Photograph an abundance of wildlife, experience one of the largest elephant populations of Africa in Hwange National Park, and learn about elephant conservation in Zimbabwe with exclusive access through our conservation partner Wild is Life - Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery.
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When?
- June 14 - 22, 2025 (9 days, 8-nights)
- October 18 - 26, 2025 (9 days, 8-nights) -
Where?
- Victoria Falls National Park
- Panda Masuie Forest Reserve
- Hwange National Park -
Group Size?
Maximum of 8 guests.
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Costs?
7450€ per person.
“Having journeyed extensively across the African continent, we discovered a profound reconnection with the natural world amidst the landscapes of Zimbabwe. The tranquility of Hwange stands in stark contrast to the lively cultural tapestry of Victoria Falls, creating an irresistible allure that beckons us back time and again, leaving us yearning for more with each visit.”
-Donal Boyd & Emma Romeijn | Founders Atlas 1 Expeditions
Expedition Overview
Your expedition begins in Victoria Falls, where we’ll meet for a welcome dinner, spend the first night, and where we’ll visit the spectacular waterfalls that gave the town its name.
Next, we’ll spend 2 nights in the Panda Masuie Forest Reserve with our conservation partner Wild is Life - Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery (ZEN). Through exclusive access, you'll have the opportunity to learn about the ZEN elephant conservation project and their approach to rescue, rehabilitate and release orphaned elephants back into the wild. There will also be ample opportunity for photography, let’s just say we have some surprises in store!
At their release site in Panda Masuie, which is off-limits to the public, you’ll be introduced to the conservation team, learn about the challenges and triumphs of elephant conservation in Zimbabwe, and gain a deeper understanding of wildlife conservation in the region.
Then, we’ll venture into the wilderness with a 5-night stay at The Hide Safari Camp in Hwange National Park. Renowned as one of the best places in the world to observe and photograph elephants, Hwange offers an unparalleled safari experience amidst its raw and untamed beauty.
Hwange
National
Park
Hwange National Park is one of the best places in the world to observe and photograph elephants, to experience the diverse landscapes of Zimbabwe and to learn and understand about the realities of wildlife conservation in Africa.
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest game reserve, beckons visitors with its vast expanses of untamed wilderness and extraordinary biodiversity. Spanning over 14,000 square kilometers, this iconic park is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, offering unparalleled opportunities to witness Africa's famed Big Five – lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros – in their natural habitat. Hwange's diverse landscapes range from open savannas to dense woodlands, providing a rich tapestry for unforgettable safari experiences. Beyond its charismatic megafauna, the park is home to over 400 bird species and countless other mammals, ensuring every moment spent here is filled with awe and wonder. With its rugged beauty, abundant wildlife, and timeless allure, Hwange National Park stands as a testament to the raw, untamed spirit of Africa.
During your time in Zimbabwe, you will:
Photograph the majestic elephants of Hwange, capturing their beauty and behavior in their natural habitat, both out on game drives and from the comforts of a unique underground hide located at the lodge.
Observe and photograph a large variety of African animals besides elephants, amongst which lion, zebra, wild dog, giraffe, wildebeest, buffalo, impala & cheetah.
Discover new perspectives and techniques in wildlife photography.
Learn the art of storytelling through photography, capturing the essence of Zimbabwe's wildlife and landscapes.
Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the African bush.
Gain a true understanding of conservation in Africa and peak behind the scenes through our partnership with Wild is Life - ZEN.
Gain a deeper understanding of conservation efforts in Hwange and the role of eco-tourism in protecting Zimbabwe's natural heritage.
Indulge in plant-based meals and the comforts of The Hide's luxurious accommodations.
Joining a small group of like-minded travelers, you'll forge connections that transcend borders and create memories that will last a lifetime. With a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 8 guests, this intimate journey promises to be a truly immersive and unforgettable experience in the heart of Africa.
Your Guides
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Filmmaker, photographer
Naudé Heunis is an award-winning filmmaker and photographer from Cape Town, South Africa. Specializing in wildlife, adventure, aerial and underwater, Naudé trained at film school as a director of photography before finding his calling when a sick friend asked him to fill in for a shoot with National Geographic.
Since then, he has built a name as one of the continent’s top wildlife filmmakers, with a fine skill and passion for bringing the stories of the voiceless to a world that desperately needs to hear them. His storytelling is driven by the philosophy that change begins with one person.
Naudé’s clients include NatGeo, the BBC, DJI, Audi, WWF, IFAW, Sennheiser, PolarPro, PADI and more.
