- Overview
- Trip Outline
- Trip Includes
- Trip Excludes
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- Accommodation
You Have To Come And Live it, Capture it and Share it!
10 nights and 11-days photo safari package into the wilderness of Mana Pools National Park spending 3 nights at Kavinga Safari Camp overlooking the Ruchomechi seasonal riverbed, 3 nights at Kanga Camp in the the heart of Mana Pools overlooking a pan that is frequently visited by all wildlife and last but not least 4 nights at Zambezi Expeditions that showcases one of the most magnificent settings in Zimbabwe’s iconic Mana Pools National Park while you walk the floodplains and sit at the feet of the giants.
This photo safari offers incredible diverse wildlife opportunities and so much to offer our photographic guests something special, you’ll love every second of it as it touches your senses in every possible way. In a nutshell, your stay at Kavinga & Kanga Camps will showcase the woodlands & the southern reaches of Mana Pools National Park in the most beautiful way imaginable. Both Kanga Camp & Kavinga Safari Camp offers the only water source within their respective regions during the dry season and Mana Pools wildlife visit the pans in their numbers on a daily basis. Then moving onwards and down to the Zambezi valley at Zambezi Expeditions you'll still get to see the giants of Africa (elephants) as they reach for pods in the tree tops, while 'wild dogs', hippo's by sunset and 'lion prides' on the floodplain are also frequented.
There is ample opportunities to maximize your wildlife game viewing experience and capturing Africa's Big Cats and more with the African Safari Guru's lead photographer and expedition tour leader, Pierre Bassani Photoman, who has over 30 years experience in the photographic industry and who will be your photo safari guide for the duration of your trip .
WE’VE DONE THE RESEARCH FOR YOU ALREADY
When taking these three factors into account below, finding the right lodge can make a significant difference to your overall photo safari experience! But finding the right lodge can be time consuming and the good news is we’ve done the research for you having visited lodges all around Southern Africa timelessly and making sure you do not go home empty handed.
3 IMPORTANT ASPECTS THAT DETERMINE THE QUALITY OF YOUR PHOTO SAFARI
1. The Lodge
Quite simply some lodge’s have better wildlife than others and of course the time of year can also play a big factor. As a general in Zimbabwe some regions have the best game viewing lodges however a diverse region of landscapes too which we believe Mana Pools and southern Hwange are formidable but there are a few notable exceptions.
2. Your Safari Guide
Guides can be instrumental to your photographic experience, their understanding of light, vehicle placement and animal behaviour can make a tremendous difference to your experience.
3. Fellow passengers
If you’re paired with non-photographers, they can influence the amount of time you spend at sightings, your start and finish tour times and the amount of space you have for camera gear
NB. We are a local Southern Africa Travel Destination Expert Company, going on 2 decades in the tourism industry, we would love to be of assistance to add-on to your itinerary with perhaps a 2-3 nights visit to the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls a "Natural Wonder of the World" in Livingstone Zambia OR Zimbabwe or maybe a connecting flight for 3-4 nights visit to the iconic Cape Town and experiencing the amazing attractions on offer before heading homebound. Let us know what you are thinking?
Located in northern Zimbabwe, the life-giving power of the Zambezi River makes Mana Pools National Park one of Zimbabwe’s most lush and flourishing regions. Characterised by a diversity of landscapes including floodplains, forests, and baobab trees, the park has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its natural beauty; providing a fantastic destination for photographers. It is an Important Bird Area and is also one of the continent’s premier game-viewing locations, known for its good chances of seeing elephants, wild dogs, lions, and leopards. Mana Pools is also home to crocodiles, hippos, cheetahs, and eastern black rhinos. Visitors can look forward to an array of activities such as canoe trips, guided walks, game drives, river cruises, nature walks, bird watching, catch-and-release fishing, and searching for dinosaur tracks.
Itineraries
Day 1
MANA POOLS NATIONAL PARK
Morning rise with breakfast at your pre-safari accommodation which one of our specialist travel designers can book for you.
Depart from OR Tambo Int. Airport, Johannesburg to Harare Airport Zimbabwe and connecting via a scenic charter flights to Dandawa Landing Airstrip
A short bush transfer to Kavinga Safari Camp
Upon arrival at Kavinga Safari Camp, staff will be waiting to welcome you and show you around the lodge before you settle into your comfortable Treehouse Tented Suite and lunch is served
Late afternoon/night photo safari game drive – Mid-way stop for sundowners with a short break dependant on the situation using the golden light at dusk first before returning back to Kavinga Safari Camp by night fall
Pre-dinner drinks while you sit around the boma fire or bar while you socialise and talk of your amazing wildlife sightings and wildlife images
Dinner under the African skies (Weather permitted)
Day 2-6
MANA POOLS NATIONAL PARK
Early morning rise with nature calling on your doorstep.
