Traversing the captivating wilderness of KwaZulu-Natal in the heart of the Zimanga Private Game Reserve, this hideaway is one place you’ll want to have snapped and framed in your home. Spread over nearly 70 square kilometres of pristine KwaZulu-Natal wilderness, in Zimanga Private Game Reserve, Zimanga Lodge is bisected by the Mkuze River and home to a splendid variety of wildlife and birdlife, fever tree forests and rolling hills.
Zimanga Lodge, nestled within the KwaZulu-Natal wilderness, is the first reserve in Africa designed for avid safari enthusiasts, whilst simultaneously satisfying the needs of modern wildlife photographers of any level. Those who have a deep appreciation for the bush and crave an unhurried, exclusive experience. Home to a diverse variety of wildlife and birdlife, species including lion, elephant, leopard and cheetah roam freely across the landscape, where unparalleled game viewing and photographic opportunities unfold.
The elephant move slowly, trunks raised above water level like snorkels, and seem completely oblivious to one’s presence. In such a relaxed environment, some of the finest wildlife images can be shot. So too in the nine purpose-built photography hides.
Just imagine a hide for every purpose: some underground, some elevated, one mobile and one built to accommodate overnight stays for four. The hides were all designed by an award-winning wildlife photographer and hide architect; some are specific to waterbirds, others for small birds, some for wildlife and large mammals. If you are a nature or wildlife photographer – or an aspiring one – Zimanga Private Game Reserve in is your nirvana.
Potentially being able to get up close and personal with 80 different mammal species and 400 bird species is mind blowing. When you know it all started with just seven zebra, one wildebeest and a handful of impala and warthog, Zimanga has evolved significantly. Add to the original species list the full Big Five plus giraffe, cheetah, waterbuck, kudu, nyala and hippo, and you have an enviable offering for wildlife photographers and nature lovers to enjoy. The photo boat is another enchanting option available to guests and will get you close to swimming elephants in summer, or photographing drinking lions at night under spotlights.
To complement the hide photography, active game drives on open vehicles are done daily with everyone enjoying a side seat. There is also no time limit on sightings, and with only 3 vehicles on 70km2 it feels like you have the entire reserve to yourself. Night astro and landscape photography is also offered.
Capturing the light
When light during the day is too harsh for photography, it’s a chance to savour Zimanga Lodge. The suites – six double and four single – are stylish and spacious, each replete with a laptop desk for processing images. And if you’re dipping in the rim-flow pool instead, lookup and you may see elephant sauntering by with the Lebombo mountains beyond.
After a day of riveting wildlife encounters, cosy up around the evening fire in the boma or dine on the deck under the stars. Cuisine is delectable and talk at dinner will surely be about f-stops and light, and possibly an image from the day that could grace the lodge entrance. Memorable shots taken on Zimanga by visiting wildlife photographers from around the world create a welcome to fellow photographers. It’s a casual hall of fame, where bush inhabitants are the stars.
Written by Keri Harvey