This journey is the first in a three-part summer safari series in 2026, 2027, and 2028, led by Peg Abbott of Naturalist Journeys, along with exceptional local guides. Each trip explores lesser-known, yet wildlife-rich corners of Africa. With a maximum of just six participants, exclusive small camps, and knowledgeable guiding throughout, this is one of our premier experiences.

Our adventure begins in Kasane, Botswana, gateway to Chobe National Park. We combine elegant riverfront lodging with three nights in a mobile camp in the Linyanti region of the Okavango Delta. On the Chobe River, we explore by small boat, discovering nesting waterbirds, Rock Pratincoles, and an array of mammals. In the dry season, this corridor is legendary for encounters with large Elephant herds, Puku, Hippo, Lion, Buffalo, and a dazzling diversity of waterbirds. We spend our first eight days in Botswana, then cross into Zambia as we drive to nearby Victoria Falls, one of the wonders of the natural world. We see the falls from both the Zambia and Zimbabwe side from our delightful lodgings in Livingstone.

We then fly to Lusaka to travel deep into Zambia to explore two of its most iconic parks: Kafue and South Luangwa. Both provide exceptional opportunities to see Africa’s charismatic big mammals and a rainbow of stunning bird species. In each park, we stay first at a comfortable lodge and then transition to a remote bush camp for a more immersive wilderness experience. We use small charter flights to ease travel between them.

Why July? We time this trip for Zambia’s cool, dry season, when wildlife congregates around water sources, making for easier sightings. With dry roads and open landscapes, it’s the perfect window for exploration—Zambia’s winter is a prime time to visit.

Kafue National Park, often called Zambia’s Yellowstone, is vast and diverse, with woodlands, rivers, and open plains. We stay in the incredibly diverse northern section, at two camps along the Kafue and Lunga Rivers as we make our way north to the famed Busanga Plains, our guide’s favorite region, where we stay at a small, intimate camp ideal for our group. This wetland ecosystem hosts wildlife similar to Botswana’s Okavango, and the viewing is exceptional. We explore by boat and vehicle, looking for Lesser Jacana, Half-collared Kingfisher, African Finfoot, and numerous herons and egrets. Plus, mammals galore!

South Luangwa National Park lies on Zambia’s southeastern border and is a remote, breathtaking park known for its distinct subspecies of Wildebeest, Giraffe, and Zebra. It’s also a top location for predators including Lion, Leopard, Wild Dog, and Spotted Hyena. Birdlife is outstanding, with possibilities for African Skimmer, Lilian’s Lovebird, Saddle-billed Stork, Goliath Heron, Bat Hawk, and both Racket-tailed and Lilac-breasted Rollers.

This is a true Naturalist Journeys safari—unhurried, immersive, and meaningful. With top-notch local guides, handpicked accommodations, and a small group size, every detail is carefully crafted. Your participation also supports conservation efforts, including the renowned Zambia Carnivore Program.

Tour Highlights

• Begin in Botswana along the Chobe River, known for close encounters with Elephants and superb bird photography.
• Spend three nights at a secluded tented camp in the Linyanti region, rich in wildlife and far from crowds.
• Take an optional day trip to the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls.
• Explore Zambia’s diverse habitats—from wetlands and savannas to Miombo woodlands teeming with endemic birds.
• Enjoy classic African wildlife viewing in remote, less-touristed regions of Zambia.
• Travel with Zambia-based expert Frank Willems, a renowned and engaging guide.
• Visit Kafue National Park, a hidden gem with large predators and Elephant herds.
• Discover the Busanga Plains, a lush wetland area reminiscent of Botswana’s Okavango Delta.
• Experience South Luangwa National Park, home to endemic Thornicroft’s Giraffe and Cookson’s Wildebeest.
• Dine al fresco while watching Elephants, Baboons, Hippos, and waterbirds—including the elusive Finfoot.

Trip Itinerary

Itineraries are guidelines; variations in itinerary may occur to account for weather, road conditions, closures, etc. and to maximize your experience.

