Zambia Expedition

October 25 - November 02, 2028 | Zambia | $11.950

After rapidly selling out my 2027 Zambia Expedition, the waitlist kept piling up. Therefore, I’m incredibly stoked to launch new dates for 2028. This time I’m focusing exclusively on my all-time favorite National Park in the entire African continent: the entchanting winterthorn forests of Lower Zambezi National Park.

A journey that takes you back in time, to the nostalgic essence of a true African safari. An expedition like no other, with a wide variety of vehicle safaris, walking safaris and boat safaris, while staying in 2 of my favorite bush camps in all of Africa.

Get ready for a wild adventure! Scroll down to read the full itinerary. All images you see below are taken on previous visits to the magical land that is Lower Zambezi.

Important information

Dates: October 25 - November 02, 2028 (8 nights)
Tour starts/ends in: Lusaka, Zambia
Price: $ 11.950 per person (based on twin sharing or double sharing accommodation)
Privately guided by my dear friend and one of Africa’s best guides, Kyle Branch
Deposit payment: $ 3.500 per person (paid upon booking in order to hold your seat), 120 days prior to departure the remaining balance of $ 8.450 will have to be paid
No single supplement available
Group size: min 6, max 10
Experience level: Anyone is welcome, from beginners to professionals
Above price is incl VAT
Make sure to read the Terms & Conditions before booking by clicking here

Zambia remains one of Africa’s last truly unspoiled safari destinations, a place often described as a glimpse of Africa from decades past. For this expedition, I’m teaming up with Classic Zambia, an owner-run company rooted in conservation and renowned for its guiding excellence. Over the years, I’ve become friends with its owners, which is something you feel throughout this expedition.

We’ll venture into the wild not only by vehicle, but just as much by boat, and when desired, on foot.

Since 2021, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating annually with the Classic Zambia team, building a strong bond with its founders and incredible guides.

We’ll stay at 2 of their most known camps, spending 4 nights in each: Kutali Camp and Chula Island Camp, immersing ourselves fully in the magic of both.

For the entire expedition, we’ll be privately guided by my good friend, and Classic Zambia co-owner Kyle Branch, an absolute unique selling point of this expedition.

Having worked side by side for over 5 years, Kyle and I share the same vision when it comes to conservation, animal behavior and photographic opportunity. At each camp, he’ll be joined by expert local Classic Zambia trained guides, widely regarded as some of the best in the industry, making this a truly exceptional guiding experience, a central element in all my expeditions.

Day-to-day itinerary

Day 1-4

The expedition begins on October 25, 2028, in Lusaka. Since most international connections into Lusaka arrive from Doha, Qatar, I recommend planning your arrival for the early morning, flying in with Qatar Airways. This allows us to continue straight on to Lower Zambezi National Park by air, meaning our very first night together will already be spent deep in the bush. What a way to begin!

After a short flight of only 35 minutes, we will be picked up from Jeki Airstrip by vehicle transfer and make our way to the first camp, Kutali Camp.

Welcome to my most favourite National Park in the entire African continent, and during my most loved season: the tail end of the dry season. It will get dusty, it will get mystical, and it will be unforgettable. Get ready for a wild ride!

Lower Zambezi is place that carries a spirit that is hard to put in words. We will encounter some of the finest big game wildlife viewing in Africa. High densities of elephant gather on the valley floor as the dry season ends, along with large herds of buffalo and impala. In attendance are all of the large predators one might expect, with lion, leopard and wild dog very well represented here.

This particular strecth of winterthorn forest surrounding Kutali Camp, has been gaining recent global attention due to a pack of wild dogs hunting buffalo, an unbelievable spectacle of nature. If luck is on our side, we might spend time watching this unfold in front of our eyes.

Kutali is an intimate, comfortable tented camp with all the luxuries one could wish for, but with the charm and ethos of a true seasonal bush-camp. With just 5 guest tents, catering for no more than 10 people in camp at once - each tent is carefully and expertly located for the best possible views across the Zambezi River. The Kutali tents are bespoke and very comfortable, with high quality linen and mattresses, alongside flushing toilets, running water taps and traditional bucket-showers! It will be one of the most authentic real bush camp experiences of your life.

