Join myslef and Hector Astorga for this 9 day workshop. 

SOUTH AFRICA: ZIMANGA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

A Wildlife Photography Experience Unlike Any Other

Imagine spending the night at an African waterhole, camera ready, waiting to see what emerges from the darkness.

A rhino may quietly approach for a drink. Elephants could appear out of the night. Buffalo, giraffes, antelope—and perhaps even a leopard—can arrive without warning.

This is Zimanga Private Game Reserve, one of Africa’s premier destinations created specifically with wildlife photographers in mind.

Our South Africa Photo Adventure combines specialized photography hides, traditional game drives, incredible African wildlife, expert photographic instruction, and a small-group experience designed to give you the time, space, and opportunities to create exceptional images.

This isn't simply a safari where you bring your camera.

Photography is the reason we are here.

PHOTOGRAPH AFRICA FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

One of the things that makes Zimanga so special is its network of professionally designed photography hides.

These hides place photographers at carefully selected locations and perspectives, allowing us to work at eye level with wildlife and take advantage of beautiful natural light, reflections, behavior, and close encounters.

We'll photograph from several specialized hides throughout the expedition, including lagoon, predator, bird bath, and seasonal bird photography locations.

But the signature Zimanga experience happens after sunset.

THE OVERNIGHT HIDE EXPERIENCE

We have three overnight hide sessions planned during this expedition.

As daylight disappears, the photographic experience changes completely.

Specialized lighting allows us to photograph wildlife visiting the waterhole throughout the night, creating dramatic images that would be extremely difficult to capture during a traditional safari.

Rhinos, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, antelope, predators, and other wildlife may visit at any time.

There is no way to predict exactly what will appear—and that's part of the adventure.

You settle in with your camera ready and wait.

Then something emerges from the darkness.

MORE THAN THE HIDES

Zimanga is also home to an impressive diversity of African wildlife, and we'll spend plenty of time exploring the reserve on traditional game drives.

Our photographic targets may include cheetahs, lions, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, kudu, antelope, and an incredible variety of birds and other wildlife.

Our game drives are designed around photography, not simply wildlife viewing.

Photographers have their own seat row in our open 4x4 vehicles, providing room for equipment and the ability to photograph from either side when an opportunity develops.

Experienced Zimanga guides understand the needs of photographers and work to position our vehicles with light, backgrounds, animal behavior, and shooting angles in mind.

EXPERT-LED PHOTOGRAPHy

This expedition is designed as both a photo tour and a complete wildlife photography workshop.

Throughout the adventure, you'll receive photographic instruction both in the field and during dedicated classroom sessions.

We'll work on topics including:

• Wildlife composition and visual storytelling

• Photographing from specialized hides

• Working with changing and difficult light

• Night wildlife photography

• Camera settings and exposure

• Anticipating animal behavior

• Image selection and critiques

• Post-processing techniques for night photography

The goal isn't simply to put you in front of wildlife.

It's to help you recognize opportunities, make better decisions behind the camera, and return home with stronger images.

SMALL GROUPS. SERIOUS PHOTOGRAPHY.

Although the expedition is limited to 12 photographers, our activities are divided into four groups of only three photographers.

That makes a tremendous difference.

Smaller shooting groups mean more room for equipment, better positioning, less competition for shooting space, and more individual attention from your instructors and guides.

During our stay, our group will also have exclusive use of the lodge and reserve, creating an even more personal photographic experience.

WHAT MAKES THIS EXPEDITION SPECIAL

3 Overnight Photography Hide Experiences
Spend the night photographing African wildlife as it visits a waterhole after dark.

Specialized Photography Hides
Photograph from professionally designed locations created specifically for wildlife photographers.

7 Traditional Game Drives
Explore Zimanga in search of predators, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, plains game, birds, and much more.

Only 3 Photographers Per Activity Group
Enjoy more room, better positioning, and a much more personal photographic experience.

Your Own Row on Game Drives
Every photographer has a full seat row with access to both sides of the vehicle.

Expert Photographic Instruction
Receive hands-on guidance in the field along with 6–8 hours of dedicated classroom instruction.

Exclusive Lodge & Reserve Experience
Our group enjoys exclusive use during the expedition.

Luxury Accommodations
Return from each day's adventure to the comfort of Zimanga's lodge.

EXPERIENCE SOUTH AFRICA THROUGH YOUR CAMERA

Some wildlife destinations are memorable because of what you see.

Zimanga is memorable because of how you get to photograph it.

Being eye-level with wildlife from a hide, watching a rhino emerge from the darkness at a waterhole, tracking a cheetah on a morning game drive, or waiting for the perfect combination of behavior and light creates a completely different kind of African photographic experience.

Every session brings something new.

Every encounter has possibilities.

And you never know when one of those encounters will become the photograph you've been hoping to create.

Join us in South Africa for an immersive wildlife photography adventure at one of Africa's most unique photographic destinations.

Photo Tour / Workshop Details

• Cost
  $9850.00 USD per photographer (double occupancy)
  Single Room Supplement (limited availability) - $890 USD
  

• Number of Participants
  Limited to 12 Photographers (4 groups of 3 photographers)
  

• September 5-14, 2027 - 9 SPOTS AVAILABLE
  

Includes:
- Game Drives and use of Blinds/Hides at Zimanga Private Game Reserve.
- Classroom instruction and included provided materials.
- Accomodations at the Zimanga Luxury Lodge.
- Open 4x4 Land Cruiser with every photographer having their own seat row.
- All meals and drinks (excludes specialty and alcoholic drinks).
- Bottled water during game drives and hide sessions.
- All transfers from Durban Airport to Zimanga Private Game Reserve.
- Complimentary Laundry Service at Zimanga Lodge.
- All applicable taxes.

Does not include:
- Airfare to and from Durban, South Africa.
- Alcoholic Drinks.
- Items of personal nature, phone calls, souvenirs, etc.
- Gratuities for local guide / drivers.

A $2500 deposit is required at the time of enrollment with full payment due by June 1, 2027.

Deposits & Cancellation Policy:

• A $2500 deposit is required at the time of enrollment with full payment due by June 1, 2027.

• Deposits and tour/workshop fees are non-refundable.

• Refunds (minus a 15% admin fee) will be given if the photo workshop is full and someone from the waiting list can take your spot.

• We are not responsible for cancellations due to medical or other reasons.

• Should cancellation be required due to severe weather, an alternate date will be scheduled at no additional charges.

• No fees will be refunded if you withdraw after the photo workshop begins.

• We are not responsible for any fees associated with non-refundable air travel, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance.  For travel and trip insurance quotes visit www.insuremytrip.com.

For payment links go to: https://www.hectorastorga.com/2027-south-africa

For more information or questions please contact Hector Astorga or Calvin Kotze:
Email: hector@hectorastorga.com or calvin.kotze@gmail.com
Phone: (956) 821-0701 or +27 72 413-0667.