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Join Jonathan Scott, multi-award winning wildlife photographer and ‘Big Cat Diary’ presenter, and Phil Berry, one of Zambia’s most prominent naturalist guides, for this 8-day photography and wildlife safari in Zambia’s South Luangwa. Also, don’t miss great optional trip extensions to the Lower Zambezi with Jonathan and to Kasanka to see the fruit bat migration with Phil.
NOV 3 – LUSAKA - MFUWE: Fly from Lusaka to Mfuwe. Transfer to Mfuwe Lodge, where you will be based for the next 7 nights. Settle in, meet other guests and guides before heading out with Jonathan and Phil on a game drive and night drive back to the Lodge for dinner and drinks. (B, L, D)
NOV 4-9 – SOUTH LUANGWA: Wake early each morning with the birds. Mornings are cooler and the game is more active, the light perfect for photography. After a light breakfast, head off into the park with Phil or Jonathan in search of photographic opportunities and wildlife. Each day will be different with meals in the bush, picnics or at the lodge. Unwind in the Bush Spa or relax by the pool each afternoon. Most days Jonathan will be available to give one-to-one photographic advice. Jonathan, Phil and representatives from local conservation organizations (African Wild Dog Conservation Zambia - AWDC & the South Luangwa Conservation Society - SLCS) will be giving talks daily. After tea, head out with either Jonathan or Phil in search of game and night drive back to the lodge. (B, L, D, Dr)
NOV 10 – DEPARTURE: Transfer to Mfuwe Airport for your flight to Lusaka. (B)
LOWER ZAMBEZI PRE-TRIP WITH JONATHAN SCOTT
OCT 31 – LOWER ZAMBEZI: On arrival at Lusaka, you will be assisted in connecting to your onward flight to the Lower Zambezi. On arrival, transfer to Chongwe River House. Enjoy a game drive with Jonathan, with excellent of photo opportunities, and a night drive back to the House. (B, L, D, Dr)
NOV 1-2 – LOWER ZAMBEZI: Morning and afternoon game drives, and opportunities to get out onto the Zambezi and photograph from a different view. Chongwe River House. (B, L, D, Dr)
NOV 3 – MFUWE: Transfer to Royal Airstrip for your flight to Mfuwe and a week of amazing wildlife experiences with John and Phil in South Luangwa National Park. (B)
FRUIT BAT POST-TRIP EXTENSION WITH PHIL BERRY
NOV 10 – SHIWA NG’ANDU: Transfer to Mfuwe Airport to join Phil (and his partner Babette) for a scenic flight to Shiwa Ng’andu, where you will be hosted by Charlie and Jo Harvey. (B, L, D, Dr)
NOV 11- 12 – SHIWA NG’ANDU: You will have the run of the house and Sir Stewart’s library. Outdoors you can go game viewing, boating, fishing, bird watching, horse riding, on river walks, historical tours of the estate or to the Kapishya Hot Springs. (B, L, D, Dr)
NOV 13 – KASANKA: Fly to Kasanka, stopping en route at Bangweulu to drive through herds of thousands of Black Lechwe before continuing on to Wasa Lodge. (B, L, D, Dr)
NOV 14-15 – KASANKA: Kasanka hosts a unique wildlife spectacle every year, when millions of Straw-colored Fruit bats assemble to roost in an area of forest there. Join Phil at twilight to watch the bats fill the sky, as they leave their roost site to feed. During the day you will go in search of a variety of Zambian wildlife including sitatunga, Bohm’s bee-eaters & Ross’s Louries. Wasa Lodge. (B, L, D, Dr)
NOV 16 – DEPARTURE: This morning you fly back to Lusaka. (B)
ABOUT THE PARKS, TRIP LEADERS AND ACCOMMODATIONS
Photographer Jonathan Scott: Jonathan Scott is a multi award-winning wildlife photographer based in Kenya, where he lives with his wife, Angie. Jonathan grew up on a farm in Sussex, England, and his first love has always been wildlife. Jonathan has lived in Kenya since 1977, and was based in the Masai Mara for over a decade, where he would follow the great wildebeest migration. In 1987 he was judged the overall winner in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award for his photograph of a wild dog catching a wildebeest. Jonathan has been taking pictures with Canon cameras since the mid-1970s, and he and Angie are now Canon Ambassadors. They write, illustrate, teach and are TV presenters, most famously known for the ‘Big Cat Diary’ and ‘Elephant Diaries’ series for BBC television. They have also written numerous bestselling books including Jonathan’s ‘The Marsh Lions’ (1982). Their latest book, ‘Stars of Big Cat Diary’, was published in 2009. They are the only couple to have won, individually, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award. They met in 1990, married two years later, and have a son and daughter.
