Canonical URL: https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/11/24/mana-pools-wildlife-photography-holiday/ # Mana Pools 2026 — Why We’re Returning & What’s Changed Published on November 24, 2024 [![One Of The Massive Bull Elephants Under The Even Larger Trees Found In Mana Pools Photographed During The Natureslens Wildlife Of Mana Pools Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/One-of-the-massive-bull-elephants-under-the-even-larger-trees-found-in-Mana-Pools-photographed-during-the-NaturesLens-WIldlife-of-Mana-Pools-photography-Holiday-1024x683.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/One-of-the-massive-bull-elephants-under-the-even-larger-trees-found-in-Mana-Pools-photographed-during-the-NaturesLens-WIldlife-of-Mana-Pools-photography-Holiday.jpg) Written by [David](https://natureslens.co.uk/guides/david/) with images contributed by [Pui Hang](https://natureslens.co.uk/guides/pui-hang/). We ran our first Mana Pools trip in 2024. It was one of the strongest [African wildlife](https://natureslens.co.uk/for/african-wildlife/) photography experiences we’ve put together — the standing elephants alone justified the trip, but the combination of walking safaris, hide photography, & the sheer density of wildlife along the Zambezi floodplain made it something we knew we had to repeat. For 2026, we’re going back to [Mana Pools](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/africa/) with an improved itinerary. We’ve extended the time in the field, refined the camp arrangements, & built the schedule more tightly around the photographic opportunities that made the 2024 trip so productive. [![One Of The Bull Elephants Stretching For Foliage Photographed During The Natureslens Mana Pools Wildlife Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/One-of-the-bull-elephants-stretching-for-foliage-photographed-during-the-NaturesLens-WIldlife-of-Mana-Pools-photography-Holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/One-of-the-bull-elephants-stretching-for-foliage-photographed-during-the-NaturesLens-WIldlife-of-Mana-Pools-photography-Holiday.jpg) ## What Makes Mana Pools Different? Mana Pools is a [UNESCO World Heritage Site](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/) in northern Zimbabwe, set along the Zambezi River floodplain. What makes it exceptional for photographers is the access. Unlike most [African](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/africa/) parks, Mana Pools permits walking safaris — you can leave the vehicle, approach subjects on foot, & choose your angle relative to the light. The park’s famous albida woodland is where the standing elephants are found. Bull elephants here have learned to rear up on their hind legs to reach seed pods in the tree canopy — behaviour that is almost unique to this population. The resulting images — a full-sized elephant standing vertically against a backdrop of golden woodland — are unlike anything you’ll photograph elsewhere. ## What the Trip Covers? The itinerary splits across two camps, each targeting different areas & species. Morning & afternoon sessions alternate between vehicle-based game drives, walking safaris, & dedicated hide photography. The hides at our first camp offer close-range, eye-level perspectives on [elephants](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/african-elephant/) & waterbirds at the river, while the walking sessions put you at ground level with subjects in a way that transforms the feeling & quality of the images. [![One Of The Bull Elephants Gauging The Situation Photographed During The Natureslens Wildlife Of Mana Pools Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/One-of-the-bull-elephants-gauging-the-situation-photographed-during-the-NaturesLens-WIldlife-of-Mana-Pools-photography-Holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/One-of-the-bull-elephants-gauging-the-situation-photographed-during-the-NaturesLens-WIldlife-of-Mana-Pools-photography-Holiday.jpg) The second camp opens up predator photography — wild dogs, [lion](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/african-lion/), & [leopard](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/leopard/) all move through this section of the park. Wild dogs in particular produce fast, dynamic sequences that are a welcome contrast to the slower pace of elephant photography. [![One Of The Bull Elephants Reaching For The Foliage Above Photographed During The Natureslens Wildlife Of Mana Pools Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/One-of-the-bull-elephants-reaching-for-the-foliage-above-photographed-during-the-NaturesLens-WIldlife-of-Mana-Pools-photography-Holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/One-of-the-bull-elephants-reaching-for-the-foliage-above-photographed-during-the-NaturesLens-WIldlife-of-Mana-Pools-photography-Holiday.jpg) ## What’s Improved for 2026 Based on what we learned in 2024, we’ve made several changes. More time has been allocated to the first camp, where the standing [elephant](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/african-elephant/) behaviour & hide photography were the strongest elements. The walking safari component has been expanded — it was the standout photography format from the previous trip, & photographers consistently came back from those sessions with their best work. Camp logistics have been tightened to reduce downtime & maximise the usable hours in the field. [![A Bull Elephant Stretching For Foliage