SOME HIGHLIGHTS
- A high density of leopards, often found hunting or resting in the acacia woodlands
- Large numbers of elephants inhabit the national park. We will photograph solitary bulls stretching high into the trees to feed on acacia leaves, while also encountering family groups both in the woodlands and along the river
- There are at least two packs of African wild dogs in the national park, and with a bit of luck and patience, we may have the opportunity to photograph them
- The light over Lower Zambezi is particularly special in the early morning and late afternoon/early evening. We will work on photographing wildlife within the landscape and making use of the unique light conditions
- Boat excursions on the Zambezi River to photograph hippos, birds, and hopefully crocodiles as well
- Several lion prides inhabit the areas around our camps
- Night safaris offer the opportunity to photograph nocturnal wildlife, or to follow a leopard we may have located at dusk
- Only four photographers in each safari vehicle
- We will stay in two small camps with only six tent each
- As always on our tours – full board is included, and all drinks as well*
- Our photographic leader has extensive experience photographing in Africa and great knowledge about Africas wildlife
Lower Zambezi National Park is one of Africa’s most spectacular and untouched wilderness areas – a landscape where the mighty Zambezi River flows through the heart of the wild, meeting a mosaic of habitats that offer endless photographic opportunities. This photo tour is a chance to experience Africa up close, with a focus on wildlife, light, and the dramatic scenery that makes this national park so unique.
The park’s landscapes range from acacia woodlands and open savannas to grass-dominated plains and the sandy banks of the Zambezi River. The river’s many side channels and islands create calm waterways where wildlife gathers – elephants drink along the shoreline, hippos move slowly through the water, and crocodiles rest on sandbanks. Across the open plains, buffalo, impala, and other grazers are abundant, while leopards and lions are frequently encountered in the acacia forests. The park is also home to several packs of African wild dogs, which, with some luck, may be seen near the camps where we stay. At this time of year, the impala rut is underway, making them highly active, and it is not unusual to witness males battling each other.
Lower Zambezi also boasts a rich birdlife, with several species of kingfishers, bee-eaters, herons, storks, and birds of prey. Especially when we are out on the Zambezi River, we often have opportunities to get remarkably close to the birds.
During this photo tour, we will not only use classic safari vehicles but also spend time photographing from boats along the Zambezi River, particularly to get close to hippos and crocodiles. The afternoon light over the Zambezi is often soft and highly attractive for photography.
Lower Zambezi National Park offers exceptional photographic diversity in both habitats and light. Mornings frequently bring soft golden light across savannas and river channels, while evenings create dramatic moods in the woodlands, especially when clouds add character to the sky. The variety of environments – open plains, acacia forests, and river systems – ensures that each day presents new photographic opportunities and subjects. Alongside acacia and mahogany forests, there are also iconic baobab trees that create highly attractive photographic elements.
In short, Lower Zambezi offers some of Africa’s finest opportunities to experience large wildlife at close range. The combination of abundant wildlife, varied safari experiences, and the park’s scenic beauty creates a truly outstanding wilderness experience. Large herds of elephants gather on the valley floor alongside impressive numbers of buffalo and impala. All of Africa’s major predators are present – lions, leopards, and wild dogs are well represented. The only notable absence is giraffe, though a night drive in search of honey badgers and aardvarks quickly makes you forget the missing long-necked giants.
During the tour, we will stay at two different camps. One is located in acacia woodland overlooking the Zambezi River and its wildlife. Our second camp is situated on a small private island in the middle of the Zambezi River. Both camps are intimate, with only six tents each, offering a sense of exclusivity and seclusion.
The number of camps and visitors in Lower Zambezi National Park is very limited – only ten lodges exist in the entire park and just five within the area we will explore. This means we encounter very few other safari vehicles, and there is never any crowding at sightings of animals such as leopards or lions, often with only three or four vehicles present. This makes Lower Zambezi a quieter yet wilder safari experience.
PHOTOGRAPHIC LEARNING
Throughout the trip, our photographic leader will provide guidance tailored to your experience and skill level. Field instruction is adapted entirely to your needs, and we will also hold theoretical sessions where we discuss photographic techniques relevant to the opportunities we encounter during the journey.
Training and guidance will be adjusted both to the group and the individual, while also taking into account the photographic situations that arise during the tour. During our days in Lower Zambezi National Park, the main focus will be on photographing African wildlife, while those interested in landscapes will also find many opportunities. We will work with composition, as well as searching for the unique light created within the forests.
Leopards are relatively common in the area and naturally receive a great deal of attention. Leopard photography may occasionally include low-light situations using spotlights. Elephants are also a major attraction in Lower Zambezi, and we will look for individuals feeding from trees or work with light situations in the forest where elephants and other animals can be included in creative compositions.
We will not look past good photographic opportunities on more “common” species either.