Thurs., July 9      Arrive in Kasane, International Gateway to Chobe NP, Botswana

Welcome to Botswana! Kasane is a small city with an international airport located in Africa’s Four Corners Area, where Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe meet. It is a small and user-friendly airport with a great view of the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers from the air as you land. You are met by friendly guides from our local company and taken to the lovely riverbank lodge we’ve booked. Settle in, enjoy the massive shade trees along the river, and enjoy those first sightings of birds and mammals, right from the grounds! We’ve arranged a sunset boat trip for this evening, departing in the afternoon to dive right in with fabulous viewing of huge family groups of Elephants, Hippos, African Buffalo, possible Lions, and a host of fabulous birds from Pied Kingfisher to Water Thick-knee, Goliath Heron, Yellow-billed Stork, African Spoonbill, and Slaty Egret, a regional specialty. 

This is a great hotel to rest up from your travels at and pamper yourself a bit before we head out to the bush! 
Accommodations at the Cresta Mowana Safari Resort (D)

Fri., July 10         Wildlife Viewing Boat Trips on the Chobe River | Local Birding

We have a full day in the Chobe River area and we want to spend the morning on the river. If we head downstream, we go by a wonderful heron rookery with multiple species and on the rocks of the rushing river, Rock Pratincole. We may find Giant Kingfisher, Half-collared Kingfisher, and with luck White-backed Night Heron roosting in trees that line the river shore. Little Bee-eaters sally out from papyrus perches to catch insects, and several species of cisticolas and other songbirds can be found. We them make our way upstream to look for Nile Monitor Lizard, Nile Crocodile, and mammals galore. With luck we find a family of Elephants swimming from the mainland to one of the small islands. African Skimmer should be nesting on the sandbanks, and several species of plovers call noisily from shore. African Fish Eagle are common here! We look for Puku, a small antelope that frequents the river islands, and Giraffe, so tall they can be spotted from afar. 

In the afternoon we enjoy the shaded grounds of our lodge, and enjoy birding at some of the local hotspots. Some of the best birding is right at our hotel, where we may find Schalow’s Turaco or Trumpeter Hornbill flying over the shade trees.
Accommodations at the Cresta Mowana Safari Resort (B,L,D)

Sat., July 11 – Mon., July 13   Last Eden Safari Camp, Linyanti Area of the Okavango Delta

Off we go on our grand adventure, with fabulous local guides that have worked in the Chobe area and other parts of Botswana for many years. Our camp is ours alone, just four tents up on platforms in a secluded area from which we explore. We are in the Shaile/Linyanti area, renowned for seeing diverse wildlife, including herds of Zebra, Roan and Sable Antelopes, and Eland. The spectacular meandering Linyanti River and swamps, attract a host of birds in addition to mammals, and we explore by vehicle and boat. We should find White-browed Coucal, African Pygmy Goose, Spur-winged Goose and perhaps some of the more infrequent species such as Dickenson’s Kestrel, Lesser Jacana, Wattled Crane, and more. 

We plan three nights here so we have ample time to explore and watch behavior. Often we find a troop of Olive Baboon at sunset and watch the youngsters play while adults groom. Impala come down to drink, always watching their backs for possible predators including Leopard that frequent the river corridor. Birds of prey can be seen, notably Tawny Eagle, Wahlberg’s Eagle, African Marsh Harrier, and a mix of vultures including the Bateleur. Waterbirds of the Okavango Region abound, including Black Heron, Saddle-billed Stork, Rufous-bellied Heron, and more. 

Camp life is private and delightful, so even if we meet others on the river or on our drives, we return to our little paradise. Sip your favorite beverage watching wildlife from the river shore, and step out on the deck of your spacious tent to view stars in the dark and vast African sky. Our camp cook keeps us all well fed, this is a true safari! 
Accommodations at Last Eden Safari Camp (B,L,D)

Tues., July 14 & Wed., July 15        Mobile Safari Camp, Chobe NP

We move inland to simpler digs for a couple of nights, small mobile tents our wonderful camp crew puts up for us, in an inland area with more wildlife to see. The drier Mopane forests attract browsing mammals such as Giraffe and Elephant, and have a host of birds including African Gray Hornbill, Green Wood-Hoopoe, Southern Ground Hornbill, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Myer’s Parrot, a number of woodpeckers, Brubru, Crimson-breasted Gonolek, and colorful sunbirds. We should find troops of highly social Banded Mongoose and their smaller cousins, also social, the Dwarf Mongoose. Male Greater Kudu are some of the most impressive of the antelopes, and tiny Steenbok can be found resting in the shade. Lions are fairly common and by now we may have seen several prides, but if not, this is a good area to look for them. With luck we could also find Cheetah or some of the smaller cats such as Serval. 
Accommodations at a Mobile Safari Camp, Chobe NP (B,L,D)

