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Home / Penda Tours / Wildlife Photography and Conservation Program, Victoria Falls

Sharpen your wildlife photography skills & support conservation projects.

Stay in a wildlife-filled area on the banks of the Zambezi, develop your photography skills with practical and theoretical training, and contribute hands-on to wildlife conservation projects; it’s all combined on this wildlife photography and conservation program. You’ll be based in a camp in the African bush, on the edge of Zambezi National Park, surrounded by wildlife. You can expect encounters with a wealth of wildlife, including lions, elephants, buffalo, hyenas, hippos, zebras, and many antelope and bird species. 

This program offers a great introduction to wildlife photography, with a twist of some hands-on conservation work such as snare sweeps and alien plant control. You’ll be led on daily photographic workshops and conservation projects with professional photographers, who will teach you the ins and outs of wildlife photography.

On top of all this, you’ll be based a short drive from the mighty Victoria Falls! Not only does this come with the opportunity to take incredible photographs of the impressive falls, but also to horse ride along the Zambezi River, tour the area by helicopter, or explore the river on a cruise or canoeing trip (flanked by hippos and elephants!).

This wildlife photography course offers amazing flexibility, as it runs through the year. Photographers of any level can join, and you can take part for 2 to 12 weeks.

Start Dates

2024: 4, 11, 25 Nov / 9, 23 Dec
2025: 6, 20 Jan / 3, 17 Feb / 3, 17, 31 Mar / 14, 28 Apr / 12, 26 May / 9, 23 Jun / 7, 14, 21, 28 Jul / 4, 11, 25 Aug / 1, 15, 29 Sep / 13, 27 Oct / 10, 24 Nov / 8, 22 Dec

Rates

2 wks: $2195 / 3 wks: $2990 / 4 wks: $3825 / 5 wks: $4515 / 6 wks: $5210 / 7 wks: $5905 / 8 wks: $6595

Quick Facts

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Regular Start Dates
Wildlife Photography
Photography Guides: Hanna Wigart & Tay Belcher
Group Size: Max 8 Per Instructor
All Photography Levels

Tour & Destination Highlights

  • Enjoy some wonderful wildlife photography opportunities, including lions, elephants, hippos, hyenas, and zebras 
  • Sharpen your photography skills through regular workshops 
  • Stay in a rustic campsite in the African bush, bordering Zambezi National Park 
  • Get some hands on wildlife conservation experience by helping out with local projects 
  • Have the opportunity to see and photograph the mighty Victoria Falls, and explore some of the many exciting activities in the area

Quick Facts

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Regular Start Dates
Wildlife Photography
Photography Guides: Hanna Wigart & Tay Belcher
Group Size: Max 8 Per Instructor

PRICING OVERVIEW

from USD $2195GBP £EUR €ZAR RAUD $
USDGBPEURZARAUD

At the current exchange rate. Please note final quote might vary slightly


per person sharing

INCLUDING

  • Accommodation
  • All meals
  • All transportation & Airport transfers
  • Photographic tutoring

EXCLUDING

  • International Flights
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Drinks
EXPLORE

Photography in Zimbabwe

There’s plenty to point a camera at during this Wildlife Photography Program.

