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A group of people walking along the river during a South Luangwa photo safari, surrounded by lush greenery in Zambia.

Zambia Photo Safaris

From misty floodplains to predator-packed valleys, Zambia is the photographer’s wilderness - unfiltered, uncrowded, and unforgettable.

Remote Wildness, Big Predators & Creative Freedom in Africa’s Hidden Jewel

Zambia offers a safari experience that’s as wild as it is rewarding, and one that few photographers truly tap into. From the predator-rich floodplains of South Luangwa to the canoe-cut channels of the Lower Zambezi and the untouched expanse of Kafue, Zambia gives you breathing space, golden light, and creative opportunities that are hard to match.

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This is the birthplace of the walking safari, the home of night drives, and one of the few countries where you can combine close wildlife encounters with world-class guiding, without the crowds.

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With carefully chosen camps, photo-aware guides, and exclusive hides, Zambia is where your camera comes alive.

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The best times to visit Zambia are between May to the end of September.

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Capital City - Lusaka

International Airport/s - Kenneth Kaunda & Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport. (LUN & LVI)

Economic Stability - Stable

Crime - Low

Currency - Zambian Kwacha & US Dollar

Health Care - Private Hospitals are well equipped

Malaria - Yes (all areas our safaris visit)

Vaccinations - Recommended (consult your medical professional) 

Medivac Available - Yes​

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Zambia’s Best Regions for Wildlife Photography

Below you’ll find the most iconic and photogenically diverse parks in Zambia, including recommended travel times, photographic highlights, and partner camps we trust.

Our Safari Partners

Trusted Safari Partners Committed to Photography, Conservation & Authenticity

We proudly partner with camps that offer photographer-first guiding, flexible schedules, and deep knowledge of their landscapes. Many of our partners also prioritise conservation, community involvement, and access to exclusive areas or hides.

African Bush Camps Logo
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South Luangwa National Park - 
Predators, Floodplains & Footsteps

Eastern Zambia | ~9,000 km²

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South Luangwa is often regarded as Zambia’s most iconic national park, and one of the finest wildlife destinations in all of Africa. It is home to over 60 mammal species and 400 bird species, including strong populations of leopard, lion, wild dog, and large herds of elephant and buffalo. The park’s Luangwa River is a lifeline for both animals and photography, offering dramatic sightings and low-angle opportunities from riverbanks and dry channels.

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As the birthplace of the walking safari, South Luangwa is perfect for immersive, slow-travel photo safaris with expert guides.

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Photographic Highlights:

Leopard and lion in golden and blue hour

Dry riverbeds for open, unobstructed compositions

Carmine bee-eater nesting colonies (Sept–Oct)

Night drives for owls, genets, and nocturnal predators

Low-angle shooting from vehicle and ground-level hides

Elephant herds dust bathing in backlight

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Recommended Camps:

Time + Tide Kakuli & Mchenja - Known for their walking and photo-focused experiences

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Best time to visit:

July–October - for predator activity, dry riverbeds, and carmine bee-eater season

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A lion cub displaying a big brown face, photographed during a safari in Mana Pools in a photography hide.

Photographic Safari Experiences in Zambia

Botswana offers a variety of safari experiences, allowing visitors to tailor their adventure:

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  • Canoe Safaris - Ideal for quiet, close-range compositions in Lower Zambezi.

  • Walking Safaris: Shoot from ground level, especially in South Luangwa & Lower Zambezi.

  • Game Drives - Morning and afternoon golden light sessions. Private concessions + open vehicles for full creative control

  • Bird Photography - 400+ species, including carmines, owls, cranes, and raptors.

  • Ground-Level Hides – unbeatable angles, especially productive in Luangwa and Busanga for elephants and predators.

  • Night Drives – One of the few countries allowing guided night photography.

  • Seasonal Migrations - Wildebeest in Liuwa; elephants across Zambezi systems.

Lower Zambezi National Park -
Canoes, Big Game & Zambezi Silhouettes

Southeast Zambia, along the Zambezi River | ~4,000 km²

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Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Zambezi Escarpment, Lower Zambezi National Park offers a unique blend of floodplains, river channels, and forested terrain, ideal for both land and water-based safaris. It’s one of the few parks where photographers can shoot wildlife from canoes, boats, and vehicles, giving unmatched access to elephants, hippos, and predators along the river’s edge.

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The park borders Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools, creating a vast transboundary ecosystem rich in biodiversity and photographic drama.