Thurs., July 16     Drive to Livingstone | Victoria Falls

This morning we pack up from camp and head back into Kasane, enjoying our lunch there, and then continuing on to the road crossing into Zambia. Nowadays there is a modern bridge to cross, we used to take a ferry. The border crossing is simple, and soon we are on our way to see one of the wonders of the world, Victoria Falls on the mighty Zambezi River. We stay on the Zambia side, but can view the falls from here and if we wish, also Zimbabwe. Both views are spectacular and our plan is to do them both, one side in the afternoon and the other the following morning. 

The falls create their own microclimate, as mist rising from the powerful falls floats over the trees much of the year. Birding is actually really good, providing us another chance to see turacos, hornbills, barbets, and colorful Red-winged Starling. 
Accommodations at Waterberry Lodge Livingstone, Zambia (B,L,D)

Fri., July 17          Victoria Falls | Flight to Lusaka

We spend as much time as possible at the falls this morning, pending our flight time on to Lusaka. We hope for an afternoon flight, which gives us the full morning, time for lunch and then depart, but flight schedules may change between the time of this itinerary posting and our flight day; we keep apprised and we book this flight for you. 

Lusaka is another very easy airport to navigate, and it is a domestic flight for us from Livingstone as we crossed into Zambia the previous day. Enjoy our local hotel here, and time to refresh from our time in the bush. We enjoy a lovely patio dinner in the perfect evening temperatures of Africa! 
Accommodations at Wild Dogs Lodge, Lusaka, Zambia (B,L,D)

Sat., July 18      Drive to Kafue NP | Kafue River Lodge

Today is largely a travel day, broken up with stops for birding and scenery. Our goal is to reach the northern part of famed Kafue National Park, the oldest and largest (22,000 km2) national park in Zambia. The park is named after the Kafue River that cuts through it for 250 km and forms the beautiful Lake Itezhi-Tezhi in the south, which draws large herds of varied antelopes and Elephants. We fuel up near Mumbwa at the last fuel station before heading into the bush.

We enter the park through the Kabulushi Gate, so the last 40 kms offers some great wildlife viewing. Our lodge is actually on private land inside the Lunga Luswishi Game Management area adjacent to the park and along the north side of the Kafue River. We cross the river on a pontoon boat and there our reward awaits, a lovely lodge on a gentle stretch of the river where a chorus of grunting Hippos is your white noise for sound sleep tonight. There are just four chalets here with guide quarters so we have the lodge to ourselves. Each unit has full private bath, plus an outdoor shower, which everyone loves to cool off in. Your view from your deck is the river. Sunsets are incredible, and after dinner we often gather around a fire, listening to night sounds and recounting highlights of wildlife and birds we see each day. 

Kafue NP and the surrounding areas hold a mix of Miombo woodlands, which consist of tropical grasslands, savannahs, and shrublands. Miombo woodlands cover much of central Africa with the most extensive stands occurring in Zambia. They are named after the oak-like miombo trees that dominate the area. In this habitat, Racket-tailed Roller are bold and vocal, a thrill to see and we can seek out Pale-billed Hornbill, Arnott’s Chat, and other specialties. Kafue National Park is one of Africa’s best kept secrets and therefore has avoided mass tourism, which allows us to experience amazing game viewing surrounded by stunning landscapes. Kafue is one of the base locations for the Zambia Carnivore Project, a non-profit group that we admire and support. They are also active in South Luangwa and at one of our locations, we hope to meet up with some of their staff.

