For our first Cool Hunting Edition travel experience we brought 24 friends and readers on safari in Zambia. Over the course of eight days CH Zambia guests experienced the wonders and wildlife of Africa with a few surprises from our brand partners. More stories and videos here.

The first thing we wanted to ensure on our recent Cool Hunting Edition: Photo Safari in Zambia was that we were able to take great photographs. We needed binoculars and a lot of camera equipment, but more importantly we wanted to have a professional photographer along with us to help us get the most out of our gear and to learn how to take the best pictures possible under these special conditions.

Pentax was a perfect partner for us because their cameras and lenses are easy to use and create high quality images. With the help of professional adventure photographer Kerrick James and equipment provided by Pentax, including the K-30, the K-01 and the Optio WG-2, everyone got a hands on experience taking photos in the bush. In this video we look at Pentax's role in our trip and how Kerrick helped our participants and the students at Mfuwe's local school master the art of taking pictures. The photographic experience became core to our safari, and Pentax graciously offered the camera of choice to everyone on the trip and several cameras with the school.

A selection of the amazing photos taken by our guests is in the slideshow after the jump.

• Photograph by Craig Young: Pentax K-30, 1/750, F4, 100 ISO

  http://assets.coolhunting.com/coolhunting/2012/08/slideshow_Pentax-Bushcamp-Shots-GAL17.jpg

• Photograph by Kerrick James: Pentax K-5, 1/750, F8, 1600 ISO

  http://assets.coolhunting.com/coolhunting/2012/08/slideshow_Pentax-Bushcamp-Shots-GAL18.jpg

• Photograph by Kerrick James: Pentax K-5, 1/500, F8, 400 ISO

  http://assets.coolhunting.com/coolhunting/2012/08/slideshow_Pentax-Bushcamp-Shots-GAL16.jpg

• Photograph by Harriet Riley: Pentax K-01, 1/125, F5.6, 200 ISO

  http://assets.coolhunting.com/coolhunting/2012/08/slideshow_Pentax-Bushcamp-Shots-GAL14.jpg

• Photograph by Milo Miloscia: Pentax K-01, 1/180, F5.6, 200 ISO

  http://assets.coolhunting.com/coolhunting/2012/08/slideshow_Pentax-Bushcamp-Shots-GAL15.jpg

• Photograph by Tim Woodward: Pentax K-30, 1/750, F4, 2200 ISO

  http://assets.coolhunting.com/coolhunting/2012/08/slideshow_Pentax-Bushcamp-Shots-GAL8.jpg

• Photograph by Eric Lin: Pentax K-30, 1/500, F4, 200 ISO

  http://assets.coolhunting.com/coolhunting/2012/08/slideshow_Pentax-Bushcamp-Shots-GAL9.jpg

• Photograph by Marcelo Páscoa: Pentax K-30, 1/250, F11, 140 ISO

  http://assets.coolhunting.com/coolhunting/2012/08/slideshow_Pentax-Bushcamp-Shots-GAL10.jpg

• Photograph by Jorge Grimberg: Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS, 1/160, F3.5, 125 ISO

  http://assets.coolhunting.com/coolhunting/2012/08/slideshow_Pentax-Bushcamp-Shots-GAL11.jpg

• Photograph by CJ Maupin: Pentax K-30, 1/500, F5.6, 800 ISO

  http://assets.coolhunting.com/coolhunting/2012/08/slideshow_Pentax-Bushcamp-Shots-GAL12.jpg

• Photograph by Sheila Brady: Pentax K-30, 1/1000, F3.5, 800 ISO

  http://assets.coolhunting.com/coolhunting/2012/08/slideshow_Pentax-Bushcamp-Shots-GAL13.jpg

• Photograph by Blythe Barger: Pentax K-30, 1/45, F4, 3200 ISO

  http://assets.coolhunting.com/coolhunting/2012/08/slideshow_Pentax-Bushcamp-Shots-GAL3.jpg

• Photograph by Blythe Barger: Pentax K-01, 1/125, F4.5, 200 ISO

  http://assets.coolhunting.com/coolhunting/2012/08/slideshow_Pentax-Bushcamp-Shots-GAL4.jpg

• Photograph by Blythe Barger: Pentax K-30, 1/350, F4, 2200 ISO

  http://assets.coolhunting.com/coolhunting/2012/08/slideshow_Pentax-Bushcamp-Shots-GAL5.jpg

• Photograph by CJ Maupin: Pentax K-30, 1/1000, F8, 400 ISO

  http://assets.coolhunting.com/coolhunting/2012/08/slideshow_Pentax-Bushcamp-Shots-GAL6.jpg

• Photograph by Lynn McNeely: Pentax K-01, 1/45, F6.7, 560 ISO

  http://assets.coolhunting.com/coolhunting/2012/08/slideshow_Pentax-Bushcamp-Shots-GAL7.jpg

• Photograph by Kerrick James: Pentax K-30, 1/1500, F5.6, 800 ISO

  http://assets.coolhunting.com/coolhunting/2012/08/slideshow_Pentax-Bushcamp-Shots-1.jpg

• Photograph by Geren Lockhart: Pentax K-30, 1/250, F9.5, 200 ISO

  http://assets.coolhunting.com/coolhunting/2012/08/slideshow_Pentax-Bushcamp-Shots-GAL2.jpg