Safari activities

At Shenton Safaris we offer: game drives (morning and afternoon), night drives, walking safaris, hide trips and special camp outs; we are the only operators in the valley to offer photographic hides.

Photographic Hides/Blinds

The unique photographic hides of Derek's own design are a special feature of Shenton Safaris. These hides are constructed with photography in mind and are guaranteed to get you close enough to the wildlife to take a whole host of stunning photos - in complete safety.

Our hides have certainly turned the heads of the professionals. We have been visited by world renowned wildlife photographer Frans Lanting of National Geographic multiple times. This year Frans Lanting and National Geographic returned for a month, canceling all other camps in the valley to extend their stay with us again and again. Other wildlife photographers to have visited our camps recently include Owen Prumm of Discovery Channel, David Rogers of Africa Geographic, Lyn Johnsson of National Geographic and independent film maker Peter Lamberti (Valley of the Golden Baboon).

The BBC used our hippo hide in the making of the Wild Africa Series where they filmed an enormous crocodile taking a buffalo as it came down to the river to drink, right in front of the hippo hide.

We will be featuring in both National Geographic and National Geograpahic Traveller magazines this year; both articles are due out towards the end of 2006.

Walking Safaris

Walking safaris were pioneered in South Luangwa national park and for many guests provide the ultimate safari experience. The terrain in the park is ideal for walking due to the constantly changing habitat. On a walk you will experience riverine forest, open plains, dambos and lagoons, Mopane woodland, thickets and grasslands. A typical walking safari lasts 3.5 hours, but is not strenuous as the ground is even and generally flat. A morning walking safari might cover a total of 5 or 6km of exciting, discovery filled exercise.

Whether you are observing birds or game, identifying a tree or simply sitting at a lagoon watching wildlife, the experience is totally different to that of viewing game by vehicle.

Shenton Safaris walking safaris are second to none, not only due to the density of wildlife but also due to our extremely knowledgeable guides. Derek, Patrick and Ian have been guiding in the area for years.

Our guides have between 11 and 30 years experience guiding guests on foot. Together with an experienced, armed ZAWA scout, you will truly appreciate the extraordinary beauty of this area and feel the thrill of viewing big game on foot.

Game Drives

Game-viewing from one of our custom built, open 4WD vehicles is a real pleasure. Comfortable, high seats allow superb all-round vision and easy photography. The vehicles have been modified to assist photographers with camera rests, shelves and bean bags.

Our qualified and experienced guides will take you to game-rich areas deep within the park which are not commonly visited by other vehicles.

Our game viewing loops are maintained and modified by ourselves with our own tractor and grader, so we are confident that we can show you the best that this amazing area has to offer without the discomfort caused by bumpy roads.

A morning game drive leaves camp around sunrise. Game-viewing starts from camp as we are in the park and our guides are quick to react to the alarm calls of Baboons or impalas etc. They position the vehicle in just the right spot to catch the morning sun on the source of activity - perhaps a leopard or a pride of lions. We have developed an excellent network of 'loops' that make the most of the forests, lagoons, plains and "Wafwas" (old courses of the river).

Game drives normally last approximately three and a half hours and are offered morning and afternoon (as it normally extends into an evening drive).

Whilst walking safaris are a thrilling experience, the wildlife is more at ease when viewed from a vehicle providing closer encounters and spectacular photographic opportunities.

Night Drives

Night falls quickly in the African bush; after traditional sundowners we offer you the unusual and exciting experience of a night drive. Aided by a powerful spotlight we have the opportunity to witness some of the fascinating dramas enacted by Luangwa's nocturnal creatures.

Although night photography is more challenging our guides will try to position the vehicle and spotlight as close to the subject as possible following a pride of lions hunting or a leopard crawling towards an unsuspecting impala is an unforgettable experience - the tension almost unbearable. Fortunately the area we work in is prolific in wildlife and there is always something around the next corner. Cat sightings are the highest in the park.

Big cats hunting, mongoose and porcupine foraging; hyena, civet, genet and fishing owl, all provide great entertainment and a challenge to the photographer.

Camp-outs in the Bush

As a special activity we also offer over-night "camp-outs" (sleeping open under a net, close to the camp-fire) on request. These trips allow visitors (a maximum of 4) to get a sense of the absolute wildness of the National Park as there are no other camps or trails for miles around.

Setting off with three carriers, Derek and the scout will lead you deep within the park on a day walking safari away from any tracks or human development. The area north of Mwamba is totally remote and underdeveloped. It is excellent walking country - the heart of the valley. The group will camp out under the stars that night close to a secluded waterhole.

There is a certain thrill not easy to describe here in words, about sleeping under a mosquito net open to the stars close to a large camp. Fire - listening to the distant call of a hyena or lion, or the grunt of a leopard as it marks its territory nearby. The cool dry nights from June to September are ideal for camp-outs and we are very fortunate to have special permission from National Parks to offer this highly unusual experience.

Nights up in the Elephant Hide

A very special activity offered at Shenton Safaris are sleep-outs up the elephant hide. Our elephant hide is situated high up in the boughs of a tree on the riverbank. After dinner at Kaingo we will take you to the elephant hide for your night of real African Adventure. We set a bed up in the treetops for you and position a scout (discretely in an enclosed vehicle) on the ground beneath you. Mike Unwin (author of the Bradt guide to Southern African Wildlife) said his night spent up our elephant hide was one of his most memorable and exciting ever spent in Africa.

We do run sleep-outs up the hide any time in the month, but full moon is most spectacular. BOOK HERE FOR ELEPHANT HIDE SLEEP OUT.

Wildlife at Camp

Further game-viewing opportunities arise throughout the day from camp.

At Kaingo Camp sit and watch elephants crossing the river, a myriad of birdlife, hippos and crocodiles basking in the midday sun. There are bushbuck and wild monkeys around camp and we receive frequent visits from the local elephant Matriarch (Nelly) with her family as they feed and forage. There is a large beach on the river bank opposite camp, which attracts many animals and birds. Easy chairs are set up outside each chalet and on the viewing platform or 'deck' below the main dining area for this a front row seat of this real life documentary.

At Mwamba Bush Camp there are two hides overlooking waterholes right inside the camp which you can visit at any time. Plenty of game frequents these to quench their thirst or for a cooling mudbath. The resident bushbuck, puku and birds are seldom out of sight from anywhere in camp and giraffe and elephant are a common sight from the breakfast table as are buffalo from the anthill look out.

Mwamba is well know for the prolific amount of wildlife in camp and apart from the continuous chorus of birds, from the safety of your chalet you may witness some of the night time visitors to camp: an inquisitive hyena, lions, leopard, grazing hippo, browsing elephants or silently hunting owls.

The dawn chorus of bird calls at Mwamba are especially alive with the sounds of hundreds of waking and feeding birds such as the Long-tailed Starling, Barbets, Doves, Quelea, Lillian's Lovebirds, Ground Hornbills and Ibis.

Other Activities

Breakfasts in the bush, outdoor braais (BBQs) special sundowners and picnics are all part of the experience at Shenton Safaris. Our friendly and capable staff are all smiles when it comes to making your stay in Zambia one to remember.