2023 – Zimanga Wildlife Hides & Safaris Photography Holiday

A backlit portrait of a yawning lion photographed during the NaturesLens Zimanga Wildlife Hides and Safaris photography tour
23
Jan

Now includes all drinks in addition to being full board – also free laundry throughout the stay at Zimanga!

The South African bushveld is a territory famed for its diverse range of wildlife, & the outstanding safari experience it can provide for wildlife photography enthusiasts. Join NaturesLens photography leaders on an African wildlife experience, delving deep into sub-tropical bushland; photographing incredible native species from both jeep & specially designed hides which are embedded within the landscape.

Our Wildlife Hides & Safaris photography holiday in the Zimanga reserve is a trip you’ll never forget, & will have you leaving with both stunning images & memories which you will treasure for a lifetime.
Join NaturesLens to capture images of varied African wildlife, in South Africa, during the Zimanga Wildlife Hides & Safaris photography holiday. This photography holiday is of 7 night/8 day duration on a Full Board with Drinks Included, Shared basis & costs £4749  £4499 per participant.
NaturesLens invites amateur & semi-professional photographers on a wildlife adventure which will take you into the heart of African bushveld territory, photographing a wide range of native species including impressive predators; such as leopards, elephants & cheetahs, as well as magnificent elephants & over 400 bird species. The photography safaris & hide sessions all take place within a pristinely preserved wildlife reserve, which provides the animals with a protected habitat while allowing photographers to come & observe these animals thrive, & capture awe-inspiring images.
The Zimanga wildlife reserve offers 6000 hectares of unspoilt sub-tropical bushveld, fever tree forests & hilly terrain, providing you with opportunities to capture the best images of birds & wildlife alike from every possible angle. The reserve has a huge diversity of South African wildlife including mammals such as black-backed jackal, buffalo, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, hippo, impala, kudu, leopard, lion, nyala, rhino, spotted hyena, waterbuck, wildebeest & zebra; & birds such as babbler, barbet, bee-eater, firefinch, fish eagle, hamerkop, kingfisher, lemon breasted canary, mousebird, plover, Rudd’s Apalis, sandpiper, twinspot, vulture & waxbill. The animals live side by side in an almost self-contained ecosystem, with both predators & prey relying on this environment to survive. This is the first reserve of its kind; one which has been specifically designed for photographers, while allowing the animals to live as naturally as they would in the wild with some added protection.
Our Wildlife Hides & Safaris photography holiday in the Zimanga reserve offers you five traditional game viewing drives from open safari vehicles, with no more than two photographers per row to ensure maximum comfort & access to the best angles for photography. These are not limited to tracks so that off-roading will give you maximum photography opportunities. You will also have at your disposal a range of water-level hides, which are perfectly positioned to capture images of the animals at eye-level. These hides have been created with the photographer in mind, providing the optimum structure & positioning throughout the park.
One way glass means you will be invisible to the animals, enabling you to photograph their entirely natural behaviour within the reserve. You will also benefit from the solar-powered air conditioning & comfortable interiors within the hides; included to make your wildlife experience as comfortable & enjoyable as possible.
Two birdbath hides in the heart of the reserve offer you the opportunity to photograph the wide variety of bird species which inhabit the region, including the pink-throated twinspot, kingfishers, barbets & mousebirds to name a few. But that’s not all. These hides may also give you the opportunity to photograph other visiting species, such as warthog, banded mongoose & monkeys.
A final pair of hides are provided for night photography sessions. which you will use one of each on two nights, providing you with a completely different experience of the reserve, observing a variety of species as they carry out their nighttime activities. The overnight hides are furnished with a kitchenette, flushing toilet, beds & wi-fi to ensure maximum comfort while gaining unrivalled exposure to the wildlife & their behaviours at night.
Accommodation & transfer to & from Durban airport is included within the price of the trip & David & Drew will provide photography guidance as needed.
This is a trip you will never forget. Book now to avoid disappointment!
Photographable Species: babbler, banded mongoose, barbet, bee-eater, black-backed jackal, buffalo, cheetah, cormorant, cuckoo, elephant, fire finch, fish eagle, giraffe, hamerkop, hippo, hoopoe, impala, kingfisher, kudu, lemon breasted canary, leopard, lion, mousebird, nyala, plover, rhino, roller, rudd's apalis, sandpiper, spotted hyena, twinspot, warthog, waterbuck, waxbill, wild dog, wildebeest, zebra
[tec_event_itinerary_title][itinerary_element tagline=" day 1"] arrive king shaka international airport, durban, transfer to zimanga & afternoon game drive or hide photography [/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline=" day 2"] morning & afternoon game drive or hide photography [/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline=" day 3"] morning & afternoon game drive or hide photography [/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline=" day 4"] morning & afternoon game drive or hide photography [/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline=" day 5"] morning & afternoon game drive or hide photography [/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline=" day 6"] morning & afternoon game drive or hide photography [/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline=" day 7"] morning & afternoon game drive or hide photography [/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline=" day 8"] morning game drive or hide photography, transfer to transfer to king shaka international airport, durban [/itinerary_element]
An elephant silhouetted against the skyline image captured within Zimanga Game Reserve in Kwazula Natal South Africa

