You’ll spend nine nights at Zimanga’s luxurious Main Lodge, where spacious guest rooms offer privacy, comfort and wonderful views across the reserve.

Each room has a dedicated desk with plenty of space for a laptop, making it easy to back up files or work on your photographs between activities. Electrical sockets are available for charging equipment, and Wi-Fi is provided in the Main Lodge, guest rooms and overnight hides.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the lodge’s dining area or outside on the open deck. Evenings may also be spent around the fire in the traditional open-air boma, sharing stories from the day’s encounters.

Between activities, guests can relax beside the swimming pool, explore the lodge gardens, enjoy the library or simply unwind in their room before the next adventure. The lodge also houses a fascinating collection of historic photographic equipment, including cameras dating back to the late 1800s.

The Main Lodge is safely fenced and connected by illuminated pathways. As this is still a wildlife reserve, guests must remain aware of their surroundings and follow all guidance provided by the Zimanga team.

Zimanga Private Game Reserve is situated in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, close to the town of Mkuze and in the heart of historic Zululand.

The reserve is known internationally for combining exceptional wildlife encounters with purpose-built photographic hides and specialist safari vehicles. Its varied habitats support an impressive diversity of mammals, birds and other wildlife.

Guests make their own way to Durban and stay in Umdloti on the night before the safari. Our group will then travel together by private road transfer to Zimanga, a journey of approximately three hours. Return transport to Durban is also included at the end of the safari.

• Your nine-night Zimanga safari combines traditional game drives with specialist daytime and overnight hide experiences, giving you a wide variety of wildlife encounters and photographic opportunities.

  The planned activity programme includes:

  • Seven game drives

  • Three sessions in the Lagoon and/or Scavenger hides

  • Two sessions selected from the Mkhombe, Bhejane, Forest or Tower hides

  • Three 16-hour overnight hide sessions

  • The option to replace one game drive with a Photoboat activity

  Activities are shared across the group to ensure everyone can experience the different hides and game drives. Ray will be with you for your first game drive and your first overnight hide session, helping you become familiar with the practical and photographic aspects of each experience.

  Throughout the remainder of the safari, Ray will rotate among the different activities, providing friendly photographic guidance and support as needed.

  The precise schedule and choice of hides will be coordinated with the Zimanga team. Activities may be adjusted to account for wildlife movements, weather conditions and operational requirements.

You don’t need the latest or most expensive equipment to enjoy this safari. Bring a camera system you feel comfortable using, and Ray will help you get the best from it.

A flexible wildlife photography kit might include:

• A telephoto zoom such as a 100–400mm, 100–500mm, 200–600mm or 200–800mm

• A 70–200mm lens for larger animals and closer encounters

• A wider lens, such as a 16–35mm or 24–70mm, for landscapes, lodge photographs and certain overnight-hide opportunities

• Spare batteries, memory cards, chargers and suitable backup storage

A second camera body can be useful but is not essential. More detailed guidance about lenses, support equipment and hide requirements will be included in your pre-departure information.

If you’re joining us primarily to enjoy the wildlife rather than photograph it, a good pair of binoculars is highly recommended. A phone or compact camera is perfectly adequate for capturing personal memories along the way.

Guests are responsible for booking their own international flights and making their own way to Durban.

You should arrive in Durban no later than 24 June 2028 and arrange your own accommodation in Umdloti for that night. We can provide information about suitable accommodation close to the meeting point, although guests are responsible for making and paying for their own reservation.

That evening, we’ll meet for a relaxed welcome meal, giving everyone the chance to meet Ray, Julie and their fellow guests before the adventure begins. The cost of your meal and drinks in Umdloti is not included in the safari price.

On the morning of 25 June, the group will meet at the confirmed collection point before travelling together to Zimanga in a private, air-conditioned vehicle. The road journey takes approximately three hours.

On 4 July, return transport from Zimanga to Durban is included. Please check your proposed flight times with us before booking your travel, as the final airport arrival time will depend upon the confirmed transfer arrangements.

Before departure, you’ll receive a comprehensive guest information pack covering meeting points, transfer arrangements, recommended equipment, clothing, packing and other practical information to help you prepare for your safari.

You don’t need a high level of fitness to enjoy this safari. However, guests should be comfortable getting into and out of safari vehicles and able to walk between their room, the Main Lodge and the activity meeting points.

Some activities may involve steps, uneven ground or remaining seated for extended periods, particularly during hide sessions and game drives.

If you have limited mobility, a medical condition or any concerns about taking part, please speak to us before booking. We’ll be happy to explain the practical requirements and discuss whether the safari is suitable for you.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included throughout your nine-night stay at Zimanga. Meals are served in the Main Lodge dining area, outside on the open deck or occasionally in the traditional boma.

Soft drinks, local beers, spirits and wine are also included while staying at Zimanga. Imported spirits, speciality wines and any purchases made outside the included offering are charged separately.

Zimanga can accommodate many dietary requirements when given sufficient notice. Please tell us about any allergies, intolerances or dietary needs when booking, or as early as possible before departure.

The welcome meal and drinks in Umdloti on 24 June are not included in the safari price.

Each guest is responsible for ensuring they hold a valid passport and meet all current entry, visa and immigration requirements for South Africa. Requirements can change, so please consult the latest official UK Government travel guidance before departure.

There are currently no compulsory malaria vaccinations specifically required for visiting Zimanga, and our June and July travel dates fall outside the main malaria transmission season identified for north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal. However, health guidance can change and precautions against insect bites are always advisable.

Guests should seek current professional advice about recommended travel vaccinations, medication and any personal medical requirements from their GP, pharmacist or a specialist travel-health clinic.

Comprehensive travel insurance should be arranged as soon as your booking is confirmed. Your policy should cover cancellation and curtailment, overseas medical treatment, emergency repatriation, personal belongings, photographic equipment and the activities included in the safari.

Wildlife Photography Adventures cannot provide medical, immigration or insurance advice. Each guest is responsible for ensuring their arrangements and level of cover are appropriate.

Gratuities are not included in the safari price. Tipping is customary at Zimanga and provides an opportunity to recognise the excellent service given by the reserve’s guides, drivers, lodge and hospitality teams.

Based on our previous visits and what we have paid ourselves, we recommend budgeting approximately £200 per guest for gratuities across the nine-night stay.

We’ll provide further information before departure about how gratuities are managed, so you won’t need to worry about deciding who to tip or when. Guests are, of course, welcome to recognise exceptional individual service separately if they wish.