THE ART OF TAKING
13 July 2025THE ART OF TAKING
13 July 2025ADVENTURE STORIES
TRIP REPORT: LOWER ZAMBEZI PHOTO SAFARI 2025
There is just something so instantly grounding about arriving in the Lower Zambezi National Park. It’s not just the wild tranquility of the Zambezi River or the towering escarpment that watches over it. If you've ever visited, you'll know it’s the sense that you’ve truly stepped into the heart of wild Africa. Here, time slows. The air feels thicker, scented with dust and adrenaline leading to the promise of something extraordinary just around the bend.
This beautiful park is hands down one of my favourite African destinations. Regardless of the time of day or what you're sitting watching, this special place just seems to heighten all your senses in every passing moment. Endless beauty is what awaits in the depths of these beautiful forests.
"Enchanted"
Was the word used by one of the guests I was hosting shortly after arriving. And I couldn’t agree more.
There’s an undeniable enchantment that settles over you in the Lower Zambezi, one that’s hard to describe until you’ve felt it for yourself. Whether it’s the golden light filtering through winterthorn trees, the stillness of a lioness locking eyes with you, or the gentle lap of the river against your boat, everything here feels a little more alive, a little more profound.
It’s a place where stillness becomes a story, where every sound and movement draws you deeper into the wild. And as a photographer and guide, witnessing guests experience that wonder, often in complete silence, lens forgotten for a moment, is one of the greatest privileges of all.
That all said... Our safari in the Lower Zambezi started with a bang. Arriving in a destination, you always think you yourself what the first high profile sighting will be. Well... Non of us guested wild dog on the hunt. Especially knowing that the main pack had settled and denned very far west. All the guides in the central and eastern parks of the park were struggling to show their guests dogs, an hour after we landed we found a breakaway pack of 5 from the east.
From that point onward, we knew that were in for a treat.
Every mornings began under the blanket of darkness in near silence, just the gentle ripple of the river, the occasional splash of a hippo, predators calling in the distance and the low murmur of birdsongs as the sun rises. Meeting and sitting around the camp fire, fresh coffee, lite bites including fire made toast.
Best thing ever!
This morning calm was a gentle contrast to the action that would follow each day. Elephants crossing channels or moving through hazy forests in golden light, leopards on the prowl, in a stunning tree or relaxing on a termite mound as dusk set in, Wild Dogs hunting in the early mornings and to the simplicity of African fish eagles soaring overhead with their iconic cry.
Over the years I've come to learn that one of the great strengths of this safari is the variety of photographic opportunities it offers. From the many, crazy action packed sightings, to the incredibly diverse scenes to the activities available. The canoeing is defiantly one of my favourites.
It doest only offers an entirely different angle, both literally and creatively, but it gently forces you to be still and present.
We spent many hours gliding silently along channels, cameras poised as carmine bee-eaters danced over the water, crocodiles lay basking in wait, and herds of elephants gathered to drink and play along the riverbanks. These watery scenes are some of the most dynamic and rewarding photographic challenges as light bounces unpredictably, wildlife moves with spontaneity, and the landscape shifts constantly around you.
No safari is ever truly predictable, and that’s what makes it so thrilling. That said, one things that you can control is to make the best of every moment presented to you. What that means in the Lower Zambezi is to look further than just your immediate surrounds. It's the kind of place where wildlife comes to you so as photographers, with thoughtful positioning, and just a bit of luck, we can really elevate our story telling here into something truly special. I got all my guests to think of shooting wider, but to approach it in the best way possible to ensure maximum detail in these eerie depths. This was to shoot as many panoramas with larger glass as possible.
Honestly, this destinations screams Pano stitch! Panos stitch! Panos stitch and we will be here all day if I had to share all the many amazing moments we got to enjoy over our 10 days. That said, I will showcase a few special moments below.
While the photographic opportunities were, as always, exceptional. To all of us this safari was also about reconnection, with nature, with self, and with the moment.
Before, between and after game drives, we connected with the incredible staff that now feel like family at Classic Zambia's Kutali & Chula Camp's. We laughed, shared heartfelt stories, sat under star-filled skies, sipped sundowners overlooking the river, and we also shared stories with fellow travellers in the camps who were just as captivated by this place as we were.
Zambia has a way of getting under your skin. It doesn’t shout for your attention, it whispers, waits, and rewards those who take the time to slow down and truly see. The Lower Zambezi Photo Safari is a masterclass in that kind of still, patient exploration.
As we packed up for the journey home, memory cards full and hearts fuller still, I was struck by a quiet thought;
The magic of the Lower Zambezi isn’t just what you see, it’s how it makes you feel.
It’s about presence, about truly being in the moment and in a world that moves far too fast, experiences like this are more valuable than ever. I genuinely hope you get to feel this place for yourself one day. It has a way of shifting your perspective in the most unexpected and beautiful ways. And yes, I’ll say it, it leaves you feeling nothing short of enchanted.
Until next time,
My passion for the bush and everything that comes with it started as far back as I can remember. Thanks to my parents who introduced me to wilderness areas at a very young age, I managed to live my dream by obtaining a background in conservation and being a lodge-based ranger for the past four years, working in world-renowned places such as the Timbavati and Sabi Sands Private Game Reserves.
EXPERIENCE THE LOWER ZAMBEZI
Explore the winter thorn forest on foot, vehicle, boat or canoes in search of incredible photographic opportunities with leopards, lion, elephants and so much more.