Mana Pools Photo Safari: Elephants and Magic on the Zambezi

2027 Dates & Availability

September 07 - 13, 2027 | 7 Days, 6 Nights | Spots Limited

September 15 - 21, 2027 | 7 Days, 6 Nights | Spots Limited

2028 Dates & Availability

September 07 - 13, 2028 | 7 Days, 6 Nights | Spots Available

September 15 - 21, 2028 | 7 Days, 6 Nights | Spots Available

Join a photography workshop in Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park for an immersive six-night safari experience in one of Africa’s most extraordinary wilderness destinations.

Located along the southern bank of the Zambezi River, Mana Pools is renowned for its ancient mahogany and albida trees, expansive floodplains, dramatic river landscapes, exceptional wildlife, and unforgettable encounters on foot. The park offers remarkable opportunities to photograph elephants, lions, wild dogs, hippos, crocodiles, buffalo, antelope, birds, and other African wildlife in a pristine natural setting.

This field-based photography workshop is designed for photographers who want to improve their wildlife and environmental storytelling, strengthen their compositions, work confidently with changing light, and develop a more refined editing workflow.

From misty mornings along the Zambezi and golden light across the floodplain to elephants standing beneath iconic trees and dramatic African sunsets, Mana Pools offers endless opportunities for compelling images and unforgettable experiences.

Workshop Highlights & Logistics

Chasing the Light and Wildlife Activity

Our daily schedule is built around the best available photography conditions, including early-morning game drives, sunrise light, late-afternoon wildlife activity, golden-hour photography, dramatic skies, and evening opportunities.

Small-Group Experience

Travel with a limited-size group and receive personal instruction in the field. Small groups allow for more comfortable wildlife encounters, greater flexibility, and plenty of space to work on your photography.

Wildlife Photography Instruction

Learn how to anticipate animal behavior, create stronger compositions, use appropriate shutter speeds, manage difficult lighting, work with long lenses, and photograph wildlife in a way that communicates both personality and place.

Elephants, Predators, and River Wildlife

Mana Pools offers opportunities to photograph elephants, lions, wild dogs, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, kudu, impala, baboons, monkeys, and a remarkable variety of birdlife. Wildlife sightings and specific encounters can never be guaranteed, but the park is known for its exceptional wildlife viewing and unique photographic opportunities.

Walking and Canoe Safari Opportunities

When conditions, permits, park regulations, and qualified local guides allow, the workshop may include opportunities to experience Mana Pools on foot or from the water. These activities are always subject to safety assessments, wildlife conditions, and local operating requirements.

Bird and Smaller Wildlife Photography

Develop techniques for photographing Mana Pools’ colorful birdlife, reptiles, insects, primates, and other smaller subjects. The Zambezi River and surrounding floodplain provide excellent opportunities to expand your wildlife portfolio beyond large mammals.

Post-Processing and Image Critique

Midday sessions focus on Lightroom and Photoshop techniques, including image selection, organization, natural color correction, tonal control, texture enhancement, noise reduction, and developing a cohesive safari portfolio.

Who This Mana Pools Photography Workshop Is Perfect For

• Beginner to professional photographers

• DSLR, mirrorless, bridge-camera, compact-camera, and advanced smartphone photographers

• Photographers interested in wildlife, nature, and environmental storytelling

• Travelers looking for a safe, guided way to experience Zimbabwe

• Photographers who want individualized instruction in the field

• Participants interested in both wildlife and landscape photography

Suggested Experience Level

No professional photography experience is required. Participants should be comfortable spending extended periods in safari vehicles, waking early for morning activities, and working in warm outdoor conditions.

A camera with a telephoto lens is recommended for wildlife photography, although participants may use whatever equipment they have available. A complete equipment list will be provided before departure.

Trip Format

This is a seven-day photography workshop with seven nights of accommodation in and around Mana Pools National Park.

A typical day may include:

• Early-morning coffee and sunrise photography

• Morning game drive or guided wildlife activity

• Breakfast at camp or lodge

• Midday rest, image review, or post-processing instruction

• Afternoon photography discussion or free time

• Late-afternoon and sunset game drive

• Dinner and evening image review

• Optional night photography, where available and permitted

The exact itinerary may change based on wildlife conditions, weather, river levels, road conditions, park regulations, camp operations, and the best available photographic opportunities.

What’s Included

• Airport transfers from the designated arrival airport

• Seven nights of accommodation

• Shared accommodation based on double occupancy

• Private or dedicated safari transportation for the group, where specified

• Professional photographer and workshop leader

• Qualified local safari guide or guides

• Wildlife photography instruction

• Daily game drives and photography outings

• Post-processing instruction in Lightroom

• Image review and group critique sessions

• Walking or canoe-safari activities, when included in the final itinerary and conditions permit

• Meals specified in the final itinerary

• Drinking water during scheduled activities

• Park entry and conservation fees, if specified in the final itinerary

• Ground transportation included in the published itinerary

What’s Not Included

Unless specifically stated in the final itinerary, the following are not included:

• International airfare

• Domestic flights not listed in the itinerary

• Visa or entry fees

• Travel insurance

• Medical, evacuation, or rescue coverage

• Alcoholic beverages

• Personal purchases and laundry

• Camera equipment or equipment insurance

• Additional hotel nights before or after the workshop

• Gratuities for guides, drivers, camp staff, and workshop personnel

• Costs resulting from flight delays, cancellations, missed connections, or itinerary changes outside the operator’s control

2027 Dates & Availability

September 07 - 13, 2027 | 7 Days, 6 Nights | Spots Limited

September 15 - 21, 2027 | 7 Days, 6 Nights | Spots Limited

2028 Dates & Availability

September 07 - 13, 2028 | 7 Days, 6 Nights | Spots Available

September 15 - 21, 2028 | 7 Days, 6 Nights | Spots Available

Pricing

$8,700 USD per person (shared room)
+ $1200 USD single supplement

Remainder due 3 months before the tour.

A deposit of $2610 USD is required to reserve a place. The remaining balance is due 90 days before departure.

Because this is a limited-capacity international photography tour, reservations are confirmed only after the required deposit has been received and acknowledged in writing.

Cancellation Policy

A 30% deposit is required to reserve your place on the tour.

The deposit is refundable until the minimum number of participants required for the tour has been reached. You will be notified once the minimum group size has been confirmed. After that point, we will begin confirming and paying for accommodation, 4×4 safari vehicles, guides, park fees, and other services. Once these arrangements have been made, the 30% deposit becomes nonrefundable.

If you cancel your booking more than three months before the tour start date, we can refund 50% of the deposit.

For cancellations made three months or less before the tour start date, no refund can be provided, unless a replacement is found, then your deposit minus $200 will be returned.

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing. The applicable cancellation date is the date we receive your written request.

Because international safari arrangements involve advance, nonrefundable commitments, we strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel-cancellation insurance as soon as your booking is confirmed. Your policy should ideally cover trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical expenses, emergency evacuation, travel delays, and baggage loss.

Wildlife sightings, weather, road conditions, and specific itinerary activities cannot be guaranteed. Any changes required because of local conditions, park regulations, safety concerns, transportation issues, or circumstances beyond our control will not automatically qualify for a refund.