Victoria Falls & Zambia...
...an African Photo Adventure
October 30 – November 10, 2011
This trip is organized, outfitted and guided by a wonderful, award winning travel service, EXPLORE.
To learn more about them, and their African expereince, you can visit their web site by clicking
> HERE <
Our day by day itinerary:
Sunday, October 30
VICTORIA FALLS / THE ELEPHANT CAMP
Following a morning arrival in Johannesburg from your international flight (recommended to take South African Air #204 from New York-JFK), you connect to a mid-morning flight from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls (recommended to take South African Air #40; British Air #6285 is also an option). If desired, the flights can be broken up by arranging an overnight stay in Johannesburg on October 29th (at additional cost).
In the early afternoon, you arrive in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe where you are met and transferred to the wonderful Elephant Camp. The Elephant Camp is situated within a private concession very close to Victoria Falls and has breathtaking views of the Falls' spray, while enjoying the natural beauty of the Masuwe River and Zambezi Gorge. The camp offers accommodation in luxury tents, all of which are gorge facing and have a private viewing deck and plunge pool, private lounge area, air-conditioning and fans, bath, inside and outside shower, mini bar, tea/coffee stations and electricity.
Here you are offered a close interaction with wildlife as you have an opportunity to meet the Wild Horizons orphaned elephants while in camp. In fact, you are encouraged to spend as much time as you like with these magnificent animals during your time at camp. You can go on picnics accompanied by the elephants or just enjoy watching them walking around, feeding or swimming in the waterholes of the Elephant Camp.
Enjoy the afternoon and evening at leisure.
Monday, October 31
VICTORIA FALLS / THE ELEPHANT CAMP
This morning you get to meet the resident elephants and enjoy a thrilling elephant back safari. Your adventure offers a once in a lifetime insight into these gentle giants. The elephant back safari winds its way through the national park, where you are likely to see numerous species of wildlife including kudu, buffalo, and impala. You also have the opportunity for birding with over 50 species to be sighted.
Like many of the working elephants in Southern Africa, this particular herd came about as a result of population reduction exercises carried out in the 1980's by the Zimbabwe National Parks Department. Most of these orphans were sold to zoos and circuses around the world, but these few were fortunate enough to remain on African soil. They avoided translocation and spent the early part of their lives on farms. They soon outgrew the farm lifestyle, and in an effort to improve and secure the elephants' existing way of life a local operator created this amazing safari experience. Releasing them into the wild, although preferable, was not feasible as they were hand raised by humans and this habituation posed a threat to their safety. The mission statement of this operation is to keep these elephants' lifestyles as "natural" as possible while at the same time offering guests the unique opportunity of interacting with and learning from these gentle giants.
Late this afternoon, you take a private sundown cruise on the mighty Zambezi River. The sunset cruise is a wonderful way to see the beauty and observe the hippo pods and elephants crossing the river. Sunset is the perfect time for a cruise, as this is when the Zambezi River is ablaze with color as the sun sets over the palm trees.
Tuesday-Saturday, November 1-5
SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK / KAINGO CAMP
On the morning of November 1, you enjoy a visit to the magnificent Victoria Falls, entering the national park as soon as the gates open in the morning so the sunrise light can be captured. Victoria Falls is where the Zambezi River opens out into an extravaganza of roaring, spray-tumbled water, known to the locals as “Mosi oa Tunya” (the smoke that thunders). Here, beneath the brooding gaze of David Livingstone’s statue, who in 1855 named the Falls for his Queen, the raging river is compressed into a massive surge of green-white water known as the Devil’s Cataract. Few sights are as awe-inspiring as this as the ground rumbles with the forces of the water.
Following the visit to the Falls, you are transferred across the border into Zambia and driven to the Livingstone Airport; a lunch snack is on your own account at one of the many cafes passed en-route. Board your scheduled light-aircraft flight to Mfuwe (changing planes in Lusaka). Upon arrival in Mfuwe you are met and transferred approximately three hours to Kaingo Camp.
