2022 – Wildlife Hides & Safaris of Kenya Photography Holiday

A group of elephant photographed from a helicopter - photographed at the lodge used for the NaturesLens Wildlife Hides & Safaris of Kenya Photography Holiday
30
Mar
The lodge that is the cornerstone for our Wildlife Hides & Safaris of Kenya photography holiday is family-owned & operates in the heart of the Kenyan wilderness on land responsibly leased from the local Maasai community. It is owned by people who have a love for wildlife & wilderness areas, who wanted to protect it, & then share it with the world.
The conservancy that we will be located in, is 25,000 hectares & shares a border with another conservancy which is 60,000 hectares. The lodge we are using is the ONLY lodge in the area & from there, we will have exclusive access to both conservancies. With such a large area to roam, it is rare to come across any other car on a game drive.
Join NaturesLens to capture images of the wildlife of an exclusive conservancy, in Kenya, during the Wildlife Hides & Safaris of Kenya photography holiday. This photography holiday is of 9 night/10 day duration on a Full Board with Drinks Included, Non-Shared basis & costs £5999 per participant.
The area is a wildlife paradise with impala, dik-dik, kudu, Grants gazelle, giraffe, elephant, lions, leopards, cheetah, aardwolf, striped & spotted hyena, colobus monkey, vervet monkeys, genet, wild cat, bush babies, porcupine, honey badgers & various mongoose. The list does go on with the only significant species you will not find in the conservancy is the rhino.
Birdlife at the lodge is excellent. The lodge has had a guest record of over 110 species of birds in three days whilst in camp from martial eagles, ostrich & secretary birds to greater & lesser flamingo, African spoonbills & pelicans in the lakes to the smaller weavers & sunbirds.
Since we will be staying in a private conservancy, our group will have full rights to drive off the road with no time limits on return to camp, allowing complete freedom to the wilderness at all times.
The neighbouring river is stunning for evening sundowners or just an afternoon with chairs in the river reading a book or watching the wildlife come to drink at various points.
We will be taking trips away from the conservancy to visit the nearby salt lakes, virtually guaranteeing Flamingo photography opportunities & lots of other salt lake birds.
We have also planned to take a trip to a Fig tree forest with huge tree canopies inhabited by Colobus Monkey families.
Unlike other areas around Africa, the night drives are incredibly productive, & because the lodge is located in a generally warmer area, the night drives are undertaken in a comfortable temperature, with guests going out in shorts & not feeling cold, adding a different dynamic to the safari experience.
There will also be the option (at additional cost) to do some aerial photography from a helicopter. There really is nothing is as remarkable as seeing the area from the skies in a helicopter due to the incredible patterns & colours on the nearby lakes. The lakes are like paintings & to appreciate them truly you need to get above them into the skies.
The crowning glory for the lodge, & indeed our Wildlife Hides & Safaris of Kenya photography holiday, is the underground photographic hide located in front of a waterhole. The lodge has had a waterhole in front of the camp from inception & the photographic hide has recently undergone some upgrades to make it even more comfortable. This hide will be used throughout the week for both day & night photography sessions.
The waterhole & underground photographic hide comprises of a 20 foot, air-conditioned container, complete with bar, fridge, library & wine rack! A lot of thought has gone into it, including carpeting the floors for soundproofing noise. The external lights can be controlled individually from within the hide, the lip of the waterhole has been remodelled to look natural as has the approach so that photographers can see the entire animal as it approaches & drinks from the pool. Being air-conditioned, it is very comfortable for photography, but also just for sitting & watching animals in the comfort of camp.
During the dry season, the hide is guaranteed daily action with visits from large herds of zebra, impala, vervet monkeys & baboon troops in the mornings & afternoons.
On almost every evening, the waterhole is active with guests having dinner & experiencing everything from lion, spotted & striped hyena, buffalo, aardwolf, leopard, giraffe, genets, & even on the auspicious occasion – porcupine! cheetah has been spotted at the waterhole during the late afternoon however this is rare & more commonly found on the plains. During 2020, wild dog have infrequently been observed coming through the area but this occurrence is becoming more frequent.
The waterhole & hide are the high point of this Kenyan photographic experience in our opinion. It is an experience that requires patience to camp out in the hide & wait, but the results are worth it when the animals do visit. The best part about this 8-night trip is that you will have 4 nights overlooking the waterhole from the hide!
Our Wildlife Hides & Safaris of Kenya photography holiday is an opportunity to undertake a genuinely exclusive experience, in an exclusive conservancy & lodge. Our trip is inclusive of a well-stocked bar, with top-shelf vodkas, gins, whiskies, rums, wines etc. all included in the rate.
Photographable Species: aardwolf, african spoonbill, bush baby, cheetah, colobus monkey, dik dik, elephant, genet, giraffe, grants gazelle, greater flamingo, honey badger, impala, kudu, leopard, lesser flamingo, lion, martial eagle, mongoose, ostrich, pelican, porcupine, secretary bird, spotted hyena, striped hyena, vervet monkey, wild cat
[tec_event_itinerary_title][itinerary_element tagline="day 1"]flight from home location - overnight in nairobi[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 2"]transfer to our exclusive lodge - photography from hides in our exclusive lodge - overnight at our exclusive lodge[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 3"]morning & afternoon game drives in our exclusive lodge - overnight at our exclusive lodge[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 4"]photography from hides in our exclusive lodge - overnight at our exclusive lodge[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 5"]morning & afternoon game drives in our exclusive lodge - overnight at our exclusive lodge[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 6"]photography from hides in our exclusive lodge - overnight at our exclusive lodge[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 7"]morning & afternoon game drives in our exclusive lodge - overnight at our exclusive lodge[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 8"]photography from hides in our exclusive lodge - overnight at our exclusive lodge[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 9"]morning & afternoon game drives in our exclusive lodge - overnight at our exclusive lodge[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 10"]morning game drive in our exclusive lodge - return to nairobi for flight to home location[/itinerary_element]
Jeffrey Wu kindly provided all images on this page, view more of his images on his web site.
A group of flamingos fly across one of the lakes – photographed at the lodge used for the NaturesLens Wildlife Hides & Safaris of Kenya Photography Holiday