Meet up at the main lodge with Pierre Bassani Photoman, guide and tracker for some coffee/tea and rusks
Depart from camp on our morning photo safari experience as the sunrises for that superb golden light and when the wildlife are generally active - Mid-way morning coffee/tea break (We take this break dependant on the situation using the golden light at dawn first)
Return back to the camp +-3-4 hours later for a well-deserved breakfast (depending )
In-between game drive activities Pierre Bassani Photoman will be at the main lodge to host a 1-hour image review and group editing sessions. For this to be truly effective you will need to have your own laptop with the latest version of an editing programme installed and updated of which we recommend Adobe Lightroom.
Lunch
High Tea
Depart on our late afternoon/night photo safari game drive – Mid-way stop for sundowners (We take this break dependant on the situation using the golden light at dusk first)
Return back to Kavinga Safari Camp by night fall
Pre-dinner drinks – sit around the boma fire or bar while you socialise and talk of your amazing wildlife sightings and wildlife images
Dinner under the African skies (Weather permitted)
OPTIONAL:
Enjoy a 1-hour Nature Bush Walk with a qualified and professional trails guide
Visit the hide to chance your luck with wildlife coming down to drink at the camps waterhole
Day 7
MANA POOLS NATIONAL PARK
Early morning rise with nature calling on your doorstep.
Make sure all luggage is packed and ready for loading before meeting up at the main lodge with Pierre Bassani Photoman, guide and tracker for some coffee/tea and rusks and some cereal breakfast (Packed Breakfast for the bush transfer)
Checkout and bid farewell
Depart from Kanga Camp on our morning photo safari experience en-route to Zambezi Expeditions as the sunrises for that superb golden light and when the wildlife are generally active - En-route to Zambezi Expeditions we will stop for a short break before continuing on with our photo safari towards Zambezi Expeditions.
On arrival at Zambezi Expeditions around mid-day, staff will be waiting to welcome you.
Once you have been checked-in, a staff member will show you around the lodge before you settle into your comfortable Luxury Meru Tented Suite
Lunch
High Tea
Late afternoon/night photo safari game drive – Mid-way stop for sundowners (We take this break dependant on the situation using the golden light at dusk first)
Return back to Zambezi Expeditions by night fall
Pre-dinner drinks – sit around the boma fire or bar while you socialise and talk of your amazing wildlife sightings and wildlife images
Dinner under the African skies (Weather permitted)
Day 8-10
Your Plan
Early morning rise with nature calling on your doorstep.
Meet up at the main lodge with Pierre Bassani Photoman, guide and tracker for some coffee/tea and rusks
Depart from camp on our morning photo safari experience as the sunrises for that superb golden light and when the wildlife are generally active - Mid-way morning coffee/tea break (We take this break dependant on the situation using the golden light at dawn first)
Return back to the camp +-3-4 hours later for a well-deserved breakfast (depending )
In-between game drive activities Pierre Bassani Photoman will be at the main lodge to host a 1-hour image review and group editing sessions. For this to be truly effective you will need to have your own laptop with the latest version of an editing programme installed and updated of which we recommend Adobe Lightroom.
Lunch
High Tea
Depart on our late afternoon/night photo safari game drive – Mid-way stop for sundowners (We take this break dependant on the situation using the golden light at dusk first)
Return back to Zambezi Expeditions by night fall
Pre-dinner drinks – sit around the boma fire or bar while you socialise and talk of your amazing wildlife sightings and wildlife images
Dinner under the African skies (Weather permitting)
Day 11
MANA POOLS NATIONAL PARK
arly morning rise with nature calling on your doorstep.
Make sure all luggage is packed and ready for loading before meeting up at the main lodge with Pierre Bassani Photoman, guide and tracker for some coffee/tea and rusks and some cereal breakfast (Packed Breakfast for the bush transfer)
Checkout and bid farewell
Depart from Zambezi Expeditions on our morning photo safari experience en-route to Mana Pools Main Landing Airstrip which is treated as a game drive.
Depart from Mana Pools Main Landing Airstrip @To be confirmed at the time of booking
Arrive at Victoria Falls Int. Airport @To be confirmed at the time of booking
Homebound
NB. We are a local Southern Africa Travel Destination Expert Company, going on 2 decades in the tourism industry, we would love to be of assistance to add-on to your itinerary with perhaps a 2-3 nights visit to the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls a "Natural Wonder of the World" in Livingstone Zambia OR Zimbabwe or maybe a connecting flight for 3-4 nights visit to the iconic Cape Town and experiencing the amazing attractions on offer before heading homebound. Let us know what you are thinking?
