Day 1 – Arrival to Durban

Upon arrival in Durban, you will be transferred to a lovely boutique hotel in Ballito near Durban. After the long journey, you can arrive here at leisure and relax.

Day 2 – Zimanga Game Reserve

Today you will be picked up in time at the boutique hotel and driven to the Zimanga Game Reserve. You will reach the reserve around midday. Here you will meet your photo guide Hannes Lochner. After an introduction to the program for the coming days, you will go on your first game drive or photo hide session.

The Zimanga Game Reserve is specialized in nature and wildlife photography. The Game Reserve has built several photo hides together with renowned wildlife photographers. These enables the animals to be observed and photographed undisturbed. All photo hides are equipped with comfortable chairs, tripod devices and gimbal heads. In addition to taking photos in the hides, game drives on the grounds also offer great photo opportunities with a little luck.

The game reserve has a wide variety of animals. In addition to the coveted Big Five, there are opportunities to photograph cheetahs, wild dogs, hippos, giraffes, hyenas, zebras and many more. There are also over 400 bird species in Zimanga, many of which are found almost exclusively in Southern Africa.

Day 3 to 7 – Zimanga Game Reserve

There are two activities on the programme each day. You will photograph the wide variety of wildlife and birds from the underground hides and from safari vehicles. Each guest also has the opportunity to spend two nights in the ‘Overnight Hide’. This underground hide offers fantastic conditions for unique, unusual wildlife shots. The Overnight Hide is located at a small waterhole and is specially lit at night. The animals that visit the waterhole drink just a few metres away from the photographer! Comfortable chairs, tripod equipment, toilet and beds ensure a comfortable stay.

Your photo guide Hannes Lochner is always available to you for useful tips and tricks. Between game drives, you can relax in the camp. Depending on your wishes and needs, Hannes offers short tutorials on different areas of photography. Of course, he also discusses with you about already captured photos and helps you to shoot even better pictures during the next game drive.

Day 8 – End of the photo tour

After the last morning activity, you will be driven back to Durban where you will start your individual journey home or onward travel. The time for the departure from Durban should be booked in consultation with us.

Who is the photo tour suitable for

This photo tour is aimed at both beginners and advanced photographers. You have a basic knowledge of shutter speed, aperture and ISO and are able to set these on your camera. On this photo tour, you will be individually supervised according to your photography skills.

Climate

South Africa can be visited all year round. In the summer months from November to April it is hot and depending on the region it can rain. In the dry season from May to October the temperatures are pleasant. In winter, between July and September, it can be relatively cool. In October it gets warmer again.

Fitness level

The trip does not require any special physical requirements.

Health

Please seek advice from a tropical doctor, institute or your family doctor regarding any vaccinations or malaria prophylaxis. You should take important medication with you in your hand luggage from Switzerland.

Half double room

Single travellers can book half of a double room. If there is no other guest who wants to share the room, the single room surcharge will apply.

Insurance

We strongly advise you to purchase insurance for cancellation and return journey costs, which will be needed in the event of a secluded region being evacuated, a local hospital stay or return travel costs to your home country.

Travel information FDFA

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) regularly publishes information on countries where there are potential security or other risks. The FDFA’s travel advice is based on its own sources of information that are considered to be trustworthy. This travel advice can be found on the FDFA website: www.eda.admin.ch

The Terms and Conditions

TCs of Amazing Views Adventure Tours apply, as well as all other conditions which are listed in the descriptions for the respective trips.

Prices

We reserve the right to change prices (especially due to exchange rate fluctuations).