Incredible photography holidays in Zimbabwe
Best camps & lodges for Photography holidays in Zimbabwe
Ruckomechi Camp
Ruckomechi Camp has some excellent game and a particularly scenic backdrop, so is ideal for photography in Zimbabwe. The elephants are very relaxed, and boat trips give good opportunities for photographing water birds, river life and close-ups of big game on the islands.
The Hide
The Hide makes a perfect stop on a photography holiday to Zimbabwe. Of its two photographic hides, one is accessed via an underground tunnel from the heart of the camp, so at any time of day guests can get up close with wildlife that comes to drink from the waterhole.
Musango Safari Camp
Musango’s owner and head guide, Steve Edwards, is a keen photographer. Combine his many years’ experience with subjects including Kariba’s eerie “fossilised” trees, prolific birdlife and larger wildlife, for a great stop on a photographic trip around Zimbabwe.
Vundu Camp
The guiding team at Vundu Camp, headed by owner Nick Murray, is one of the best in Zimbabwe. The opportunity to canoe the Zambezi, approach big game on foot and explore Mana Pools with an expert gives photographers a huge range of potential subjects.
Bomani Tented Lodge
Set in the Sikumbi Forest Reserve, Bomani Tented Lodge offers exclusive access to Hwange via a private gate. With views over a waterhole and access to superb photographic hides, it’s an ideal base for capturing Zimbabwe’s incredible wildlife moments.
Little Vundu
Little Vundu's guiding team, headed by owner Nick Murray, is one of the best in Zimbabwe. Canoeing the Zambezi, approaching wildlife on foot and exploring Mana with one of Nick's guides gets photographers up close and personal with their subjects.
Hwange Bush Camp
Hwange Bush Camp focuses on excellent guiding and walking, both of which make a wonderful camp for photographers. Exploring on foot allows without the noise of an engine allows guests to see the little things they might miss from a vehicle.
Kavinga Safari Camp
An eye-level hide is the perfect way to capture a unique perspective on animals and birds without altering their behaviour. Kavinga, the only camp in Mana with such a hide, is a fantastic option for keen photographers visiting Zimbabwe.
Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge
Gonarezhou National Park is perhaps Zimbabwe's most varied national park. The range of landscapes, wildlife and birdlife make it a photographers dream and a top guide from Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge only makes it better.
Camp Hwange
With a guiding team led by Dave Carson, one of the country’s leading professional guide examiners, Camp Hwange’s guiding team is one of the best. This makes it a fantastic option on a photographic safari to Zimbabwe.
Camelthorn
For guests looking to get shots of elephants on a photographic safari in Zimbabwe, Camelthorn's “look up hide” gives great angles for up-close and personal photographic opportunities.
Photography holidays elsewhere in Africa
Our top ideas and inspiration for Photography holidays in other countries.
Where to see wildlife species in Zimbabwe
Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.
Lion
Panthera leo
Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.
81% SUCCESS
3,524 sightings from 4,355 observations
Leopard
Panthera pardus
The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.
47% SUCCESS
2,284 sightings from 4,846 observations
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.
33% SUCCESS
1,214 sightings from 3,675 observations
Wild dog
Lycaon pictus
African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.
32% SUCCESS
1,018 sightings from 3,180 observations
Elephant
Loxodonta africana
By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.
91% SUCCESS
4,260 sightings from 4,679 observations
White Rhino
Ceratotherium simum
The white rhino is the largest and most numerous of the world’s five rhinoceros species. They are larger, easier to see and generally more approachable than the black rhino.
43% SUCCESS
583 sightings from 1,354 observations
Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta
The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.
55% SUCCESS
2,526 sightings from 4,614 observations
Black Rhino
Diceros bicornis
The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.
30% SUCCESS
722 sightings from 2,377 observations
Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.
83% SUCCESS
2,982 sightings from 3,578 observations
Eland
Taurotragus oryx
Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.
49% SUCCESS
1,691 sightings from 3,436 observations
Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.
86% SUCCESS
4,111 sightings from 4,787 observations
Hippo
Hippopotamus amphibius
The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.
89% SUCCESS
3,104 sightings from 3,469 observations
Oryx
Oryx sp.
Oryx are impressive antelopes, with a powerful physique and elegant markings set off by rapier-like horns. They cut a distinctive dash in some of Africa’s harshest landscapes.
70% SUCCESS
1,574 sightings from 2,250 observations
Roan antelope
Hippotragus equinus
Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.
25% SUCCESS
587 sightings from 2,368 observations
Sable antelope
Hippotragus niger
Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.
24% SUCCESS
563 sightings from 2,387 observations
Wildebeest
Connochaetes sp.
Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.
67% SUCCESS
2,876 sightings from 4,276 observations
Zebra
Equus sp.
The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.
84% SUCCESS
4,478 sightings from 5,325 observations
Aardvark
Orycteropus afer
The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.
2% SUCCESS
81 sightings from 3,828 observations
Pangolin
Smutsia sp.
Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.
2% SUCCESS
66 sightings from 3,870 observations
Brown Hyena
Parahyaena brunnea
This largely solitary scavenger is one of the more elusive and little-known of Africa’s carnivores. Shaggier than its spotted cousin, it occurs only in the arid southwest of the continent.
16% SUCCESS
285 sightings from 1,809 observations
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