The wildlife in Kafue is some of the richest in Africa in terms of species mix. Populations are in a state of recovery and recent research and conservation efforts are making a huge difference. Breeding herds of Elephants and large predators have returned to the park after years of poaching in the 1980s and 1990s. Big cats, including several prides of Lions, Cheetah, and even Leopard are present, and packs of endangered Wild Dog can be seen if we’re lucky. Common species we likely see include Buffalo, Zebra, and Hippo along with up to twenty species of antelopes. Birds of prey include, among others, four vulture species, Martial Eagle, Wahlberg’s Eagle, African and Ayres’s Hawk-Eagles, and Lizard Buzzard. Eurasian Hoopoe and Southern Ground Hornbill are often seen at close range to our vehicles.
Accommodations at Kafue River Lodge (B,L,D)

Sun., July 19        Travel through Kafue National Park | Lunga River | Kikuji Camp

Kikiju Camp is a sister camp to Kafue River Lodge, and also has just four tents, each up on a wooden deck, so it is very private. It is a relatively new property, simple but intimate, located in lush riverine habitat that is perfect for seeing birds as well as mammals. We travel up the Lunga River to get here, watching for wildlife all along the way. On arrival we can explore again by boat, a wonderful way to get up close and personal with the large mammals. This is a good area to look for Pel’s Fishing Owl, a specialty of the region and a fascinating species to find. Due to this camp’s remoteness, wildlife is shyer here, less used to encounters with people, but sometimes curious as well. It’s a good camp to break up our trip out to the Busanga Plains and we make the most of our time here. Dinner may be fresh bream from the river, for this area is prized by fisherman. 
Accommodations at Kikiju Camp, en route to Busanga (B,L,D)

Mon., July 20        Busanga Plains | Kafue NP

Our Zambia-based guide, Frank Willems, is enamored with the Busanga Plains section of Kafue NP and the wildlife there. This is an internationally acclaimed Ramsar-designated Wetland of International Importance, described as the northern jewel of Kafue NP. With wide-open spaces that are flooded for half of the year during the rainy season, we visit in dry season and so can drive through large areas of lush vegetation that can support a variety of mammals and birds. This unique wetland ecosystem covers 275 square miles and is comprised of open plains, palm groves, reed beds, and lagoons covered in lilies. Red Lechwe are plentiful here, and packs of Wild Dog are known to hunt them here. Lechwe love the water, so they are fun to observe, splashing and leaping as they burst forth with speed when they are alarmed. There are also Roan and Sable Antelopes, Oribi, Wildebeest, Zebra, African Buffalo, Puku, and beautiful Sitatunga. With plentiful prey, our chances of seeing this rare predator, as well as Lion, Leopard and Cheetah are good—never guaranteed but we are in one of the best areas of Zambia for us to find them. With luck we could encounter Serval and Side-striped Jackal, too. 

Kasonso is another sister camp of Kafue River Lodge and has a primo location within the Busanga area. It is another small camp, with just four spacious tents that have comfortable beds, electricity, and attached bathrooms with running water and bucket showers. The camp has a refreshing pool to take a dip in while overlooking the expansive plains. Green Pigeon and Böhm’s Bee-eater may be seen flying about, attracted by fruiting wild fig trees and associated insects. African Skimmer hunt the river channels and rest on sandbars of river islands and the shore.

The camp is known for its hospitality as well as its remoteness. Evening campfires are a nightly ritual.
Accommodations at Kasonso Busanga Camp (B,L,D)

Tues., July 21 & Wed., July 22        Busanga Plains Camp | Zambia’s Spectacular Wetlands

We enjoy two game drives a day while exploring this stunning part of Kafue National Park. Enjoy sunrise over the plains during the early morning safari. This vast area of flooded plains are superb for birding. Internationally important numbers of Wattled and Gray Crowned-Cranes are found here, along with a wealth of other waterbirds including Goliath Heron, Saddle-billed Stork, Long-toed Lapwing, and Lesser Jacana. The more wooded sections host intriguing species like Lesser Honeyguide, Brown Firefinch, and the beautiful Black-backed Barbet. Many bee-eater and woodpecker species reside here as well, along with some of the most iconic African bird species like Pel’s Fishing Owl and Ross’s Turaco, which we hope to get lucky with.