Naude knows the folks at Wild is Life well, having filmed one of their elephant translocations a few years ago. He also has spent many hours in the bush at Hwange and countless more on safaris across Africa.
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Photographers, filmmakers and co-founder Atlas 1 Studio & Atlas 1 Expeditions
Hey there, Donal and Emma here!
Zimbabwe holds a special place in our hearts—it's like coming home to a place where time slows down, and life feels refreshingly authentic and unassuming.
There's something about Zimbabwe's laidback vibe, its genuine hospitality, and its unpretentious landscapes that just resonates with us—and we know it will with you too.
The wildlife encounters in Hwange are unlike anywhere else; raw and authentic, each moment a testament to the untamed beauty of the landscape.
What makes this trip truly exceptional is our exclusive opportunity to spend two days with our friends at Wild is Life, an experience close to my heart. Having connected with the passionate team behind this conservation project years ago, we've had the privilege of documenting their inspiring work. Our visit to their release site offers a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into conservation efforts—an experience off limits to tourists.
Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure as we delve into the heart of Zimbabwe's wildlife and conservation landscape.
Dry Season
June & October are both excellent times to embark on a safari in Zimbabwe, particularly within the majestic expanse of Hwange National Park. During the dry season the landscape transforms into a theatre of wildlife spectacle.
The parched vegetation draws an abundance of wildlife to the park's water sources, creating unparalleled opportunities for sightings. In Hwange, this translates into a mesmerizing parade of elephant herds, drawn together by the necessity of water, providing a breathtaking spectacle for visitors.
With its optimal blend of wildlife abundance, clear visibility, and favourable weather conditions, the dry season stands out as the prime time to experience the raw beauty and untamed splendour of Zimbabwe's wilderness.
June mornings are slightly cooler than those in October, but both months offer comfortable temperatures for an enjoyable safari experience.
Accommodation
Victoria Falls:
We’ll spend the first night Victoria Falls. Hotel information will be provided closer to departure, but you can expect a comfortable stay.
Wild is Life - ZEN:
Our friends have generously offered us to stay at their private house: a gorgeous bush home designed to keep cool and blend in with the surroundings. Because the project is not open to the public, there is no accommodation specifically set up for guests, but trust us when we say you will love staying at our friends’ home. Common spaces include a spacious living room, outdoor living area and pool area.
Hwange National Park:
Nestled within the heart of Hwange National Park, The Hide Safari Camp stands as a beacon of luxury and wilderness immersion, offering a quintessential safari experience that transcends expectations.
Our group will stay at Tom’s Little Hide: a private lodge on the premises of the Hide, with our own common area and pool area. The common space is perfect for mid-day editing sessions in between game drives and it’s where we’ll be able to relax by our private pool and deck. Of course we also have access to all the main common areas of the lodge, so there’s choices.
Double/twin rooms allocated based on friends or couples sharing, or by gender for solo travellers. (Single rooms are subject to availability, and a supplement applies; please inquire for pricing details.)
Who is this trip for?
Do you want to elevate your connection to nature and hone your visual skills? Are you looking to improve your photography and editing? Do you have a genuine curiosity about the world around you? Great, then this is the trip for YOU!
Who is this trip not for?
If you’re looking for a cookie-cutter African safari this might not be the trip for you. We’re proud to do things a bit different and we expect you to show up with an open mind and interest to learn.
Photography & Editing
This trip is about helping you to elevate your connection to nature and to hone your visual skills. For us, we do photographic trips because we want to inspire our guests to look at the world in a different way and to encourage you to share your own vision for telling stories of nature through photography.
As instructors our style is very much participatory and curated for each individual student. We'll teach you our distinct methodology for creating aesthetic and artistic portraits of animals that tell a story and connect to important topics like conservation and protecting nature.
You don't have to be a professional photographer and you don't need any real photography experience. You can come to learn from the start if you like and we'll be sure to spend the extra time with you to ensure you can enjoy each wildlife encounter, but also be able to capture incredible portraits with your camera as well.
Daily editing sessions and lessons will enable you to transform your photos into images with impact, whether you’re editing for artistic or documentary purposes, we’ll teach you our approach to post-processing.
There's no better way to learn than by doing and we’re excited to be your coach out in the field.
What you’ll learn:
The best approaches for setting your camera and optimizing your workflow to capture wildlife and conservation portraits.
Best practices for many different lighting scenarios and specifically how to get the most out of your camera in low light.
How to read animal behaviour and anticipate movements in order to create striking compositions across various landscapes and terrain.
