Join us for a photographic safari in one of the most unique reserves in South Africa!

Zimanga, our destination for this safari, not only offers access to Africa’s first purpose built photographic hides (including overnight hides), but also provides you the opportunity to spend time on foot with cheetah (sighting permitting, this is not guaranteed but not uncommon), giving an abundance of unique photographic moments, particularly those at a low angle.

The reserve is home to the Big 5 plus cheetah, a huge variety of plains game and over 400 species of birds. Activities will take place in both the morning and afternoon when game is typically more active. Activities will include both game drives and hide sessions. Morning activities will depart at sunrise and evening drives leave late enough in the afternoon for guests to enjoy a bush sunset and the opportunity to view nocturnal animals after dark. On a typical evening drive guests enjoy a sundowners drink and break in activity. Whilst this can be arranged, for this trip we chose to skip the occasion to maximise the opportunity to photograph during some of the most spectacular light of the day. Overnight hide sessions comprise of a full 16 hours in the hide – allowing you to make the most of all lighting conditions from afternoon to sunset to night and, finally, sunrise.

For the duration of our stay we will be utilising a private 4×4 landcruiser and field guide along with private hide sessions, meaning we have complete control and maximum flexibility to get the best photographs possible. Our photographic group will comprise a maximum of six guests but may split into two smaller groups at times to ensure extra space and comfort on all game activities including time spent in the ground level hides where extra space can feel at a premium in order to be inconspicuous to the wildlife that approaches.

Throughout this photographic safari you will receive field guidance and support, making sure you you discover new creative skills and techniques to elevate your photography. Back at the homestead between activities is the perfect time and location to look at photo cataloguing and processing with your photographic guide Sophie Brown.

There are currently nine photographic hides across Zimanga including two overnight hides. Each has been designed with a specific set of species in mind, whether it be large mammals such as giraffe, elephant or rhino or the smallest of birds such as waxbills and sunbirds. Once in the hide you are invisible to your subjects, situated behind special one-way glass in order not to startle the subject with any movement or sound.

The location of each hide has been selected specifically with photography in mind and adjusted to the smallest degree in order to ensure that lighting, focal lengths, backgrounds and potential animal behaviour all fall into place allowing you to produce images of startling quality and originality making it a true photographer’s paradise for all levels of photography.

£3,950 per person sharing – EARLY BIRD SPECIAL until 1 JAN 2023