Wildlife Expert Phil Berry: Phil Berry is one of Zambia’s most prominent naturalists & guides. Having grown up in remote areas of Southern Africa, he always planned to spend his life involved with wildlife. In 1960 he joined the Northern Rhodesia Game Department and spent many years based in the South Luangwa. In 1973 he left the Game Department to establish the Zambia National Tourist Board’s walking safari camps in Luangwa, but was later seconded to run the anti-poaching field operations for Save the Rhino Trust. Since 2000, Phil, along with his partner, Babette Alfieri, has run the long established Kuyenda Bushcamp (which Phil founded in 1991) from where he leads walking safaris. For the last 40 years Phil has been at the forefront of shaping various aspects of conservation in Luangwa. His specialties are the endemic Thornicroft’s giraffe, found only in Luangwa, & leopard. He has been documenting the behavior of both species for the past 35 years on which he is a recognized authority and has published scientific papers and an article in BBC Wildlife Magazine on the giraffe.
South Luangwa National Park: The South Luangwa is well known for its elephant population and is where Jonathan’s wife, Angie, took the stunning photograph of an elephant family drinking in the Luangwa River that won her the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award in 2002. The South Luangwa is celebrated as being Zambia’s big cat country and one of the best parks in Africa for leopard. Although November can be hot, it is an exciting period for wildlife activity, with wild dog and lion sightings being good in previous years, as well as stunning carmine bee-eater colonies and mixed bird species fishing parties. When the first rains come the park takes on a fresh green appearance, the air becomes clear and the light is perfect for photography. Hippos, buffalo, antelope, crocodile & countless species of birds are plentiful in this area, as are the big cats. In November elephants tend to congregate near the Luangwa River, while Wonky Tusk & family often pay a visit to the Mfuwe Lodge reception, this is also the time of year when impala drop their young. During the week you will be able to go on both game drives & walking safaris, setting off at first light or in the late afternoon when the wildlife is most active and the light is best for photography.
Mfuwe Lodge: The newly refurbished Mfuwe Lodge (due for completion May 2010) is nestled among huge ebony & fig trees, on a beautiful lagoon in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park. This unique lodge boasts 18 stylish, en-suite, thatched chalets, each with a private deck. The airy lounge area opens onto the deck & swimming pool - the perfect spot to relax between game drives & enjoy watching some of the park’s wildlife come down to drink or wallow in the mud. The lodge is also famous for the annual visit by a family of elephants who walk through the reception area each year.
Chongwe House: Chongwe River House is a spectacularly unique property , standing prominently on the banks of the Chongwe River, close to the Zambezi, with a view of the dramatic mountainous escarpment beyond. It was chosen for its intimate size so that a maximum of 6 guests, plus Jonathan, can enjoy a private safari. Many animals come to the Chongwe River to drink and from the deck the game viewing can be as good as any safari activity.
Shiwa N’gandu House: Shiwa N’gandu (The Africa House) was built by Stewart Gore-Browne to be an "Africa Utopia" in the wilderness, the design based on an English country estate. Today his grandson Charlie Harvey and wife Jo have opened it to the public and will be on hand to host you.
Wasa Lodge, Kasanka: Wasa Lodge lies on the edge of Lake Wasa, with fine views of hippo and sometimes even sitatunga, it is ideally suited for visiting the hide at Fibwe and the bats. All the buildings are thatched and traditional in style.
Photo Courtesy Mfuwe Lodge.
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Duration
8 days extensions
2010 Departures
Nov 3-10, 2010
Pre-trip Oct 31-Nov 3
Post-trip Nov 10-16
Accommodations
Safari lodges
Fitness Rating
Easy
Activities
Game drives, night drives,
Professionally-led photography
Land-only price*
Core Trip $6,995
Pre-trip $3,895
Post-trip $5,995
* All pricing per person based on double occupancy. Changes to itinerary and pricing may apply. Price includes all meals, accommodations, some drinks, guides, transfers, vehicles, park fees, activities as indicated, flying doctors insurance, and a $25 donation to a worthy African charity. Price excludes international flights, visas, tips, inoculations, travel insurance, and anything not specified above. We accept Visa, Master Card & AMEX. We offer a 2% discount for payments by cash/check. No refunds—see terms & conditions for details.
Travel Green: We offset 50% of carbon emissions on all safaris! |
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