We return to the camp in late morning to enjoy a delicious lunch and a relaxing break before the late afternoon safari. Having the whole camp to ourselves is a special experience in the wilds of Africa! The expansive views of the plains guarantee seeing multiple mammal species at the same time as large herds gather here in the dry season. We keep our eye out for Cheetah, Serval Cat, and Wild Dogs, elusive but possible!
Accommodations at Busanga Plains Camp (B,L,D)

Thurs, July 23    Travel to Mfuwe via Lusaka | South Luangwa National Park

Today we embark on the next part of our safari! With a full trip, we can save a LOT of driving and streamline travel to our next park with a charter flight to Mfuwe where we meet local guides for the transfer to our delightful lodgings inside the park at Mfuwe Lodge, our safari camp that is home for the next three nights. The camp is organized around two lagoons, with wildlife seen with ease as they come to drink and refresh themselves. Big trees, both native ebony and mahogany, provide shade and encourage great birding. This is a larger lodge, with 18 rooms, but some enticing amenities such as bush spa treatments that may be welcome at this point in our journey.

Frank and our expert local guides take us to the best locations in the park to spot wildlife. South Luangwa National Park is among Africa’s top-rated safari parks, and as a result has a higher level of visitation than Kafue, but offers us different habitats, different species, and terrific birding. Lion, Buffalo, Elephant, Impala, Bushbuck, and Puku are common. Thousands of Hippopotamus form the world’s largest population here. Wild Dog numbers have increased in recent years and sightings have become more common year-round. Leopards typically hunt at night and if we are lucky, we spot one as we come back in the early evening from our afternoon game drive. South Luangwa National Park is known as the place to see Leopards, often nicknamed “Valley of the Leopards,” and one of the few parks that allows spotlit night drives, a real advantage to finding predators.

The birdlife in this park is phenomenal and we look for White-fronted Bee-eater and Horus Swift that nest in holes in the riverbank, brightly colored Lilian’s Lovebird, Gray Go-away-bird, Three-banded Plover by ponds and streams and Three-banded Courser in the grasslands. Elegant Grey Crowned-Crane join a host of large wading birds and Hamerkop. The highly dynamic Luangwa River, with its many sandbanks, hosts African Skimmer, White-fronted Plover, and White-crowned Lapwing. We may hear a noisy gang of Red-faced Mousebird or Green Wood-hoopoe or discover noisy Terrestrial Bulbul low in the brush. Kingfishers are plentiful, some associated with water and others with woodlands, including Giant, Pied, Malachite, Gray-headed, Brown-hooded, and Woodland. Overhead we are alert for sightings of Tawny Eagle, Bateleur, African Harrier-Hawk or Banded Snake-Eagle. We may get lucky with some of the migrants coming back in, such as Southern Carmine Bee-eater and Klaas’s Cuckoo. And on our night drives we are on the lookout for the owls and nightjars that call this park home, which include Pel’s Fishing Owl and Verreaux’s Eagle Owl.

This camp takes great pride in its dining and tables are set outside with candlelight. Choices are plentiful and wildlife is free to roam among the casitas and dining area; don’t be surprised if you hear noises at night, and expect a guard to take you to your safe lodgings after dark. It’s a wonderful privilege to be so immersed in nature.
Accommodations at top-rated Mfuwe Lodge (B,L,D)

Fri., July 24        Full Day from Mfuwe Lodge | Finding the Spectacular Birds & Wildlife of South Luangwa National Park

Today we have the full day to explore the pristine landscapes and unique and abundant wildlife of South Luangwa National Park. Bordered by the Muchinga Escarpment to the northwest and the Luangwa River to the southeast, the park covers just over 9,000 square kilometers of varying habitats and dramatic topography. There are lovely quiet stretches and then a few more crowded stretches, and we can pick and choose where we go.

South Luangwa National Park is home to many of the famous African mammals such as Lion, Hyena, Wild Dog, Elephant, and Buffalo, but perhaps the most unique species we may come across is the endemic Thornicroft’s Giraffe. Their distinctive patterns and slightly smaller size differentiate them from other giraffe species in Africa. In addition to the more than 100 mammal species, there are also some 470 bird species that have been found in the park.

Birds we are on the lookout for when out and about include Namaqua Dove, Swainson’s and Red-necked Spurfowls, Double-banded Sandgrouse, Spur-winged Goose, African Openbill, Cardinal, Golden-tailed, Bearded and Bennett’s Woodpeckers, White-browed Coucal, Collared Palm Thrush, Purple-crested Turaco, African Gray and Southern Red-billed Hornbills, and more. Lovely forest birds like Peter’s Twinspot and Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike are possible.

