10 Days
Zambia
5 Pax
Easy-Medium
Easy
Classic Safari Photo Tour
Experience Zambia's incredible wildlife
This classic safari photo tour is designed to provide you an incredible safari experience without the masses of crowds found across much of the continent. We will take you to two unique parks in Zambia, both with unique landscapes and wildlife. To create the most intimate, and connected experience with the land, we will stay in two beautiful bush camps that often has elephant, lion, and leopard visitors. This safari is perfect for the first time safari goer, as well as a seasoned pro who wants more intimate experiences with wildlife.
FANTASTIC SAFARI TO SEE LIONS AND LEOPARDS
GREAT CHANCE OF SEEING AFRICAN PAINTED DOG
ELEPHANTS OFTEN COME RIGHT INTO OUR BUSH CAMP
MEET THE DIVERSE AND FASCINATING BIRDS OF ZAMBIA
BE ONE OF VERY FEW, OR THE ONLY VEHICLE ON A SIGHTING
LEARN ABOUT THE ANTI-POACHING EFFORTS IN KAFUE NATIONAL PARK
Why we love this classic safari tour
This classic safari photo tour is designed for first time safari goers, or experienced safari goers who want to get away from the crowds. Wether you want to just want to look at the animals, or learn about photography from your professional photographer guides, this tour is a unique African safari experience. We will always have an eye out for predators, but will just as easily stop for a beautiful bird or enjoy a prolonged elephant encounter during this tour.
We have selected two beautiful bush camps in two different parks in Zambia. Kutali Bush Camp along the Lower Zamezi River is situated under the magical canopy of winterthorn acacias. Elephants walk through camp daily to get to the river to drink. Musekese Camp in Kafue National Park overlooks Eden Lagoon, where birds, and antelope congregate daily, always keeping an eye out for lions and leopards.
We have picked the time of year, and camps to create intimate, unique experiences. When we see a predator, we won't be competing with a ton of other cars for a good look, instead having plenty of time to enjoy the experience. Walking safaris and boat rides are also options, allowing you to enjoy the African bush in a truly unique way.
To complete the safari, and to fully understand the whole story in this part of Africa, we will be visiting Musekese Conservation to learn about the threats to the wildlife and how local people are actively working to combat poaching, protecting the wildlife that is their natural heritage.
Classic Safari Photo Tour Testimonials
"I can't say enough about our trip! Every detail was perfect - from the accommodations, to the guides, to the sightings we were fortunate enough to see. Everything was organized wonderfully. I can't wait to go on another adventure with this company."
- Erin Savial
"This was a classic example of a tour that cautiously underpriced, but overdelivered! Sebastian was very reserved being realistic about chances to see elusive predators such as leopards and African painted dogs. We had several different friends that had been to safari in Africa, and had seen a single leopard on their last day. They had not been fortunate enough to encounter painted dogs. Not only were we able to encounter painted dogs, Sebastian and the amazing guide but us in perfect position to encounter the largest recorded pack currently in Africa. On top of this, we lost count of the number of leopard and lion sightings we had. The best part was as the safari progressed I learned as much as I could ever hope to about my camera, allowing me to take amazing pictures of the wildlife. I cannot recommend this tour highly enough. The small number of fellow tour members allowed for lots of individual coaching from both Sebastian and Rachel, the camps were incredible, and the guides were amazing!"
- Ric Berlinski
"Sebastian runs ethical and well organized photo tours. His guides were very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna and the accommodations added to the sense of being in wild Africa."
- Janice Rosner
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African Leopard in Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia -
African Leopard in Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia -
African Leopard female, Kafue National Park, Zambia
Other wildlife you can see on this tour
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African Elephant in Lower Zambezi National Park,... -
Cape Buffalo in Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia -
Souther Carmine Bee-eater in Lower Zambezi National Park,... -
Chacma baboon young playing in Lower Zambezi National... -
White-backed Vultures feeding on carcass in Kafue National... -
Elephants in defensive circle in Lower Zambezi National...
Target wild cats during our classic safari photo tour
LION (Panthera leo)
Africa's largest cat, the lion, is found in healthy numbers in both of our locations, Kafue National Park and Lower Zambezi National Park. In Kafue, lions will often be near camp, at Eden lagoon, during our visit as water is low and game animals have to come to drink at the lagoon. In the Lower Zambezi, the cats often go after bigger prey like Buffalo, in Kafue puku are their main prey.
