KRUGER& ZAMBIA SAFARI 2012 - DATE TBA

KRUGER, SOUTH AFRICA plus SOUTH LUANGWA & LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARKS in ZAMBIA

If you have ever wanted to photograph Africa's wildlife, this tour just might be for you. In conjunction with Ken Duncan, one of Australia's most respected professional photographers, African Encounter has launched a 12 night Kruger & Zambia Safari to Africa in September 2012.

Join Ken Duncan on a unique journey to explore the REAL Africa – Kruger & Zambia. As part of a private group you will visit the renowned Sabi Sand Game Reserve (Kruger) in South Africa plus Zambia's top wildlife reserves in the company of one of Australia's most renowned landscape photographers, Ken Duncan. With un paralleled wildlife viewing and t he opportunity to photograph Africa 's big game including elephant, buffalo, giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah, hippo, zebra (and much more) this promises to be the safari adventure of a lifetime .

Don't miss this wonderful opportunity – contact us today for more details on 1800 100 670.

Brief Itinerary (12 nights) :

• 1 x night The Safari Club, Johannesburg South Africa
• 3 x nights Varty Camp, Londolozi (Kruger)
• 1 x night Hotel Intercontinental, Lusaka
• 4 x nights Lion Camp, South Luangwa National Park
• 3 x nights Chiawa Camp, Lower Zambezi National Park

Tour Highlights:

• The opportunity to explore the wildlife havens of Sabi Sand Game Reserve in South Africa, South Luangwa and the Lower Zambezi National Parks in Zambia.
• Day and night game drives, walking, canoeing and boating activities.
• Africa's big game - elephant, buffalo, hippo, lion, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, zebra and much more.
• Luxury safari accommodation in the very best locations.
• Private vehicles and local guides.
• Time spent with Ken Duncan.
• Specialist Africa tour leader - Patrick Brakspear from African Encounter.

Date: 4th to 16th September 2012 ex Johannesburg, South Africa.

PRICE: $13,985 per person sharing

Includes : all accommodation, meals as specified, all activities, drinks (on safari), laundry and Park fees.
Excludes : international airfares from Australia to Lusaka in Zambia, visas, travel insurance, tips/gratuities and items of a personal nature.

Deposit:
A non-refundable deposit of $4,650 per person will be required to secure your place on the tour, with the balance being due 60 days prior to departure. At the time of booking you will also be asked to sign our Booking Terms & Conditions.

Victoria Falls tour extension:

An optional tour extension to see the famous Victoria Falls is also available. This can be done either prior to the main tour or after. Please ask for details.

Single Travelers:

Single travelers are most welcome. However, due to the limited number of rooms at the camps/lodges it will be necessary to encourage single travelers to share where ever possible. Should you not wish to share then a single supplement of $3,375 would apply (if available).

Who is this safari for?
This tour is specifically designed for photographic enthusiasts, with all activities geared towards getting you the best possible photographic opportunities. This will mean that you should be prepared to get up very early each morning to take advantage of the best available light, spend long hours in the safari vehicle, and be prepared to be patient. Whilst we are planning to take great wildlife images you do not need to be a professional photographer – far from it. Nor will you need the very latest in camera lenses and digital equipment – bring what you have and we will help you get the best images possible.

You will have the benefit of both a tour leader and local guides throughout, and of course Ken Duncan himself for photographic advice and insights.

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Luangwa Photographic Safari with Patrick Bentley - 11 to 17 August & 15 to 21 October 2012
(5 days/5 nights ex Lusaka) Minimum 4 maximum 6 people
South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

In August & October 2012, award winning wildlife photographer Patrick Bentley ( www.patrickbentley.com ) will lead an intimate photographic safari in South Luangwa National Park in Zambia.

Often described as 'the real Africa', Zambia has its own special charm and offers an incredible diversity of attractions - including huge protected wilderness areas, vast inland swamps, cascading waterfalls, the source of both the Zaire and Zambezi rivers and numerous large lakes - encompassed in a land area of over 750,000 sq. kms.

A safari in Zambia is still run on 'old' style principles - comfortable but not luxurious - 'real,' not set apart. The camps and lodges are more rustic than in other parts of Africa - and this is part of their charm. They have been done like this on purpose and have not been developed with the 'mass market' in mind. These small, personalized safari outposts are home to some of the most knowledgeable wildlife experts in Africa. Night drives are also a feature within the National Parks (often not available in other countries). This is the land of the legendary African walking safari, one the world's biggest waterfalls, the wild Zambezi river, breath-taking lakes and wetlands, a profusion of birds, abundant wildlife, and raw, pulsating wilderness .......all in one friendly country!

Safari Description

Patrick began guiding in the South Luangwa in 1994 and has extensive experience of the area and its wildlife as well as in-depth knowledge of the African bush and animal behavior. He photographs the area regularly and knows its inhabitants and their haunts well.

The Luangwa valley ranks as one of Africa 's premier wildlife experiences. The lazy Luangwa River, the beautiful oxbow lakes and the high concentration of game make this a special place indeed. With a leopard density said to be double that of South Africa 's Kruger National Park and wall-to-wall hippos, you can be assured of great game-viewing.

