A private guided photographic workshop to the Vundu private concession on the banks of the Zambezi in the heart of the

famous Mana Pools.

Bob Brind-Surch and Safari Consultants

Zimbabwe’s Zambezi River

and Mana Pools 2021

Introduction.

Only a few years ago a photo safari to Africa was a unique experience but there now are very many different companies offering safaris and especially photographic safaris. This doesn’t change the magic of the continent or the amazing opportunities for the wildlife photographer but does mean we have to look a little harder for something different.

As a professional photographer and zoologist with 45 years’ experience photographing in Africa I am always on the lookout for new experiences and exciting locations. I particularly look for areas where

everything is different to the ordinary, where the wildlife is unique and special, where the guides are simply brilliant and where the camps are small and private. We all know that these create the very best photo opportunities but sadly they are seldom on offer in the many safaris available.

Mana pools in Zimbabwe is just one of the areas where the wildlife is unique, and the conservancy model adopted keeps the visitor numbers manageable. To get the best from this, as in any area in Africa you also need the very best guides. Comfort, catering and standards of camps are important as are prices, facilities such as showers, electricity and in some cases even Wi-Fi. However even with the best wildlife, without an excellent guide you won’t provide the best photo opportunities. As a professional photographer I can help and support you as much as possible but teaming up with an excellent guide takes the safari experience to a completely different level. I have worked throughout Africa with many different guides and camps. I always choose great guides but those in Zimbabwe are legendary, they are without doubt amongst the best in Africa. In their training they must work through an intensive certification process which is a minimum of four years and is one of the most difficult guide license procedures anywhere in Africa.

• Firstly, they have to pass the “Learner’s theory examination” where their knowledge of the environment, the ecology, vegetation, geography, birds and wildlife, first aid, firearms and ballistics, as well as environmental and tourism laws are tested.

• After that, the learner safari guide has to spend minimum of two years working under the tutorship of a safari guide with a Full Professional Safari Guiding License. This ensures that learner guides will gain extensive experience of working in the bush and guiding clients through the National Parks (including walking safaris, game drives and photographic and other safaris).

• Finally, the learner guide has to pass an extensive and reputedly very tough week-long practical examination to ensure their guiding, knowledge and firearm skills in order to earn their Professional Safari Guide License.

Through such intensive training, Zimbabwe’s safari guides learn to lead guests safely through the bush, even approaching wildlife more closely than most other guides would. They have a greater in depth knowledge of the animals and their behaviour than many of the local people who have lived in the area with the wildlife life all their life. On top of all this they have an excitement and keenness to share all this with guests.

I have had the great good fortune over the years to work with and call friends some of the very best Zimbabwe guides. These include famous individuals like Spike Williamson, Dave Carson, Paul Hubbard and Nick Murray and others working through the same process in other countries such as Lorenzo Rossi in Southern Tanzania. These are the crème de la crème of safari guides and working with them always leads to an excellent safari experience.

For this safari I am working with Mick Murray’s team of professional guides. Nick owns and runs Vundu Camp in the

heart of the Mana pools National Park. Quite apart from being one of the limited number of Zimbabwe professional guides Nick has a passion for wild dogs or painted wolves. He has years of experience working with the PDC (Painted Dog Conservation) and has been following and tracking the painted dogs of Mana Pools for over a decade. It was his long-term knowledge of theses amazing animals which lead to him advising and working with the BBC Earth crew for the 2018 BBC Dynasties episode on the painted wolf. This episode alone required 850 days of filming over 4 years and is well worth watching (whilst it is still available on iPlayer)!

Vundu Camp and Bushlife Safaris.

Bushlife Safaris is owned and run by Nick Murray and his wife, Des. Together they have created an award-winning portfolio of safari experiences based around the Mana Pools area. Vundu is one of their three camps in the area and the one I have chosen for this safari. It was the home of the BBC team for the Dynasties Painted Wolf episode which was hosted and guided by Nick and Des Murray.

The camp has eight large tented chalets, which are clean, spacious and comfortable, if rather simple in design and layout. Outside the front of each is a private seating area with canvas chairs; inside, large wooden beams support a high thatched roof with canvas walls and shade-mesh windows. All have very secure mosquito nets covering each twin or double bed, polished concrete floors scattered with rugs, and free-standing fans. Each chalet has an en-suite bathroom with spacious indoor and open-air hot showers, a flush toilet, and decorative pottery washbasins made by Nick's wife, Desiree, who is also a fully qualified guide of note. At the centre of the camp, with excellent views of the Zambezi, is a raised communal area whose bar, dining and lounge areas are furnished with comfortable cushioned chairs, a tea and coffee station, and a small library. To the front of this wooden building is a sandy area overlooking the river, shaded by an old ebony tree. A fire is lit here every night, providing a focus for drinks before and after dinner. Behind the camp is a shallow grassy depression with a waterhole in the centre. This attracts game during the day and is a great spot to sit

beneath the thatch-covered platform and photograph animals and birds that come here to drink.