2023 – Bengal Tigers of Kanha Photography Holiday

15
Jun
Join Pui Hang & David for this 8 night nature photography adventure to Kanha National Park; Kanha National Park is a tiger reserve located in in Madhya Pradesh, India.
Kahna National Park with its beautiful landscapes of lush sal & bamboo forests, rolling grasslands & ravines is the inspiration behind Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book.
Join NaturesLens to capture images of varied wildlife including, of course, the Bengal Tigers of Kanha, in India, during the Bengal Tigers of Kanha photography holiday. This photography holiday is of 8 night/9 day duration on a Full Board, Non-Shared basis & costs £3999 per participant.
This wildlife photography adventure takes you to one of the premier tiger reserves in India, wild dog, jackal, sloth bear, bison, hyena, python & the elusive leopard can also be found here – of course, much of our time will be spent locating the beautiful Bengal Tigers of Kanha.
Kanha National Park is also the only park where you can see the Barasingha, “the jewel of Kanha”, also known as the Swamp Deer. The Barasinghas inhabit the large open grass zone amidst the bamboo & teak forests & were all but extinct twenty years ago. Thanks to a holistic conservation approach & effective management practices, this symbolic deer species is thriving again & during their mating season, their rutting calls echo throughout the forest.
Approximately 300 species of birds call Kanha National Park home, including Black Ibis, Bee-eaters, Cattle Egret, Pond Heron, Drongos, Blossom-Headed Parakeets, Common Teal, Grey Hornbill, Crested Serpent Eagle, Indian roller, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Little Grebes, Lesser Adjutants, Lesser Whistling Teal, Minivets, Pied Hornbill, Woodpecker, Pigeon, Paradise Flycatchers, Mynas, Red Wattled Lapwing, Peafowl, Red Jungle Fowl, Steppe Eagle, Tickell’s Flycatcher, White-eyed Buzzard, White-breasted Kingfisher, White-browed Fantail Flycatcher, Wood shrikes & more.
One of the most popular beauty spots within Kanha is Bamni Dadar, popularly known as Sunset Point as it provides the most awe-inspiring backdrop for sunsets against grazing Samba Deer & Indian Gaur. Small wonder that Kanha is recognised as one of the most beautiful wildlife reserves in Asia.
If you are looking for an Indian tiger safari experience with a picturesque backdrop, why not join us in Kanha National Park?
For the duration of this 8 night wildlife photography tour, you will be housed in exquisite accommodation on a full board basis, providing you with comfort & excellent hospitality when you return from the game drives to relax, unwind, & look over your images. We have designed this photography holiday to maximise time in the park spent spotting & capturing editorial quality photographs of tigers while minimising travel time.
With this in mind, airport transfers, jeep fees & park fees are also included in the cost of the photography holiday, making things simple for you so that you can focus on making the most of your wildlife photography tour.
Photographable Species: Indian peafowl, barking deer, bee-eater, black ibis, blossom-headed parakeet, cattle egret, common teal, crested serpent eagle, four-horned antelope, grey hornbill, indian roller, jackal, jungle cat, langur, leopard, lesser adjutant, lesser whistling teal, little grebe, malabar pied hornbill, mouse deer, paradise flycatcher, pond heron, red junglefowl, red-wattled lapwing, sambar, sloth bear, spotted deer, steppe eagle, striped hyena, swamp deer, tickell's blue flycatcher, tiger, white-breasted kingfisher, white-browed fantail, white-eyed buzzard, wild boar, wild dog, wood shrike
[tec_event_itinerary_title][itinerary_element tagline="day 1"]flight to new delhi [/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 2"]arrive to jabalpur & transfer to kanha [/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 3"]morning safari & afternoon safari in one of the areas of kanha national park[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 4"]morning safari & afternoon safari in one of the areas of kanha national park[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 5"]morning safari & afternoon safari in one of the areas of kanha national park[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 6"]morning safari & afternoon safari in one of the areas of kanha national park[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 7"]morning safari & afternoon safari in one of the areas of kanha national park[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 8"]morning safari & afternoon safari in one of the areas of kanha national park[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 9"]transfer to jabalpur [/itinerary_element]

