ZIMBABWE & Zambia 2025-01: A Green Season Photography Adventure

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BIRDS & WILDLIFE

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SCHEDULED TOURS

2025 :: January 5 - January 16

TRIP LEADERS

TOUR COST

From: $11,550 (See details)
Cost is per person, double occupancy from Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (VFA)

GROUP SIZE

6-8 Participants

AVAILABILITY

2025 – 5 spaces available

 

PRIVATE TOUR OPTION

This tour is available as a private trip for any size group. The tour cost will vary with the number of people and any custom requests.

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Highlights of ZIMBABWE & Zambia 2025-01: A Green Season Photography Adventure

 

 

 

  • Enjoy photographing cheetah, lions, hippos, several species of antelope, giraffes, baboons, zebras, vervet monkeys, and possibly wild dogs.
  • Going in the wet season means our chances for enjoying babies of various species of wildlife is much higher.
  • The wet season offers many more bird species to photograph as wintering and breeding birds are present.
  • If we get some warm days, we will search for the elephants of Hwange NP.
  • We will explore the mighty Zambezi River for nile crocodiles, hippos, and many bird species.
  • We will hike along Victoria Falls on two separate occasions once from the road bridge spanning the gorge and once along the falls proper.
  • An optional helicopter ride over the falls will provide a once in lifetime experience and photographic opportunity

Description of ZIMBABWE & Zambia 2025-01: A Green Season Photography Adventure

Photographic Experience:

Immerse yourself in wonderful African photography safari experiences of Zimbabwe and Zambia, among the continent’s most wild and amazing areas. This exclusive safari highlights contrasting eco-systems and animals, from the open, arid Kalahari grasslands to lush riverine habitats on the Zambezi. We will be traveling during the wet season and this offers beautiful green backgrounds, flowers, and outstanding skies for a wide variety of images.

In Zimbabwe, we’ll focus our time in Hwange, the country’s largest National Park, where the eastern edge of the Kalahari sands mix with teak forests to host a great diversity of desert-adapted and woodland species. Hwange National Park is home to some of southern Africa’s outstanding wildlife such as cheetahs, wild dogs, elephants, sable antelope, baboons, lions, and so much more. Even better, going during the wet season means there will be very few vehicles competing for photographic opportunities. In 2023, the most vehicles we had near us at any one time was one.

The private Linkwasha concession, in the south-eastern corner of Hwange, is one of Africa’s last true wilderness areas, offering Zimbabwe’s best summer game viewing. We’ll base ourselves at Davison’s Camp, surrounded by ecologically-diverse habitats, including vast open palm-fringed plains, grasslands, acacia woodlands and teak forests. Large numbers of animals move through the landscape year round – elephant, buffalo, sable, roan, giraffe, wildebeest, impala and even gemsbok. Predators follow them closely: lion, wild dog and cheetah, along with African wildcat, serval and spotted hyaena (heard but difficult to see).

We finish our exciting trip in Zambia along the Zambezi River where a river boat cruises in a power boat spotlights nile crocodiles, hippos, African skimmers and the elusive African finfoot. We’ll enjoy stunning vistas and a variety of birds at the world-famous Victoria Falls. A game drive within Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park provides exciting opportunity to track white rhino on foot.

Warm hospitality, exceptional guiding, delicious food, and outstanding accommodations create an unforgettable safari experience. High-quality private camps situated in remote locations ensure unsurpassed wildlife viewing amidst the wild African landscape. Our exciting safari stimulates myriad images that memorialize the breath-taking beauty and inspiration of southern Africa. We’ll all enjoy plenty of time to observe, learn about, and photograph amazing wildlife on this wonderful safari. We will have occasional times to discuss post-processing while at camp.

This safari will focus purely on photography with outings set to accommodate great lighting, subjects, and maximize opportunities. We will spend down time in camp relaxing and learning post-processing. Come join Lee Hoy  for an African photography experience you won’t forget

In addition to great wildlife photography, this trip will provide occasion for some outstanding landscape photography.

Culinary Experience:

The food is outstanding at both lodges/camps and you will find a more than suitable fare for any taste. With three outstanding meals a day and plenty of tea and biscuits as well as the traditional sundowners, you will have more outstanding food than you can get down an elephant! We will most likely have at least two (2) lunches in the field while in Hwange National Park.

Length of Tour

12-days/11-nights

Brief Itinerary

Day 1 : AM arrival at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

Day 2 : Fly to Hwange NP
Day 3-8 : Hwange NP
Day 9 : Fly to Victoria Falls; Transfer to Livingstone, Zambia
Day 10-11 : Victoria Falls; Most-oa-Tunya NP
Day 12 : Depart from Livingstone, Zambia

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

We’ll arrive late morning at Victoria Falls Airport and transfer to our lodge. Afternoon will be spend photographing Victoria Falls.