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 – Wildlife Hides & Safaris of Kenya Photography Holiday

A Caracal looking south at the waterhole - photographed at the lodge used for the NaturesLens Wildlife Hides & Safaris of Kenya Photography Holiday
22
Oct
The lodge that is the cornerstone for our Wildlife Hides & Safaris of Kenya photography holiday is family-owned & operates in the heart of the Kenyan wilderness on land responsibly leased from the local Maasai community. It is owned by people who have a love for wildlife & wilderness areas, who wanted to protect it, & then share it with the world.
The conservancy that we will be located in, is 25,000 hectares & shares a border with another conservancy which is 60,000 hectares. The lodge we are using is the ONLY lodge in the area & from there, we will have exclusive access to both conservancies. With such a large area to roam, it is rare to come across any other car on a game drive.
Join NaturesLens to capture images of the wildlife of an exclusive conservancy, in Kenya, during the Wildlife Hides & Safaris of Kenya photography holiday. This photography holiday is of 9 night/10 day duration on a Full Board with Drinks Included, Non-Shared basis & costs £5999 per participant.
The area is a wildlife paradise with impala, dik-dik, kudu, Grants gazelle, giraffe, elephant, lions, leopards, cheetah, aardwolf, striped & spotted hyena, colobus monkey, vervet monkeys, genet, wild cat, bush babies, porcupine, honey badgers & various mongoose. The list does go on with the only significant species you will not find in the conservancy is the rhino.
Birdlife at the lodge is excellent. The lodge has had a guest record of over 110 species of birds in three days whilst in camp from martial eagles, ostrich & secretary birds to greater & lesser flamingo, African spoonbills & pelicans in the lakes to the smaller weavers & sunbirds.
Since we will be staying in a private conservancy, our group will have full rights to drive off the road with no time limits on return to camp, allowing complete freedom to the wilderness at all times.
The neighbouring river is stunning for evening sundowners or just an afternoon with chairs in the river reading a book or watching the wildlife come to drink at various points.
We will be taking trips away from the conservancy to visit the nearby salt lakes, virtually guaranteeing Flamingo photography opportunities & lots of other salt lake birds.
We have also planned to take a trip to a Fig tree forest with huge tree canopies inhabited by Colobus Monkey families.
Unlike other areas around Africa, the night drives are incredibly productive, & because the lodge is located in a generally warmer area, the night drives are undertaken in a comfortable temperature, with guests going out in shorts & not feeling cold, adding a different dynamic to the safari experience.
There will also be the option (at additional cost) to do some aerial photography from a helicopter. There really is nothing is as remarkable as seeing the area from the skies in a helicopter due to the incredible patterns & colours on the nearby lakes. The lakes are like paintings & to appreciate them truly you need to get above them into the skies.
The crowning glory for the lodge, & indeed our Wildlife Hides & Safaris of Kenya photography holiday, is the underground photographic hide located in front of a waterhole. The lodge has had a waterhole in front of the camp from inception & the photographic hide has recently undergone some upgrades to make it even more comfortable. This hide will be used throughout the week for both day & night photography sessions.
