We propose one of those experiences that you will remember all your life. This is a trip to the heart of Africa, in the best conditions for wildlife photography
Zimanga is a 70 km2 nature reserve in the state of Mkuzi (South Africa) devoted exclusively to nature photography. In an 8-day stay you will combine the best hides in Africa, designed by the prestigious Bence Maté, with safari from vehicles. A great combination that will satisfy both, hide photographers and those who like to take photos in safari mode. Yes, there is everything you are thinking about and more: lions, elephants, giraffes, warthogs, cheetahs, leopards, rhinos … and more than 400 species of birds.
How many days will we be?
From August 14th (arrival in Durban and afternoon session in Zimanga) until August 22th (the day that there is still a morning session in Zimanga and leaves for Durban). It’s six full days plus two half days of photography.
Program
1st day Arrival, we leave luggage at the lodge and start with a first afternoon session. We do not want to waste a minute!
2nd to 6th day alter the sessions in the different hides in the same day (see the description of the hides below, please) with vehicle safari. The specific program is designed right there to ensure that everyone goes through all the hides and does all the routes.
The day will start at 5:30 with a breakfast and from there the different activities are distributed in three-hour strips. From 6:00 to 9:00 safari or hide, then lunch at 1:00 p.m. and free time. From 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., second round of hides or safari. There are six sessions of hide in total and two nights in the night hides, one in each hide (from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. the next morning).
7th day Exit. A session is held until 9:00 a.m. and then we will leave to the Durban airport.
Hides
If Bence Maté is famous for something, it’s because of the skills he has shown when designing hides. All the hides of the trip are equipped with spy glasses of high quality and well maintained, tripods for swivel type Arca Swiss and air conditioning. In some hides the level of comfort is comparable to that of many lodgings.
- HIDE THEATER.
It is a hide for water birds built below the water level. The point of view is equivalent to that of a hide at water level, but with all the comfort of sitting in chairs with wheels. This hide is reached through a long tunnel so as not to disturb the animals and once inside you will find a 6 meter long glass, air conditioning, electricity to charge batteries and privileged views opens the lagoon.
- HIDE DRINKERS MKHMBE AND BHEJANE.
They are hides with drinking troughs where you can control the water level from inside. They have crystals 3 meters long.
- HIDES RAPTORS.
Hides with three meters of glass where different species of raptors feed.
- MOBILE HIDE FOR WHITE FRONT BEE-EATERS
Hide located in front of a colony of bee-eaters.
- HIDES NOCTURNOS.
They are concrete structures under the ground level, which provides a spectacular view on the drinking fountain. Very long sessions are held from the afternoon, when many birds come to drink and spend all night there, to photograph mammals such as buffalo, rhinos, elephants, lions, hyenas, leopards, pheasant … this hide has a large crystal and all the comforts you can imagine for spending the night: four beds, kitchen, reading corner, microwave, refrigerator and (attention) an alarm system that alerts with sound when an animal comes, in case everyone sleeps. A wide angle lens could be needed in this hide.
The safaris: The guides specialized in photography of the reserve will drive us with every day to look for animals in the savannah. Each photographer will have a row of seats for him / her alone to be able to shoot right or left without problems. Three photographers will be placed in each vehicle. It can be agreed which species are sought by the guides.
The accommodation (Zimanga Private Lodge & Doornhoek Homestead) is a fantastic new lodge and perfectly equipped with all the details or you can rest after very intense days. The rooms are individual. From the balcony of your bungalow you will see giraffes and other animals. Take the swimsuit, there is a pool with views of the African savannah.
Guides: you will have a guide in origin from Barcelona (if you leave from another airport we can find you in Durban), another European guide with whom we will share group in the reserve and of course the guides of Zimanga.
Group. The group in total will be fourteen people, seven from PHOTO LOGISTICS and seven from other European companies. If we get the required number of photographers (14) in this group the lodge and the facilities will be of exclusive use for us.
Equipment: You will not need a tripod, but it will be good for you to have a bean-bag. You need a tripod shoe type Arca Swiss, the hides are provided with tripods with this kind of head. The lenses can range from a wide angle to 600 mm, but in the hides the animals will be very close. For those safaris excursions you will need a lens of at least 300 or 400 mm.
In the cars you can carry your backpack with all the objectives you consider necessary. You have a row just for you and your gear.
This trip is suitable for all the of photographic skill level.
Price: 3,895 €
Dates: 13 – 23 August 2020 (14 to 22 photographic days) COMPLETE
for 2021 we have two options: 25-9 to 03/10 and 03/10 to 11/10 in Zimanga
What includes? Hides, guides, accommodation in full board with breakfast, lunch and dinner. Water and hot drinks (tea or coffee) are included,
What is not included? soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are paid separately. You can pay everything with a card, but it is convenient to carry something in cash because the tradition of the country includes the tip that can be paid in euros or in local currency. The price does not include plane ticket. From PHOTO LOGISTICS we can coordinate the purchase of the ticket.
Hides and Accomodations
Zimanga’s Wildlife