The South Luangwa National Park, located in the eastern part of Zambia, covers an area of 3,500 square miles and is renowned for its unspoiled beauty and its varied habitats, which support one of Africa’s richest concentrations of game and birdlife. Over 50 species of large mammal and some 400 species of bird thrive in this last haven of wild Africa. During your stay in the Luangwa Valley you are bound to see the large elephant herds of up to 50 individuals, an abundant number of buffalo, fourteen antelope species and Thornicroft’s giraffe, unique to the valley. This area is also known for its healthy population of leopard and lion. The meandering Luangwa River with its many ox-bow lagoons and shady ebony groves forms the eastern boundary of the park, while the western horizon is dominated by the spectacular Muchinga escarpment, rising almost a kilometer from the valley floor.
Overlooking the Luangwa River, deep within the prime area of the South Luangwa National Park, is the cozy Kaingo Camp, where the relaxed, personal and friendly atmosphere offers fantastic game-viewing opportunities within an area of incredible beauty and varied terrain.
The diverse terrain around Kaingo Camp includes the picturesque Fish Eagle Lagoon, one of the largest ebony forests in the park, and the spectacular Lion Plain (the biggest plain in the valley and a hugely productive grassland that teems with wildlife) bordered by the meandering Luangwa and Mwamba Rivers.
The area is ideal walking country under the watchful escort of an armed scout and guide. Game drives and walks from Kaingo provide exciting photographic opportunities for guests with the action often starting just outside camp. Another great way to see game is in the six photographic hides close to camp, which afford visitors close-ups of hippos, elephants, and other extraordinary mammals. Stork fishing parties, Carmine bee-eater colonies, resident Pels fishing owl and Red-billed Quelea in the thousands are among the birding highlights of the area.
Each comfortable, en-suite chalet has an individual deck built out over the river in front. From this relaxing vantage point one can view game coming down to drink, hippos basking in the sun, aquatic birds, crocodiles fishing, and daily elephant crossings.
Sunday-Wednesday, November 6-9
LOWER ZAMBEZI / KANYEMBA LODGE
On the morning of November 6 you are transferred back to the Mfuwe Airport to board your scheduled light aircraft flight back to Lusaka. In Lusaka, you are met and transferred to Kanyemba Lodge in an air-conditioned vehicle. The transfer follows a scenic drive over the Zambezi escarpment into the great Zambezi basin. The lodge itself is located in the Chiawa Game Management Area, west of the Lower Zambezi National Park, a couple of kilometers down river from the confluence of the two biggest rivers in Zambia, the Kafue and the Zambezi. A boxed lunch is provided.
The next few days are dedicated to appreciating the fabulous landscape and wildlife of the area which is famed for its dense populations of elephant. During your stay you can take canoeing and motorboat safaris which allow you to explore the numerous interesting channels and islands in search of the many photographic opportunities that invariably arise. Fishing for the world-renowned "tiger fish" is available. You also have the option to take game drives in the adjacent Lower Zambezi National Park which is remote and unspoiled with a diverse range of eco-systems, offering stunning scenery and varied wildlife viewing. The park is home to large herds of elephant and buffalo as well as the regular plains game including kudu, zebra, impala, warthog, bushbuck and baboons. Lion and leopard are common and wild dog also reside in the Lower Zambezi National Park, but are not often sighted.
While at Kanyemba you can also take a leisurely cruise upstream to the Mugurameno Cultural Village where you stop to experience the fascinating Goba culture. Here you have the opportunity to view traditional dances, learn about Goba folklore, farming practices and construction methods for the Goba hut.