Photographed During The Natureslens Wildlife Of Mana Pools Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/A-bull-elephant-stretching-for-foliage-photographed-during-the-NaturesLens-WIldlife-of-Mana-Pools-photography-Holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/A-bull-elephant-stretching-for-foliage-photographed-during-the-NaturesLens-WIldlife-of-Mana-Pools-photography-Holiday.jpg) ## Booking The [2026](https://natureslens.co.uk/during/2026/) trip is now open. Group size is limited & the 2024 departure filled quickly. Full details are on the [Mana Pools photography holiday page](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/africa/). [![Some Of The Wild Dogs Interacting Photographed During The Natureslens Wildlife Of Mana Pools Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Some-of-the-wild-dogs-interacting-photographed-during-the-NaturesLens-WIldlife-of-Mana-Pools-photography-Holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Some-of-the-wild-dogs-interacting-photographed-during-the-NaturesLens-WIldlife-of-Mana-Pools-photography-Holiday.jpg) - NaturesLens wildlife photography holidays are structured around photographic opportunity — every schedule decision is made around light, behaviour, & access. - Small groups of 4–8 photographers ensure unhurried positions & individual guidance. - Single occupancy accommodation is included as standard across the majority of our trips. ## Share this post - - - - [![Puffins In The Snow Photographed At One Of The Locations For This Puffins In The Snow Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Puffins-in-the-snow-photographed-at-one-of-the-locations-for-this-Puffins-in-the-snow-photography-holiday-300x200.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/2025/05/20/new-dates-guide-for-puffins-in-the-snow/) ### [New Dates & Guide for Winter Wildlife of Arctic Varanger](https://natureslens.co.uk/2025/05/20/new-dates-guide-for-puffins-in-the-snow/) May 20, 2025 Join Alison on our Arctic Wildlife & Winter Wildlife of Arctic Varanger photography holiday in late-March 2026. Capture a rich… - [![A Golden Eagle Fox Photographed During A Natureslens Photography Holiday To Photograph Northern Sweden Eagles In Winter](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/a-golden-eagle-fox-photographed-during-a-natureslens-photography-holiday-to-photograph-northern-sweden-eagles-in-winter-300x200.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/2025/02/02/golden-eagle-photography/) ### [Golden Eagle Photography in Northern Sweden — What the Winter Landscape Offers](https://natureslens.co.uk/2025/02/02/golden-eagle-photography/) February 2, 2025 Discover Golden Eagles in the Swedish Winter through the lens of Robin. All images were captured whilst he was guiding… - [![One Of The Golden Eagles Flying Amongst The Trees Photographed During A Natureslens Photography Holiday To Photograph Nortern Swedens Eagles In Winter](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/one-of-the-golden-eagles-flying-amongst-the-trees-photographed-during-a-natureslens-photography-holiday-to-photograph-nortern-swedens-eagles-in-winter-300x200.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/2026/08/26/whats-been-published-recently-on-natureslens/) ### [What’s Been Published Recently on NaturesLens](https://natureslens.co.uk/2026/08/26/whats-been-published-recently-on-natureslens/) August 26, 2026 Catch up with recent NaturesLens news & articles, from Arctic Varanger & Yellowstone to winter eagles, hummingbirds, guides & trip… In this article 1. [What Makes Mana Pools Different?](https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/11/24/mana-pools-wildlife-photography-holiday/#what-makes-mana-pools-different) 1. [What the Trip Covers?](https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/11/24/mana-pools-wildlife-photography-holiday/#what-the-trip-covers) 1. [What's Improved for 2026](https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/11/24/mana-pools-wildlife-photography-holiday/#whats-improved-for-2026) 1. [Booking](https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/11/24/mana-pools-wildlife-photography-holiday/#booking) ### Author D [David](https://natureslens.co.uk/guides/david/) shares practical field notes, trip updates and wildlife photography advice from the NaturesLens programme. Next step ### Find your next wildlife photography holiday Browse small-group trips by destination, subject, season and photographic goal. [Browse Holidays](https://natureslens.co.uk/wildlife-photography-holidays/) ### Related articles [![Why We Recommend Visiting Grímsey Island In 2027 With Robin](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/An-atlantic-puffin-swimming-on-calm-water-photographed-by-Robin-Lowry-during-the-NaturesLens-Puffins-of-Iceland-photography-holiday-on-Grimsey-Island-150x150.jpg) **Why We Recommend Visiting Grímsey Island in 2027 with Robin**](https://natureslens.co.uk/2026/09/01/grimsey-island-for-puffin-photography/) [![Heipi Travel Tripod Review – Long-Term Field Use &Amp; Real-World Verdict](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Heipi-Travel-Tripod-Review-5.jpg) **HEIPI Travel Tripod Review – Long-Term Field Use & Real-World Verdict**](https://natureslens.co.uk/2026/08/26/heipi-travel-tripod-review-long-term-field-use/) ### Field notes by email New articles, trip reports and wildlife photography holiday announcements from NaturesLens. 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