COUNTY: Zambia PHOTO TYPE: Wildlife LENGTH: 8 days DATES 25/9 – 2/10 2026 GROUP SIZE: 8-12

MAGICAL MANA POOLS

WITH PHOTOGRAPHER TOM SVENSSON

I’m truly looking forward to returning to Mana Pools. The light, the wild dogs, and the fact that it’s the only place where you can see elephants standing on their hind legs to feed from the trees – it’s incredibly captivating. Mana Pools is a place you simply have to experience.

Tom Svensson

On the banks of the Zambezi River lies Mana Pools – Africa’s wild gem and one of the continent’s most untouched and magical national parks. Here, you are greeted by a landscape of open plains, golden light streaming through mighty trees, and a teeming wildlife. It’s a place where nature still reigns, and every moment offers something unique to capture with your camera.

Mana Pools is known for its elephants that stand on their hind legs to reach the treetops, its large herds of buffalo, and its predators – lions and leopards. Add African wild dogs, hippos, and crocodiles in the shimmering waters of the Zambezi River, and you’ve got a true paradise for nature photographers.

The fact that you can photograph both from a jeep and on foot makes the experience even more authentic and intense. The journey is led by Tom Svensson, an internationally renowned conservation photographer, who will guide you through his favorite place in Africa.

Welcome to a place where every step is a new subject, and every moment an unforgettable experience.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

14 safaris in Mana Pools National Park.
The park’s uniquely special light.
The nature of the park and its surrounding rivers.
Elephants standing on their hind legs to feed from the trees.
The rare African wild dog.
Safaris both by jeep and on foot.
Tom Svensson participates throughout the entire trip.
Workshops led by Tom Svensson.

BOOKING

COUNTY: Zambia PHOTO TYPE: Wildlife LENGTH: 8 days DATES 25/9 – 2/10 2026 GROUP SIZE: 8-12

MAGICAL MANA POOLS

WITH PHOTOGRAPHER TOM SVENSSON

I’m truly looking forward to returning to Mana Pools. The light, the wild dogs, and the fact that it’s the only place where you can see elephants standing on their hind legs to feed from the trees – it’s incredibly captivating. Mana Pools is a place you simply have to experience.

Tom Svensson

On the banks of the Zambezi River lies Mana Pools – Africa’s wild gem and one of the continent’s most untouched and magical national parks. Here, you are greeted by a landscape of open plains, golden light streaming through mighty trees, and a teeming wildlife. It’s a place where nature still reigns, and every moment offers something unique to capture with your camera.

Mana Pools is known for its elephants that stand on their hind legs to reach the treetops, its large herds of buffalo, and its predators – lions and leopards. Add African wild dogs, hippos, and crocodiles in the shimmering waters of the Zambezi River, and you’ve got a true paradise for nature photographers.

The fact that you can photograph both from a jeep and on foot makes the experience even more authentic and intense. The journey is led by Tom Svensson, an internationally renowned conservation photographer, who will guide you through his favorite place in Africa.

Welcome to a place where every step is a new subject, and every moment an unforgettable experience.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

14 safaris in Mana Pools National Park.
The park’s uniquely special light.
The nature of the park and its surrounding rivers.
Elephants standing on their hind legs to feed from the trees.
The rare African wild dog.
Safaris both by jeep and on foot.
Tom Svensson participates throughout the entire trip.
Workshops led by Tom Svensson.

BOOKING

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MANA POOLS

Along the Zambezi River, about a hundred kilometers downstream from Lake Kariba and in the heart of the Zambezi Valley, lies an untouched paradise – the UNESCO World Heritage Site Mana Pools National Park. The name “Mana” means “four” in the Shona language, referring to the four large pools inland from the Zambezi River. These pools are oxbow lakes, formed thousands of years ago when the river changed its course northward. The park spans over 2,000 square kilometers, much of which is remote and difficult to access, making it remarkably pristine. The landscape features dense forests of baobabs and other native trees, as well as the river’s rugged banks. Mana Pools offers an abundance of wildlife, including the magnificent, towering elephants that stand on their hind legs to feed from tall trees, the rare African wild dogs, large predators such as leopards, lions, and cheetahs, as well as black buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, and over 350 species of birds.

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Mana Pools is a dream for wildlife and nature photographers.

MANA POOLS

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ITINERARY

SEPT. 25 – OCT. 2 2026

Fly to Harare in Zimbabwe on your own. We recommend that you arrive in Harare on Friday and stay overnight at a hotel until Saturday. This way, you can avoid any potential flight delays that might cause you to miss your connecting flight to Mana Pools. If you wish, we are of course happy to assist with both flight and hotel bookings.

DAY 1, (SEPT. 25) – WELCOME TO MANA POOLS
In the morning, chartered light aircraft depart from Harare to the airstrip located right at Mana Pools National Park. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by Tom Svensson for further transfer by jeep into the park and to Mana River Camp, which will be our base for the coming week. After check-in, a late lunch will be served. During lunch, Tom will share some general photography tips in preparation for the upcoming safari days.

We will also receive a safety briefing from one of our rangers.
Afterwards, we’ll head out into Mana Pools to capture the magical evening light as the sun slowly sets over the Zambezi River – hopefully with a few elephants in the foreground. In the evening, a welcome dinner will be served, giving us a chance to get to know one another. (Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 2-7, (SEPT. 26 -OCT. 1) – SAFARIS IN MANA POOLS
Six full days in this paradise with both morning and evening safaris. There will be countless opportunities to photograph the park’s incredible wildlife. One of the best things about Mana Pools is the extraordinary light, and the fact that the large mammals are accustomed to humans moving around on foot. This allows you to get remarkably close and capture exciting, unique angles – often lying down on the ground for that perfect shot.

