Themed Safaris
Mostly we arrange safaris on request, however we also create special themed safaris led by biologists who can help connect your experiences in the African wilderness with your life back home, or providing deeper, more meaningful insight into the fascinating natural world around us.
Big Cats of Zambia
Luxury Safari
June 17 - 29, 2027
Fantastic new opportunity to join conservation leader Beth Pratt and big cat biologist Jeff Sikich on an incredible Big Cats Safari to Zambia.
Itinerary Overview
Jeff and Beth will take you on spectacular safari adventure, journeying deep into the wilds of Zambia where you will visit three exceptional game reserves. The safari is focused on providing an immersive experience for the group to connect
in the wilderness with little distractions other than the call of African lions or the whooping of hyenas while sitting around a campfire at night. Absorb the beauty and exciting wilderness, while delving into the ecology and biology of big cats and other wildlife, their behavior and the complexities associated with human coexistence. One of the privileges of visiting these vast protected areas is that animals are relaxed around game-drive vehicles. This allows one the wonderful opportunity to observe even the most elusive cats at close quarters. June is winter and the dry season in Zambia, a great time for game sightings while animals are more concentrated around permanent water. The safari camps are intimate and luxurious, with excellent service and knowledgeable local guides.
Latitude 15, 1 night: Our first night is in the capital of Zambia, Lusaka, at the hotel Latitude 15. This provides an opportunity to settle in and have a pleasant dinner discussing the trip ahead at this lovely boutique hotel.
Lion Camp, 4 nights: Take a 1 hour flight to Mfuwe, gateway to South Luangwa National Park. The road transfer to camp takes about 2.5 hours, after the first half hour it is essentially a game drive! This extensive game reserve (3490 sq mi) has one of the most intense concentrations of game in Africa. Local endemics include Thornicroft’s giraffe, Cookson’s wildebeest and Crawshay’s zebra. There is a high concentration of leopards here and game viewing, including lions, wild dogs and hyenas in this area is awesome! Lion Camp is a wonderful place to begin your journey. The luxurious suites are situated overlooking the oxbow lagoon and Lion Plains.
Dulini Anabezi, 4 nights: Next, take a 1.5 hour flight to the Lower Zambezi National Park, a special wilderness area covering over 1,500 square miles and hugging the mighty Zambezi River. The luxurious Anabezi Camp is nestled in the shade of winterthorn trees on the banks of the Zambezi River. Leopards, elephants, buffalo and lions are a highlight here, as well as recent years of incredible wild dog sightings. Here you will have extraordinary opportunities to view wildlife using several mediums – game drives, walking and motor boats. Night drives in this area are particularly productive, with common sightings of porcupine, civet and genet.
Shumba Wilderness, 3 nights: Take a 1.75 hour private charter flight to the Busanga Plains, located in Kafue National Park, a ~10,000 sq.mile protected area that is an exceptional location for wildlife viewing. Wilderness’ Shumba Camp, with its raised rooms, is situated on the edge of an ‘island’ of trees, overlooking the vast Busanga floodplains. Game drives present incredible opportunities to see some uncommon antelope species - rare roan and sable, as well the shy oribi antelope and Lichtenstein’s hartebeest. This area is particularly well known for its lions that hunt freely in the open plains, surprisingly visible yet successful with the abundance of game. Busanga is also home to one of the last populations of cheetahs in Zambia, so there is a chance of catching a glimpse of these special creatures. On your last day fly back 1.5 hours to Lusaka for your journey home or an add on to Victora Falls.
Supporting Conservation
This special safari for curious wildlife lovers is handcrafted by True Wild in support of The Wildlife Crossing Fund’s #SaveLACougars campaign, and also supports wildlife conservation efforts in Africa. Where possible, you will be introduced to local conservation work being done in the areas you visit.
Logistics
Group Size
6 to 10 guests
Cost
$23,700/person/sharing
$27,500/single in own room
Price includes all your accommodation, food, drinks, laundry, safari activities, group leaders and road & flight transfers between camps. Price excludes international travel (to and from Lusaka, Zambia), insurance and gratuities.