2023 – South Luangwa Wildlife Photography Holiday

A group of elephants preparing to cross a river photographed at the lodges bushcamps used during the Natureslens South Luangwa Wildlife Photography Holiday
13
Jun
Join Pui Hang in the South Luangwa National Park. Over 60 different species of mammal call this National Park their home, drawn by the diverse range of habitats from sandy seasonal river courses to the mineral-rich alluvial floodplains that stretch out to distant blue hills. Predators such as lion, leopard & wild dog stalk the smaller game, whilst primates such as yellow baboons & vervet monkeys swing through the trees. Down on the river, huge densities of elephant, hippo & crocodile enjoy the cool waters.
It is exactly this environment that we are inviting you to join Pui Hang in for a fantastic photgraphy safari that will blow your mind & fill your photographic portfolio.
Join NaturesLens to capture images of stunning wildlife of South Luangwa, in Zambia, during the South Luangwa Wildlife photography holiday. This photography holiday is of 13 night/14 day duration on a Full Board with Drinks Included, Shared basis & costs £9999 per participant.
From the moment you enter the South Luangwa National Park, elephants, baboons & vervet monkeys seem to be everywhere. Antelopes, zebra & other plains game congregate on the open floodplains & grasslands along the River & its numerous tributaries that course through the Park. Large herds of buffalo roam the park, the impala is ubiquitous, the puku rarely seen outside Zambia is almost as common & there are plenty of waterbucks & bushbucks too. The endemic Thornicroft’s giraffe is indigenous to the park, as are Crawshay’s zebra & Cookson’s Wildebeest.
The South Luangwa has become one of the best places in Africa to see wild dogs, with numerous resident packs requiring large traversing areas to hunt. Night drives are renowned for sighting lion on the hunt & leopard (the density of leopards is among the highest in the world). Even rarely seen nocturnal animals like the honey badger, porcupine & civet, are often seen by spotlight.
Birdwatching is superb in the Luangwa Valley; with over 400 species of birds such as Carmine Bee-eaters, Malachite Kingfishers, Lilac-breasted Rollers, Bateleur Eagles, Saddle-billed Storks, Crowned Cranes, Pel’s Fishing Owls & Fish Eagle.
In this remote setting, free from other vehicles, sightings of leopard, elephant, hippo, lion & wild dog are not just rare experiences, but commonplace.

Throughout the holiday, you will stay in secluded, intimate camps that are listed in National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World, set in glorious surroundings & can accommodate a maximum of just eight guests. Together with the warmest of hospitality, sumptuous meals & first-class guides, these carefully selected bush-camps are the perfect gateway for photographers wishing to explore the spectacular wildlife of the South Luangwa.