Day 2: Fly to Davison’s Camp (7 nights)

Transfer mid-morning by light aircraft from Victoria Falls to Davison’s Camp in the southern-eastern corner of Hwange National Park. Here, our Zimbabwe safari begins off the beaten track in a open-sided 4WD game vehicles.

Day 3-8: Davison’s Camp, Hwange National Park

Hwange, Zimbabwe’s largest National Park, is home to some of southern Africa’s last great elephant, buffalo and sable herds. We’ll spend 6 full days exploring the south-eastern corner of Hwange, in the private Linkwasha concession. Here, the eastern edge of the Kalahari sands merge with grasslands and teak forests to host a great variety of desert-adapted and woodland species.

We’ll base ourselves at Davison’s, an intimate and secluded tented camp providing unsurpassed game-viewing experiences. Large numbers of animals move through the landscape year-round – elephant, buffalo, sable, roan, giraffe, wildebeest, impala and even gemsbok. Predators follow them closely – lion, leopard, wild dog and cheetah, along with African wildcat, serval and spotted hyaena.

Our safari game drives are diverse and interesting, highlighting something new each day, whether it is cheetah stalking stealthily through the grasses, prides of lions lounging in the shade, a journey of giraffes wandering through Ngamo Plains, or wild dogs on a hunt. Rewarding wildlife encounters are never far away in Hwange. A log-pile hide (blind) situated next to the camp watering hole where waterfowl gather!

Avian activity abounds in Hwange, with such highlights as ostrich, kori bustard, secretary bird, swallow-tailed bee-eaters, Burchell’s sandgrouse,  lilac-breasted roller, magpie shrike, and many more. Hornbills are well represented with grey, southern red-billed, southern yellow-billed and the large southern ground-hornbill.

Raptors include African fish eagle, African hawk-eagle, lesser spotted eagle, martial eagle, bateleur, and black-chested snake-eagle. White-headed, African white-backed and lappet-faced vultures constantly search for carcasses. Owls are always a treat to find, from the diminutive pearl-spotted and African barred owlet, to giant Verreaux’s eagle-owls.

Walking amongst the African landscape is a special treat, and we’ll have opportunity to explore on foot, escorted by an armed, certified safari guide who will share their knowledge and insights about many aspects of plants and wildlife. We’ll examine large termite mounds, a fascinating part of the ecosystem, watch determined dung beetles do their work, and look for signs of animal tracks.

Our days generally begin with early morning breakfast, followed by a game drive. We’ll return for a mid-day meal and opportunity to journal, or relax until the afternoon game drive. Happy hour sundowners may be enjoyed on the ride back, arriving in time for delicious dinners served by wonderfully friendly staff.

We’ll experience the nocturnal side of Hwange’s wildlife during night game drives, with chances to see owls, nightjars, lesser bushbaby, genets, yellow mongoose, scrub hare, springhare and even honey badger.

Day 9 : Fly from Davison’s Camp to Victoria Falls; transfer to Toka Leya, Zambia (3 nights)

We’ll transfer mid-morning from Davison’s Camp by light aircraft to Victoria Falls Airport. From there, it’s a short drive to the Zambian border, where we’ll clear customs and immigration before continuing to Toka Leya, a beautiful camp situated on the banks of the Zambezi River.

We’ll enjoy a wonderful sunset river cruise on the Zambezi River, looking out for Half-collared Kingfisher, African Finfoot, African Skimmer, Rock Pratincole, Water Thick-knees, White-crowned Lapwing, and elephants swimming across the river!

We’ll observe enormous Nile crocodiles basking on the banks and pods of hippos wallowing in the shallows.

We’ll settle in for three full days/nights in the luxurious Toka Leya camp, exploring the area with several activities planned.

Day 10-11: Victoria Falls; Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park

Victoria Falls – one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World – is known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, “the Smoke that Thunders.” This fitting name reflects the plumes of spray that are visible for some distance, caused by the cascading waters of the Zambezi River. This area showcases spectacular scenic beauty, from thundering falls to picturesque flowing waters lined by lush vegetation. Wildlife shows abundantly while boating on the river, or enjoying game drives in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park upstream from the falls.

The Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park encompasses mopane and Zambian teak woodlands, and thick riverine forest of palm trees along the banks of the Zambezi River. The park is home to many birds including Black-collared Barbet, Southern Black Tit, Collared Palm Thrush, Arrow-marked Babbler, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Broad-billed Roller, Black Cuckoo-Shrike and Jacobin Cuckoo. Mammals include elephant, southern giraffe, greater kudu, common zebra, buffalo, sable antelope, and impala.

