Photo safaris in Zimbabwe

Our Zimbabwe photo safaris offer plenty to capture. Walk with an expert guide, get eye level with elephants in a photographic hide, go boating or canoeing. At night, head out on a game drive after dark, cast your camera heavenwards while stargazing, or even spend the night in a secluded Star Bed. Our itineraries can also be combined with other destinations such as Kafue National Park in Zambia or Victoria Falls.

A strong photographic itinerary in Zimbabwe is usually 6–8 days minimum, ideally split between Mana Pools and Hwange national parks, two of the country’s best safari regions, offering up very different wildlife experiences and photographic opportunities. Hwange’s productive Ngamo Plains, where our safari camps are located, offer plenty of predator action, and an abundance of antelope and elephants. By contrast, the riverine system of Mana Pools allows you to spot crocodiles, hippos and a myriad of birds from the water, or venture out on foot to see if you can capture an iconic image of an elephant raising up on his hind legs to eat the seed pods of the albida trees. 

The Wilderness approach gives you access to quality guiding, seamless connections, luxury safari lodges and an array of activities that take your photography to new heights. You may even choose to combine your photo safari here with an extended trip to South Africa, Botswana, or Zambia.

When is the best time to go on a photo safari in Zimbabwe?

The best time for a photo safari in Zimbabwe is typically during the dry winter months (May to October), when vegetation is thinner and water sources are limited, so animals are more concentrated, especially in Hwange National Park. This is also when our seasonal Mana Pools safari camps operate, allowing for a combination photo safari itinerary. Towards the beginning of the dry season, the Victoria Falls will be at peak flow, if you would like to capture them in all their misty glory, while later in the year offers up better opportunities for capturing the Falls from the air by helicopter.

That said, the summer months (November to April) have their own appeal, as dramatic thunderstorms add an electric, atmospheric mood, transforming Hwange’s plains into swathes of green, with migratory birds bringing bursts of colour to your photography. 

Can I charge my equipment in the camps in Zimbabwe?

Yes. Although many remote safari camps in Zimbabwe operate completely on solar power, you can still charge camera batteries and electronics, but it’s still worth planning ahead. Pack multiple batteries and power banks where possible, especially if you plan on doing full day game drives or wish to spend extended time in a photographic hide. 

Can I use a drone in Zimbabwe?

While you can bring a drone in to Zimbabwe, use is tightly controlled and very location-dependent. You cannot freely fly in national parks or protected wildlife areas without specific permissions and in safari areas like Hwange and Mana Pools national parks and over Victoria Falls, drones are almost always prohibited. Even at remote safari lodges in Zimbabwe, you typically need prior written approval, a remote pilot’s license and will need to comply with the country’s civil aviation regulations. If it’s fantastic aerial views you are after, Wilderness can also help you arrange helicopter flips and light aircraft transfers that offer up a different perspective of Zimbabwe’s wildlife and natural wonders.