Mozambique wildlife photography tour 2026
Join Wilder Photography on an exclusive small-group tour staying at the brand-new Zimanga Mozambique Lodge, a luxury eco-retreat set on a private beach within the Vilanculos Wildlife Sanctuary.
October is one of the most rewarding times to visit the Bazaruto Archipelago in Mozambique – warm days, turquoise waters at a comfortable 25°C, and an abundance of wildlife both above and below the surface.
This is a photographer’s dream:
Olive bee-eaters are in full swing, offering vibrant hide sessions.
Vast flocks of waders, flamingoes, and pelicans gather on tidal sandbanks, creating breathtaking scenes from both land and air.
Our boat acts as a unique floating hide, bringing you eye-level with dolphins, dugongs, seabirds, and marine life.
Helicopter flights (optional paid extra) reveal spectacular aerial perspectives of sandbanks and lagoons, while snorkelling offers colourful coral reefs, turtles, and seahorses.
With fully flexible daily activities, this tour combines wildlife, wilderness, and photographic inspiration in one of the world’s great biodiversity hotspots.
Key info
Available spaces:
1
duration:
5 Days
DATES:
15th - 20th October 2026
Fitness level:
Easy
price:
£2975 per person
Single supplement:
£0
group size:
6
pACKING LIST:
africa’s wild coast revealed
5 days of wildlife and seascape photography in the Bazaruto Archipelago
Exclusive use of Zimanga Mozambique Lodge with six luxury rooms, private beach, and infinity pool
Bee-eater hide sessions during peak breeding activity in October
Unique boat-based photography of dolphins, dugongs, flamingoes, pelicans, and waders
Snorkelling at colourful reefs with turtles, seahorses, and giant starfish
October visit timed for huge flocks of waders and flamingoes, plus the chance of whales offshore
Flexible daily schedule tailored around tides, weather, and best photographic light
Small group size (6 guests plus leaders) for space and exclusivity
Expert photographic guidance combined with local knowledge
All transfers from Vilankulo airport included
Aerial photography from helicopter over sandbanks, lagoons, and tidal flats (optional paid extra)
We offset the carbon from your flight*
itinerary
Below is an example itinerary. Since the whole lodge and its activities are booked exclusively for our group, there is complete flexibility with the schedule. Activities can be amended or repeated (for example, extra bee-eater hide sessions, additional snorkelling, or extended boat outings) depending on tides, wildlife activity, and what guests most want to focus on.
Each day includes a morning and afternoon activity, though some days may run as full-day excursions. After your morning session, you’ll return for breakfast or brunch and have time to relax on your private deck, swim in the pool, edit photographs, or enjoy the bay. Jonathan will be available each midday for 1:1 support (image reviews, editing advice, or technical guidance). After the afternoon session, we gather for sundowners and a meal together overlooking the ocean.
Day 1
AM: Arrive at Vilankulo Airport and transfer by boat across the bay to Zimanga Mozambique Lodge, arriving around midday for a welcome drink and lunch.
PM: Jonathan will host an introductory session on photography in coastal and marine environments, covering camera settings for the variety of activities ahead. Then embark on your first outing in the boat, a “floating hide” session to photograph dolphins, seabirds, and flamingoes, before enjoying a dramatic Indian Ocean sunset.
Day 2
AM: An early start for your first bee-eater hide session. October is peak season, with colonies in full activity - a chance for close-up portraits and in-flight shots of these colourful birds.
PM: Snorkelling trip to 2-Mile Reef, with opportunities to photograph turtles, giant starfish, shoals of reef fish, and possibly seahorses. Return to the lodge for dinner under the stars.
Day 3
AM: Optional aerial photography flight over the archipelago. Capture breathtaking views of turquoise lagoons, tidal sandbanks, and traditional fishing dhows. Vast flocks of flamingoes and waders are often visible from above.
PM: Boat trip across Vilanculos Bay, combining dugong and dolphin searches with birding on the tidal flats. Thousands of waders - from curlew sandpipers to Tibetan plovers - gather here in October, joined by flamingoes, pelicans, and yellow-billed storks.
Day 4
AM: Island exploration by boat, with the chance to photograph dolphins en route. Picnic breakfast on a deserted beach with opportunities for landscape, bird, and cultural photography of traditional dhows.
PM: Flexible session tailored to group choice - this could be a return to the bee-eater hide, an extended snorkelling trip, or another floating hide session on the boat to photograph flamingoes and pelicans in golden evening light.
Day 5
AM: An activity of your choice - perhaps an early boat outing to photograph flamingoes and dolphins at sunrise, or one last bee-eater hide session.
PM: A final flexible session tailored to group choice.