Safari Focus

The focus of this photographic safari will be on intensive photography in the field. We will leave the lodge before sunrise each day (around 5am) to catch the best light and return for a delicious brunch in the late morning. The heat of he afternoon can be spent relaxing in the shade of the lodge or simply downloading photographs, charging batteries and cleaning equipment ready for the afternoon drive. There will be plenty opportunity to review images and discuss photographic techniques.

We will leave the lodge again at mid-afternoon and stay out until 8pm to photograph nocturnal activity. When we return to the lodge we will be welcomed with drinks at the bar, a 4-course meal, coffee around the fire and, inevitably, much photographic conversation! The drives will be in an open-top Land Cruiser with plenty of space for equipment and moving around. "Prime seats" will be rotated on a regular basis.

Safari Highlights

• •  Experience and photograph some of the most intense concentrations of wildlife in Africa around the Luangwa River and its oxbow lagoons.

• •  Be guided by a professional wildlife photographer and accredited safari guide in areas of the South Luangwa that he photographs regularly, where he knows its inhabitants and is involved in their conservation.

• •  Stay at a lodge with wildlife and photographic opportunities just outside your chalet door.

• •  Spend quality photographic time with wildlife - leaving the lodge before sunrise to catch the best light in the morning and staying out after dark to take advantage of night drives.

• •  Meet and spend time with people of similar wildlife and photographic interests who are as keen as you are to make the most of every photographic opportunity.

Brief Itinerary

• Fly from Lusaka to Mfuwe and on to Kafunta River Lodge in South Luangwa
• 5 days and nights to experience one of Africa's premier National Parks
• Enjoy game drives, guided walks and night drives.
• Return flight from Mfuwe to Lusaka.

Price per person - from USD4,250

The rate is per person sharing, inclusive of professional photography guide, return flight Lusaka/Mfuwe, accommodation, daily activities, all meals and snacks, National Park entry fees, Conservation & Community Levy, all transfers and flights listed. Extra are drinks and airport taxes.

IMPORTANT
1. Single supplement - USD400.
2. Overnight stays in Lusaka or Johannesburg pre or post safari can be arranged at an additional cost.
3. Visas, travel insurance, gratuities and purchases of a personal nature as well as some airport taxes are not included.
4. Prices are subject to confirmation on booking.

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Photographic Safaris with Hannes Lochner to the Kgalagadi in South Africa - various dates in 2012

Hannes Lochner specialises in Southern African wildlife safaris, adventure travel and tours to the Kalahari, Namibia, and Botswana.

Taking a maximum of 6 photographers per safari , you can join Hannes in one of the world's greatest wildlife destinations, where the "big five" roam free.

• Only 8 photographers per safari.
• Practical workshops for all skill levels.
• Top game viewing and wildlife photography opportunities.
• Open 4x4 vehicles with professional guide.

More about Hannes Lochner

Hannes Lochner was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. From an early age he has visited almost every game reserve in South Africa, along with his parents. A passion was born, which was to become his life's labour.

His family, mom and dad (both professors), two sisters and a brother, are all involved in medical sciences. Hannes had a different calling and after serving in the armed forces, he signed up for something more creative and spent the next couple of years engulfed in the art of graphic design at the University of Stellenbosch.

Hannes decided to return to his roots as a naturist and became a full time river guide in Namibia, following successful completion of his studies. He decided to travel the globe after a couple of years and kayaked her rivers extensively, meanwhile meeting her people while travelling her continents.

He started a rafting company on his return to South Africa and acted as river and field guide on the Orange and Kunene Rivers.

Cape Town called and he returned once more as freelance photographer, graphic designer and river guide.

His love for the animals and birds of Africa triumphed in the end and in 2007 he became a full time wildlife photographer and to date has produced two outstanding photographic books - take a look at Hannes Lochner.

Kalahari Photo Safaris

If you look at successful wildlife or nature photographers that has visited Southern Africa, you will find that a lot of them have been to the Kalahari, and produced award-winning photographs there. Those photographers operating mostly in Southern Africa have taken a good percentage of their published work here.

What is the Kalahari ?

It is an arid semi-desert region that covers the far north of South Africa, big parts of southern and central Botswana and parts of Namibia.

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park consists of the old Kalahari Gemsbok National Park of South Africa and the old Gemsbok National Park of Botswana. It is a peace park, and there is no physical boundary between the two countries inside the park.

Day 1
Meeting in Twee Rivieren Campsite, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Day 2
Driving up to Nossob camp. Sleeping in Nossob campsite. Spending memorable hours at the waterhole through the whole evening.

Day 3
Early morning game drive, stopping at all the water holes, sleeping in Polentswa Campsite in Botswana.

Day 4
Early morning game drive, stopping at all the water holes, towards Grootkolk for lunch. Sleeping again at Polentswa Campsite.

Day 5
North to Unions End, sleeping in the tented camps at Grootkolk.

Day 6
Driving south towards Nossob camp, sleeping in Nossob campsite. Spending memorable hours at the waterhole through the whole evening.

Day 7
Driving west towards Mata Mata camp, sleeping in Mata Mata campsite. Spending memorable hours at the waterhole through the whole evening.

Day 8
Driving east towards Twee Rivieren camp, sleeping in Mata Mata Teneted campsite.

Day 9
Driving back to Twee Rivieren campsite.

SAFARI COST: US$ 2,985 per person all inclusive. Single supplement $TBA

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