Zimbabwe Mana Pools Photographic Safari 2015 (8 days / 7 nights)
Greg du Toit & ORYX Worldwide Photographic Expeditions are proud to present a carefully crafted expedition to one of Africa s most celebrated wildlife photographic destinations, Zimbabwe. Your safari takes you to Mana Pools, in the wild and unspoiled Zambezi Valley to experience what has made this a classic destination for aficionados of real Africa! Utilizing two different camps one along the Zambezi River, and another deep in the national park, provides access to different habitats and wildlife viewing opportunities within this biodiverse region, and guarantees a superb photo safari experience! Your safari at a glance Safari Dates Safari Price Safari Size 2015 (8 days / 7 nights) US$TBA per person in shared accommodation Limited to 6 Participants with Greg du Toit Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Harare to Zambezi Life Styles Camp (Mana Pools National Park) Zambezi Life Styles Camp (Mana Pools National Park) Zambezi Life Styles Camp (Mana Pools National Park) Zambezi Life Styles Camp (Mana Pools National Park) Zambezi Life Styles Camp to Kanga Camp (Mana Pools National Park) Kanga Camp (Mana Pools National Park) Kanga Camp (Mana Pools National Park) Depart Kanga Camp to Harare for Final Destination of Choice Your safari in detail Day 1: Arrival at Harare and fly to Mana Pools National Park Upon arrival at Harare International Airport you will clear customs and passport control before meeting a representative who will assist with boarding your flight to Mana Pools National Park. After arrival in the Zambezi Valley, you will drive to Zambezi Life Styles Camp, which is nestled on the banks of the meandering Zambezi River. This camp specializes in walks in the area, and tracking and photographing game on foot is one of their specialties! There are no set routines in camp and each day is planned according to the guests wishes. Overnight Zambezi Life Styles Camp
Days 2 to 4: Zambezi Life Styles Camp, Mana Pools National Park Mana Pools National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, lies at the heart of the Zambezi Valley, where the Zambezi River meanders for 300km to the Mozambican border. It is a remote, beautiful place with spectacular views of the broad flowing river, floodplains, the tree canopy and the mountains of the Rift Valley escarpment over the border in Zambia. This stretch of the Zambezi River is famous for its four main pools (after which the Park is named - 'mana' means 'four' in Shona) - Main, Chine, Long and Chisambuk - which are remnants of channels of the river, which stopped flowing years ago. These and smaller seasonal pools dotted further inland hold water all year round, drawing all manner of wildlife and waterfowl during the dry season. Wildlife viewing is therefore excellent, with large concentrations of buffalo and elephant to be found along the river's edges, while predators such as lion, wild dog, leopard and cheetah are often sighted. Greater Kudu, Burchell's zebra, warthog and common waterbuck can be seen on the surrounding plains and the grunting of hippo can be heard all day. Mana Pools offers fantastic birding, with the river and seasonal pans attracting large numbers of water birds and excellent mix of species in the riverine vegetation and mopane woodlands. Local specials include Three-banded Courser, Western Banded Snake-Eagle, Arnott's Chat, Lilian's Lovebird, Böhm's Spinetail and Meve's Starling. Unusual waterbirds include Rufous-bellied Heron,
Long-toed Lapwing, Greater Painted Snipe, African Finfoot and colourful clouds of Southern Carmine Bee-Eaters. Even the sought-after Pel's Fishing-Owl is occasionally seen! Days begin with a light snack and a hot beverage, before departing for your mornings walk or drive. You may track lion or African wild dog, sit with an elephant bull, following a herd of buffalo...it all depends what is in the area! Mana Pools is special in that big game animals can be tracked and photographed on foot, and we will endeavor to obtain eye-level photographs of resident big game if and when the circumstances dictate we can. After a midday siesta to while away the heat of the intense midday sun, you will embark on your afternoon activity, which may involve a game drive, a canoe trip or another walk; indeed all activities are flexible and will be decided upon depending on specific photographic targets and objectives. After an incredible day in the wild Zambezi Valley, we may enjoy a few sundowners on the banks of the Zambezi River, before retiring to camp for a delicious dinner and a chance to reminisce about another incredible day in Africa! Nights Zambezi Life Styles Camp Day 5: Transfer from Zambezi Life Styles to Kanga Camp This morning we will transfer from Zambezi Life Styles to Kanga Camp, which is inland of the Zambezi River and overlooking a waterhole. Your accommodations for the following three nights will be luxury Meru-style tents overlooking Kanga Pan, and tonight you will have the sounds of the African bush to lull you to sleep! Overnight Kanga Camp Days 6 and 7: Kanga Camp, Mana Pools National Park The beautiful Kanga Camp is a located on a private concession deep within the National Park, around one hour s drive from the mighty Zambezi River. Kanga Camp takes its name from the pan it overlooks, and as this pan is the only permanent water source in the area, it acts as a focal point for local game, putting guests in an excellent position to enjoy the fabulous wildlife of the Zambezi Valley. Activities include viewing wildlife from the comfort of a game-viewing vehicle, or bush walks through the surrounding woodlands with an experienced game scout.
