Leica Photo Safari: Zimbabwe | July 16-24, 2027
$16,795 ($2,995 Deposit)
Workshop at a Glance
Physical Activity
Photographic Intensity
Classroom Instruction
Climate/Weather Severity
Food and Accommodations
Cultural Immersion
Good for Non-photographers-
There is a quality of light in Zimbabwe in July that photographers speak about in reverential tones. The dry season draws wildlife to permanent water sources in extraordinary concentrations: elephants, lions, and wild dogs gathering in scenes that feel almost cinematic. The golden hour lingers. The animals are closer. And the stillness, broken only by the distant rumble of Victoria Falls or the splash of a hippo at dusk, has a way of sharpening your eye.
In partnership with Wilderness, Africa’s foremost ecotourism operator, and photographer Michael Turek, this nine-night journey has been carefully designed to place you in the right location at exactly the right time. From the thundering spectacle of Victoria Falls to the elephant-rich plains of Hwange National Park and the wild, immersive floodplains of Mana Pools, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, each stop offers a distinct photographic experience, building into a safari with real depth and variety.
July is widely considered the finest time to experience Zimbabwe. As the landscape dries and recedes, wildlife viewing becomes both more predictable and more intimate, offering the kind of access most people only encounter in documentaries.
Whether you're new to wildlife photography or looking to refine your craft, this workshop is built around time in the field, thoughtful guidance, and meaningful access to extraordinary moments. With Wilderness camps intentionally small to preserve both the experience and the environment, availability is limited. We hope you can join us!HighlightsYour photographic guide
Michael Turek is an award-winning British-American fine art photographer who focuses on documentary assignments for clients including The Financial Times, The Guardian, The New York Times, and The Paris Review. He has worked extensively in challenging environments, most recently in Iraq and Tajikistan. His book, CONTRAIL, published by Roman Nvmerals in 2021, is included in the MoMA Archives and Library. His first photographic monograph, SIBERIA was published by Damiani in 2020 — the culmination of three years’ work in Russia with long-time collaborator, writer Sophy Roberts, which received global TV, radio, and print coverage. He is currently working on two long-term documentary projects in East Africa and northern England.
* Victoria Falls private guided tour. A 1.5 to 2 hour walk along 1.7 km of rainforest pathways with multiple viewpoints. July offers good flow without the peak flood mist that obscures views earlier in the year.
* Ra-Ikane sunset cruise. A Victorian-style river vessel on the Zambezi with unlimited drinks and snacks. Strong opportunity for elephant, hippo, and waterbird photography at dusk.
* Hwange game drives. Hwange hosts one of Africa's largest elephant herds. The dry season draws lion, wild dog, and predators to waterholes, particularly productive in the morning and late afternoon.
* Mana Pools on foot. One of the few parks in Africa permitting unguided walking. Eye-level access to elephants feeding on albida pods, alongside excellent big cat and wild dog activity.
* Light aircraft transfers. All inter-camp transfers via Wilderness Air Zimbabwe. Practical, scenic, and a worthwhile photographic opportunity over the Zambezi escarpment.
* Twice-daily camp activities. Morning and evening activities at each camp including game drives, walking safaris, and boat-based wildlife viewing, all led by Wilderness-trained guides.
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Dates:
Friday, July 16 - Saturday, July 24, 2027
Cost:
$16,795 - Double occupancy lodging (Single room available for $2000)
Size:
Limited to 6-8 attendees (depending on room shares)
Included in the cost of the trip:
- Double occupancy lodging w/ private facilities (Single room available for $2000)
- All meals and beverages (excluding premium alcoholic imports and champagne)
- Twice-daily scheduled safari activities
- All national park and conservation fees
- All internal light aircraft transfers
- Laundry at all camps
- VIP airport meet and assist (arrival and departure)
- Ra-Ikane sunset cruise on the Zambezi
- Private guided Victoria Falls tour
- All ground transfers
- 24/7 Wilderness emergency and medical support
- Gratuities
- In-the-field photography instruction
- 1-on-1 critique/review sessions
Not included in the cost of the trip:
- International flights to and from Zimbabwe
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- Additional hotel nights before or after the trip (Wilderness can assist you with this)
- Early/late checkouts
- Premium wine, spirits and champagne
- Items of a personal nature
- Visas (if necessary)
Getting there
The trip begins at Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) on Friday 16 July. All subsequent travel between locations is by light aircraft with Wilderness Air Zimbabwe. Departure is from Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare (HRE) on the morning of Saturday 24 July.
* Arrival airport: Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA), Friday 16 July 2027. Wilderness provides VIP assistance through immigration and a private ground transfer to your lodge.
* Departure airport: Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, Harare (HRE), morning of Saturday 24 July. Book international connections for the afternoon of 24 July or later.
* Internal carrier: Wilderness Air Zimbabwe, reservation code 969177. All inter-camp flights are arranged and included.
* Luggage: Soft bags (duffel style) are required for all light aircraft legs. Confirm weight allowances with your travel consultant before departure.
* Visas: Check current requirements with your government's travel advisory service. Zimbabwe offers visas on arrival for many nationalities. A KAZA Univisa is available for those also visiting Zambia or Botswana.Pre & post safari add-ons
The team at Wilderness can gladly arrange any additional African travels either before or after this safari. A few options to consider are South Africa, Tanzania or Zambia.
Signing UpTo sign up for this photo safari, checkout here on our website, call 305-921-4433 or email us (workshops@leicastoremiami.com). We are happy to answer any questions you may have. A $2995 deposit, along with the single room supplement fee should you choose it, is required to hold your spot. The balance will be due on April 16, 2027.
