Wild South LuangwaJoin us in South Luangwa's Valley of the Leopard, for a very thoughtful photographic safari. South Luangwa has an incredibly varied and rich density of wildlife. With large areas inaccessible during the wet season, the national park retains a wild and adventurous feel. By travelling to this area towards the peak of the dry season, much of the water has receded back into the Luangwa river basin, where large herds of animals congregate at the more limited water source. This not only makes access easier for vehicles but, photographically, also offers excellent possibilities with predators such as leopard, lion and wild dog looking for a meal. We will explore a range of habitats looking for beautiful photographic opportunities, from the ethereal ebony woodlands across to the grassy plains, whilst always keeping in close proximity to the river which has a sense of grandeur as it flows through the park.
Our safari accommodates only 6 guests with a maximum of 3 per vehicle, allowing for an entire row of seats for each photographer.
Because we are a small group, with two guides and two vehicles, you will benefit from having assistance on each and every one of your 14 game drives. This offers an unparalleled opportunity for learning and hands-on tuition.
We understand light and location is everything. This is why we have picked our base very carefully for this photo safari. Our stunning camp is situated in the heart of the density of wildlife, inside the park. This means we can be on the look out for our subjects quickly and in the best light of the day.
Whether you are a seasoned photographer or a complete beginner this safari caters for all skill levels. Regardless of your experience we aim to get you taking better photos and understanding more about your camera, before your safari comes to an end.
We have a generous 30kg weight limit for our internal flights, meaning you have all your luggage and kit with you at every step of the journey.
We will be making as much use of our time at camp as possible, as we believe the learning experience doesn’t just stop at pressing the shutter release on a game drive. Once back in camp, alongside some much needed relaxation, we will be available for individual and group sessions, covering a variety of areas.
This photo safari is fully booked for 2025. Please see further below for waiting list options and how to be notified of 2026 dates.
Richard Peters is an ambassador for both Nikon and Datacolor with a style that is well known for capturing dramatic light, alongside having a friendly and down to earth manner. His work has been internationally acclaimed, including as a category winner in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year, and is one of the only British photographers to be named European Wildlife Photographer of the year. Richard has been a judge for many competitions, including the European Wildlife Photographer of the Year and the British Wildlife Photography Awards plus, been a keynote speaker to many industry events, from close to home in the UK to as far afield as Australia.
Tom Way has spent vast amounts of time in the African bush, building a stunning and well recognised portfolio of fine-art photography . He has exhibited his work many times and sold large format prints to private and corporate clients all over the world. Tom has also been awarded in the European Wildlife Photographer of the Year amongst other international competitions and, as a confident speaker too, has given hundreds of talks about his work right across the UK. Tom’s approachable manner, knowledge, photographic style and dedication to getting the shot, are what sets him apart from other photographers.
We have teamed up with several leading companies to offer our guests some great additional benefits. This includes Lenses for Hire, the UK's best known and most reliable lens rental company. We are pleased to offer UK residents a substantial discount on any lenses hired specifically for your Valley of the Leopard safari with us. Whether you are a seasoned traveller or this is your first experience, we are always happy to offer recommendations on lens choice.
Day 1: We are met on arrival at Lusaka Airport before taking a short transfer by car to the Ciela Hotel, for an overnight stay, to rest after our international flights.
Day 2: After breakfast we are collected as a group and driven back to Lusaka Airport for our flight to South Luangwa National Park. We are met at Mfuwe Airstrip by our guides and have a 2-3 hour drive to Lion Camp, arriving for lunch. There will be time to settle in before we give a short presentation on initial camera set-ups, shooting techniques and generally what to expect from the coming days. We then head out late afternoon on a game drive to explore the area for the first time, before returning for dinner and drinks by the open camp fire.
Day 3: We will leave camp each morning before sunrise. In this way we can ensure we are in position to use the very best light before the African sun becomes too strong. We will stop for refreshments, before looking out for more photo opportunities as we slowly head back to camp and a hearty breakfast. At this point you will have time to rest, eat lunch and also download/ review your photographs before the afternoon drive. We will be on hand during this time to help with image reviews and additional tuition and advice. Once the light begins to soften we will embark on our afternoon game drive, once again returning after dark for dinner and drinks.
Day 4-8: Each day we will repeat the same pattern as Day 3.
Day 9: On our last day we will have a morning game drive before breakfast at camp, transfer back to Mfuwe, and catch our flight directly back to Lusaka International Airport.
Day 10: Arrive home.
Deposit
$2985
2025
September 10th - 19th FULL
2026
See below
Due to the popularity of this photographic safari we are currently offering a waiting list, should we get any openings. If you would like to join the list or request the safari's full brochure, please use the form.
We will have 2026 dates available as soon as we can get them, and will offer those out to newsletter subscribers before public release. Typically, subscribers book all spaces before they go live on the website. So if you would like to be among the first to receive notification for 2026, please sign up to the free newsletter.
For your peace of mind, all bookings are taken through Safari Consultants Ltd. This ensures payments are fully ATOL / ABTOT protected.
PARTNERS
