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MalaMala and Zimanga Photo Safari - July 2026

July 07th - 22nd, 2026
MalaMala and Zimanga Photo Safari - July 2026
South Africa &
Sold Out

Two of South Africa’s Premier Photographic Reserves.

This small-group photographic safari combines the predator-rich landscapes of MalaMala Private Game Reserve with the purpose-built photographic environment of Zimanga Private Game Reserve, offering a balanced and highly rewarding wildlife photography experience.

Designed specifically for wildlife photographers, the safari blends private game drives, dedicated photographic hide sessions, and carefully paced travel, all led by professional wildlife photographer Stu Porter. Every element of the journey is shaped around light, behaviour, and creating strong, compelling wildlife images.

Why This Safari Is Different

Private photographic game drives
Game drives at MalaMala are conducted in a private vehicle, allowing flexibility, optimal positioning, and uninterrupted photographic opportunities.

Dedicated photographic hides
Zimanga’s purpose-built hides provide eye-level access to wildlife and birds in controlled, natural settings ideal for creative photography.

Two complementary environments
The safari combines dynamic predator encounters with refined hide-based photography, offering variety and depth across the journey.

Professional photographic guidance
In-field instruction, camera setup advice, and creative guidance are provided throughout the safari.

What You Will Gain

By the end of this safari you will have:

  • A varied South African wildlife photography portfolio

  • Experience photographing from both vehicles and hides

  • Improved confidence working with light, behaviour, and composition

  • Practical techniques applicable to future photographic safaris

  • Guidance tailored to your experience level and goals

     

This safari is built for enthusiastic beginners through to advanced photographers using DSLR or mirrorless systems.

A Day on Safari

MalaMala & Zimanga

At MalaMala, days focus on unhurried, flexible game drives that allow extended time with wildlife and thoughtful positioning for light and behaviour. At Zimanga, photography is balanced between dedicated photographic hide sessions and open-vehicle drives, providing opportunities to explore composition, species variety, and more controlled photographic settings. Across both reserves, daily activities are planned around the best light, with time built in to rest, review images, and refine techniques.

About Your Leader – Stu Porter

Stu Porter brings more than two decades of experience guiding and photographing wildlife across Southern Africa. His approach is measured and practical, helping photographers turn strong sightings into well-considered images through an understanding of animal behaviour, careful positioning, and patient observation in the field.

Who This Safari Is For

  • Wildlife photographers seeking both variety and quality

  • Guests who appreciate small groups and personalised attention

  • Photographers wanting a combination of predator encounters and hide-based photography

  • Travellers looking to build a polished and diverse South African portfolio
     

 

This safari is thoughtfully designed with photographers as the clear priority.

This MalaMala and Zimanga photo safari 2026 is a small-group South African wildlife photography tour combining private game drives and purpose-built photographic hides, designed for photographers seeking a small group, variety, access, and expert guidance.

Day 1: Arrive in Johannesburg – Overnight

Arrive at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, where our meet & greet team will escort you to a nearby airport hotel for an overnight stay. This allows time to rest and for the rest of the group to gather, before the safari begins.

Days 2–5: MalaMala Private Game Reserve

Fly to Skukuza and transfer by road to MalaMala Private Game Reserve. Spend four nights on photographic game drives in one of Africa’s most celebrated Big Five reserves. With a private vehicle dedicated to photography, time is focused on positioning, light, and behaviour, offering outstanding opportunities to photograph leopards, lions, elephants, and other iconic species.

Day 6: MalaMala to Johannesburg – Overnight

After a final morning game drive at MalaMala, return to Skukuza Airport and fly back to Johannesburg. Overnight near the airport, where the group is joined by additional safari participants for a relaxed evening and dinner together.

Days 7–14: Zimanga Private Game Reserve

Fly from Johannesburg to Durban and transfer by road to Zimanga Private Game Reserve. Spend eight nights combining dedicated photographic hide sessions with open-vehicle game drives. Zimanga is renowned for its exceptional bird photography, diverse mammal species, and purpose-designed hides that allow for intimate, eye-level imagery.

Day 15: Zimanga to Ballito – Overnight

After a final morning photographic activity at Zimanga, transfer by road to Ballito on the KwaZulu-Natal coast for an overnight stay ahead of the international journey home.

Day 16: Depart South Africa

Transfer to Durban airport and fly back to Johannesburg to connect with your onward international departure.

MEALS / DRINKS / LAUNDRY

All meals are included at both MalaMala & Zimanga

All drinks are included at both MalaMala & Zimanga

All laundry is included at both MalaMala & Zimanga

STEP 1 - PLEASE READ OUR BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS

We first recommend that you read and become familiar with our booking terms & conditions, which can be found on this page, under the PRICES box.

STEP 2 - GET IN TOUCH

Get in touch with us to confirm that there are still spaces available on the photo safari that you are interested in. Click on the “ENQUIRE NOW” button above.

STEP 3 - AWAIT A REPLY FROM US & THEN CREATE YOUR CLIENT ACCOUNT

Once we confirm with you that there is space available, and you would like to join the safari, we will send you a direct link via email. Follow this unique link to sign up to our CLIENT AREA. After you have registered with your name, email address and a password of your choice, you will then be asked to complete our online booking form.

STEP 4 - COMPLETE A BOOKING FORM

As soon as we receive your completed booking form/s (1 per participant) then you will be required to send us the deposit to secure your place on the safari.

STEP 5 - SEND YOUR DEPOSIT

Deposits can be paid via credit card, PayPal or international bank transfer. We will notify you as soon as your deposit arrives. Places on the safari will only be confirmed once we have received both a completed booking form and deposit payment.

STEP 6 - FINAL BALANCE PAYMENT

As soon as your booking form and deposit are with us, we will update your CLIENT AREA to display the outstanding balance amount. This amount will be due 90 days before the start date of the safari.