In the afternoon we return to our lodge to unwind. Enjoy a dip in the pool or relax and keep an eye out for Elephants, Baboons, Bushbuck, and Hippos right from your porch. The pool is up on a deck, still in view of the lagoon. With no fences in the game management area, the camp is regularly visited by large herbivores.

Afternoons we often drive to a scenic place and let the action come to us. We like to spy little “bird parties” of Southern Cordonbleu, Red-billed Firefinch, and Orange-winged Pytilia, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Brubru, Chinspot Batis, and beautiful Violet-backed Starling. We may find secretive roosting African Barred or African Scops Owls.

Mfuwe town has evolved as a tourist center, an important part of the economy that has engendered a respect for the park and its wildlife. Those that wish can venture out to a few local artisan shops such as Tribal Textiles or Mulberry Mongoose to find some treasures to bring home.
Accommodations at Mfuwe Lodge (B,L,D)

Sat., July 25 & Sun., July 26         One Last Outpost: Kuyenda Bushcamp

We end as we began, in a small and intimate camp, about an hour’s drive from Mfuwe Lodge in the heart of some of the best wildlife viewing and a great place for action of predators and prey. Our spacious thatched huts have shade porches and open-air private bathrooms. Big windows let you view the landscape and wildlife from your room. Walking safaris are possible here, and depending on what has been recently seen and what we hope to still see, we make a plan for our days. You may need one more photo of a Malachite Kingfisher or a last drive to find that pack of Wild Dogs. This is a great last place for our in-depth and incredible African safari! Enjoy sundowners by the river’s edge, stars in the African Sky, and a farewell dinner to recount our journey highlights.
Accommodations at Kuyenda Bushcamp (B,L,D)

Mon., July 27   Morning Game Drive | Flight to Lusaka | Departures

Depending on everyone’s international departure flight times, we hope to enjoy our final morning game drive and return to Lusaka in the afternoon for evening flights out. If your flights are early in the morning tomorrow, we can book an extra night for you near the airport. (B,L)

 

Cost of the Journey

The cost of this 19-Day Zambia-Botswana Safari is priced per person, based on occupancy: $15,290 DBL / $17,480 SGL. This cost includes accommodations for 18 nights, all meals as noted in the itinerary (B,L,D), all land transportation, game park and other entry fees.

NEW! all tips other than your NJ guide (optional) and local guide are included (this includes tips for your driver, lodge and staff, day activities, meals and other services).

Tour cost does not include: transportation from your home city to Maun and from Lusaka, three to four internal flights (based on charter availibility) estimated at $1500 to $2000 per person, optional activities, or items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone charges, beverages from the bar or personal, medical, and cancellation insurance.

 

Travel Details

Please plan to make air travel plans only after the minimum group size has been met. We will send you a confirmation email as soon as the trip has been confirmed.

Arrival Airport: Kasane Airport (BBK) in Kasane, Botswana

Arrival Details: Plan flights to arrive on July 9, 2026, in time for a group dinner around 6:00 PM. Note that you will likely have to leave the US on July 7 to arrive in Kasane on July 9. 

Departure Airport: Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka, Zambia

Departure Details: Plan flights to depart July 27, 2026, after 7:00 PM. We have a morning safari drive before returning to Lusaka in the afternoon.

Travel Tips: If you arrive early to rest up from your travels, which we highly recommend, we can book you an early night at our first night lodge, the Cresta Mowana Safari Resort. Located on the banks of the Chobe River, this lodge is a destination in itself. With a pool, spa, restaurant, bar, and even a 9-hole golf course, this is a great place to relax ahead of our adventure!

Entry Requirements: See "Essential Information" section under the "Know Before You Go” tab.

• Frank Willems — Zambia & Zimbabwe Expert
  

  Frank is Zambia’s leading ornithologist and ecologist. Being from Dutch origin, he worked with the Dutch ornithology trust SOVON after obtaining his MSc in Ecology from Nijmegen University. Most of his professional work focused on the breeding ecology and population dynamics of birds in the Netherlands. His involvement in Foundation WIWO focused on bird research and training projects mainly in Russia and Iran.
  
