Zambia Safari Photo Workshop
- 9 Days
From $9,995 - Interests
- Birds, Wildlife
- Activity Level
- Easy
- Group Size
- 6
An exclusive photo safari in Zambia—exotic wildlife and no crowds
South Luangwa is one of those rare places where the wildlife outnumbers the vehicles. We’ll spend seven nights in one camp, working the Luangwa River and nearby plains for the moments photographers dream about—elephants on the shoreline, hippos piled up like river rocks, and predators like leopards, lions, and African wild dogs doing what they do best. With high predator density and classic African backdrops—winding river bends, oxbow lagoons, and open woodland—this safari is designed for photographers who seek behavior, action, clear light, and wildlife encounters without the truck traffic.
Highlights
- Pro mentorship in the field: You’ll photograph alongside an experienced photo pro—with real-time coaching on settings, autofocus, composition, and reading behavior as it unfolds.
- Eight days/seven nights, one camp: Stay put, learn the rhythm of the place, and build a stronger portfolio instead of changing lodges.
- Predator-rich South Luangwa: Lions, leopards, and African wild dogs in a valley known for genuine behavior and action—perfect for photographers who want more than “animal in the grass.”
- Focus on photography: Transfers, timing, daily flow, and camp coordination are all handled so that you can focus on your photos.
- Uncrowded, photographer-first safari: Fewer vehicles, more breathing room at sightings, and the time to work angles and clean backgrounds without feeling rushed.
What You'll Learn
- Mastering difficult light – Learn how to handle harsh sun, deep shadows, and backlight in real safari conditions.
- Reading behavior – Learn to recognize the signs that lead to action so you are ready before the moment happens.
- Creating cleaner compositions – We will help you simplify busy scenes and create wildlife images with stronger framing and better backgrounds.
- Using light and landscape – Learn how to use Zambia’s beautiful light and landscape to create images with more mood and story.
- Improving your workflow – Get practical editing guidance to help you bring out the best in your raw files.
Your Guides
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Kevin Lisota
Jul 9–17, 2028 -
Kevin Pepper
Jul 2–10, 2028
Activity Level
You must be able to get in and out of the safari vehicle unaided with your camera gear.
This tour has an activity level of Easy. Read more about the Activity Levels for our trips.
Itinerary
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This tour offers opportunities to photograph wildlife. We'll maximize our chances of encountering wildlife, but we want to remind you that we don't control wildlife and cannot guarantee encounters with particular species. Itineraries for wildlife trips are subject to change based on wildlife activity.
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Day 1: Arrive in Lusaka
Arrive at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) before 4:00 PM on this day. Air travel delays are possible, so please consider arriving early, possibly the day prior. We don't want you to miss out on trip activities. Airport transfer is included on arrival.
Arrive in Lusaka and overnight at our airport hotel so we’re rested and ready to photograph the next day.
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Day 2: Fly to Mfuwe, transfer to camp
After an early breakfast, we’ll transfer back to Lusaka Airport for our charter flight to Mfuwe (about one hour). On arrival, we’ll be met and transferred to our lodge— your home base for the week and your front-row seat to South Luangwa.
We will have our first safari experience on our way to the lodge today.
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Day 3–8: Photography-focused game drives
We start before sunrise because predators are most active then. Early drives focus on big cats and other predators while temperatures are cooler and activity is high. The area around our lodge consistently draws lions, leopards, and—if we’re lucky—African wild dogs.
As the day heats up, we’ll work the Luangwa River, where hippos are everywhere, and photographic opportunities stack up fast: interactions, portraits, river crossings, birds, and the kind of layered scenes that tell a story.
Afternoons are for following up on the best leads from the morning and exploring new areas for fresh behavior, better light, and different backgrounds because great wildlife photos aren’t just about the animal, they’re about the whole frame.
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Day 9: Final game drive, return to Lusaka
We’ll head out early for one last morning safari, then transfer to Mfuwe Airport mid-morning for the charter flight back to Lusaka, where the safari ends.
Departure from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN). Book your departing flight no earlier than 5:00 PM on this day. Airport transfer is included on departure.
Accommodations
Each tented suite is reached by a wooden walkway from the main lodge and sits on a raised deck with a private veranda overlooking the Luangwa River—often with wildlife passing right through the scene. The suites are spacious and thoughtfully laid out to feel private and quietly immersive, giving you that close-to-the-bush experience while still delivering the comfort and peace of mind you want at the end of a full shooting day.
Why Travel With Us
Our small-group trips are designed for photographers, with guides who know the best locations and offer instruction to help improve your photography. Read more about why you should travel with us.
Testimonials
We wanted to share Africa with our family and friends, and we knew Kevin Pepper and Akari Photo Tours would be ideal for our group. Kevin's travel and photo expertise made it a very smooth trip and included everything we had asked for and more. We did it all: Arusha Cultural Center, Shanga, Ngorongo Lookout, Olduvai Gorge, a Maasai village, luxury lodges, luxury tented camp, game drives in Ndutu, a sunrise balloon flight, bush flights, tiger fishing on the Rufiji River, and the one and only brewpub in Dar es Salaam... fantastic experiences everybody will remember the rest of their lives. Well done Akari!
Dates & Prices
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Jul 2–10, 2028$9,995 USD Per PersonDouble Occupancy$2,995 USDSingle SupplementGuides: Kevin PepperGroup Size: 6Payment Terms: Deposit: $2,500 USDBalance Due: Mar 4, 2028
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Jul 9–17, 2028$9,995 USD Per PersonDouble Occupancy$2,995 USDSingle SupplementRegister2 Spots LeftGuides: Kevin LisotaGroup Size: 6Payment Terms: Deposit: $2,500 USDBalance Due: Mar 11, 2028
All of our standard Terms & Conditions apply. Be sure to read our Cancellation Policy.
What's Included
- Double occupancy lodging. Single lodging is available with payment of a single supplement fee.
- All transportation during the tour, including internal flights.
- Airport transfers at arrival/departure and during the tour.
- All meals, soft drinks, water, and snacks during the tour.
- English-speaking local guides.
- All beverages - excluding premium brands
- All permits and entry fees.
- Instruction, guidance, and image reviews from our expert photography guides.
- Personal pre-trip phone consultation.
What's Not Included
- Airfare to and from destination, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees.
- Passport and visa fees, if applicable.
- Travel medical & evacuation insurance (required).
- Trip cancellation insurance (optional but recommended).
- Gratuities for local guides & crew.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Any accommodations or meals before or after the tour dates.
- Items of a personal nature.
Prepare for Your Trip
Please review our photography travel resources, including know your camera and our camera gear list, to help you plan your trip. Before your trip, we’ll contact you with more detailed gear recommendations specific to your trip.
Also, get a head start on your workshop learning experience with our wildlife photography tutorials.