Accommodation for this trip is on a shared room, full-board basis but single supplement is available at a cost. At the bush-camps, drinks are included & there is even a free laundry service.
During our 2 week photgraphy safari, we will stay at Mfuwe Lodge, plus three of their remote, but beautiful, bush-camps.
Photographable Species: antelope, bateleur eagle, buffalo, bushbuck, carmine bee-eater, crocodile, crowned crane, elephant, fish eagle, giraffe, hippo, impala, leopard, lilac-breasted roller, lion, malachite kingfisher, pel's fishing owl, puku, saddle-billed stork, vervet monkey, waterbuck, wild dog, wildebeest, yellow baboon, zebra
[tec_event_itinerary_title][itinerary_element tagline="day 1"]late-afternoon flight to dubai or nairobi[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 2"]flight to lusaka - flight to mwufe - transfer to mfuwe lodge - late-afternoon game-drive - overnight at mfuwe lodge[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 3"]morning game-drive - late-afternoon game-drive - overnight at mfuwe lodge[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 4"]morning game-drive - transfer to our next bush-camp - late-afternoon game-drive - overnight at bush-camp[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 5"]morning game-drive - late-afternoon game-drive - overnight at bush-camp[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 6"]morning game-drive - late-afternoon game-drive - overnight at bush-camp[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 7"]morning game-drive - transfer to our next bush-camp - late-afternoon game-drive - overnight at bush-camp[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 8"]morning game-drive - late-afternoon game-drive - overnight at bush-camp[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 9"]morning game-drive - late-afternoon game-drive - overnight at bush-camp[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 10"]morning game-drive - transfer to our next bush-camp - late-afternoon game-drive - overnight at bush-camp[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 11"]morning game-drive - late-afternoon game-drive - overnight at bush-camp[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 12"]morning game-drive - late-afternoon game-drive - overnight at bush-camp[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 13"]morning game-drive - transfer to mfuwe lodge - late-afternoon game-drive - overnight at mfuwe lodge[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 14"]morning game-drive - transfer to mfuwe airport for the flight home[/itinerary_element]
An elephant wades one of the rivers near the lodge photographed at the lodges bushcamps used during the Natureslens South Luangwa Wildlife Photography Holiday