  He came to Zambia with his wife Inge in early 2008 to work with Kasanka Trust on the management of Kasanka and Lavushi Manda National Parks, as well as Shoebill Island Camp in Bangweulu Wetlands. Tasks varied from mammal and bird monitoring, supervising PhD studies on Shoebill, Kinda Baboon and Straw-coloured Fruit Bat, facilitating film crews and writing management plans, to anti-poaching activities, building scout camps and bridges, creating firebreaks, and filling potholes in the dirt roads. The very Bangweulu Shoebills prominently feature in BBC's monumental "Africa" production, alongside Kasanka's mega-colony of Straw-coloured Fruit Bats (the world’s largest mammal migration) and the eagles preying on them, both facilitated by Frank.
  
  Since late 2017 Frank and family, now based near Fringilla, Chisamba, run their own company Kigelia Solutions. Major projects since have included the Birds of Zambia app, a biodiversity survey of the Mafinga Mountains with the BirdLife partner BirdWatch Zambia, an NHK film production on African Skimmer, consultations linked to community conservancies in Mpumba, the creation and management of Kalwelwa Bushcamp in Mwinilunga, and the creation of Birding Zambia.
  
  Side activities include the function of ‘Zambian Bird Recorder’ and Technical Advisor of BirdWatch Zambia, and country rep for African Bird Club. Several of his free-time explorations have focused on remote and unexplored parts of the Mwinilunga district. The large evergreen forests he and others identified using Google Earth, prove to hold real surprises like Vermiculated Fishing-owl and Spot-breasted Ibis. Frank is determined to ultimately create a large conservancy to protect Mwinilunga’s rich biodiversity.
  
  From a young age, Frank has guided and trained people, in the Netherlands, Zambia, and many other countries. He loves sharing his passion for and knowledge of the bush. During his twelve years in Zambia, he guided numerous groups in numerous places, including tens of film crews and research groups, photographers and journalists.

  Other trips with Frank Willems — Zambia & Zimbabwe Expert
• Peg Abbott
  

  Peg Abbott is the owner and lead guide of Naturalist Journeys, LLC. She has been designing, guiding, and organizing natural history tours for more than 25 years, working for the National Audubon Society and other organizations before launching Naturalist Journeys, LLC in 1998. Her work has taken her from Alaska to Africa and Argentina, as well as many other locations around the world. She has conducted research on several bird and mammal species and keeps a close interest in Yellowstone and Mexican wolf reintroduction projects. Her interests include all aspects of natural history and geology. After 20 years in and around the Yellowstone area, Peg relocated in 2003 to the birding mecca of Portal, AZ.

  Photo credit: Carol Simon

  Other trips with Peg Abbott

  • Incredible Ecuador: Chocó Galore
    October 2 - 11, 2025
  • Island of Wonder: Birds & Nature of Sri Lanka
    FULL - See our January Japan tour!
    November 10 - 22, 2025, w/Mannar Island extension
  • NEW! New Year at Tranquilo Bay
    FULL - See our Rancho Primavera New Year Departure!
    December 30, 2025 - January 7, 2026, w/Mt. Totumas extension
  • Tanzania: Wildlife & Birding Safari
    FULL - Ask us to put you on the list for 2027.
    February 9 - 22, 2026, w/Amboseli & Nairobi National Parks extension
  • Big Cats & Breathtaking Birds of India
    FULL - Check out Island of Wonder: Birds & Nature of Sri Lanka!
    March 9 - 26, 2026, w/Pallas's Cat extension
  • Nome Sweet Nome!
    An Alaskan Migration Immersion
    May 28 - June 4, 2026
  • China’s Sichuan Basin & Tibetan Plateau
    FULL - Check out Thailand: Birding & Nature!
    June 11 - 26, 2026
  • Peru: Cusco to Manú National Park
    A private tour for Tucson Bird Alliance.
    October 2 - 17, 2026, w/Machu Picchu extension

Essential Information +

Pace & Protocols +

Packing List +

Suggested Reading List +

Useful Links +

• Grand Uganda
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  September 19 - October 3, 2026