The combination of jeep safaris and walking along the Zambezi River – photographing animals as they come down to drink – offers a rare experience that few places in Africa can match.

Each morning, our skilled rangers will decide on the day’s safari plan, depending on where the animals are and the current weather conditions. Between safari sessions and in the evenings, we’ll work on editing the day’s photo captures and spend time reviewing and discussing each other’s work.

On our final evening in Mana Pools, we’ll enjoy a special farewell dinner during which Tom will announce the best photo of the trip. The winning image will automatically qualify for the finals in the “Photo of the Year 2026” competition. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 8, (OCT. 2) – LAST SAFARI AND DEPATURE
After our last safari and photo session in the magical light, we’ll enjoy breakfast at our camp before the jeeps take us to the airstrip for a one-hour flight back to Harare and our connecting flights home.
(Breakfast)

Eight Unforgettable Days Immersed in the Wonders of Wildlife and Raw African Nature

SEPT. 25 – OCT. 2 2026

Fly to Harare in Zimbabwe on your own. We recommend that you arrive in Harare on Friday and stay overnight at a hotel until Saturday. This way, you can avoid any potential flight delays that might cause you to miss your connecting flight to Mana Pools. If you wish, we are of course happy to assist with both flight and hotel bookings.

DAY 1, (SEPT. 25) – WELCOME TO MANA POOLS
In the morning, chartered light aircraft depart from Harare to the airstrip located right at Mana Pools National Park. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by Tom Svensson for further transfer by jeep into the park and to Mana River Camp, which will be our base for the coming week. After check-in, a late lunch will be served. During lunch, Tom will share some general photography tips in preparation for the upcoming safari days.

We will also receive a safety briefing from one of our rangers.
Afterwards, we’ll head out into Mana Pools to capture the magical evening light as the sun slowly sets over the Zambezi River – hopefully with a few elephants in the foreground. In the evening, a welcome dinner will be served, giving us a chance to get to know one another. (Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 2-7, (SEPT. 26 -OCT. 1) – SAFARIS IN MANA POOLS
Six full days in this paradise with both morning and evening safaris. There will be countless opportunities to photograph the park’s incredible wildlife. One of the best things about Mana Pools is the extraordinary light, and the fact that the large mammals are accustomed to humans moving around on foot. This allows you to get remarkably close and capture exciting, unique angles – often lying down on the ground for that perfect shot.

The combination of jeep safaris and walking along the Zambezi River – photographing animals as they come down to drink – offers a rare experience that few places in Africa can match.

Each morning, our skilled rangers will decide on the day’s safari plan, depending on where the animals are and the current weather conditions. Between safari sessions and in the evenings, we’ll work on editing the day’s photo captures and spend time reviewing and discussing each other’s work.

On our final evening in Mana Pools, we’ll enjoy a special farewell dinner during which Tom will announce the best photo of the trip. The winning image will automatically qualify for the finals in the “Photo of the Year 2026” competition. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 8, (OCT. 2) – LAST SAFARI AND DEPATURE
After our last safari and photo session in the magical light, we’ll enjoy breakfast at our camp before the jeeps take us to the airstrip for a one-hour flight back to Harare and our connecting flights home. (Breakfast)

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PHOTOGRAPHER

TOM SVENSSON • Wildlife photographer

Tom Svensson is a world known conservation photographer. Toms major driving force in life is conservation, and he travels regularly around the world to document endangered species, anti-poaching and illegal trading of animals. His skill as a photographer is to take pictures that touch people and makes a difference, here is seen as one of the best in the world. Tom is the only Swede elected into the IEPA, the International Environment Photographers Association. He is also a global Gitzo ambassador and he is also in the Canon Nordic photographers program. Read more about Tom here

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LODGE

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MANA RIVER CAMP****

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PRICE, FACTS & BOOKING

Pris per person: USD 5 980

  Price includes:

Round-trip flights from Harare to Mana Pools.
Accommodation in shared double room.
Meals according to the itinerary.
Safaris as outlined in the program.
Participation of Tom Svensson throughout the entire trip.
Local rangers in the parks.
National park fees.
Tips (except for the rangers).
Hotel and other taxes.

Price does not include:

Flights to Harare.
The lodge normally does not offer tents for individual use. This may be arranged upon request.
Personal expenses, such as beverages with meals, are not included.
Tips for the local nature guide: approximately 10–15 USD per day.
Cancellation protection and travel insurance are not included.
Please see our website under “More Info” for details.

FLIGHTS

Flights to Harare, Zimbabwe are arranged independently. Since many travelers prefer to book their own transport, we have chosen not to include it in the tour price.

We recommend arriving in Harare the day before, i.e., on September 24th. This is because the small aircraft flying to Mana Pools can depart at any time in the morning or late morning, and the exact departure time is not confirmed by the airline until the day before. Your return flight from Harare should not be scheduled earlier than 16:00 (4:00 PM) on February 2nd.

Note! Luggage weight limit:
The flights between Harare and Mana Pools are on small propeller planes. Please keep in mind that luggage space is limited, and excess baggage fees may apply.

If you would like assistance with booking your international flight or a hotel for the night before in Harare, we are happy to help. Feel free to call us at +46 470 466 40 or let us know when making your booking.

FACTS

Target group: Photographers interested in developing their skills in wildlife and nature photography.

Min/Max participants: 8/12

Additional info: For more details about Zoom Photo Tours, terms of delivery, etc., please visit our website under “More Info.”