2022 – Hummingbirds & Wildlife of Ecuador Photography Holiday

01
May
Join David on a nature photography trip to Ecuador where you will encounter one of the highest diversity of birds in the world. The number of different bird species, especially Hummingbirds, is simply mind-boggling.
Ecuador means ‘equator’ & it runs through this country attracting birds from both the northern & southern hemispheres. Some people refer to the climate in Ecuador as eternal spring, as there is little variation in the annual daily temperature, making the climate very comfortable. The Andes mountain range provides a variety of elevations for photo opportunities including beautiful valleys & majestic active volcanoes.
Join NaturesLens to capture images of Wildlife of Ecuador, in Ecuador, during the Hummingbirds & Wildlife of Ecuador photography holiday. This photography holiday is of 15 night/16 day duration on a Full Board, Non-Shared basis & costs £4999  £3999 per participant.
This nature photography trip is designed to visit very safe tourist areas in the provinces of Pichincha, Napo & Orellana which are some of the best places for bird photography & far away from the areas highlighted by the Foreign Office. In addition, David & our local guide are always looking for new places to provide the best photography experience.
With 1600 different birds species, Ecuador is a mega-diverse country & one for the bucket list for any bird photographer.
There will be opportunities to photograph hummingbirds on feeders & visit a refuge famous for its rare birds such as the Cock-of-the-rock (yes, it is a bird!!), Rufous-fronted Wood-Quail, Yellow-breasted Antpitta, Moustached Antpitta, Ochre-breasted Antpitta & Choco Trogon. If you are lucky, you may even witness a Cock-of-the-rock lek!
In Ecuador’s rainforests, you can see flocks of oropendolas, aracari, tanagers & euphonias as they roam the forest canopy in search of fruit. Plum-throated Cotingas glow from the treetops & raptors perch on vantage points to dry off in the morning sun while White-browed Purpletufts & Crowned Slaty Flycatchers sally for insects. If there is a fruiting tree nearby, you may even see numerous parrots & macaws fly by or drop-in, & many other species flying past.
Our first stay will be at Mindo Loma; Mindo Loma is a great place for photography of Hummingbirds & Tanagers at feeders & is located approximately 1 ½ hours from Quito in the middle of the Cloud forest on the west slope of the Andes. This will be our base & the starting point for all the photography locations & lodges that we will visit this side of the Andes Cordillera.
While staying in Mindo Loma, we will visit Mashpi, a location that is a significant area for bird photography. Mashpi is part of the Chocó area, in the Amagusa reserve. Many species arrive to feed at the banana laden feeders. Species we hope to be able to photograph at this location include Glistening-green Tanager, Moss-backed Tanager, Lemon-rumped Tanager, Golden-collared Honeycreeper, Green Honeycreeper, Purple-bibbed Whitetip Hummingbird, White-throated Quail-dove.
Another location we will visit while staying in Mindo Loma is Refugio Paz de las Aves. Here, we should be able to capture images of the Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Ochre-breasted Antpitta, Rufous-breasted Antthrush, Giant Antpitta, Moustached Antpitta, Yellow-breasted Antpitta, Orange-breasted Fruiteater.
Moving on from Mindo Loma, we head to an area of the country dedicated to conservation & eco-tourism. The area has the highest likelihood of being able to observe & photograph the Umbrellabird. Aside from the Umbrellabird, we hope to be able to photograph Black Solitaire, Long-wattled Umbrellabird, Rufous Motmot, Chocó Toucan, Pale-mandibled Araçari, White Necked Jacobin Hummingbird, White-whiskered Hermit Hummingbird, Green Thorntail Hummingbird, Green-crowned Brilliant Hummingbird, Green-crowned Woodnymph Hummingbird, Rufous-throated Tanager, Silver-throated Tanager, Golden-winged Manakin, Club-winged Manakin.
Next, we find ourselves at Yanacocha, a Reserve of the Jocotoco Foundation & is at 3200 – 3400 meters above sea level. This is the only forest on the West Andean Slope that has feeders available, & of course, we will make the best use of these opportunities.
We will spend several days undertaking photography in the Ecological Reserve of Antisana located in the East Andean Slope with an excellent opportunity to find Condors, & the area has several lakes which we may make use of to obtain images of some of the region’s aquatic birds.