The camp isn’t the most luxurious but is on a par with most I use in Africa, but it is the guiding and the photo opportunities for which this camp excels. Quite apart from the wild dogs this area boasts elephant that have learnt to stand on their back legs to reach succulent parts of the area’s trees. In 4WD vehicles and on foot with the expert local guides we can approach these and other wildlife to achieve amazing photographs.

We will have our own 4WD vehicles and guides and will spend some of our time in these true off-road vehicles. The game drives and walks can range throughout the national park, although for most we will remain in in the camp's own private concession. This way we are guaranteed limited numbers of other vehicles and private access to the wildlife. This private conservancy is a prime area in the heart of the park, covering an area within about 3–4km of the camp. The area has plenty of the classic Mana Pools scenery – with plenty of forested areas, and some of the pools for which the park is noted. With our skilled guides I will probably combine walks and drives with everyone hopping out of the vehicle when an interesting track or animal has been

discovered. There are very few guides in Africa who I would trust with this level of access but this way we can carry all our camera gear with relative ease. Nothing can be guaranteed but we should be lucky enough to approach both wild dog and lion on foot to within a few tens of metres – a truly unique and amazing experience only made possible by the experience and skill of Vundu’s guiding team.

As with all my African safaris I have designed this trip for the enthusiastic photographer interested in producing memorable images of African wildlife. I deliberately limit the number of guests to 8 with no more than 4 per each specialised open sided 4WD safari vehicle. This way I can ensure you each have a prime seat with plenty of additional room for equipment. As your tour leader I am a lifelong naturalist, zoologist and experienced professional wildlife photographer and have never lost my wonder for the natural world nor my early interest in wildlife and wildlife behaviour. I have nearly 50 years’ experience travelling and photographing in Africa. I studied for a Zoology PhD in Kenya in the late 70’s and have led safaris there for nearly 30 years. I have a life time of experience and an enduring fascination with Africa and its wildlife and take it as a real privilege to run these trips and share my enthusiasm for Africa, photography and its wildlife with guests.

I am also a fully qualified teacher and patient tutor who has worked with camera manufacturers at the highest level and am therefore able to support everyone from photographic novices to those who are considerably more experienced. I will be with you throughout the trip making sure you have a rewarding time and helping you translate your experiences into great and memorable photographs. Working with you in the field and back at the camps, I will seek to help you improve and refine your photographic skills understanding better numerous digital photography techniques and how to use them to achieve creative images.

I carefully choose the drivers and local guides for this trip and ensure that they are well versed in the requirements of photographers. They know when and where to stop and how to best position us for the available light. They are prepared to wait in any location for as long as you require. Unlike many African safaris the aim on this one is not a challenge to see as many species as possible but rather to spend time observing animals and birds behaving naturally and as a direct consequence get the very best photos. This will not be an attempt to see the legendary “big five” but will certainly provide you with the opportunity to take stunning and natural photos of the wide range of animals and birds you do see.

The trip will be limited to no more than 8 guests and the full details including pricing is in the following details itinerary.

In putting this trip together I have worked closely with the UK based and experts in the region, Safari Consultants. Choosing the right company to arrange your African safari is vitally important and the complexity and remoteness of Africa means you need a company who have detailed knowledge and first-hand experience of Africa. Safari Consultants are just such a company having specialised in safaris to East and Southern Africa since 1983. Their holidays are fully bonded for your financial protection under the CAA ATOL scheme or through the AITO Trust.

Brind-Surch Natures Photos

12 Stanion Road, Brigstock, Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN14 3HW

This itinerary has been prepared for you by Safari Consultants Ltd. specialists in travel to East & Southern Africa since 1983 Telephone: 01787 888590 web: safari-consultants.com

Mana Pools Explored with Bob Brind-Surch Natures Photos 2021 a photographic workshop to

Zimbabwe Duration: 9 Nights Designed for travel in September 2021

Itinerary in brief Designed for travel in September 2020

Day Date

Region Accommodation No. of nights

Board basis

21 Sep In Flight British Airways - London

Heathrow to Johannesburg, connecting to Harare

1 Meals Included

22 Sep Mana Pools National Park Vundu Camp, Mana Pools

National Park 7 Full Board

29 Sep In Flight British Airways - Harare to

Johannesburg, connecting to London Heathrow

1 Meals Included

30 Sep London British Airways - early arrival into

London Heathrow

Costing in brief Land Price Per person US$ 8,500.00 based on sharing accomomdation Land Price in total US$ 8,500.00

International flights available from £ 1,250.00 per person

Please see full itinerary for full costing details/inclusions and exclusions

A Proposed Outline Itinerary

Tuesday 21 September

One night World Traveller

British Airways - London Heathrow to Johannesburg, connecting to Harare

Depart London Heathrow Terminal 5 on the overnight British Airways flight, to Johannesburg, South Africa.