With the broadest possible spectrum of safari activities on offer, this first camp of our journey is ideal for each and every safari goer. Their guides are specialists in walking and kayak based safaris, which means next to twice-a-day vehicle based safari, there’s plenty of options to experience a different angle of the park.

Rest me to say: welcome to paradise!

Day 4-8

The next 4 nights, we will shift our attention to an entirely different side of Lower Zambezi, and we make our way to Chula Island camp, a remote seasonal fly camp located on an uninhabited island within the Zambezi River.

The camp is only accessible by boat.

It exists of 3 tented rooms with bucket showers and outdoor bathrooms, and wildlife directly roams through the camp, day and nights, with elephants around your rooms being a daily attraction. Breakfast is shared around the campfire, dinner is shared at the communal table.

The reason I picked October to be our month, is because it’s the end of the dry season. It will be hot which means animals come to drink at the last remaining waterholes and concentrate around the river. It’s the best month of the year to visit Lower Zambezi, and given the fact this camp is actually situated right in the middle of the Zambezi river means the animals will literally be everywhere you look.

Big cat sightings (some of the most prolific leopard sightings to be had in Africa) are very common as well, with the magic of the water providing island-hopping buffalo and elephants at your doorstep, as well as an extreme concentration of hippo.

Classic Zambia guides are experts in both walking and water-based safaris, which means that alongside our twice-daily vehicle safaris, there are plenty of opportunities to experience the park from a whole new perspective. One of my personal favorites is a boat safari on the Zambezi River, where we can get up close to crossing and bathing herds of elephants, a truly breathtaking spectacle!

Day 9

On the morning of day 9, we will say goodbye to Kyle and his team, and board our plane back to Lusaka where the trip comes to an end.

Lower Zambezi National Park

The Lower Zambezi offers some of Africa’s finest big game viewing, set against river channels, floodplains, and escarpments. In late October, just before the rains, water levels in the Zambezi River remain, while smaller channels and pans shrink, concentrating wildlife along the riverbanks. Elephants gather on the valley floor, joined by large herds of buffalo and impala, while predators like lions, leopards, and wild dogs, patrol the area. The golden, open landscape, combined with dramatic afternoon clouds, creates spectacular photographic opportunities and a rare chance to witness the park’s abundant wildlife at the peak of the dry season.

In late October to early November, Lower Zambezi temperatures typically range from 27–35°C, with very hot mid-days and warm, mild nights. The golden, open landscape, combined with dramatic afternoon clouds, creates spectacular photographic opportunities and a rare chance to witness the park’s abundant wildlife at the peak of the dry season.

Included in the expedition price

4 x nights at Kutali Camp
4 x nights at Chula Island Camp
All accommodation based on twin / double sharing
All domestic flights
Full board in both camps incl all meals, wines & spirits
Entrance fees to the National Parks
Daily Laundry
Daily sundowners
All game drives
Photographic lectures & image review sessions by Pie
1-on-1 tuition in the field by Pie
All activities: walking safaris, boat safaris, night safaris

Not included in the expedition price

International flight tickets
Travel & cancellation insurance
Tips & gratuities for staff
Visa
Premium spirits & premium wines

Testimonials of previous participants

As you probably know, I have been hosting expeditions to Africa for some years now. After each expedition I am asking participants to write a short testimonial, below you find a few examples of last year.

But first, to get you in the right mood, here’s a wonderful video testimonial created by Yash, one of my previous guests on an expedition to Kenya, watch the full video to get an impression of what’s it like to join one of my expeditions.

Heather (USA) - This was not my first safari, but it was going to be the first time to Africa for my father, who is 82 years young. He had waited many decades for the stars to line up, for this opportunity to arise, and had high hopes of seeing all that could be seen, but realized it was a big ask. But not for Pie - this trip surpassed any and all expectations. Honestly, absolutely nothing could be improved. It became a running joke — everyday Pie would ask my father what he wanted to see the next day, and low and behold, the request would be fulfilled. Pie’s resources, connections and his ability to bring together a small group of strangers into a harmonious family are undeniable. I have been on many group travel trips in my lifetime, but never have the dynamics of all, worked so well together. This was a trip of a lifetime, and I can’t wait to go back.

