Classic Zambia

From the vast seasonal floodplains of Busanga Plains to the wildlife-rich waterways of the Lower Zambezi, this journey showcases two of Zambia’s most exceptional wilderness areas. Busanga is renowned for its strong predator viewing, with lion, cheetah, wild dog and leopard, alongside thousands of red lechwe and the rare opportunity to see shy roan and sable in the open. Further south, the mighty Zambezi River creates a completely different safari experience, with elephant, hippo, buffalo and crocodile gathering along its banks, while lion, leopard and wild dog can be encountered on game drives and walking safaris. Canoeing and boating offer another way to explore this remarkable landscape, bringing guests closer to the river and its wildlife. With low vehicle numbers, remote camps and a wonderful mix of land and water-based experiences, Busanga and the Lower Zambezi together offer a truly diverse and unforgettable Zambian safari.

Kafue National Park and the Lower Zambezi together showcase two of Zambia's most distinct wilderness systems. Kafue's Busanga Plains bring vast open floodplain and exceptional predator density in the north, while the Lower Zambezi offers a river-based safari along the base of a dramatic escarpment. Between them, the two parks offer wildlife encounters that are as varied as they are uncrowded.

50+

Known lion individuals using the main Busanga game-viewing area

12+

Plains game species, including antelope, elephant, and buffalo

490+

Species of birds recorded across Busanga's floodplains

Ntemwa-Busanga Camp sits on the southern edge of Kafue’s Busanga Plains, where open grassland, tree-line, and seasonal floodplain meet. Roan and sable antelope graze calmly in the open, while lion, cheetah, wild dog, and leopard move through the same varied terrain. Kutali Camp on the Lower Zambezi offers a completely different character, set beneath Winterthorn Forest along the river, ideally suited to canoeing, boating, and walking safaris.

Leopard Country

The Lower Zambezi has always supported healthy predator populations, but its reputation has sharpened in recent years particularly around leopard. Sightings are now consistently strong, and in some areas almost routine for experienced guides. It’s led to some light-hearted talk within guiding circles of the area as a “new valley of the leopard” a title that still rightly belongs to South Luangwa, but the comparison speaks to how far the Lower Zambezi’s leopard population has come.

Mammal Species

Guests can expect to see a wide range of species across Busanga and the Lower Zambezi, including Red Lechwe, Roan Antelope, Sable Antelope, Puku, Zebra, Blue Wildebeest, Lion, Cheetah, African Wild Dog, Leopard, Serval, Honey Badger, Hippopotamus, Elephant, and Buffalo, along with over a dozen further antelope species across the two ecosystems.

Home of Lions

Busanga is widely regarded as one of Africa’s best predator ecosystems. The lion population alone is extraordinary, with over 50 known individuals regularly using the main game-viewing areas. Cheetah hunt across the plains to the south, while wild dog and leopard also move through the area. Resident to the area is the Ntemwa Pride, along with occasional visits from the Moshi and Lufupa prides pushing north  and the famous “Ntemwa Boys,” a coalition of three large black-maned males who currently dominate much of the southern Busanga region.

Day 1
Welcome to Lusaka
  • Transfer departs from Lusaka Airport
  • Transfer arrives at Latitude 15 Hotel
  • Check In at Latitude 15 Degrees
  • Room Type: Heritage Room x 7
  • Basis of Stay: Breakfast Included
Day 2
Welcome to Kafue National Park
  • Check Out from Latitude 15 Degrees
  • Transfer departs from Latitude 15 Hotel
  • Transfer arrives at Lusaka Airport
  • Flight departs from Lusaka Airport
  • Flight arrives at Busanga Plains Airstrip
  • Transfer departs from Busanga Plains Airstrip
  • Transfer arrives at Ntemwa-Busanga Camp
  • Airstrip-to-camp transfer: approx. 45 minutes (game-drive transfer).
  • Check In at Ntemwa-Busanga Camp
  • Room Type: Thatched Chalet x 7
  • Basis of Stay: Fully Inclusive
Day 3 - Day 5
Busanga Plains
  • Morning & Evening Game Drives in the Busanga Plains , North Kafue National Park
Day 6
Welcome to Lower Zambezi National Park
  • Check Out from Ntemwa-Busanga Camp
  • Transfer departs from Ntemwa-Busanga Camp
  • Transfer arrives at Busanga Plains Airstrip
  • Airstrip-to-camp transfer: approx. 45 minutes (game-drive transfer).
  • Flight departs from Busanga Plains Airstrip
  • Flight arrives at Lusaka Airport
  • Flight departs from Lusaka Airport
  • Flight arrives at Jeki Airstrip
  • Transfer arrives at Chula Island Camp
  • Airstrip-to-camp transfer: approx. 20–40 minutes by road plus a short canoe/boat crossing to the island.
  • Check In at Chula Island Camp
  • Room Type: Tent x 7
    Basis of Stay: Fully Inclusive
Day 7 - Day 9
North Kafue National Park

Morning & Evening Drive in Lower Zambezi

Day 10
End of Itinerary
  • Check Out from Chula Island Camp
  • Transfer departs from Chula Island Camp
  • Transfer arrives at Jeki Airstrip
  • Airstrip-to-camp transfer: approx. 20–40 minutes by road plus a short canoe/boat crossing to the island.
  • Flight departs from Jeki Airstrip
  • Flight arrives at Lusaka Airport
Inclusions
Exclusions
Payment Terms

A photo odyssey with Julie Chandelier

Emotion is at the heart of Julie’s images: “I’ve always captured what I see, and if my photos move others, then I’ve achieved my goal. My passion for photography is fuelled by my love for the outdoors, wildlife, and people.”

Whether in the polar regions, atop mountains, or beneath the ocean’s surface, Julie has dedicated recent years to raising awareness through her imagery. Her passion drives her to collaborate on meaningful projects with individuals and organisations committed to improving the environment and community well-being. She feels a profound responsibility to inspire conservation efforts through her work, engaging viewers to take action.

Julie’s love for the natural world, especially marine life, began at a young age and only deepened when she picked up a camera a decade ago. She spends countless hours offshore—on boats, but most often in her sea kayak—in search of whales and dolphins, using her voice to advocate for the oceans.

She’s been fortunate to work on expeditions in some of the most remote corners of the planet, where extreme conditions make capturing images both challenging and unforgettable—from documenting whale research in the Subantarctic Islands to guiding in the high Arctic and Antarctica, her current job. In 2024, Julie also began leading photography safaris in Africa, adding another chapter to her passion for teaching photography.


Julie Chandelier

Trip Leader

Tour Price

$ 12,000 USD

Per Person

$ 2,000 USD – Single Supplement applicable.

To join this safari with a group of like-minded travellers, secure your place on the departure date below.

Tour 1
11 July 2028 - 20 July 2028
( 8 SPACES AVAILABLE)

Bespoke

Let us curate an unforgettable trip of your lifetime where every aspect of your journey from itinerary to accommodations, is meticulously crafted with unique experiences.

Privately Guided

Indulge in an intimate and personalised exploration with our best in the park, seasoned guides who will lead you with interesting insights, undivided attention and tailored experience to your interest and pace.

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Zambia

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