Wednesday 22 September

Seven nights Twin Tented Chalet Full Board

Vundu Camp, Mana Pools National Park

Early morning arrival into Johannesburg's OR Tambo Airport. Proceed through transit, before connecting with the onward British Airways/Comair (codeshare) flight to Harare, Zimbabwe.

Late morning arrival into Harare International Airport, where you complete entry formalities and collect your luggage, before connecting with a shared light air transfer north to Mana Pools National Park.

On arrival into the Mana West bush airstrip, you will be met by your guide from Vundu Camp and transferred for a seven night stay in twin rooms. Game viewing activities, hosted by the resident guide and Bob Brind-Surch are undertaken daily - including game drives, walking safaris and cruises along the Zambezi River.

Vundu Camp is a tented bush camp situated within a private concession in the western part of Mana Pools National Park. The camp overlooks the mighty Zambezi River and is owned and run by Nick Murray. Accommodation is for up to 18 guests in eight thatched canvas chalets (one is a family chalet and suitable for four, with two en suite tents linked by an open hallway under one large roof). Each chalet is rustically furnished with beds, mosquito net, luggage rack and a couple of comfy chairs. There is an indoor bathroom which includes a plumbed shower, toilet and basin as well as an open air canvas-walled enclosure to the rear with plumbed shower, flush toilet and double vanity.

Nick Murray is a Zimbabwe professional guide, and he and his team ensure a high standard of guiding on their activities which include morning and afternoon game drives, walks, boat cruises and fishing (from camp along a short stretch of water) and canoeing excursions**. Daily activities are flexible according to game movements and local conditions. The immediate area close to camp has been designated as a 'concession area' for Vundu and Nick has chosen to keep it as a mainly walking area. Vundu is not a luxury camp, but it will suit those who are looking for a down to earth bush experience hosted by knowledgeable guides. Just a few kilometres from camp is Little Vundu which comprises of only five tents and offers exactly the same activities. The tented accommodation is much simpler and has outdoor bathrooms making it more suited to guests wanting a more adventurous stay.

**Please note that we do not recommend canoeing along the Mana Pools shoreline due to safety concerns, as hippo and crocs have been known to be aggressive towards canoes**.

Mana Pools National Park - Introduction

Mana Pools National Park, a World Heritage Site, is a beautiful wilderness area, in northern Zimbabwe where the floodplains of the mighty Zambezi, wooded with acacia and mahogany trees, stretch out on either side of the river.

During the dry season, the floodplains teem with a wide variety of wildlife and birdlife. Herds of elephant, buffalo, kudu, eland, and waterbuck graze the sweet grasses or browse on the tasty albida pods. Lion and sable rest in the shade of the giant figs. Fringing the floodplains, the thick 'Jesse' bush shelters the shy creatures such as leopard, honey badger, nyala and bushbuck. Wild dog roam through the area, and crocodiles bask in the shallows, awaiting their chance of a meal when the animals report to quench their thirst. Hippo are everywhere. During the late season (late August onwards), both white fronted and carmine bee-eaters nest in the banks of the rivers providing a colourful spectacle complete the impressive list of birds to be seen.

Wednesday 29 September

One night World Traveller

British Airways - Harare to Johannesburg, connecting to London Heathrow

Early morning at leisure, before you are transferred back to the local bush airstrip to connect with a shared light air transfer to Harare. On arrival into Harare, check in and connect with the British Airways/Comair flight to Johannesburg. Early afternoon arrival into OR Tambo Airport, where you have a few hours at leisure before connecting with the early evening British Airways flight to London Heathrow. Overnight in flight.

Wednesday 30 September

British Airways - early arrival into London Heathrow

Early morning arrival into London Heathrow Terminal 5.