The waterhole & underground photographic hide comprises of a 20 foot, air-conditioned container, complete with bar, fridge, library & wine rack! A lot of thought has gone into it, including carpeting the floors for soundproofing noise. The external lights can be controlled individually from within the hide, the lip of the waterhole has been remodelled to look natural as has the approach so that photographers can see the entire animal as it approaches & drinks from the pool. Being air-conditioned, it is very comfortable for photography, but also just for sitting & watching animals in the comfort of camp.
During the dry season, the hide is guaranteed daily action with visits from large herds of zebra, impala, vervet monkeys & baboon troops in the mornings & afternoons.
On almost every evening, the waterhole is active with guests having dinner & experiencing everything from lion, spotted & striped hyena, buffalo, aardwolf, leopard, giraffe, genets, & even on the auspicious occasion – porcupine! cheetah has been spotted at the waterhole during the late afternoon however this is rare & more commonly found on the plains. During 2020, wild dog has infrequently been observed coming through the area but this occurrence is becoming more frequent.
The waterhole & hide are the high point of this Kenyan photographic experience in our opinion. It is an experience that requires patience to camp out in the hide & wait, but the results are worth it when the animals do visit. The best part about this 8-night trip is that you will have 4 nights overlooking the waterhole from the hide!
Our Wildlife Hides & Safaris of Kenya photography holiday is an opportunity to undertake a genuinely exclusive experience, in an exclusive conservancy & lodge. Our trip is inclusive of a well-stocked bar, with top-shelf vodkas, gins, whiskies, rums, wines etc. all included in the rate.
Photographable Species: aardwolf, african spoonbill, bush baby, cheetah, colobus monkey, dik dik, elephant, genet, giraffe, grants gazelle, greater flamingo, honey badger, impala, kudu, leopard, lesser flamingo, lion, martial eagle, mongoose, ostrich, pelican, porcupine, secretary bird, spotted hyena, striped hyena, vervet monkey, wild cat
[tec_event_itinerary_title][itinerary_element tagline="day 1"]flight from home location - overnight in nairobi[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 2"]transfer to our exclusive lodge - photography from hides in our exclusive lodge - overnight at our exclusive lodge[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 3"]morning & afternoon game drives in our exclusive lodge - overnight at our exclusive lodge[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 4"]photography from hides in our exclusive lodge - overnight at our exclusive lodge[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 5"]morning & afternoon game drives in our exclusive lodge - overnight at our exclusive lodge[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 6"]photography from hides in our exclusive lodge - overnight at our exclusive lodge[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 7"]morning & afternoon game drives in our exclusive lodge - overnight at our exclusive lodge[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 8"]photography from hides in our exclusive lodge - overnight at our exclusive lodge[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 9"]morning & afternoon game drives in our exclusive lodge - overnight at our exclusive lodge[/itinerary_element] [itinerary_element tagline="day 10"]morning game drive in our exclusive lodge - return to nairobi for flight to home location[/itinerary_element]
Jeffrey Wu kindly provided all images on this page, view more of his images on his web site.
A group of flamingos fly across one of the lakes – photographed at the lodge used for the NaturesLens Wildlife Hides & Safaris of Kenya Photography Holiday

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

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