How to see differently in order to capture unique compositions and portraits of subjects that truly help you connect with the essence of their character. This is especially important with large savannah animals, which you will experience firsthand.
Mastery of post-processing techniques for creating balance and consistency across your entire portfolio. Going beyond just editing, we'll go through our entire outlook on visual advocacy and the power of editing to bring out the character or any subject. We'll take a deep dive into the power of editing and we'll help you develop your own approach.
You'll learn how to experience nature through photography. An immersion into the bush.
What is the vibe?
You can expect the atmosphere to be a balance of light-hearted moments and outbursts of laughter mixed with intimate and often emotional connectivity with nature, shared and experienced with a group of like-minded people who you will soon call your friends.
Every trip we've ever hosted has resulted in connections that go far beyond the time we spend together. I mean, hey, we all love animals and nature, so of course, we're going to get along!
Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery
This trip is not only about photography of the wildlife - it's about understanding and giving back. Since 2018, Donal has partnered with the Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery to help promote their work on the ground in Zim. And since 2022, Atlas 1 Studio has continued to help support their media needs.
A key component of the photography workshop will be spending two days with our friends at ZEN learning about their conservation practices, community program, and orphaned elephant release project near Victoria Falls in Panda Masuie Forest Reserve.
Closed to the public, our visit to their project site is a truly unique, behind the scenes, experience.
During these two days at the start of the workshop, you'll cultivate a deeper respect for the bush, which will make the trip overall so much more meaningful.
Important: during your time at ZEN, you’ll be able to observe the elephants from a close distance, but Wild is Life adheres to a no-touch policy. ONLY the caretakers have hands-on contact with the elephants.
Watch a short film we made in 2022 about our friend Busi, one of the rangers at ZEN.
Costs
The total price for the 9 day / 8 night trip is
7450€ per person
50% deposit is required to secure your place. Final payment is due 60 days before departure.
Payment plans are available, please contact us.
Included:
Pick up at the airport or your hotel on day 1.
All meals (fully plant-based), drinks and accommodation for the duration of the workshop - 1 night in Victoria Falls, 2 nights at Wild is Life - ZEN and 5 nights at The Hide Safari Camp.
All transfers between locations.
Tips/donation Wild is Life - ZEN.
Conservation fees Hwange National Park.
Drop off at the airport or your hotel on the last day.
Excluded:
Airfare to/from Victoria Falls airport (VFA).
Travel insurance (required, you must send us proof of insurance before departure).
Tips at The Hide (suggested €300).
Itinerary
Each day we'll adjust the schedule depending on wildlife opportunities that we become aware of, the weather, and the desires of the group to explore the landscape.
Our usual schedule will involve taking advantage of the early morning and late afternoon to photograph the wildlife in the best light. During the heat of the day, we’ll either spend time inside reviewing and editing our photos, sitting in the underground hide, or you’re free to relax by the pool, in your room etc.
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Day 1: The journey begins when we meet at our hotel accommodation on the first day in Victoria Falls. We'll get the chance to meet as a group, get together for dinner, and speak about our plan for the exciting days ahead! (Hotel and airport pick-up details provided in pre-trip briefing.)
Day 2: Early morning we’ll visit the iconic Victoria Falls, an ideal time for beginners to set up their cameras. Mid-morning, we’ll transfer to the Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery, the release site of Wild is Life. After settling in and lunch, we’ll be introduced to our hosts and their work before meeting the elephants up close.
Day 3: We’ll the caretakers and elephants for early morning activities, with close-up time to observe their daily routines. Later, we’ll visit Wild is Life’s community projects, gaining insight into integrated conservation efforts. After lunch and a rest, we’ll go on a walking safari, followed by another wonderful dinner to conclude our stay.
Day 4: After breakfast we’ll transfer to The Hide Safari Camp, in the heart of Hwange National Park. We’ll get there just in time for lunch and afterwards we’ll settle into our accommodations. We’ll have a little bit of time to relax before setting out on our first game drive.
Days 5-8: Each day we’ll head out into the bush. We’ll play it by ear depending on wildlife sightings, weather and the overall vibe of the group. Daily editing lessons/sessions will be either between game drives of after dinner. There will be plenty of time also the relax by the pool or take a cheeky nap in your room.
Day 9: We’ll head out for a final game drive before being transferred back to Victoria Falls. We’ll drop you at either the airport or your next hotel. Make sure not to book your flight out not too early, anytime 4pm onwards is fine.
Questions?
Check out our FAQ. If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, feel free to reach out and contact us on info@atlas1expeditions.com or via instagram @atlas1expeditions. We’re happy to help!