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Photographic Highlights:

Canoe safaris with close, quiet access

Elephants feeding in water at eye level

Baboons silhouetted against escarpment cliffs

Leopards stalking through winterthorn forests

River reflection shots with golden or misty light

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Recommended Camps:

Time + Tide Chongwe River Camp – Canoe-based safaris and riverside game drives

African Bush Camps Lolebezi Lodge – Premier luxury on the riverbank

Chiawa Camp – Classic photographic focus and long-term guides

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Best time to visit:

July–October - for clear skies, predator sightings, and layered golden light

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A cheetah strides through the grass, captured during a Hwange Photo Safari in Zimbabwe. Image by Nick Wigmore / Zimbofoto

Wildlife & Natural Beaty in Zambia

Zambia is teeming with life, and its lack of crowds lets you take the time to photograph it well. From riverside woodlands to dry savannahs and rocky outcrops. With fewer crowds and diverse habitats, it’s a photographer’s dream for both big game encounters and rare wildlife moments.

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  • Elephants & Buffalo - Seen in large herds near rivers all across Zambia's National Parks.

  • Big Cats: Exceptional leopard and lion viewing in South Luangwa.

  • Carmine Bee-Eaters – Nesting colonies in Luangwa riverbanks.

  • Unique Antelope – Roan, sable, oribi, puku, and hartebeest.

  • Painted Wolves (Wild Dogs) - Strong populations in Lower Zambezi and Kafue.

  • Nocturnal Species – Genets, civets, porcupines, owls, and more.

Kafue National Park - Wide Open Spaces & Rarity

Western Zambia | ~22,400 km² (Zambia’s largest national park)

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Kafue is one of Africa’s oldest and largest national parks, yet it remains one of its least visited, making it a haven for photographers who prefer solitude and untamed wilderness. Its diverse ecosystems range from dense woodland to the open Busanga Plains, home to cheetahs, lions, and the elusive roan and sable antelope. The Kafue River and its surrounding floodplains offer reflective landscapes and rare predator sightings with almost no other vehicles in view.

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Photographic safaris in Kafue reward patience with raw beauty and once-in-a-lifetime sightings - especially during the dry season.

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Photographic Highlights:

Big cats and wild dogs on Busanga Plains

Rosy sunrises with antelope in silhouette

Rare raptors and open-sky bird photography

Water-based reflections during seasonal flooding

Elevated shooting platforms and hides in dry season

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Recommended Camps:

Time + Tide King Lewanika

Green Safaris - Ila Safari Lodge

Mukambi Plains Camp (Busanga Plains access)

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Best time to visit:

July–October for dry season wildlife and predator activity

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The pool at Hwange Somelisa Camp includes lounge chairs and umbrellas, overlooking tranquil waters during a photo safari.

Tips for Photography in Zambia

To make the most of your photo safari in Botswana, follow these expert tips:

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  • Camera Gear: Go wide and long - 24–70mm for scenery + 200–600mm for wildlife

  • Best Times for Photography: July–October is peak for visibility, predator activity, and golden light

  • Patience and Preparedness: The best photos happen when you slow down and stay longer at the scene. Ask about vehicle configurations - many camps offer beanbags and flat beds

  • Handy tips: Keep dust covers handy and charge gear nightly - solar power is common

Liuwa Plain National Park -
For the Story-Driven Photographer

Far Western Zambia | ~3,660 km²

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Remote, seasonal, and visually dramatic, Liuwa Plain is one of Africa’s best-kept photographic secrets. Known for its second-largest wildebeest migration, the park also shelters large hyena clans, endangered wild dogs, and some of the most atmospheric skies anywhere in the safari world. Seasonal flooding, vast grasslands, and low visitor numbers make Liuwa a place where photographers can experiment with composition, scale, and storytelling.

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Liuwa is a destination for the story-driven photographer, particularly during the green season months of November and December.

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Photographic Highlights:

Wildebeest migration (Nov–Dec)

Stormy skies and soft light

Rare species: wild dog, oribi, crowned crane

Wide-angle, low-density storytelling

Cheetahs running across open plains

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Recommended Camps:

Time + Tide King Lewanika – Only permanent camp in Liuwa, ultra-remote luxury

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Best time to visit:

November–December for the migration and green season light.

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Ready to Photograph Zambia’s Wildest Corners?

Zambia rewards patience, creativity, and a slower rhythm. If you’re ready to walk where others drive, shoot where few have stood, and explore photographic storytelling beyond the big five. 

 

We’ll help you build a safari that fits your vision, your pace, and your purpose.

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