SOUTH AFRICA: The Photography Sanctuary of Zimanga 2027

Following our experience at Zimanga in 2027, we're returning to South Africa with an even more comprehensive program: 6 nights in the reserve, only 6 photographers, private safaris and two full nights in the spectacular Umgodi and Tamboti overnight hides.

Zimanga is not a conventional safari. It's a private reserve designed from its origins with nature photographers in mind, combining safaris with an extraordinary network of hides built to capture perspectives, reflections and situations difficult to achieve any other way.

1. THE DESTINATION: ZIMANGA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

Located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Zimanga Private Game Reserve encompasses around 70 km² of savanna, forests and hills crossed by the Mkuze River. Lions, African Savanna Elephants, Black Rhinoceroses, Leopards, Cheetahs, African Wild Dogs, Cape Buffalo, Northern Giraffes, Plains Zebras, various antelope species and an enormous diversity of birds are part of the wildlife you can encounter during your stay.

September also coincides with one of the driest periods of the year. The reserve itself notes that overnight hide activity tends to be most consistent during the dry months, roughly between May and October.

2. PHOTOGRAPHY HIDES

One of Zimanga's main distinctions is its network of hides built specifically for wildlife photography.

During our stay we'll combine different photography sessions, including Lagoon Hide, the reflection hides Mkhombe and Bhejane, and other facilities included in the reserve's schedule.

The hides allow you to photograph practically at water level, achieve very clean backgrounds and work with reflections, backlighting and extremely low perspectives.

UMGODI + TAMBOTI: TWO NIGHTS IN THE OVERNIGHT HIDES

This will be one of the most special experiences of the trip. Our 6-night program allows us to enjoy both of Zimanga's overnight hides:

-Umgodi Overnight Hide
-Tamboti Overnight Hide

We'll conduct one overnight session in each, arriving in the afternoon and remaining in the hide throughout the night until the following morning. Both are built for photographing large mammals from practically water level. Umgodi has a watering area just meters from the photographers and uses specific lighting after sunset. Tamboti is a newer, spacious facility also designed specifically for long overnight sessions. African Savanna Elephants, Black Rhinoceroses, Cape Buffalo and other animals may approach during the night. As always in wildlife photography, sightings can never be guaranteed.

3. PRIVATE PHOTOGRAPHY SAFARIS

The hides will be combined with open-vehicle safaris through the reserve, seeking both major African mammals and situations interesting from a photography perspective.

Staying at Doornhoek Homestead, our group has a dedicated vehicle and guide. This allows us to enjoy safaris without the vehicle congestion typical of other African destinations and work with much greater peace of mind.

The official six-night program combines the two overnight hides with daytime hides and various safaris, so throughout our stay we'll be alternating photography experiences.

4. A GROUP OF ONLY 6 PHOTOGRAPHERS

A small group means more space for our equipment, greater comfort during transfers and, most importantly, an experience much more focused on photography. Fernando Sánchez de Castro, from Hides del Tiétar, will accompany the group throughout the trip, along with Zimanga's professional guide responsible for activities within the reserve.

5. DOORNHOEK HOMESTEAD: OUR HOME AT ZIMANGA

We won't be spread across different accommodations: we'll share a private house within the reserve, with double bedrooms with bathrooms, common areas and spaces to rest, download photographs and review sessions after each day's activities.

Additionally, the reserve provides our own guide and vehicle during the stay.

*Zimanga has very high demand and available dates are not held indefinitely. For this reason, places for this trip will close as soon as we complete the group and can confirm our reservation with Zimanga definitively. If you're interested, contact us as soon as possible.