We will make use of the grounds of the Guango Lodge, located near to the hot springs of Papallacta & a paradise for a variety of species of hummingbird. It is a fantastic location to capture images of these tiny birds.
Our next location is Puerto Misahualli near the Napo River. Misahualli is a community that is located next to the Napo River, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon River. Next to this community is the Paikawe lagoon, which is an excellent environment for photography of a wide variety of species. We will spend the night at Wildsumaco Bird Lodge.
The Andes’s Eastern Foothills is currently encountering severe problems. The rainforest in the renowned birding locale of Sumaco is rapidly being logged & converted into farmland. Habitat for birds & other animals requiring primary forest is being lost, but small reserves are being established to halt this devastation.
In this rainforest, we hope to be able to photograph Wire-crested Thorntail Hummingbird, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Violet-fronted Brilliant Hummingbird, Black-throated Brilliant Hummingbird, Gould’s Jewelfront Hummingbird, Golden-tailed Sapphire Hummingbird.
While staying at the Napo Cultural Center, we will take boat trips to three amazing destinations, to photograph the parrot clay licks or saladeros. During these boat trips, we hope to see the most beautiful natural spectacle with more than 11 different species that show up in these locations.
Our final location is the Cabañas San Isidro which is located in the East of the Andean Cordillera, in the foothills close to the Amazon. Cabañas San Isidro has Hummingbird feeders & natural trails. Upon our arrival in the morning, we will have the possibility of seeing different species of insects feeding.
We will also be taking opportunities with macro subjects such as frogs & reptiles, butterflies, other mammals & literally anything else that crosses our path during the 16 days.
Photographable Species: andean cock-of-the-rock, andean condor, andean coot, andean gull, andean teal, andean tit-spinetail, black solitaire, black-billed mountain-toucan, black-capped tanager, black-chested buzzard-eagle, black-chested mountain-tanager, black-faced ibis, black-mandibled toucan, black-throated brilliant hummingbird, black-winged ground-dove, blue-backed conebill, blue-crowned manakin, blue-winged mountain-tanager, bronzy inca, brown inca hummingbird, capped heron, carunculated caracara, chestnut breasted coronet, chocó toucan, club winged manakin, collared inca hummingbird, empress brilliant hummingbird, fawn-breasted brilliant hummingbird, flame- faced tanager, giant antpitta, glistening-green tanager, glowing puffleg hummingbird, golden- collared honeycreeper, golden-breasted puffleg hummingbird, golden-headed quetzal, golden-napped tanager, golden-tailed sapphire hummingbird, golden-winged manakin, gould’s jewelfront hummingbird, great potoo, great sapphire-wing hummingbird, green honeycreeper, green thorntail hummingbird, green-crowned brilliant hummingbird, green-crowned woodnymph hummingbird, hoatzin, hooded mountain tanager, inca jay, lacrimose mountain-tanager, lemon-rumped tanager, long-wattled umbrellabird, macaw, magpie tanager, moss-backed tanager, mountain-tanager, moustached antpitta, ocellated tapaculo, ochre-breasted antpitta, orange-breasted fruiteater, orange-eared tanager, pale-mandibled araçari, parakeet, parrot, pavonie quetzal, powerful woodpecker, purple-backed thornbill hummingbird, purple-bibbed whitetip hummingbird, páramo ground tyrant, rainbow-bearded thornbill hummingbird, red-billed parrot, rufous antpitta, rufous motmot, rufous-breasted antthrush, rufous-throated tanager, scarlet- bellied mountain-tanager, shining sunbeam hummingbird, silver-throated tanager, silvery grebe, stripe-headed brush-finch, sword-billed hummingbird, swordbill hummingbird, torrent duck, toucan barbet, tourmaline sunangel hummingbird, turquoise jay, velvet-purple coronet hummingbird, violet-fronted brilliant hummingbird, violet-headed hummingbird, violet-tailed sylph hummingbird, wattled guan, white capped dipper, white necked jacobin hummingbird, white-capped tanager, white-throated quail-dove, white-whiskered hermit hummingbird, wire-crested thorntail hummingbird, yellow-billed pintail, yellow-breasted antpitta
[tec_event_itinerary_title]To be confirmed

