Zambia Art Safari 2024

I’ve been leading art safari workshops at Mfuwe Lodge in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park with specialist wildlife holiday operator Wildlife Worldwide since 2011. This year I led two groups to enjoy a combination of game drives and animal sculpture workshops.

Zambia Safari Sunset

Combining early morning and late afternoon game drives (when light conditions and wildlife activity are at their absolute best) with practical demonstrations and tuition, we work to recreate the thrill of our wildlife encounters in clay. Bringing the magic of the African plains to life starts in the wild.

Nick Mackman Sculptor

South Luangwa is justly famed for its abundant wildlife, easy game viewing and perhaps the best chance of seeing leopards in all of Africa. Of course, there is no guarantee of what we’ll see (if only it was that easy)! But every game drive is a unique and memorable experience, whether we encounter leopard, elephant, wild dog – or even ants!

Africa Art Safari

This year we were treated to some very special encounters with young leopard cubs. This was a thrilling trip highlight and something none of us will ever forget. We were privileged to view the young cubs a number of times, playing, resting, eating and walking alongside their mum, Lucy. I’ve been lucky enough to encounter Lucy several times over the years because, unlike most leopards, she is a gregarious cat unfazed by safari vehicles.

Zambia Art Safari 2024

After the morning drive we return to the lodge for a delicious lunch served on the deck. Unless, that is, the kitchen staff are treating us to a Bush Brunch, prepared in the bush over an open fire and eaten in the shade of a huge sausage tree. As you can imagine, this is no small undertaking for the staff. But it does provide our guests with an unforgettable experience of their time in the African bush.

Zambia Bush Brunch

The afternoons are spent working on the animal sculpture inspired by our wildlife sightings. After my initial presentation and demo of my easy-to-follow technique, everyone makes quick progress. I am always on hand to provide ongoing advice and instruction as our animal sculptures take shape. Things are even easier for those students who’ve chosen to sculpt an elephant or baboon, as the real thing is never far away. The animals wander casually into camp to feed on wild mangos and relax in the shade.

Zambia Workshop Student

But whatever the subject, our time spent making observations in the wild and capturing images with our cameras provides us with a wealth of invaluable reference material. Students work on the same sculptures throughout the week, which allows plenty of time to refine and finish their work. I have specialist clay shipped out in advance. This air-drying clay can either be left to set rock hard or fired in a kiln. At the end of the workshop I pack everyone’s work to ensure it will make the journey safely back home.

Zambia Art Safari 2024

Before heading out for our evening game drives, afternoon tea is served. This is a relaxed affair, often interrupted by the arrival of elephants who come to eat the wild mangoes growing literally just a few metres away from us. As you can imagine, this is a thrilling experience that no-one will ever forget.

Zambia Lodge Elephant

But not every day in the African bush ends with a relaxing sundowner. One of our evening game drives was cut short by a sudden storm, throwing up great clouds of dust followed by an intense downpour. As the rain lashed down and lightning lit up the sky, we beat a hasty retreat back to the lodge. We watched from beneath our waterproof ponchos as the animals ran for cover.

Zambia Bush Storm

We were lucky to witness some very close encounters with lions, wild dogs and leopards. On one occasion, a big male lion passed so close to our vehicle I could have reached out and stroked him. Our visit was also timed to coincide with the arrival of young animals, including impala, giraffe, warthogs, monkeys and zebra. As the animals are accustomed to our presence, we are able to quietly observe from the safety of our vehicles.

Nick Mackman Safari

The guides at Mfuwe Lodge deserve a special mention. They have to study for three years and pass a challenging series of exams to qualify for these top jobs. A good guide can transform your safari experience. We were out one day with our guide, Elijah, who was studying animal tracks in the sand. He could tell from the tracks that the animal was running, indicating hunting activity. Following these tracks took us to a fresh hyena kill where we found a clan of 15 hyenas tackling a baby hippo carcass. We would never have found this without Elijah’s skill and experience in the bush.

Zambia Art Safari

African wild dogs are some of my favourite animals. It’s always a privilege to spend time with these fascinating animals. They never keep still for very long, are easily distracted, enjoy play and life in general. Their cheerful nature belies their predatory instincts, however. When the dogs initiate a hunt, you can immediately detect the tension in the air. All the herbivores in the vicinity bolt.

Art Safari Workshop

My Zambia art safari students work hard on their animal sculptures. Their work shows what can be achieved over the extended period of a week-long workshop. Many of my students have never sculpted before, but the results shown here speak for themselves. They all manage to produce work of a very high standard, something that will always remind them of the magic of Africa.

Zambia Workshop Sculpture

I run art safari workshops in Zambia and around the world through Wildlife Worldwide. We still have some limited availability if you’re interested in joining us for the trip of a lifetime. You can find more information here on the Wildlife Worldwide website.

Nick Mackman Zambia