MARINE CONSERVATION PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE, MOZAMBIQUE

from $1300

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Marine photography at its best in the Indian Ocean.

Photograph dolphins, whales, and coral reefs. Swim amongst thousands of colorful fish. Contribute to important marine conservation work with your photographs. All these elements are combined in our Marine Conservation Photography Program in Mozambique! As a photographer on this program, you’ll be based at a marine research center on Benguerra Island, a stunning little island just off the coast of Vilankulos. You’ll be documenting the work of a local research team that works to understand and protect the Eastern African marine ecosystems, and your images will be used to promote and support their conservation efforts. On a daily basis, you’ll be accompanying researchers on boat expeditions, and you’ll have the opportunity to photograph an incredible array of animals, including whales, manta rays, sea turtles, dolphins, and a great variety of fish and birds. You’ll be staying on the island, surrounded by far-stretching sandy beaches and clear-blue ocean. Your free time can be spent going on ocean safaris, diving, or just relaxing in a hammock.

Note that you’ll be photographing independently, so you’ll need to have a reasonable amount of experience to apply. (Though there’s no need to be a seasoned pro!) This program runs throughout the year, and start dates are flexible. We’d love to see your application!

QUICK FACTS
Benguerra Island, Mozambique
Flexible start dates
Marine photography
2 – 8 weeks
Group size: max. 6
Intermediate level
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Map of Mozambique
1
Marine photography

Photograph a wealth of marine animals

2
Idyllic location

Stay on a tropical island

3
Make a difference

Contribute to marine conservation

4
Go scuba diving

Enjoy the opportunity to go diving

5
Build a portfolio

Build an amazing portfolio of images

  1. Photograph a wealth of marine animals 
  2. Stay on an idyllic island 
  3. Contribute to marine conservation
  4. Have the opportunity to go diving 
  5. Build an amazing portfolio 
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THE DESTINATION

We’ll be welcoming you into a true marine photography paradise! You’ll be based on Benguerra Island, one of five idyllic islands off the coast of Mozambique that make up the Bazaruto Archipelago. This Archipelago, which is a protected conservation area and national park, offers turquoise water, wide sandy beaches, and an absolute wealth of exciting marine life. 

The Archipelago is one of the largest in the Indian Ocean and a crucial achievement in global marine conservation. This nearly untouched environmental paradise is home to six dolphin and five turtle species, a breeding ground for humpback whales, and host to more than 20 endangered wildlife species. The nearby coral reefs are an incredibly diverse ecosystem, with over 2000 species of fish.

The center you’ll be staying at is located on the north side of Benguerra Island, with direct access to the open ocean, coral reefs, sea turtle nesting areas, dugong feeding grounds, sand dunes, and a highly productive mudflat that supports various bird species, including resident flamingos. 

ACCOMMODATION

During this experience, you’ll have the privilege of staying on the island, at the research center. Here, you’ll enjoy comfortable accommodation with shared bedrooms, a tented camp, bathroom facilities, and several communal areas. You’ll also have access to the dive center, which has a beach-front barbecue area with an amazing view over the park and flamingo bay – a great spot to enjoy a drink and snack at the end of a day. 

The full complex, which includes the accommodation, was carefully designed to completely blend with the surrounding environment, causing minimum impact and with a carbon neutral concept in mind. The station was hand-built using the island’s community skilled residents, with local materials such as coconut wood, reed walls and roof thatching. The center has a commitment to zero- waste and sustainable waste management, as it’s powered with renewable solar energy. 

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THE PHOTOGRAPHY

The photographic opportunities are exhilarating. On a daily basis, you’ll be photographing animals such as dolphins, manta rays, sea turtles, sharks, whales and an amazing array of colorful fish. The environment you’ll be capturing is equally inspiring; you’ll be surrounded by photogenic beaches, coral reefs, and mangrove forests.

 

THE IMPACT

During this marine conservation photography program, you’ll be documenting important field work focused on the protection of the area’s marine life. A selection of your photographs will be used by the research institute; they will accompany science data, and they will be used for communication and fundraising purposes (like social media and print material) and possibly fundraising activities. It’s an exciting opportunity to use your photography skills to support this important work.

RATES & APPLYING

The fees are as follows, per person and on a sharing basis;

2 wks: $1300
4 wks: $2300
8 wks: $4000

The program has flexible start dates, and runs throughout the year.

Keen to apply? Please email us at info@pendaphototours.com (or through the form below) and send us:
1. Your motivation for joining
2. A selection of your work
3. Your preferred dates and length of stay

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A TYPICAL DAY ON THIS PROGRAM

7.00

You’ll be served a cooked breakfast and enjoy a briefing of what the research team will be up to, and which photographic opportunities this will present.

7.30 - 12.00

You’ll join the team on their marine conservation work, and photograph different elements of their projects. This could involve going out on a boat trip with the intention of doing data collection on different species, tagging sharks or fish, or taking DNA samples of animals. As a photographer, you’ll photograph the animals and document the field work.

12.00 - 14.00

You’ll head home to the island to enjoy lunch and get ready for the afternoon.

14.00 - 17.00

During the afternoon, you might go out on another expedition, or you might have the opportunity to join different volunteer activities.

17.00 - 18.00

You’ll head back to the center, where you’ll have time for post production.

18.00

You’ll be served a hearty meal for dinner, and you can enjoy a free evening afterwards.

QUICK FACTS
Benguerra Island, Mozambique
Flexible start dates
Marine photography
2 – 8 weeks
Group size: max. 6
Intermediate level 

Rates:

2 wks: $1300
4 wks: $2300
8 wks: $4000
(per person sharing)

INCLUDES
  • Serviced accommodation on Benguerra Island
  • Three meals a day
  • Airport transfers to and from Vilankulos
  • Visa transport to Maxixe (for visa extension)
  • Park fees
EXCLUDES
  • Flights to and from Vilankulos
  • Optional additional leisure activities and courses (though you’ll get a 20% discount on a PADI diving course)
  • Transport to/from optional weekend and leisure activities
  • Optional photographic tutoring by a local marine photographer
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RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
  • An DSRL or mirrorless camera
  • A range of lenses
  • Waterproof housing
  • Waterproof camera bags
  • Underwater equipment if you have

(There is some underwater photography equipment available on site.)

THE TEAM

marine research center

You’ll be part of an exciting research team that has set up a permanent ocean observatory. The team’s goal is to address core scientific and conservation needs in the Bazaruto Archipelago, and to use its strategic location and data to support environmental management at a local level, facilitate regional collaboration, and contribute to international scientific programs. 

$ 1300

pp sharing

INCLUDES
  • Serviced accommodation on Benguerra Island
  • Three meals a day
  • Airport transfers to and from Vilankulos
  • Visa transport to Maxixe (for visa extension)
  • Park fees
EXCLUDES
  • Flights to and from Vilankulos
  • Optional additional leisure activities and courses (though you’ll get a 20% discount on a PADI diving course)
  • Transport to/from optional weekend and leisure activities
  • Optional photographic tutoring by a local marine photographer
Camera Icon
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
  • An DSRL or mirrorless camera
  • A range of lenses
  • Waterproof housing
  • Waterproof camera bags

THE TEAM

marine research center

You’ll be part of an exciting research team that has set up a permanent ocean observatory. The team’s goal is to address core scientific and conservation needs in the Bazaruto Archipelago, and to use its strategic location and data to support environmental management at a local level, facilitate regional collaboration, and contribute to international scientific programs.

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