Our focus throughout the tour is very much on creating strong images and building as broad and varied a portfolio from Lower Zambezi as possible.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Lusaka in the evening and transfer to a close by airport hotel.
Day 2 (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
After breakfast, we return to the airport to board our flight to Lower Zambezi National Park. Following a flight of approximately 30–45 minutes, we land at Jeki Airstrip, where we will be met by our guides. Our camp is located about 15 minutes from Jeki airstrip.
Upon arrival at the camp, we check in, enjoy lunch, and have some time to relax before the afternoon’s first game drive. We end the day with dinner.
Day 3-4 (Breakfast – Morning coffee – Lunch – High tea – Dinner)
We begin our days with breakfast around 5:00 a.m., before heading out into the national park. Early morning is prime leopard time, so we will make a special effort to search for these beautiful cats during the first hours of the day. In addition to wildlife, we will also visit an area with baobab trees for photography. Hopefully, animals will be nearby so we can include them in our compositions. Our mornings continue with a focus on finding wildlife, light, and photographic opportunities. Around 8:30 a.m., we stop for a coffee break and refreshments.
We return to camp at approximately 10:30–11:00 a.m. Lunch is served around 12:00 p.m., followed by time for rest or image editing. We will also try to include some theoretical workshops during our time at camp.
At around 3:00 p.m., we enjoy afternoon refreshments before heading back into the national park in search of wildlife, light, and photographic subjects. Our photography and wildlife search are adapted to the conditions and the animals we encounter in the area.
We stay out until after dark and let nature decide when we return to camp — if we find something particularly exciting, we remain out longer. On one of the days at this camp, we will spend the afternoon on the Zambezi River, photographing hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife.
The days conclude with dinner.
Day 5 (Breakfast – Morning coffee – Lunch – High tea – Dinner)
Following our usual breakfast at around 5:00 a.m., we head out into the national park to search for wildlife, light, and photographic opportunities, just as on the previous days.
Today we change camps, and we expect to arrive at our new camp in time for lunch at approximately 12:00 p.m. Afterwards, there will be time to relax and enjoy a short break.
At around 3:00 p.m., we have afternoon refreshments before once again heading out into the national park in search of wildlife, light, and photographic subjects. We adapt our photography and exploration to the animals present in the area and the opportunities we encounter.
We remain out until after dark, letting nature determine when we return to camp — if we find something particularly exciting, we stay out longer.
The day concludes with dinner.
Day 6-8 (Breakfast – Morning coffee – Lunch – High tea – Dinner)
As usual, we begin our days with breakfast around 5:00 a.m., before heading out into the national park. Early morning is prime time for leopards, so we will make an extra effort to search for these beautiful cats during the first hours of the day. We then continue our mornings looking for wildlife, light, and photographic opportunities, adapting our plans according to the animals present in the area. Around 8:30 a.m., we take a break for refreshments.
We return to camp at approximately 10:30–11:00 a.m. Lunch is served around 12:00 p.m., followed by time for relaxation or image editing. We will also try to include some theoretical workshops during our stay.
At around 3:00 p.m., we enjoy afternoon refreshments before heading back into the national park in search of wildlife, light, and photographic subjects. We stay out until after dark and allow nature to determine when we return to camp — if we find something particularly exciting, we stay out longer.
The days conclude with dinner.
Day 9 (Breakfast – Morning coffee)
This is the final day of the trip, and as usual we begin with an early breakfast before heading out on our last game drive. Our morning schedule will depend on the departure time of our flight back to Lusaka, likely around 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
We arrive at Lusaka Airport with plenty of time for our onward flights home.
Photographic leader
Henrik Karlsson, born in 1968, is a photographer, writer and conservation biologist.
Henrik is a trained biologist and used to work with water and conservation issues.
He is an ambassador for OM SYSTEM and has been appointed as a National Geographic Explorer and is a member of the Swedish Nature Photographers Association (Naturfotograferna/N) as well as PhotoNatura. In 2003 he was awarded Naturfotografernas/N and Kodak’s scholarship. Henrik has also won awards in several European photo competitions.
Henrik has a wide selection when it comes to subjects to take images of and tell stories about. He will be more than happy to photograph everything from insects to the orchids in the forest or the great wild animals around the world. He has the whole world as his photographic field but is more and more drawn to Africas beauty and wildness.
Previously, Henrik worked as a guide in several Swedish Nature Reserves and National Parks. He is a frequent lecturer and an appreciated guide on photo courses and workshops. He also leads photo tours all over the world.
In 2011 Henrik self-published the book ”Mångfaldens ö – bilder och tankar från Ölands natur”, and the book ”Vilda Norden” was published in 2017. 2020 he published the book Ölands orkidéer and in 2021 Orkidéer på Gotland.
