Experience once-in-a-life opportunities in one dedicated photo safari. Join C4 Photo Safaris and specialist wildlife photographic guide, Isak Pretorius, to help you take world class photos. What makes this even better is that you’ll experience this in the wild and untamed wilderness of Zambia’s South Luangwa and Kafue National Park with their high concentration and diversity of wildlife. This trip offers an unrivalled safari experience simply because very few people combine the richness of South Luangwa with the brilliance of Busanga.
Isak is a South Luangwa specialist- he knows the area exceptionally well and he will show you the beauty of its every corner, gaining you access to some remarkable photo opportunities.
Busanga is the highlight in the jewel of Zambia conservation. We have timed this trip to coincide with the cool mornings when mist rises up over the wetland. This provides for amazing scenes of lechwe and lions in the mist, a target scene to witness and photograph. Busanga’s open wetland plains are a photographers paradise and a perfect way to end this safari.
Come and join Isak and C4 on this small group safari to some very special places in Africa. Isak has spent many years in Zambia, producing one of the most seminal photography books from South Luangwa. His knowledge is intrinsic and his skill at showing you the beauty of Zambia’s jewel’s is captivating.
It will be our pleasure to show these to you.
SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK
Experts have dubbed South Luangwa to be one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world, and not without reason. The concentration of animals around the Luangwa River, and its oxbow lagoons, is among the most intense in Africa.
The Luangwa River is the most intact major river system in Africa and is the life-blood of this 9059 km2 Park. South Luangwa’s green season is a magical time and place for wildlife photographers. This is not common knowledge and is still considered a secret. The colourful vegetation, animal action and interaction of the breeding season, amazing cloud formations and few tourists in the Park makes this an ideal time to add something spectacularly different to your photo portfolio. It is also the time of year that Isak took his acclaimed “Cool cat” image that won worldwide fame in the WPY competition and was displayed at the World Economic Forum- representing wildlife in need.
KAFUE NATIONAL PARK
At 2.25 million hectares (5.5 million acres), Kafue National Park is Zambia’s oldest protected area and one of the largest in Africa. The north-west is dominated by the Busanga Swamps, a papyrus wetland that gives way to the vast floodplain of the Busanga Plains – a seasonally inundated grassland dotted with islands.
It is these thriving wetlands which we will be visiting. Known for a very healthy lion population, the busanga plains are a mini okavango delta rich in wildlife and birdlife.
Highlights
YOU WILL GET GREAT PHOTOS – Being on a photo safari as opposed to a normal safari means that your specialist wildlife photographic guide will help to improve your photography to take world class photos no matter what level of photographer you are.
THE UNTAMED AFRICAN WILDERNESS – Both South Luangwa and Busanga are unfenced with free roaming animals that offers the authentic African wilderness experience.
TEN DAYS OF SAFARI – Longer than a typical photo safari means that you have a better chance of seeing amazing sightings and the opportunity to really enjoy your safari experience in a relaxed manner.
STRESS-FREE TRAVEL – This photo safari starts and ends at Lusaka – from there all travel, food, accommodation and photography activities are included – so just get yourself to Lusaka!!
Wildlife photography highlights
Classic scenes of the Luangwa river meandering through the wide river banks.
Hundreds of Hippopotamus in the pools and main river.
Large elephant herds in the woodlands, drinking at the rivers edge and in front camp.
Endemic species include Thornicroft’s Giraffe, Cookson’s Wildebeest and Crawshaw’s Zebra in South Luangwa
Regular sightings of the sought after Pel’s Fishing Owl.
Excellent lion population in Busanga
Mist rising over the plains in Busanga- a very ethereal scene
Very high density of leopard, with very relaxed individuals in South Luangwa
Flocks of storks, herons and egrets feeding in the drying pools for fish.
Excellent sightings of large water birds in the Luangwa River.
Buffalo herds drinking at the rivers edge numbering into the hundreds.
One of the best places to see lion hunting buffalo.
Isak was born to be a photographer, but before he discovered this, he became an engineer. Once he picked up a camera, his engineering career came to an end and Isak has now established himself as one of the top bird photographers in Africa. The benefit of his engineering training is his flawless technical knowledge of camera systems and the post processing software that accompanies them.
Your C4 photographer and host, Isak Pretorius, will meet you at the Lusaka International Airport. We will depart Lusaka at 10:40 via a scheduled domestic flight, landing at Mfuwe Airport at roughly 11:50. From Mfuwe Airport, there will be a 30 minute road transport to the camp. Once we arrive at Mfuwe Lodge, we’ll have lunch and then a chance to unpack and settle into our rooms. After high tea we’ll go on our first game drive in search of the African Pitta and everything else that will make great photos. The afternoon game drives extend into the evenings for stunning night drives. Here we’ll have the chance to photograph nocturnal animals, like leopard, genets, owls and elephant shrews, using a spotlight. After the night drive we’ll return to camp for dinner and bed.
