The Zimanga Game Reserve enjoys a fantastic reputation among photographers for its state-of-the-art photo hides. There are several hides for photographing birds and mammals. You can also spend two nights in one of the hides and photograph the night wildlife from the best possible angle. Besides the photo sessions in the photo hides you can also photograph on game drives in the reserve. You will spend all together six nights in the reserve.
The photo hides allow you to photograph the animals at ‘eye level’. This allows you to take extraordinary and spectacular pictures time and time again. The hide for night photography is specially lit and has beds and toilets.
Zimanga Game Reserve has a splendid variety of wildlife (including lions, elephants, leopards and cheetahs). In addition, over 400 different bird species have been documented in the area.
This trip is perfect for ambitious nature photographers who wants to expand their portfolio with unique images.
CHF 6’810.- | Price per person sharing (double occupancy) |
CHF 7’210.- | Price per person in a single room |
The careful selection of locations/lodges and the extremely knowledgeable and professional local guide made the trip through parts of Botswana a real highlight. The photographer James Clifford knows the places and positions where the animals can be put in the right light and imparts a lot of interesting information about the nature and behaviour of the animals in this unique environment. I returned home with many great pictures and numerous unique impressions.
The Zambia trip in June 2023 was marked by many great animal encounters and beautiful scenery. I especially remember a pair of leopards, about one year old, who were playing with each other and I even managed to take a picture of the female sailing over the male. Wonderful! Equally impressive, however, were the beautiful morning scenes. Antelopes and even lions presented themselves in the ground fog at sunrise! Once again, Thomas and Hannes took excellent care of us, and the local guides also did a good job. This makes us want to do more!
The photo tour ‘Botswana up close’ exceeded all my expectations. I was able to experience and photograph countless unforgettable moments. Hannes' professional guidance was brilliant. Everything ‘around’ with a super lodge, extremely good safari guides and the cosy group made this trip the perfect experience. Thank you. Can only recommend this to everyone.
It was my first photo trip to Africa. The diverse - and, thanks to the driving skills of the guides, close-up - encounters in the private game reserve were impressive: leopards, cheetahs, lions, hyenas, jackals, elephants, giraffes, antelopes, zebras, monkeys, bee-eaters, eagles, vultures and much more. We also had an excellent photo guide with us in Hannes Lochner, who was able to share a lot of his experiences with us. That makes you want more!
‘Zimanga in Focus’ scores with numerous highlights: flawless organisation, a comfortable lodge that also has something to offer in terms of cuisine, excellent photographic support from Hannes Lochner and versatile hide sessions and game drives that allow for spectacular images. There is even a good dose of adrenaline (close encounter with cheetahs). However, there is one thing you can not expect: a lot of sleep. Beach holidays are better suited to that... A photo trip that I can recommend to anyone, whether you are a beginner or an ambitious photographer.
I was able to travel to the south of Botswana with Amazing Views in October 2021. The game reserve in the Tuli Block surprised us with unique sightings. In addition to lions, elephants and a wild cat with its cub, we were able to enjoy several leopard sightings. Playful in the flowering Raintree, having fun with a feather, sneaking up on a prey - nothing was missing. Not forgetting the exciting ‘sessions’ in the Hide. Thank you Thomas and Hannes, it was a pure pleasure to be able to share these experiences with you.
A great trip to my absolute dream area in southern Africa. Nice people, relaxed atmosphere and wonderful and exciting animal sightings. Walking safaris with safe guides and unimagined photographic opportunities. I will never forget spending an afternoon up close to dozens of elephants at the waterhole. Hannes and Thomas are always on hand to help with camera settings and are also happy to discuss problems in camp. Three different destinations, very different but always with infinitely friendly staff who were happy to fulfil our wishes.
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.
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.
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.
Besides Hannes Lochner you will be looked after and mentored by the resident guide and photographer Calvin Kotze.
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.
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.
You will spend the night in an elegant Bed and Breakfast near the beach. In the evening you will be spoiled with a delicious dinner.
The comfortable rooms have a bathroom with shower, air conditioning, refrigerator and a desk with electricity connections.
There is a small souvenir shop at the lodge, a meeting room for photo discussions, a swimming pool and a spacious main building with a small library. Wifi reception is available at the lodge.
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.
The trip does not require any special physical requirements.
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.
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.
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.
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
TCs of Amazing Views Adventure Tours apply, as well as all other conditions which are listed in the descriptions for the respective trips.
We reserve the right to change prices (especially due to exchange rate fluctuations).
Please fill in the form below with the requested details and return it to Amazing Views Photo & Adventure Tours. We will send you a trip confirmation and an invoice for the deposit. Bookings are held as provisional until the required deposit is received.
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Melde Dich hier für den kostenlosen Download des eBooks an. Etwa einmal pro Monat erhältst Du weitere Tipps und Informationen rund die Reisefotografie in unserem Newsletter. Deine E-Mail-Adresse wird nicht an Dritte weitergegeben.
Melde Dich hier für den kostenlosen Download des eBooks an. Etwa einmal pro Monat erhältst Du weitere Tipps und Informationen rund die Reisefotografie in unserem Newsletter. Deine E-Mail-Adresse wird nicht an Dritte weitergegeben.
Melde Dich hier für den kostenlosen Download des eBooks an. Etwa einmal pro Monat erhältst Du weitere Tipps und Informationen rund die Reisefotografie in unserem Newsletter. Deine E-Mail-Adresse wird nicht an Dritte weitergegeben.