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WHAT TO EXPECT IN ZIMBABWE

Your Photographic Experience

Photographers on this program live and work on a private wildlife reserve and sanctuary bordering Zambezi National Park, a park that is home to a wealth of wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, zebras, giraffes, hippos, and many different species of antelope. Set on the river Zambezi, the park is a sanctuary, natural setting for photography, and an incredible place to explore. Staying at the sanctuary also means unique photographic opportunities of animals that are rescues or part of other conservation initiatives. At the moment, there are lions, spotted hyenas, and a number of smaller animals. You’ll have a chance to observe and photograph them from up close. You’ll also have a chance to get involved with the day-to-day running of a wildlife sanctuary and help document exciting projects. As if this weren’t enough, you’ll be only moments away from Victoria Falls. So, you’ll come away from this program with a versatile portfolio of landscape and wildlife photography. The adventurous among you can try white water rafting, bungee jumping, or a helicopter ride over the falls. Those who enjoy a slower pace can enjoy river cruises, hikes, and world-class safaris. There’s plenty to point a camera at during this wildlife photography program. First of all, staying in a wildlife sanctuary grants you unrestricted access to the resident animals and a wonderful setting for you to practice your photography. You’ll also head out on regular game drives in Zambezi National Park (generally two half days a week) for close encounters with the wildlife, especially the lions and hyenas. A unique bonus to this program is that as well as photographing the wildlife, you’ll have a chance to document the exciting work being done at the sanctuary. You’ll be set assignments and sent out into the field to gather valuable images to be used by the organizations for marketing and educational purposes. In addition, you might help run a photography club for kids at a local school. Then, there’s the stunning scenery and landscapes of the area, not to mention, the spectacular Victoria Falls. And, all the while you’ll be under the expert guidance of photography pros.

Feedback

I’m having such a wonderful time here. The staff is fantastic and I have already learned so much in a short amount of time, not only about photography, but also about conservation. The team has put together a great program that keeps us busy, engaged, and also allows us to develop. 

Carolyn Paige Kosh

WORKSHOP LEADER

Jake Brass

Jake Brass

WORKSHOP LEADER

Jake Brass

Born and raised in the United Kingdom by parents who were keen birders, Jake has always been a wildlife enthusiast. A holiday to Costa Rica sparked an interest in wildlife photography, and for the past ten years, the camera has rarely left his side. During those ten years, he achieved a Masters degree in Zoology Camp; Conservation, and is now happy to combine a passion for conservation with his love for photography. Jake has previously worked as a wildlife photography guide in Kenya, and is excited to now be based in Victoria Falls.

EXPERIENCE

Your Time With Us

1Monday
Your average week begins with a photo op for anti poaching activities, capturing flora and fauna and the volunteers working to protect them. This is followed by a photography class with one of your guides, before you head out to photograph and identify bird species as part of a scientific bird survey. Finally, you end the day taking in the stars with an astro photography workshop.
2Tuesday
After an early start, you’ll spend the entire morning on a game drive. This will be an incredible opportunity to capture spotted hyenas, lions, and elephants as the sun rises over Zambezi National Park. In the afternoon, you’ll debrief from the game drive and share your best pics with the group. The evening will be spent winding down around the campfire.
3Wednesday
You’ll have another exciting opportunity to get involved with conservation research. At the start of your day, you’ll assist with camera trap data collection, then head back to sort and edit what you find. After this, you’ll continue with a class on more advanced editing techniques. After lunch you’ll take on your first NGO assignments, which can vary depending on which projects are available with which partners at the time. In the evening you’ll head out and assist with another scientific survey, this time on nocturnal species.
4Thursday
Your day kicks off with a unique opportunity to photograph Zambezi birdlife at the reserve’s own dam. You’ll then head back to edit the photos you’ve taken with continued guidance from your photography managers. Once you’ve finished editing, you’ll be on game drives for the rest of the day. You’ll take a tour of some of the national parks’ choice destinations for wildlife photography in the afternoon.
5Friday
It’s time to make the most of this program’s location and take your camera to Victoria Falls. You’ll have a workshop on landscape photography and how to capture the immensity and minutia of the falls. This is followed by another workshop, this time on high speed photography. You’ll head to a vulture feeding to capture the birds in flight. The working week might end with an optional excursion into town to enjoy a meal at one of Victoria Falls many renowned restaurants.
6 - 7 Saturday to Sunday
Saturday morning is spent catching up with any final editing then uploading your photography to their online photography bank. The rest of the weekend is your own. You could spend it taking in one of the many attractions or activities in the area such as bungee jumps, sunset cruises, white water rafting or hikes. Alternatively you could spend your time resting up for the exciting week ahead.

Wildlife Photography and Conservation Program, Victoria Falls

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At Penda, we're all about creating incredible photographic opportunities.

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