Set on an idyllic stretch of Zambezi riverfront, Kanyemba Lodge was built in harmony with the established flora of the area. The main lodge and nine luxury, permanent chalets blend natural materials with modern comforts, with lush green lawns and stone walkways surrounding each chalet. The chalets blend in with the surrounding environment, and provide a high level of privacy during your stay. Each chalet has a private verandah overlooking the river, while the complete en-suite bathroom is fitted with state-of-the-art fixtures. Chalets also include walk-in wardrobes with shelving, hanging rails, and room for storage, as well as electrical lights, ceiling fans, and mosquito netting. The open-air restaurant and bar, with views over the river, provide a spectacular setting to enjoy the gourmet food served at the lodge.
Thursday, November 10
LUSAKA/JOHANNESBURG / INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT HOMEWARD
This morning you are transferred in an air-conditioned vehicle back to Lusaka and the airport to board your commercial flight to Johannesburg. Upon arrival in Johannesburg connect to your international flight homeward. |
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2011 / 2012
July 25 – 29, 2011
Anderson Ranch Arts Center
> CLICK HERE FOR DESCRIPTION <
“Compositon and Light in Outdoor Photography”
Sept 30 – Oct 1 & 2, 2011
Telluride Autumn
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“Telluride Autumn—through the lens." In Telluride Colorado
March 14 – March 17, 2012
Composition & Light
in Outdoor Photography
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An intensive course in romantic Santa Fe New Mexico
April 16 – May 1, 2012
Patagonia Photo Safari
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Autumn in the Andes,
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two-part photographic exploration of Chilean Patagonia
Part I, Unknown Patagonia
April 16 – 24, 2012
Part II, The Torres del Paine
April 24 – May 1, 2012
July 21– Aug 4, 2012
Extreme Landscapes
> CLICK HERE FOR DESCRIPTION <
Torres del Paine and the Atacama desert of Chile, a joint workshop with Jack Dykinga
Aug 12 – 22, 2012
Ireland with Bill Ellzey
> CLICK HERE FOR DESCRIPTION <
An in-depth photo exploration of Western Ireland with a native guide. |
Details
Price:
$7,200 per person sharing; $600 single supplement. NOTE – price is based upon a minimum of eight people traveling in the group; if the group is smaller than eight, the price may be adjusted accordingly. Limited single rooms are available.
Price Includes:
All ground and scheduled light-aircraft charter transportation upon landing in Africa; accommodations as mentioned; beverages and activities as outlined below; park fees in South Luangwa National Park; guides and vehicle.
Elephant Camp:
All meals, most beverages, elephant-back safari, private sunset cruise, tour of Victoria Falls
Kaingo Camp:
All meals, most beverages, three game/photography activities per day, laundry
Kanyemba Lodge:
All meals, most beverages, two game/photography activities per day, laundry
Price Excludes:
U.S. domestic and international airfare; all commercial internal Africa air (see breakout below); immunizations; passport fees; visa fees (Zimbabwe visa is $30 per person; Zambian visa is $50 per person); accident/baggage/ medevac & cancellation insurance; individual transfers; excursions deviating from the scheduled tour; excess baggage charges; medical expenses; airport departure fees and taxes; telephone or fax charges; room service; gratuities to guides and staff; and other items of a purely personal nature.
Elephant Camp:
Imported wines & spirits, laundry, some activities
Kaingo Camp:
Imported wines & spirits
Kanyemba Lodge:
Imported wines & spirits, fishing license ($5.00 pp/day); park fees for the Lower Zambezi National Park ($20.00 pp)
Internal Commercial Flights Needed:
Oct 30: Johannesburg to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Nov 10: Lusaka, Zambia to Johannesburg
Our Outfitters
This trip is organized, outfitted and guided by a wonderful, award winning travel service, EXPLORE
To learn more about them, and thier African expereince, you can visit their web site by clicking
> HERE <
Or you can contact them at:
EXPLORE, Inc. PO Box 776369
Steamboat Springs, CO 80477
Phone: 970-871-0065 Fax: 970-871-0081
email: elise@exploreafrica.net
Also, Explore works with a very experienced African team, SHENTON SAFARIS. You can learn more about them by clicking
> HERE <
Be sure to check out their Zambia travel info guide on their web site.
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