2022 – Zimanga Wildlife Hides & Safaris Photography Holiday

A backlit portrait of a yawning lion photographed during the NaturesLens Zimanga Wildlife Hides and Safaris photography tour
23
Apr

Now includes all drinks in addition to being full board – also free laundry throughout the stay at Zimanga!

The South African bushveld is a territory famed for its diverse range of wildlife, & the outstanding safari experience it can provide for wildlife photography enthusiasts. Join NaturesLens photography leaders on an African wildlife experience, delving deep into sub-tropical bushland; photographing incredible native species from both jeep & specially designed hides which are embedded within the landscape.

Our Wildlife Hides & Safaris photography holiday in the Zimanga reserve is a trip you’ll never forget, & will have you leaving with both stunning images & memories which you will treasure for a lifetime.
Join NaturesLens to capture images of varied African wildlife, in South Africa, during the Zimanga Wildlife Hides & Safaris photography holiday. This photography holiday is of 7 night/8 day duration on a Full Board with Drinks Included, Shared basis & costs £4249 per participant.
NaturesLens invites amateur & semi-professional photographers on a wildlife adventure which will take you into the heart of African bushveld territory, photographing a wide range of native species including impressive predators; such as leopards, elephants & cheetahs, as well as magnificent elephants & over 400 bird species. The photography safaris & hide sessions all take place within a pristinely preserved wildlife reserve, which provides the animals with a protected habitat while allowing photographers to come & observe these animals thrive, & capture awe-inspiring images.
The Zimanga wildlife reserve offers 6000 hectares of unspoilt sub-tropical bushveld, fever tree forests & hilly terrain, providing you with opportunities to capture the best images of birds & wildlife alike from every possible angle. The reserve has a huge diversity of South African wildlife including mammals such as black-backed jackal, buffalo, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, hippo, impala, kudu, leopard, lion, nyala, rhino, spotted hyena, waterbuck, wildebeest & zebra; & birds such as babbler, barbet, bee-eater, firefinch, fish eagle, hamerkop, kingfisher, lemon breasted canary, mousebird, plover, Rudd’s Apalis, sandpiper, twinspot, vulture & waxbill. The animals live side by side in an almost self-contained ecosystem, with both predators & prey relying on this environment to survive. This is the first reserve of its kind; one which has been specifically designed for photographers, while allowing the animals to live as naturally as they would in the wild with some added protection.
Our Wildlife Hides & Safaris photography holiday in the Zimanga reserve offers you five traditional game viewing drives from open safari vehicles, with no more than two photographers per row to ensure maximum comfort & access to the best angles for photography. These are not limited to tracks so that off-roading will give you maximum photography opportunities. You will also have at your disposal a range of water-level hides, which are perfectly positioned to capture images of the animals at eye-level. These hides have been created with the photographer in mind, providing the optimum structure & positioning throughout the park.
One way glass means you will be invisible to the animals, enabling you to photograph their entirely natural behaviour within the reserve. You will also benefit from the solar-powered air conditioning & comfortable interiors within the hides; included to make your wildlife experience as comfortable & enjoyable as possible.
Two birdbath hides in the heart of the reserve offer you the opportunity to photograph the wide variety of bird species which inhabit the region, including the pink-throated twinspot, kingfishers, barbets & mousebirds to name a few. But that’s not all. These hides may also give you the opportunity to photograph other visiting species, such as warthog, banded mongoose & monkeys.
A final pair of hides are provided for night photography sessions. which you will use one of each on two nights, providing you with a completely different experience of the reserve, observing a variety of species as they carry out their nighttime activities. The overnight hides are furnished with a kitchenette, flushing toilet, beds & wi-fi to ensure maximum comfort while gaining unrivalled exposure to the wildlife & their behaviours at night.
Accommodation & transfer to & from Durban airport is included within the price of the trip & Pui Hang & David will provide photography guidance as needed.
This is a trip you will never forget. Book now to avoid disappointment!
Photographable Species: babbler, banded mongoose, barbet, bee-eater, black-backed jackal, buffalo, cheetah, cormorant, cuckoo, elephant, fire finch, fish eagle, giraffe, hamerkop, hippo, hoopoe, impala, kingfisher, kudu, lemon breasted canary, leopard, lion, mousebird, nyala, plover, rhino, roller, rudd's apalis, sandpiper, spotted hyena, twinspot, warthog, waterbuck, waxbill, wild dog, wildebeest, zebra
[tec_event_itinerary_title][itinerary_element tagline=" day 1"] arrive king shaka international airport, durban, transfer to zimanga & afternoon game drive or hide photography [/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline=" day 2"] morning & afternoon game drive or hide photography [/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline=" day 3"] morning & afternoon game drive or hide photography [/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline=" day 4"] morning & afternoon game drive or hide photography [/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline=" day 5"] morning & afternoon game drive or hide photography [/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline=" day 6"] morning & afternoon game drive or hide photography [/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline=" day 7"] morning & afternoon game drive or hide photography [/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline=" day 8"] morning game drive or hide photography, transfer to transfer to king shaka international airport, durban [/itinerary_element]
An elephant silhouetted against the skyline image captured within Zimanga Game Reserve in Kwazula Natal South Africa

