South Luangwa Wildlife Art Safari Zambia wildlife holiday | Africa group tour

This one-week safari in Zambia's South Luangwa is hosted by renowned sculptor Nick Mackman, and will allow you to develop your artistic skills and inspire a new appreciation of African wildlife.

Combining early morning and late afternoon game drives (when light conditions and wildlife activity are at their absolute best) with practical demonstrations and tuition in field sketching and sculpture, Nick aims to help participants translate what they see in the field into photos and sketches, then finally into finished pieces of sculptural art.

November is a particularly exciting period to be in South Luangwa. By then, the first rains have arrived, the park takes on a fresh flush of green and the feeling of renewal predominates.

Typical Itinerary

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK on an overnight flight from London to Lusaka via Dubai.
Day 2: Arrive Lusaka & fly to South Luangwa National Park

After arriving at Lusaka, we take a short onward domestic flight to Mfuwe, where it is just under an hour's drive to South Luangwa National Park. Depending on our arrival time, there may be an opportunity for a short game drive immediately. In the evening there will be an introductory presentation by Nick Mackman and an outline of the exciting days that lie ahead.

Accommodation: Mfuwe Lodge, 7-nights
Days 3-8 : Art & sculpture workshops in South Luangwa

We have six full days to explore this spectacular wildlife area. Wildlife viewing efforts will concentrate on early mornings and late afternoon/early evening when the natural light is often sublime and wildlife sightings are at their best. Afternoon drives often continue for an hour or so after dark, when the likelihood of seeing active leopards increases, and there is also a chance of seeing nocturnal animals such as porcupines, civets, genets and even very occasionally an aardvark. Between game drives and in the evenings, Nick Mackman will use the time to run the sculpture tutorials and workshops. You will be encouraged to participate in these as much as possible.

During our stay in the South Luangwa, we will visit some of the local artists in Mfuwe to get a better understanding of the art being created in this part of Zambia. We will get to visit Tribal Textiles and enjoy a tour of their workshop before we head over to Mulberry Mongoose Jewellery where they use local materials, such as snare wire, in their unique and intricate work. Lastly, we make time to visit the craft shop at Project Luangwa and the aim of these visits is not just to see the fantastic local art, but also to find some more inspiration.
Day 9: Fly back to Lusaka & depart

There may be time for one final morning drive prior to transferring back to Mfuwe for the short domestic flight to Lusaka. On arrival at Lusaka International Airport we are free until it is time to check in for the overnight international flight to Dubai, with an onward connection to London.
Day 10: Arrive UK

Key info

Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 10 days from £5,895 pp
Duration and price excluding international flights: 8 days from £5,245 pp
Single supplement: From £860
Group size: 10
Departures:
1. 16 Nov 2019
Included in the price/package:
- Return flights between Lusaka & Mfuwe
- 7 nights Mfuwe Lodge
- All meals at the lodge
- Transfers
- Park fees & permits
- Services of expert Zambian driver guides
- Wildlife art workshops, lectures & guidance supported by Nick Mackman
Activities available:
- Nature drive
- Walking

Expert leader

Nick Mackman

Nick is an award-winning ceramic sculptor, who gains inspiration from the full breadth of the animal kingdom. The majority of her pieces are based on observations of animals in the field.

She aims to get under the skin of the animal, giving each sculpture its own personality. Many of her subjects are highly endangered and, in depicting them, she seeks to enlighten the viewer to their beauty, humour and tenderness.

Her work is widely exhibited in international collections, and in 2010 she won the Wildlife Artist of the Year Open Category. In 2012 was again a category winner and overall runner-up. Each year she makes the trophies for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition. In 2015 she won the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation 2015 Artist of the Year award with her fantastic collection of ceramic warthogs.

Featured location:

Comprising some 9,050 square kilometres of unspoilt African wilderness, South Luangwa is undoubtedly the jewel of Zambia’s national parks and a magnet to outstanding wildlife, particularly leopard. Its eastern boundary is the meandering Luangwa River whose regular changes in course leave scenic oxbow lagoons.

Where: Eastern Province
Ideal for viewing: leopard, Cookson’s wildebeest, Thornicroft’s giraffe, Crawshay’s zebra, African elephant
Excellent for: Walking safaris, Wildlife photography, Wildlife Art Safaris, Vehicle safaris, Walking with wildlife

Featured accommodation:

This award-winning lodge lies inside South Luangwa National Park, a few minutes’ drive from the main gate. Thatched chalets are set around two lagoons, and after a game drive you can relax on the open deck or take a dip in the swimming pool while an endless stream of wildlife keeps you enthralled.

South Luangwa Wildlife Art Safari

Typical Itinerary

Day 1: Depart UK

Day 2: Arrive Lusaka & fly to South Luangwa National Park

Days 3-8 : Art & sculpture workshops in South Luangwa

Day 9: Fly back to Lusaka & depart

Day 10: Arrive UK

Key info

Expert leader

Nick Mackman

South Luangwa National Park

Mfuwe Lodge

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