Difficulty: Easy
LEOPARD (Panthera pardus)
Leopards are elegant and elusive. The African saying goes: "A leopard is only seen when it wants to be seen". Despite this proverb, we have always seen leopards on this tour as especially Kafue is a fantastic area to see these majestic cats. Leopards are famous for dragging their kills into trees to keep them away from lions, but are really generalists in their diet, even eating insects.
Difficulty: Medium
Other possible wild cats during our safari
CHEETAH (Acinonyx jubatus)
Though cheetah are present in Kafue National Park it is an extremely rare cat to see in the park as they stay in the thickets, away from water where the lions are. If you want to see this cat, we recommend you join us on our Big Cats of Africa or Caracal and Serval tour. In Kafue, cheetah will predate puku, impala, and smaller antelope like duiker and reedbuck.
Difficulty: Very Difficult
CARACAL (Caracal caracal)
The caracal is a majestic cat that is extremely elusive, though present in both Kafue and Lower Zambezi National Park. We have never seen them on this tour and would recommend our Serval and Caracal tour if you are particularly keen on seeing this feline. Caracal have distinctive ear tufts they use for communication and camouflage. They predate on rodents and birds.
Difficulty: Extremely Difficult
SERVAL (Leptailurus serval)
The serval is a unique looking small cat. With their long legs, and radial ears they are perfectly adapted at finding and jumping on rodent prey. Our best chance for these cats is in Kafue National Park, stalking prey along Eden Lagoon. We have seen this cat on every classic safari tour we have run, despite their elusiveness. Let's hope our luck continues!
Difficulty: Difficult
The African wild cat, a very close relative of our domestic cats, is found in both Kafue and Lower Zambezi National Park, but is extremely elusive and hard to find. Their nocturnal nature also makes it harder to find them. They prefer to hunt rodents and birds, but are capable of taking down bigger prey. We have never seen this cat during our tour, but will keep out eyes open!
Easy: for the duration of the trip we will have multiple encounters with this wild cat species with good photo opportunities
Medium: we expect to see the wild cat and have at least one, but probably multiple encounters, with good photo opportunities
Difficult: for the duration of the trip, our goal will be to have one encounter with good photographic opportunities Very Difficult: for the duration of the trip we hope to have one encounter with the cat, whether a good photo opportunity or not
Extremely Difficult: it is extremely unlikely to see this cat, so having even a glimpse of this cat is considered successYou are in good hands, we are safari experts
Our classic safari photo tour is unique in that it takes you to two lesser visited areas of the continent, providing you with intimate encounters with predator and prey animals alike. We have traveled though the continent extensively and have decided on Kafue and Lower Zambezi National Park as providing the best sightings with the fewest other tourists around. We can't wait to share these remarkable places and their wildlife with you.
Your two tour leaders, Sebastian Kennerknecht and Rachel Tobias, have traveled to both parks extensively, having spent over 5000 hours in the two protected areas. They know these areas intimately, and also know many of the predators as individuals. This allows them to predict behaviors, ensuring we are in the best position for photographs.
Sebastian and Rachel will both be available for photography instruction throughout the tour. Wether you are a total beginner or just need a little bit of advice about your photography, they are both there to help. This occurs while we are out on gamedrives looking for animals, or back at camp. They are even happy to help you with post processing your wonderful shots while on the classic safari photo tour.
Day 1
Fly into Lusaka airport in central Zambia. You will be picked up by a Cat Expeditions representative there and be driven to your hotel where you can relax. Dinner is at the hotel.
Day 2
With a to-go breakfast in hand, we will be driven to the airport, from where we take a chartered bush-plane flight to Lower Zambezi National Park. Our drive to Kutali Camp will act as our first game drive to enjoy the beautiful wildlife of southern Africa. We will arrive to lunch, after which we will settle into our tents. Our afternoon game drive will take us into the hearth of the park to look for elephants amongst the winterthorn acacia trees and predators looking for their next meal. Dinner will be back at camp.
Day 3-5
We will look for wildlife at sunrise and sunset with breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the camp. The wildlife outings will mostly be game drives, though we will do one boat safari, and those who would like to can do a walking safari. We will most likely see lions, leopards, elephant, zebra, giraffes, lots of antelope species, hippos, and hopefully wild dogs.
Day 6
After morning breakfast, we will do a slow game drive to the airstrip. From there we take our chartered bushflight to Kafue National Park. After a short boat ride, we will arrive at Musekese Camp. After settling in we will enjoy our first game drive in this new park, in the afternoon. Dinner will be back at camp.