The secluded nature of the concession in this unspoiled section of the Zambezi Valley make for a very exclusive safari experience. Overnight Kanga Camp Day 8: Mana Pools to Harare and Final Destination of your Choice This morning our incredible adventure in Mana Pools National Park comes to an end, and at a time to be advised by camp management, you will depart on your scheduled light aircraft transfer back to Harare Airport in time for your connecting International Flight home.
The fee for the 2015 Greg du Toit/ORYX Zimbabwe Mana Pools Photographic Safari is US$TBA per person sharing. Safari Cost Includes: Financial Arrangements Accommodation in ensuite Luxury East African Safari Tents; Internal charter flights as follows; Harare Mana Pools NP, and Mana Pools NP Harare; Private open safari vehicle at both Zambezi Life Styles and Kanga Camp; Private walks with game scout at both Zambezi Life Styles and Kanga Camp; All meals, local alcoholic and soft drinks (except premium imported brands), teas & coffee; Choice of game drives, game walks, canoeing & fishing; Services of the lodge guides and staff; Road transfers to and from camp to the airstrip in Mana Pools National Park; Tourism levy; National Park Fees and Nightly Fees; Hosting and guiding by professional photographer and African specialist Greg du Toit. Safari Cost Excludes: International air travel to/from Zimbabwe (including any possible airport taxes on departure) please see below; Harare Airport Departure Tax of USD15 per person (required in cash upon arrival) Gratuities/Tipping; Visas; A fully comprehensive travel insurance policy valid from the date of itinerary confirmation (all guests travelling to Zimbabwe must be covered by such a policy). Please Note IMPORTANT: Costs are subject to major foreign exchange fluctuations and unforeseen increases in expedition related costs and may have to be adjusted as a result. Furthermore, we may be forced to change or alter the itinerary due to unforeseen circumstances; please be aware, however, that we will attempt to stick as close to the original program as possible. Accommodations and flights are subject to availability at the time of booking.
WEIGHT & LUGGAGE RESTRICTIONS PERTINENT TO ALL LIGHT AIRCRAFT TRANSFERS: Luggage, including camera equipment and hand luggage, is restricted per person travelling on seat rates, as follows: 20kg (44 lbs.) in Zimbabwe Only soft bags will be accepted - no wheels, frames or rigid structures can be transported, as they physically cannot fit into the aircraft. The maximum dimensions of the soft bags, which can be accommodated, are as follows: 25cm (10 inches) wide x 30cm (12 inches) high and 62cm (24 inches) long. Please keep in mind that the baggage compartments on the light aircraft are only 25cm high (10 inches), so the pilots must have the ability to manipulate the bag into the compartment. A collapsible-wheeled luggage frame/trolley (separate to the bag) is allowed, as basic dimensions are similar to that of the bag. TIPPING: As noted above, gratuities for local guides, trackers, lodge staff, butlers etc. are not included on this tour. PLEASE NOTE: If you wish to arrive early and/or depart late and would like assistance or advice in this regard, kindly contact the ORYX office. FLIGHTS: As our guests come from all over the planet we do not include international flights to and from your home in our tour prices. IMPORTANT: DO NOT book your international flights until you have consulted the ORYX office for confirmation on the status of your safari. ORYX Worldwide Photographic Expeditions PO Box 13972, Cascades, Pietermaritzburg, 3202, South Africa Division of Rockjumper Birding Tours CC (registration number 2001/059480/23) Tel: +27 33 394 0225 Tel (USA & Canada) toll free: 1-888-990-5552 Fax: +27 88 033 394 0225 Email: info@oryxphotography.com Website: www.oryxphotography.com