Zambia’s Wild Heart – South Luangwa

After 18 months of uncertainty, it was magical to find myself once more in one of Africa’s wildest corners. As the dry season comes to an end, the waters levels of the Luangwa are at their lowest. It is now that the wildlife numbers along the river are at their greatest. The predators hope to capitalise on this abundance and enjoy a bounty before the rains arrive. On top of that, the migrant birds are making the most of the magnificent fruiting trees and pollenating insects.

I led two back-to-back photo safaris, each with their own highlights, both of which provided some remarkable photography opportunities. The magic of Luangwa is you never know what you may encounter, whether it be an elegant leopard leading you to a cub, or a large pride of lions searching for their next meal.

The southern carmine bee-eater colonies provide a splash of colour to the surrounding earthy tones and their chatter fills the air above the waterways. Wild dogs too are now thriving in the park, thanks to some incredible conservation efforts, and my groups were blessed with numerous encounters with these charismatic canids.

As the light starts to fade, there is more to marvel at. With the ability to conduct night drives, a whole other cast of mammals and birds make themselves known. Once again leopards are on the prowl, but Pel’s fishing owl, genet and civet all added further delights.

For both of the groups, there was some incredible drama as hyenas and lions battled over buffalo kills and regular stand offs between the African wild dogs and herds of elephant. In fact, when you are as blessed as we were, it is sometimes best to simply put the camera down and marvel at what is happening before you.

Join myself and a host of other expert photographers to discover the remarkable wildlife of South Luangwa National Park for yourself. 

Contact our wildlife experts for more information or to book onto our South Luangwa Photo Safari.