Day 7-9
We will look for wildlife at sunrise and sunset with breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the camp. The wildlife outings will mostly be game drives, though we will do one boat safari. Especially here in Kafue, we will be the only vehicle on a sighting. During one of these days we will go and check out Musekese Conservation to learn about their anti-poaching efforts.
Day 10
After an early breakfast, we will do our game drive as part of our way back to Lusaka, which will be our best chance to see sable antelope! You will catch your onward flight from Lusaka.
Itinerary at a glance
9 NIGHTS
10 DAYS
1 Lodge
2 Bush Camps
15 GAME DRIVES
2 BOAT RIDES
3 BUSH FLIGHTS
acacia woodland
miombo woodland
grasslands
2 BIG CATS
Game Drives
boat rides
safari walks
African classic safari itinerary
This classic safari photo tour itinerary was designed to allow you to have intimate experiences with some of the most iconic animals in Africa, including lions, leopards, elephants, and wild dogs. We have chosen two very secluded camps in Lower Zambezi National Park and Kafue National Park to provide you privacy, closeness to nature, while still allowing you for the comforts of a high end safari experience.
We will have plenty of opportunity to find animals from our safari vehicles, as we will do fifteen different game drives. In addition to the two cars we will be utilizing, we will do one boat drive in each of the parks. For the guests interested in experiencing the African bush on foot, walking safaris are available in Lower Zambezi.
Besides providing you the opportunity to see and photograph the wildlife of Zambia, we at Cat Expeditions make your travel experience hassle free. Upon booking, you will be sent a full itinerary that includes what to bring and how to prepare. Once you land in Zambia, you can focus on enjoying yourself as all the travel logistics are not only taken care off, but optimized to give you the most time to enjoy the incredible wildlife that the Lower Zambezi and Kafue have to offer.
Kutali Camp
Located right along the Lower Zambezi River, Kutali Camp provides seclusion on Kulefu Island, while in the shade of a beautiful winterthorn acacia forest. Elephants often walk right through camp to drink along the river.
The tents have large, comfortable beds with ensuite bathrooms. To fully engage in your safari experience you have bucket showers in your ensuite bathrooms. Toilets are flushing. This camp is designed to leave a minimal footprint and gets fully removed during the wet season. A common seating area is also used for our eating area. All open air, to really be immersed in the African bush.
Laundry service is available, but there is no internet at the camp, allowing you to fully immerse yourself.
Musekese Camp
In the eastern part of Kafue National Park, right along Eden Lagoon is beautiful Musekese Camp. With just five guest rooms you are getting a very exclusive experience. Rooms at Musekese Camp are spacious and comfortable with all the necessities. This includes en-suite flushing toilets and on-demand hot water showers.
All their power requirements are drawn from a well configured solar set up. The main area has plenty of surplus power 24/7 to keep all your devices fully charged and drinks ice cold.
Laundry service is available, but there is no internet at the camp, allowing you to fully immerse yourself.
Wild Dog Lodge
Serving as our jumping off lodging, Wild Dog Lodge is a quick fifteen minutes away from Lusaka airport. The rooms are comfortable with mosquito net covered beds. The en-suite bathrooms are large and spacious.
The grounds provide solitude from the rest of the city while small birds visit the trees in the gardens. An onsite restaurant provides us the opportunity to eat comfortably near the pool.
Laundry service and high speed internet is available.
Conservation impact of our classic safari photo tour
Like all Cat Expeditions tours, our classic safari photo tour has conservation impact built into it. The wildlife of both the Lower Zambezi and Kafue National Park are heavily impacted by poaching. In Kafue, an estimated 4000 poachers set 300,000 snares in the park annually. This has significant impact on both the predator and prey animals in the park.
We have partnered with Musekese Conservation, who train, house, and financially pay hard working scouts to patrol fifteen percent of Kafue, to protect the wildlife in the area. They have confiscated hundreds of snares and guns, and have made many poacher arrests. Part of the tour costs helps fund their continued efforts, both from an anti-poaching point, as well as feline research in the area.
Conservation at a glance
Classic Safari Tour Dates
October 13th-22nd, 2024 (SOLD OUT)
October 12th-21st, 2025 (SOLD OUT)
Classic Safari Photo Tour Pricing
Price per person: $11,650
Single room supplement: $1,000
The price includes:
- all transportation starting in Zambia
- lodging
- meals (not including alcohol]- game drives, boat rides, walking safaris
- guide services of Sebastian Kennerknecht
- guide services of Rachel Tobias
- English speaking local guide
- conservation donation to Musekese Conservation
The price does not include:
- flights to Zambia
- tips
- laundry
- insurance