Day 6
Transfer by boat back across the bay to Vilankulo, then onward to the airport for departure.
Accommodation
The lodge offers six spacious luxury rooms, each with en-suite bathrooms, indoor and outdoor showers, mosquito-netted king-size beds, and private decks. Three rooms are set along the beach with sweeping ocean views, while the other three look out over coastal forest alive with birdlife and visiting antelope. All are built with natural thatch roofs, elevated hardwood floors, and canvas walls for a cooling, eco-conscious design that blends traditional Mozambican style with modern comfort.
At the heart of the lodge is a large central building with lounge, dining area, and bar opening out to multiple decks. An infinity rim-flow pool with shaded gazebo and martini seating overlooks the sheltered bay, the perfect place to relax between photographic sessions.
Our group will be looked after by a dedicated team including a chef, skipper, and lodge staff. Meals are served in the dining area or outside under the stars, with fresh seafood, salads, and locally grown produce featuring prominently. Evenings can be spent enjoying sundowners on the deck, watching bushbabies call in the forest, or stargazing in the clear coastal skies.
The lodge has been built with sustainability in mind: solar power provides electricity, water is filtered on site, and the architecture makes use of natural breezes and shade to stay cool. Nestled within the Vilanculos Wildlife Sanctuary, the lodge offers the rare feeling of true seclusion, surrounded by birdsong, ocean breezes, and the sound of waves lapping at the shore.
Hides & Wildlife
Zimanga Mozambique offers a completely different photographic experience to its South African counterpart, combining marine life, birdlife, and coastal wildlife with innovative hide opportunities. Our group will have exclusive access to both the lodge and its activities.
Hides and wildlife photography opportunities include:
Bee-eater hide – October is peak season for olive bee-eaters, and temporary hides are positioned to capture their vibrant plumage and aerial displays at close range.
Floating hide (the boat) – our purpose-built Novacat boat acts as a low-level floating hide, providing unique perspectives of dolphins, dugongs, pelicans, flamingoes, and vast flocks of waders on the tidal flats.
Marine encounters – snorkelling at 2-Mile Reef and other sites for turtles, seahorses, colourful reef fish, and giant starfish, with dolphins and dugongs encountered year-round.
Aerial photography (optional paid extra) – helicopter flights reveal spectacular sandbanks, lagoons, fishing dhows, and bird flocks from above.
Birdlife – October brings thousands of migratory waders (curlew sandpipers, Tibetan plovers, bar-tailed godwits, and more), along with flamingoes, pelicans, roseate terns, and the near-endemic Grant’s bushbaby calling around the lodge at night.
Terrestrial wildlife – within the Vilanculos Wildlife Sanctuary you may encounter eland, suni antelope, vervet monkeys, and an abundance of bird species.
This unique combination of terrestrial, aerial, and marine photography makes Bazaruto one of the most diverse photographic destinations in Africa.
included
not included
Exclusive use of Zimanga Mozambique Lodge and all facilities
Luxury accommodation in beachfront and bush-view suites
All meals and snacks prepared by the lodge chef
Water, tea, coffee, soft drinks, local beers, spirits, and house wine
All photographic activities (pre-planned around tides and weather)
Exclusive use of the skippered Zimanga boat for floating hide experiences, island visits, marine life encounters, and snorkelling trips
Bazaruto National Park entry, boat licences, and snorkelling fees
Airport transfers from Vilankulo to the lodge and return
Expert photographic tuition and guidance throughout the trip
Local conservation and park fees
Pre-trip accommodation in Durban
Flights
Helicopter flights (highly recommended for aerial photography)
Optional dhow safaris
Seahorse excursions
Fishing and diving charters
Meals and drinks at Peri Peri Beach Bar
Gratuities and additional levies
aDD-oNS
Coming soon!
TBC
Testimonials from our trips
“I was very excited about the trip having digested the comprehensive information Jonathan provided beforehand but also a little anxious, I shouldn’t have been. Jonathan’s planning and attention to detail meant that every day was packed with exciting events and sightings; his schedule of activities and organisation on a day to day basis was excellent and ensured that everyone had the opportunity to maximise the potential to see and photograph the varied wildlife in the reserve. Jonathan was an exceptional guide – always made himself available to help and offer his invaluable advice as required which I made full use of – and good company too. The entire package far exceeded my expectations on all fronts. The relationship Jonathan had fostered with the Rangers ensured that we had the best experience possible on game drives made all the more enjoyable because of the small group size. The hides delivered an unprecedented up close and personal eye-level view, the overnight hide was an unforgettable experience. I know it sounds cliché but it really was the trip of a lifetime!”- Karen McGrath