Day 4 - 7
Kuyenda Bush camp, South Luangwa
After breakfast you will be transferred via road to Kuyenda Bush camp for your 3 night stay. Kuyenda is leopard country deluxe and the thick riparian vegetation is a haven for amazing leopard sightings and interaction. you will meander through these forests along the meandering river finding many different animal species, but also chancing upon some amazing leopard photo opportunities.
Day 7 -11
Busanga, Zambia
After an early morning game drive and breakfast you will be transferred back to Mfuwe airstrip for your scheduled flight to Lusaka Airport in time for your schedule flight to Busanga. A Busanga representative will meet you at the airstrip to transfer you to Busanga Bush camp in time for an afternoon game drive. You will be staying here for 4 nights.
Known for its large lion population, heading out at dawn here is about finding lions as they make their way back from the wetlands to the vegetated islands, crossing streams and channels along their way. if you are very lucky, you may find lions leaping across a channel in the early morning mist- something you won’t forget in a short while! The wetlands are veritably littered with wildlife and you can expect amazing antelope numbers in amongst the top class bird life when on drive.
Day 11
International flight
You will enjoy your last game drive on your way to the airstrip to catch your schedule flight back to Lusaka Airport in time for you international flight home.
Mfuwe Lodge
Ease yourself into Luangwa life with a stay at the award-winning Mfuwe Lodge. Set inside the park, just five minutes drive from the main gate, the lodge’s allure is instantly obvious. Beneath a canopy of ebony and mahogany, its thatched buildings are arranged around the banks of two lagoons where an endless stream of wildlife will keep you enthralled as you lounge on the open deck or take a dip in the swimming pool. The airy interior of the lodge is an exquisite complement to its natural surroundings.
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, whilst in November the local elephants regularly wander right through the lobby, lured by a nearby wild mango tree. Whether you stay overnight, or just have lunch en route to a Bushcamp, Mfuwe Lodge’s relaxed charm and enviable surroundings make it the perfect stopover. Voted Best Lodge in Zambia in 2009 Mfuwe Lodge also offers you the chance to relax at its Bush-Spa or buy a few mementos of your time in Zambia at our curio shop.
KUYENDA BUSH CAMP
Forget infinity pools and wi-fi - Kuyenda is the quintessential classic African bushcamp, lovingly rebuilt each season. Your room is a simple but cosy grass rondavel (circular hut) complete with paraffin lanterns, swathes of mosquito netting and an open-air ensuite bathroom with a large ‘safari’ drum shower. From the panoramic windows you can look out onto the surrounding plains and the incredible game that frequently saunters through camp, day and night. With three twin-bedded rondavels (queen-size beds) and one double (king-sized bed) Kuyenda ideally takes six guests, however groups of eight are accepted. Kuyenda is open from June to November.
Busanga bush camp
Hidden beneath sycamore fig trees, this intimate camp has just four well-appointed en-suite tents, each with a veranda to take in the sweeping views. The main area – under canvas – is a relaxed space with uninterrupted panoramas over the plains. The ‘dining room’, a little further back, is shaded by the canopy of a majestic tree from which an unusual lantern chandelier hangs, romantically lighting up dinner.
$14 450.00 price per sharing person
$18 400.00 price per single person
30% deposit confirms your booking. Balance payable 8 week before tour start date.
All road transfers including: Mfuwe Lodge to Kuyenda Bush camp.
Entrance to concessions and accommodation in camps.
All meals, based on three meals a day.
Activities.
The services of our C4 guide.
The above costs don't include
International flights to Lusaka.
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Gratuities to staff and guides.
Extra activities not included.
Personal expenses.
Travel insurance.
Travel visas.
Day 1
You will be met at the Lusaka International Airport, Zambia, by Isak Pretorius. You will make your way to your schedule flight to Mfuwe Lodge for your 3 nights stay.
Day 4
After breakfast you will be transferred via road to Kuyenda Bush camp for your 3 night stay.
Day 7
After an early morning game drive and breakfast you will be transferred back to Mfuwe airstrip for your scheduled flight to Lusaka Airport in time for your schedule flight to Busanga. A Busanga representative will meet you at the airstrip to transfer you to Busanga Bush camp in time for an afternoon game drive. You will be staying here for 4 nights.
Day 11
You will enjoy your last game drive on your way to the airstrip to catch your schedule flight back to Lusaka Airport in time for you international flight home.
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