Sasha (USA) - I just got back from a life changing expedition with Pie in Kenya, and literally had the time of my life. The thoughtful care and effort Pie puts into planning these trips was evident every day, and it was clear he has spent years building meaningful relationships with everyone involved in Africa. The Kenyan people were kind and genuine beyond words and truly added to the overall experience. I felt safe and taken care of the entire trip. I made tons of new friends with fellow photographers, witnessed endless sightings of incredible wildlife and landscapes, ate some of the best food of my life, and walked away feeling inspired, full of emotion, and ready to take my business to the next chapter. Throughout the trip, Pie shared his knowledge and expertise whenever he could - during workshops, meals, even during jeep drives! The connections made during our time together became apparent during our goodbye’s, especially when the tears started flowing… haha. Overall, it was unbelievable how much education, life experiences, and joy were packed into 10 long days. It’s an investment for sure, but also the trip of a lifetime, and one that everyone should experience!

Michelle (USA) - Where to begin, Pie’s expedition was a trip of a lifetime! One that will have me buzzing for a long, long time. Amboseli and the Masai Mara are two very unique and magical places that stole my heart from the beginning but what was extra special was the amount of knowledge I took home from hours upon hours of being in the bush and learning from Pie. To add to that, the lodges were absolutely incredible as was the heaps of delicious food we had at every meal. I had tears in my eyes on the final day knowing I was leaving such a special country and even more special group of people that came together from all over the world to learn about photography and be immersed in the African bush for 10 days.

Tobias (United Kingdom) - This is the third time I have been on a trip with Pie and every trip seems to get better and better. It’s more than just a photography trip, you almost seem part of a family. The relationships Pie builds with the people in his groups is what really makes these trips so special. The wildlife is mind blowing and Pie works with the best guides that do everything they can to get you in to the best positions for photography. This specific trip opened my eyes more than ever to the challenges that wildlife and humans face in Africa during climate change and droughts, and witnessing this first hand has had a huge impact on me personally. I can’t thank Pie enough for making a trip like this possible and I also can’t thank everyone who was there enough for making it so unforgettable.

Noortje (South Africa) - This Kenya expedition was about so much more than just taking photos. It gave us an insight into Pie’s adventurous spirit and way of living, his view on the planet, our place on it and how we coexist with the natural world. Understanding that is what ultimately results in taking great images and we certainly achieved that! It was a beautiful and wild adventure, and Pie’s enthusiasm, commitment and honesty made the trip unforgettable! Thank you for your knowledge, the laughs, the chases, the fantastic food (!) and all the in-between moments!

Yash (India) - I mean it when I say that this trip to Africa has had a huge effect on who I am, and I mean it in the most positive way possible. I came thinking only about photography, but left with an African experience so raw and so moving. My eyes opened to incredible stories of the people and wildlife, which I attempted to capture with my camera under the guidance and teachings from Pie. And last but not least, and which was totally unexpected, but I left with a new found group of incredible people that I consider as one of my closest friends.

Nathalie (Netherlands) - This was definitely a once in a lifetime trip! It was an incredible experience to hitch a ride on Pie’s passion and energy. It was a wonderful group, with a great variety in personalities and background, which made the expedition even more special. Every little detail was right! I dare to say it was a dream which unfortunately I have to wake up from now, but I’ll carry it with me the rest of my life.

Capucine (France) - A trip of lifetime, this is what was promised and the dream became a reality! I had an amazing time in the bush with the best group of people. Amboseli and Masai Mara blew my mind with the abundance of wildlife. Going from shooting unbelievable scenes to having the most delicious food in the camp has been a real happiness bubble for 10 days! Very inspiring workshops as well with Pie who definitely made this trip very special. Also, lots of surprises along the trip, which I won’t share here, which made it unforgettable!

How does an average day look like?

05.00 – 05.30 wake up + coffee/tea
05.30 – 09.00 photography in the field with focus on soft morning light
09.00 – 09.30 bush breakfast or packed breakfast
09.00 – 11.00 continue photography in the field focusing on B&W photography
11.00 – 13.00 lunch in camp + lectures by Pie
13.00 – 15.00 rest, edit, back-up
15.00 – 18.00 photography in the field with focus on soft afternoon light
18.00 – 19.30 optional night drive
20.00 – 21.30 campfire drinks & dinner
21.30 off to bed to rest for another day of adventures in the bush

We are very flexible when it comes to planning our days. Usually, we leave each day with a packed breakfast, which allows us to stay out in the field all morning. If the conditions and sightings are good, we can even decide having lunch in the field to maximize our time with wildlife. We also carry our own sundowner drinks each afternoon, which gives us full flexibility.