2022 – African Wildlife of the Maasai Mara Photography Holiday

201703 Kenya 6734 Arnfinn Johansen
21
Mar
NaturesLens is proud to offer keen wildlife photographers the chance to join David & Pui Hang & take opportunities with the fabulous & diverse wildlife of Africa’s Maasai Mara. Here you will find lions, leopards & cheetahs & all the other iconic animals of Africa like elephants, buffalos, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, hyenas, jackals, warthogs, baboons, zebras, wildebeest & other antelopes such as Thompson’s gazelles, impalas, grants & topis – among many other species.  The black rhino is more tricky, but can sometimes be spotted in the Mara Triangle & if you are lucky, you may even see the serval cat. The Maasai Mara is also super-rich with birdlife including eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, vultures, kingfishers, cranes, hornbills, the Secretary bird, ostrich, to name but a few.
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is an area of preserved savannah wilderness in southwestern Kenya, along the Tanzanian border. It is one of the best parks for big cats, but sightings of smaller predators like bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal & spotted hyena are also rewarding.
We have designed an all-encompassing 10 night photography experience, ensuring that splendid safaris & comfortable accommodation are organised for you to ensure that you can focus on making the most of opportunities to capture editorial quality images.
Join NaturesLens to capture images of wildlife of the Maasai Mara, in Kenya, during the African Wildlife of the Maasai Mara photography holiday. This photography holiday is of 10 night/11 day duration on a Full Board, Shared basis & costs £5999 per participant.
Our base is located within a genuine Maasai village, where you will also have the unique opportunity to experience the Maasai people’s traditional & famous culture. This will give you the extraordinary chance to get to know the proud Maasai people & their culture from the inside. Their hospitality is great – when you arrive, the children come running to greet you; Jambo!
Our drivers & naturalists are highly skilled & respected. More importantly, they understand what it means to work with professional & demanding wildlife photographers, & always work hard to give you the best opportunities to get your shots whether it is from inside the car, or from the ground or on foot – from the early mornings to the late evenings. They are exceptionally good in finding animals, reading what will happen & positioning the vehicle optimally for photography.
Our base, an eco safari camp, is located in Mara North Conservancy, just five minutes’ drive to the border of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Accommodation is offered in spacious safari tents furnished with en-suite bathroom including shower, washbasin & flush toilet. There is also a dining tent where the camp’s chef & staff will serve us with delicious food. In the dining tent, we will also be able to charge camera batteries, phones & computers.
Breakfast & lunch will be taken on the game drives so that you can enjoy full day safaris with picnic breakfast & picnic lunch on the open savannah, in the shade under a tree or by the Mara or Talek rivers overlooking hippos & crocodiles.
The full-day safaris mean you will be out before sunrise & until after sunset, photographing in the very best light. There will also be opportunities to photograph from outside the car on foot or from the ground. Driving off road is also possible, subject to the appropriate licences being obtained.
This trip is best suited to those of you with mid-level to advanced photography skills looking for a new challenge. We pride ourselves in offering something unique to clients in comparison to other trip providers, so we have arranged for the game drives to be carried out in safari vehicles which have been specially modified for wildlife photography.
The safari vehicles, based on 4WD Toyota Landcruiser Long Edition, have been modified for the purpose of giving the best working conditions for photographers. They allow you to stay low & get strong & powerful low-angle shots of the wildlife, shooting both ways from the vehicle. They have no back doors, & the floor is extended to 180 cm in width & covered with a soft rubber mat making it comfortable to lie on. Also, the wide-open sides with shallow window frames, no bars & no glass are very convenient for panning & action photography. The vehicles have a pop-up roof, so shooting from the roof, for instance, birds, a leopard in a tree or a cheetah hunting is very convenient. The pop-up roof also provides shade from the sun. Last but by no means least, the cars also have 4-6 power outlets for charging cameras, phones, laptops etc. on the go.
We will have exclusive use of these vehicles & with our driver/guides, we can go where we like, stop & have the car positioned as we like, waiting for as long as we like & be in the right place in the early mornings, catching the sunrise, or wait for the right moment & the best light in the evenings. What’s more bean-bags will be provided.
David & Pui Hang, cofounders of NaturesLens, will lead you throughout this photography tour, providing guidance & advice as needed & helping you develop your skills. They will help you capture images of the diverse wildlife in both wide-angle & close up shots; capturing them in motion or static, interacting with each other or with other species all with the impressive backdrop provided by the African landscape.
Photographable Species: african elephant, cheetah, giraffe, hippo, hyena, leopard, lion, vulture, wildebeest, zebra
All images provided by & are copyright works of Arnfinn Johansen – used by permission.
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A Lioness Photographed Against The Setting Sun In The Locations To Be Used For The NaturesLens Wildlife Of Africas Maasai Mara Photography Holiday

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