LOWER ZAMBEZI PRIME

PHOTO SAFARI

LOWER ZAMBEZI PRIME

PHOTO SAFARI WITH EDWARD SELFE

The Lower Zambezi National Park is a large and varied park lying along the banks of the Zambezi River. The park is a mosaic of habitats: large, mature forests, dominated by winterthorn trees; thickets of combretum scrub, ephemeral waterways that are filled and refilled by the rising and falling of the Zambezi River; palm groves thick with elephants; and open grassland plains flanked by the dramatic Zambezi escarpment. It is breathtakingly beautiful.

Chula and Kutali Camps are right in the core of the finest area of the park. This area is known for daily (almost minute-by-minute) sightings of elephants, growing lion prides, fantastic buffalo & leopard encounters and an increasingly famous wild dog pack which has increased in size to the extent that they are targeting big game such as buffalo! Both camps also give us the chance to engage in water-based activities such as canoeing and boating, the former on a special deep river known as the Discovery Channel!

This safari spends 8 nights in this area, split 3 and 5 between Chula and Kutali Camps. At the former camp we will focus on the habitats on the mainland across from Chula Island, with excellent elephants, leopard and plentiful waterbirds. The wild dog pack has also denned in this area (behind Jeki Plains) regularly which may give us more reliable sightings, though this is hard to predict of course

At Kutali, we will be in the thick of leopard habitat, and there are regular and reliable sightings on the doorstep of the camp. In fact, there is a multitude of wildlife within the camp, enjoying the falling fruits from the trees. It is an extremely scenic location, with a natural cathedral of trees on all sides and fronted by the river.

I have spent many months of time in Lower Zambezi since I started guiding in that park in 2019. All my guests have left enthralled by the place and by the sightings on offer. Please have a look through the images in the gallery lower down this page: all were take in 10 days of safaris in the areas around these 2 camps! I hope that you will want to join me on this trip in the near future.

The safari begins when we meet you at Lusaka International Airport and transport you to Latitude 15 hotel where you will spend your first night. Edward will meet you there and together you will transfer you to your first camp the following day. Safaris begin with the afternoon game drive. After our final morning on safari, we will co-ordinate your departure to meet with the remainder of your itinerary and any onward connections.

Both Chula and Kutali Camps are in undeveloped parts of the park which, while not totally private, ensures a very high-quality safari experience. While we will encounter other vehicles and safari groups, this will not impact the quality of our trip and the spacious nature of the camp means that this will feel like an extremely exclusive experience.

1 night at Latitude 15 in Lusaka at the start of the trip. Internal flights Lusaka – Jeki (Lower Zambezi) – Lusaka. Full board accommodation, standard drinks, all transport in the National Parks and guided game viewing activities, pro-photographer guiding fees and informal photo processing sessions, National Park entrance fees, laundry, all airport transfers and onward transfers to your next camp.

International flights, premium drinks, visas, travel and medical insurance, (optional) tips, excess baggage charges, personal calls, gratuities, personal purchases, or any activities not specified in the itinerary.

TOUR DETAILS

  • Where: Chula Camp & Kutali Camp

  • Nights: 9
    Latitude 15 (1), Chula Camp (3), & Kutali Camp (5)

  • Group Size: 4
    Guests will be offered to confirm at higher rate if fewer than 4 is reached.

DATES & RATES

  • 20 – 28 Jul 2025 — 1 Space
    US $10,850 pp
    US $800 Single Supplement

  • Jul – Oct 2027 — Enquire
    from US $10,850 pp tbc
    US $800 Single Supplement

SAFARI

HIGHLIGHTS

Extraordinary Leopard Sightings

The open habitat and phenomenal scenery makes sightings of all wildlife special in this area; but perhaps none more so than leopard. The chance to watch these beautiful cats moving amongst the massive trees, and climbing in their huge boughs delivers some of the best leopard photo opportunities anywhere.

Spectacular Elephants

On a recent trip, I counted 104 elephants on route from the airstrip to the camp on the first afternoon. There are always elephants to be seen in the forests, crossing the channels and dragging down large branches throughout the area. Many of the herds are extremely relaxed allowing us to shoot from the ground to capture the most impressive images.

Water Based Activities

Boat-based safaris in Lower Zambezi are a very special (and exhilarating) way to experience safari. It also makes for fantastic photos: imagine drifting towards a herd of elephants that drink from the cool water, unaware of your approach.

Varied and Dramatic Scenery

There are a number of diverse habitats in the Lower Zambezi NP, depending on how far you travel from the river. The grasslands above the floodplain are backed by the Zambezi Escarpment and offer beautiful photo opportunities in the late afternoon as the sun sets.

PREVIOUS TRIP REPORTS

FROM THIS AREA

Bespoke Two Valleys | Jul/Aug 2023

In late July, I began a 2 week safari out of Tena Tena, Lion Camp and Anabezi Camp in Zambia. It turned out to be a predator bonanza, which is just what we were hoping for.

Bespoke Two Valleys | Aug & Sep 2023

It’s a huge honour to welcome back guests on repeat visits. It indicates that they enjoy the way that I run my safaris and, more importantly, that they have loved Zambia’s wildlife and wilderness. So when Don & Kathy and Kathy & Gordon arrived in Lusaka, it was for their 5th and 4th safaris with me respectively!

SAFARI GALLERY

IMAGES FROM THIS TRIP

EXCLUSIVE

ACCOMMODATION

Chula Camp

Chula Camp is located on Discovery Island which is full of surprises, hidden lagoons and open dambos. The game is unbelievable and sightings on just this island have included leopard, lion, hyena, buffalo herds and lots of elephant. There is actually no need to venture further than this island paradise. The camps is sited among Natal Mahogany trees on a sandy beach which makes for the perfect contrast to Kutali camp.

Our stay at Chula Island Camp was spectacular. The camp is tucked in under the mahogany trees which creates an incredibly peaceful and relaxing environment. Sitting out in front of our tent or on the chairs and bean bags by the water front we felt completed relaxed and content, there was almost always elephants grazing on the grasslands between the camp and the main river and hundreds of different birds all dipping into the water not more than a couple of meters from our feet.

Tracey M, UK

Kutali Camp

Kutali Camp is on Kulefu Island which means a “far away place”. Kutali is a classic Zambezi Camp, sited under winter-thorn forest which is the very best habitat for wildlife photography of lion, elephant and many other species. Kulefu Island offers excellent canoeing and walking possibilities and is just a river crossing away from mainland for game drives.

This tented camp could not be located closer to the magic. A few feet off the wild Zambezi River. Waking up to the African sunrise over the water and watching hippos wallowing in the morning light only a stone through away is not a bad start to every morning. The weather was incredible. The wildlife sightings were plentiful and the staff at camp are great.

Cam, RSA

JOIN ME ON

THIS SAFARI

If you are considering joining this safari, send me an enquiry to start planning your trip and discuss anything you would like to know.