, lions hunting in golden grasses, and elephants emerging out of morning mist – this is the Busanga Plains experience. Found in the northern region of Zambia’s Kafue National Park, this remote wilderness is distinct from the miombo woodlands of the park. Instead, flat grassland dambos are dotted with date palms and sausage and fig trees.

Accommodation : Ntemwa Busanga Camp, Kafue National Park. Full board.

The Camp.

Ntemwa Busanga; an intimate camp that features just five thatched chalets, each with an open-air en-suite bathroom at the rear, complete with a flushing toilet, plumbed sink, and a warm bucket shower.

The raised main deck overlooks the vast and wildlife-rich Busanga Plains, offering the perfect place to take in the view. There’s also a shaded bird hide and sitting area – doubling as our small WiFi room – ideal for relaxing during the heat of the day.

Ntemwa-Busanga has evolved organically over the years, with each season bringing thoughtful improvements. The camp is a truly special place in one of Zambia’s most remarkable wilderness areas.

Mood, mist and dust.

Our in time Kafue, as with the Lower Zambezi, will be filled with wildlife and photography. The differences of these two national parks complement each other perfectly making for fantastic variety for your wildlife photography portfolio.

Kafue is a spectacular example of true African wilderness with the Busanga Plains stretching as far as the eye can see. Wildlife viewing in the Busanga is exceptional all year round but in dry season, they become more dramatic as the wildlife condenses around the life giving waters. It’s a beautiful wildlife haven which you can’t properly envisage until you’ve seen it with your own eyes.

The area is one of Zambia’s most significant wetland resources and supports tremendous diversity. Fertile dambos (lagoon swamps) situated in the south are fed by the Lunga, Lufupa and Kafue Rivers – prime locations for viewing some of the 500 species of birds found in the park. This vast area of virgin bushveld is waiting for you to explore it and there is quite simply an abundance of wildlife and no shortage of subjects to photograph.

All the major predators present, with leopard and lion numerous. Lions hunt leaping lechwe here and often an early morning mist settles over the plains making it one of the most beautiful and ethereal photographic destinations in all of Africa. “Did you say lions and lechwe in the mist of a golden dawn?” Like I said, you have to see this place to believe it. 

Birding is top-class, with hundreds of species recorded in the area. Even if you are not a birder or bird photographer, you will find it impossible to not marvel at the hundreds of birds taking off all around you.

Time spent in here will not be wasted and due to its sheer size, we'll spend most of our time exploring the area by open 4x4 safari vehicle as well as along the river in motorised boats.

We’ll be out before dawn looking for subjects to compose in the golden light, predators will still be active until the heat of the day kicks in (and when the light has burned through), which is when we will return to camp to download images. In between safari activities, there will be plenty of opportunity to go through images you've taken with considered and constructive sessions offering suggestions for composition as well as editing techniques. 

As the day begins to cool, we’ll head out again looking for subjects to frame in glorious sunset hues combined with dust which has been stirred in to the air by the wildlife. Like mentioned, Kafue is all about mood, mist and dust!

Accommodation : Ntemwa Busanga Camp, Kafue National Park. Full board.

This is the last day our our Zambia wildlife photography adventure and by this time, not only are your camera memory cards full but also your heart and mind. They'll be brimming with incredible memories, captivating stories to tell along with inspiring wildlife images of a wild, untamed Africa to be exceptionally proud of.

As we catch our short local flight back to Lusaka and your connecting flight home, one thing is certain... You'll be leaving remarkable Zambia having enjoyed a photo safari experience like all Africa safaris once used to be, away from civilisation and deep inside the wilderness.

No doubt you'll also leave with a yearning to further explore Africa's majesty and mystery! You will have tasted real Africa and when you leave, all you will be thinking about is your return...