As you can see in the planning, at lunch time I will host several lectures. Topics can be workflow, post-production, animal behaviour, composition, light, elephant conservation, how to find your voice as an artist, social media, equipment, and so on. In between activities there’s also room for 1-on-1 tuition about any of the above topics or whatever comes to mind.

Which guides will we work with?

If you know my work well enough, you know how picky I am when it comes to the guides I work with. Their knowledge, expertise, tracking ability, sense for hospitality and people skills is the driving force behind all my work.

This expedition is no exception to that. We will work with some of Africa’s absolute best guides in each camp, trust me if I say they are amongst the absolute top guides in all of Africa.

For the entire duration of our expedition we will work with Kyle Branch, professional guide and one of the co-owners of Classic Zambia. In each camp he will be joined by a local Zambian guide. The level of guiding is an absolute unique selling point of this expedition.

Which kind of vehicles will we use?

In all 3 camps we will use Toyota Land Cruisers that are specially modified for photography. On board you will find bean bags, blankets, a fridge with ice-cold drinks and 220 volt electricity sockets for charging. There will be a maximum of 4 people sitting in the back giving each participant enough space to move around. This means with a group of 8 participants, we operate in 2 vehicles. I will be sitting in the front, next to the driver and alternate between both vehicles, 4 guest are sitting in the back. A rotating scheme will make sure everyone gets to spend an equal amount of time in my direct presence. Working with the right people is everything. Therefore, I carefully selected the best possible naturalists/guides that will lead us on this expedition. As a result, we will work with some of the best people in the industry, award-winning guiding teams in all 3 camps.

Do I need any photography experience?

Nope, not at all. Everybody is welcome. Beginners and professionals. In fact, a diverse group always makes up for a lot of fun, because the main idea of these expeditions is all about interaction and learning from each other. I’m more than happy to explain you the basics of how to use your camera, but we can also have a deeper conversation about how to grow your personal brand as a visual artist, or how to find your voice. So please don’t hesitate if you have never used a camera before, I’m there to help.

What type of gear do I need?

As soon as you have confirmed your booking, we will share an extensive list of recommended gear items that you would need for this expedition. However, don’t stress, any camera will work, it all depends on how you use it. We offer a custom advise for every level, from amateurs and beginners to full professional photographers.

How is this photography expedition different from any regular safari?

In the past 6 years I have spent more than 100 weeks in Africa spread across Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania and Botswana. This has generated an in-detail understanding of seasonality, geography, animal behavior, photographic opportunities, community living and cultural aspects, and of course wildlife conservation. This combined with 10+ years of experience in photographic story-telling, makes this trip a unique opportunity to learn. The entire itinerary is crafted around the theme of story-telling, which means I deliberately chose certain areas, camps and guides to work with. We will maximise time in the field and won’t be restricted by gate opening hours. We work with an award-winning guiding team in all 3 camps on this trip. I will be hosting lectures and there’s room for 1-on-1 tuition as well. It’s a trip that’s centered around teaching you how to tell meaningful stories about the wild and you will go home with an incredible series of images!

Can I cancel my seat when I change my mind?

For more information about Terms & Conditions click here.

Will you advise what documents to organize in order to travel?

Of course. We will send you a full briefing before the trip.

The host

My name is Pie Aerts and I’m a photographer. My work examines and questions the intricate and often melancholic relationship between people and place in an attempt to explore why we seem increasingly disconnected from each other, ourselves, and our natural environment. By a research-led exploration of stereotypes, I’m hoping to offer nuanced and personal perspectives on culture, tradition and human relationships. In doing so, I’m consistently prioritizing hope over despair, and coexistence over conflict.

I firmly believe that art has the power to console, heal, and restore our lost connections. Putting this belief into practice, I founded Prints for Wildlife, a fundraising platform that unites over 375 photographers from around the world to sell art in support of conservation. Since its inception in 2020, the platform has generated $2.5 million, donated to African Parks Network and Conservation International.