We look forward to seeing you in Zimbabwe!
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Itinerary
Day 1 (July 16): Arrival and Zambezi Sunset Cruise
Arrive at Victoria Falls Airport. VIP assistance through immigration, then private transfer to Batonka Guest Lodge (2 nights). Includes bed, breakfast, teas and filter coffee, and twice-daily shuttle transfers to Victoria Falls town. This afternoon: Ra-Ikane sunset cruise on the Zambezi, approximately 2 hours, unlimited drinks and snacks included. Strong opportunity for elephant, hippo, and bird photography along the riverbank.
Accommodation: Batonka Guest LodgeDay 2 (July 17): Private Guided Tour of Victoria Falls
Morning guided walk along 1.7 km of rainforest pathways at Victoria Falls, with stops at multiple viewpoints. Tour duration approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. July conditions typically offer good flow with reduced mist compared to peak flood season (February to May), allowing clearer photography of the falls face and gorge. Remainder of day at leisure; shuttle transfers available to Victoria Falls town.
Accommodation: Batonka Guest Lodge
Days 3 - 5 (July 18-20): Wilderness Davidson's Camp
Light aircraft transfer from Victoria Falls Airport to Wilderness Davison's in Hwange National Park. Accommodation in tented rooms; all meals, twice-daily game activities, park fees, laundry, and local drinks included. Hwange is Zimbabwe's largest national park and holds one of Africa's greatest elephant populations. The dry season concentrates game around waterholes, with reliable sightings of lion, wild dog, giraffe, zebra, and large predator species. Activities include morning and evening game drives and guided walks.
Accommodation: Wilderness Davison's
Day 6 - 8 (July 21-23): Wilderness Ruckomechi Camp
Light aircraft transfer from Hwange to Wilderness Ruckomechi on the Zambezi River in Mana Pools National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and consistently rated among Africa's top photographic destinations. All meals, twice-daily activities, park fees, laundry, and local drinks included. Activities include game drives, guided walks, and canoe-based wildlife viewing. July is peak season for wild dog sightings; elephants feeding on albida pods are a signature subject. Walking alongside large game is permitted with guides.
Accommodation: Wilderness Ruckomechi
Day 9 (July 24): Departure from Harare
Final morning activity at Mana Pools before light aircraft departure to Harare's Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport. VIP meet and assist on arrival in Harare. International connections should be booked for the afternoon of 24 July or later. Here your adventure in Zimbabwe comes to an end!
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Payment
A $2995 deposit, along with the single supplement room fee if you choose it, is due at the time of registration. The balance will be due on April 16, 2027.
Withdrawal and Refund Policy
Enrollment is limited to 6-8 participants (depending on room shares), and once you sign up, we are counting on your attendance. If you need to withdraw from this workshop, please notify us in writing (email is acceptable) as soon as possible. This is our refund policy:
If you cancel and we find someone to fill your seat, we will refund you the full amount you have paid towards the tuition, minus a $250 service charge. If you cancel and we cannot find someone to fill your seat, then you will be refunded according to the following schedule:
At least 90 days before the start of the workshop: Full refund minus $250 service fee.
Between 89 and 60 days before the start of the workshop: 75% refund
Between 59 and 45 days before the start of the workshop: 50% refund
Less than 45 days from the start of the workshop: No refundCourse Cancellation and Other Terms
Leica Store Miami reserves the right to cancel a reservation if full payment has not been received by 90 days prior to the start of the workshop.
In the event that this workshop must be canceled due to inadequate enrollment, all fees and deposits will be refunded in full or may be transferred to another workshop within 24 months.
In the unlikely event of illness, accident or injury to one of the instructors, Leica Store Miami reserves the right to replace that instructor with a comparable instructor.
In the event of a natural disaster or severe weather event, Leica Store Miami reserves the right to postpone or cancel the workshop.Travel Insurance (required)
It is a requirement of booking that guests provide evidence of comprehensive travel insurance to cover cancellation and curtailment, medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation), personal accident, injury and death in addition to loss of/damage to luggage and possessions, personal possessions and flight cancellations/delays. Companies like Travelex and Allianz Global Assistance are reputable but you can choose any vendor you like. Leica Store Miami is not responsible for reimbursement of non-refundable airline tickets in the event of a workshop cancellation, nor are we responsible for trip cancellations due to medical emergencies, personal emergencies or other unforeseen events.
Camera Gear Insurance (STRONGLY recommended)
We advise all of our workshop attendees to insure their camera gear against damage, theft, loss, etc. If your gear is not already insured, check with your home owner's insurance to see if they offer coverage. There are several photo specific insurance policies out there as well.
Communicable Illness Protocols
Our main goal on all of our tours is to keep everyone safe. To that end, we ask that everyone do their best to avoid exposure to communicable diseases like Covid-19, influenza, RSV, etc before and during our trip. If someone in our group becomes ill on the trip and we deem it to be harmful to the group, we reserve the right to remove them from group activities where social distancing is not possible.
Single Room Policy
If you sign-up for double occupancy room sharing and there are no other attendees to pair you with, you will be responsible for paying the single room supplement.Transfers
If for any reason you wish to transfer your deposit or workshop fee, please notify us by email. You must register and complete a new workshop within 24 months of the withdrawal. We reserve the right to accept or deny any transfer.There are no exceptions to our Cancellation and Transfer Policy.
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