There will be an optional (price not included) helicopter ride over Victoria Falls and into the gorge.

This is the only location in Zambia to see rare white rhino; decades of poaching had eliminated 12,000 of them by 1993. Four white rhinos were introduced to the park in 2008, and their number has increased under close guard by armed rangers. We’ll take an exciting guided walk through the open bush to look for these rare, beautiful creatures.

Day 12: Depart from Livingstone, Zambia

The final hours of our African safari we reflect on amazing wildlife, stunning landscapes, and experiences of a lifetime in Zimbabwe and Zambia. At mid-morning, we say good-bye to our wonderful hosts and guides, and transfer to Livingstone Airport for international departures returning to the US.

Please note that this itinerary is a guideline, and while we hope to do everything on safari, activities are subject to change, due to circumstances beyond our control.

Cost

Cost is $11,550 per person, based upon double occupancy, from Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (Airport code VFA.
This trip ends in Livingstone, Zambia (Airport code LVI).

There may be tourist/travel visas or fees that will require cash that change from time to time.

Minimum Number

If fewer than the minimum number of participants are registered the trip can still run with a small-group supplement fee per person determined by the number of participants.

 

Single Supplement

If a single hotel room is preferred, or we are unable to find a suitable roommate for you, a single supplement fee of $0 will be assessed.

NOTE: For boat-based tours, see pricing options for single cabins. Single cabin cost includes the single hotel cost above.

 

Minimum Number

If fewer than the minimum number of required participants are registered, we may still be able to run the trip by adding a small-group supplement fee, per person, determined by the number of participants registered.

 

Deposit Requirements

A $2,000 deposit per person is required to hold each space on this tour. Deposit may be made online by clicking the "Book Your Trip Now" button and using any credit card. If you prefer, you may call us at 888-875-9453 to pay by phone. You may also mail us a check, however, remember that all space is held on a first come-first served basis as deposits are received.

How to Book

In order to hold your space, click the "Book Your Trip Now" button above and complete the deposit process, including payment of the deposit through our Paypal portal using ANY CREDIT CARD. Upon completion of deposit, please visit our secure, online CLIENT INFORMATION FORM to complete your registration.

Final Payment

For all land-based tours: full payment by check is due 120 days prior to the departure date.

For all boat-based adventure cruises of 7-days or longer: full payment by check is required 180 days prior to departure.

NOTE: If you prefer to use credit card for final payment, a 3% fee may be added to cover the credit card merchant fees we incur.

Our first night will be in the town of Victoria Nights at one of the excellent hotels.

This trip will stay 7 nights at a remote camp in Hwange National Park in a private concession area where only the vehicles with this concession may travel. The safari tents offer semi-private toilets and showers . The accommodations are very nice but very remote.

We will also stay 3 nights along the banks of the Zambezi River upstream from Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the worlds. The safari tents are very well furnished with private toilet and shower and an outdoor tub.

Both locations offer amazing wildlife encounters close to our accommodations.

Activity Level Rating: (Note: 1 is easy and 5 is difficult)

While most of our photography is done from a vehicle and or a boat, the days can be long, it might rain as well. The long rides in the safari vehicle and our time on the boat can be physically challenging. Must be able to climb up into the safari vehicles and the boat.

  • At least two (2) camera bodies
  • Wide Angle Lens for landscape and environmental wildlife images
  • Super Telephoto Lens of 500mm or longer
  • Medium Telephoto Lens of 50 to 100mm for larger and close wildlife
  • Polarizing Filter for wide angle lens

Purchasing Flights

Do not purchase your flights until the trip has been confirmed to go.

Detailed Trip Information

Upon notification that final payment is due (120 days prior to departure for land based tours / 180 days for boat based tours), you will receive a trip package of detailed information for your tour.

Any additional information about the trip, including lodgings, contacts, participants, meeting locations, etc., will sent about 2 weeks prior to the trip departure, or after final payment is received for late registrants.

Travel Insurance

As with all tours, we recommend purchasing Travel Insurance to help cover your investment, for covered reasons. Please see our section on Travel Insurance.

Passport & Visa

US Citizens may require a visa to enter certain foreign countries. See above for any required visa information.

Participants arriving to the USA from a foreign country may need to get a travel visa to enter the United States. Be sure to check the requirements for your country of origin.

Itinerary Changes

The trip itinerary is developed many months ahead of time. Occasionally, despite our best planning, changes may occur during the trip, or we may be forced to alter our plans. Changes may occur because of weather, road conditions, safety concerns or other circumstances. In these situations, it is the leader(s) responsibility to carefully consider and implement appropriate alternatives. Any additional costs incurred because of changes will be the responsibility of each individual participant. Refunds will not be issued as a result of itinerary changes.

Location Map