Includes:
- An African Safari Guru Specialist Photo Safari Guide And Expedition Leader (Hosted)
- 3 Nights Accommodation at Kavinga Safari Camp in en-suite, with fan
- 3 Nights Accommodation at Kanga Camp in en-suite, with fan
- 3 Nights Accommodation at Zambezi Expeditions in en-suite, with fan
- Three meals daily at Kavinga Safari, Kanga Camp & Zambezi Expeditions
- All teas and coffees and selected local beers, wine, soft drinks and spirits
- Free WiFi at Main Lodge Reception.
- All photo safari activities on a private vehicle through out the safari (Exclusive use with maximum 6 pax per vehicle - rotating plus photo safari guide)
- A safari bush walk at each lodge. (Bush Walk activities are with qualified and well-trained trails guides and safari bush walks are for guests who are 16+ years), Canoeing in Zambezi Expeditions, underground hide at Kavinga Safari Camp
- 11 days of dedicated photographic and post procession tuition during the course of the day
- Scenic charter flights connecting to all safari camps with Safari Logistics
- All internal bush transfers to safari camps
- All National Park Levies and Conservation Fees
- Check-in is from 13h00-15h00.
- Check-out is at 10h30.
- Suggested Add-ons - If you are interested in our selection of add-ons, chat to our travel planner or mention it in the enquiry form.
- Items of personal nature.
- All drinks not specified
- All meals not specified
- Spa treatments.
- Curios purchases
- Gratuities for Drivers/Lodge Staff/Lodge Guides
- Road transfer can be provided by the African Safari Guru.
- ****Important is to organize travel and medical Insurance****
- Passports and Visas where applicable to travel whereby guests need to see your nearest Embassy
- International and Domestic flights (Internal) and related taxes that may occur.
- Industry and Lodge Rates can change without prior notice beyond our control due to unforeseen government taxes. This will not affect clients who have paid the full package balance.
- Everything not mentioned as per inclusions
- Suggested Add-ons - If you are interested in our selection of add-ons, chat to our travel planner or mention it in the enquiry form.
Kavinga Safari Camp is located in a private concession within the southern boundary of Mana Pools National Park. The camp overlooks the dry Ruckomechi riverbed and is set against the extraordinary backdrop of the Zambezi Escarpment.
We offer 7 comfortable raised tents built on the edge of a cliff, with a view of the rising sun above the magnificent Zambezi Valley floor.
The herds of buffalo that drink at the neighbouring Chitake spring are frequent visitors to the area, as they traverse the valley in search of grazing. Most evenings, herds of elephant gather in the riverbed, providing a wonderful wildlife spectacle. Shyer species, like leopard, civet and genet, visit the pan right below the camp under the cover of darkness.
If it's adventure you seek, be it walking, tracking, exploring the hills and river systems, studying the birds or just relaxing in camp taking in the view, Kavinga Safari Camp will offer you that "Unique Experience in an Untamed Wilderness".
Kanga Camp is situated in a private concession within the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mana Pools National Park. Infamous for their walking safaris, guests can experience Mana Pools rich vegetation and predator sightings which includes lion and the rare and endangered wild dog. The camp itself overlooks Kanga Pan which is an essential water supply for a multitude of different wildlife and bird species during the dry season. This means that the surrounding wildlife frequently visit the pans for a leisurely drink.
Six traditional canvas tents are placed on a raised wooden deck each with their own exclusive views overlooking the pan. The tents are elegantly designed with subtle wooden furnishings, floor-to-ceiling mesh netting and come with all the essential amenities.
During the rainy season, the pan overflows with water and for this reason Kanga Camp is only open from April till December. This time period offers an ultimate safari experience. And, because the camp is situated in a private concession there are no other safari vehicles. Activities and experiences include walking safaris, morning and afternoon game drives, the famous armchair safaris in the dry season, and a photographic hide for both amateur and professional photographers to enjoy
The legendary Mana Pools is known for its wildlife rich flood plains and magnificent views of the Zambezi River, with the Zambezi Escarpment in Zambia as a dramatic backdrop to the scenery. The river boasts some of Africa’s most amazing tiger fishing and adventure canoeing safaris, creating the perfect combination of beauty and fun and making this World Heritage site a must-visit national park.
Zambezi Expeditions offers one of the best ways to experience Mana Pools on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River. Comfortable yet classic, the camp offers the kind of intimacy with nature that can only be achieved by immersing yourself in the heart of the wild. Fall asleep to the sound of the flowing river and chuckles of hippo and wake-up with the dawn chorus to a spectacular African sunrise. The 12-bed luxury camp comprises of 6 twin bedded mini-meru style tents with en-suite bathroom facilities and bucket showers.
With unique access to the Zambezi River, your days will be filled with adventurous canoeing safaris, tracking game along the shorelines by foot, fishing for the iconic tiger fish and game drives in an open 4x4 along the flood plains and into the heart of the Mana Pools UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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