The unique reference for this itinerary is 0014528 COSTING DETAILS:

Land Price Per person US$ 8,500.00 based on sharing accomomdation Land Price in total US$ 8,500.00

International flights available from £ 1,250.00 per person Included ground and air transfers as specified twin accommodation on board basis mentioned game-viewing activities and park/conservation fees at Vundu Camp house drinks (soft drinks, local beers, house wines and non-imported spirits) and laundry at Vundu Camp photographic services of Bob Brind-Surch UK, South African and Zimbabwean airport departure taxes Not Included international flights with British Airways (World Traveller) - available from £ 1,250.00 per person visa fees for (Zimbabwe US$55.00 per person) travel insurance personal items and gratuities optional tours and excursions drinks and laundry unless included Zimbabwe domestic airport fees of US$15.00 per person payable in cash out of Harare, Hwange Main, Kariba and

Victoria Falls Deposit required to confirm arrangements: US$ 1,500.00 OR £ 1,150.00 Please note that this itinerary makes use of light aircraft air transfers which have strict baggage restrictions and a maximum weight of 20 kgs per person including hand luggage. All bags should be of the soft 'hold-all' variety suitable for storing in small aircraft. IMPORTANT: most companies operating light aircraft air transfers have a maximum passenger weight of 100kgs per passenger (Safari Logistics is 120kgs per person). If you weigh more than this, you will need to purchase an additional seat on any air transfer you take. Please confirm this to us at the earliest convenience. There is a risk that you will be weighed prior to departure. All our holidays are fully bonded for your financial protection under the CAA ATOL scheme or through our membership of ABTOT. We would strongly advise against booking through non-bonded organisations where you money is not protected. Our ATOL membership number is 3783 and our ABTOT membership number is 5246. At Safari Consultants we know how important safari tourism is for the future of African wildlife. Without it, the wildlife of Africa will diminish rapidly. However, we are also acutely aware that air travel is a major contributor to global climate change, and we believe that we should all travel as responsibly as possible. To this end, we have partnered with climate and development experts ClimateCare to offset carbon emissions from your travels. ClimateCare ensure the projects selected not only cut carbon but alleviate poverty and improve lives. Find out more at www.climatecare.org. Your holiday price includes a contribution towards our carbon-offsetting program (£15.00 per person in economy/premium economy class or if you are arranging your own flights, and £35.00 per person in business/first class). More information about our Carbon Offsetting and all our efforts towards conservation and responsible travel can be found on the Responsible Tourism page of our website. Please note that airport authorities have recently introduced strict restrictions on luggage that is permitted when flying to/from Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport. Luggage is allowed to be ‘soft’ but must now have at least one ‘flat’ side and long straps are not permitted.

Please click here to see our current terms Statement of Rights (Package Travel Regulations) - please read

Why Safari Consultants? We are the oldest specialist Africa-only tour operator in the UK, having been in business since 1983. Over that time, our reputation for providing top quality safari holidays is unsurpassed, and we continue to strive to offer four key elements for all our customers:

The best advice possible. Really good advice is the cornerstone requirement for any ‘specialist’ safari holiday, and will turn your experience of Africa from a ‘good’ holiday to an ‘exceptional’ holiday. We only specialise in Africa (and the Indian Ocean Islands) and our team of safari specialists are continually travelling to check up on places, visit new destinations and learn about the practicalities of travelling around the African continent.

A friendly, personal and caring service. Planning and booking a specialist safari holiday should be a fun and energising experience. We have always been a small company offering a very personal service. All of our customers are extremely important to us and treated as such, and we meet many of them in person, either when planning their holidays (where practical), at travel shows or at social functions we arrange. We are passionate about Africa and genuinely care about the success of every holiday we arrange.

A totally professional service at all times. We endeavour to provide prompt responses to all enquiries and questions, clear and correct information at all times, flexibility throughout and attention to detail with your preferences and requirements. When you travel with us, you always have our full support and back up, as our management team are on hand 24/7 in case of any difficulties or emergencies.

Good value for money. All our customers require good value for money and fair pricing every time they travel. On a more subtle note, our specialist knowledge is crucial in ensuring you really make the most of your holiday budget.

In addition, we provide 100% financial guarantees through our ATOL licence (No. 3783) and our membership of ABTOT (No. 5246).

Your Specialist Consultant

Joe Corder, Sales Consultant Joe grew up in Stamford, Lincolnshire and first experienced Africa at the age of four when visiting family and friends in Kenya. More trips cemented his passion for Africa and he has since travelled to 12 different countries across southern and eastern Africa including Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, South Africa, Madagascar, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Before embarking on his Geography degree at university in Newcastle, he travelled independently through eight African countries – from Cape Town to Nairobi. He has bungee jumped off Victoria Falls bridge and tracked wild dogs in Kwa-Zulu Natal and is passionate about all things African.

Away from work he plays cricket and golf, loves skiing and follows Newcastle United.

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Bob Brind-Surch

Natures Photos 12 Stanion Road Brigstock Nr Kettering Northamptonshire NN14 3HW Telephone: +44 (0) 1536 373977 Emergency: +44 (0) 7983 427202 Email: bob@naturesphotos.co.uk

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