AFRICA - Eastern Hwange National Park / Extension Experience

3 days ago
6 min read

AFRICA PHOTO Tour / Workshop Extension

January 21 - January 27, 2027 -

10 Spots Open (Double Occupancy ONLY)

Double Occupancy Rooms Only

Guests will need to depart USA on January 20

Camp Silwane Experience

January 21 - January 27, 2027

Guests will need to depart USA on January 20th

Enjoy an extended stay in Africa by joining us early for the Camp Silwane extension. Located in western Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park is the largest natural reserve in the country and is famous for its rich diversity of wildlife.

Home to one of the biggest elephant populations in the world, as well as around 100 mammal species, the park is a wonderland for animal lovers.

Welcome to Silwane Conservancy, one of the last truly wild places on the planet, where you can immerse yourself in the untamed beauty of the African bush. At Camp Silwane, experience intimate encounters with incredible wildlife.

Highlights

Located in western Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park is the largest natural reserve in the country and is famous for its rich diversity of wildlife. Home to one of the biggest elephant populations in the world, as well as around 100 mammal species, the park is a wonderland for animal lovers.
Several protected animals inhabit the awe-inspiring open landscapes, including the endangered wild dog, critically endangered black rhino, and rare roan and sable - along with lion, cheetah, and around 500 bird species.
Very up-close encounters with the wildlife.
Elephants, lions, cheetahs, elephants, African wild dogs, black rino, roan & sable and over 500 bird species can all be encountered in this small group photo tour to western Zimbabwe.
Morning and afternoon game drives.

Itinerary

DAY 0: 20 January - Depart USA

DAY 1: 21 January - ARRIVAL IN Johannesburg

Group arrives at airport (JNB) in the evening, meet and assist and escorted to hotel, overnight City Lodge O.R. Tambo Airport hotel.

(please note if any of group members arrive the day before or on different flight an additional meet and greet service have to booked and paid for – not included. Meet and greet service included for group arriving on Delta).

DAY 2: 22 January – Transfer to Camp Silwane, Hwange National Park

Breakfast at hotel.

Check out and walk to terminal building and check in for your flight to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Fly with smalll plane transfer to Hwange main airport and transfer by road to Camp Silwane.

Check in, lunch, afternoon activity, dinner and overnight,

Camp Silwane - Hwange National park.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAYS 3 - 5: 23 January - 25 January - Morning & Afternoon Safari's

Early morning activity, breakfast, at leisure, lunch, afternoon game drive, dinner and overnight - Camp Silwane (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

DAY 6: 26 January - Morning Safari - Fly back to Johannesburg

Early morning activity (game drive), breakfast, check out and transfer to Hwange airport and fly to VIc Falls airport and connect with Airlink flight to Johannesburg. Arrival Johannesburg.

Check in at City Lodge O.R. Tambo Airport hotel (Breakfast)

DAY 7: 27 January - Morning at Hotel - At Leisure - Await Remainder of Group Arrival

Breakfast, at leisure, await arrival of rest of group (Breakfast)

Logistics

Please arrive in Johannesburg, - O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) on January 21st.

You will be arriving as a group on Delta at airport (JNB), meet and assist and escorted to hotel, overnight City Lodge O.R. Tambo Airport hotel.

(please note if any of group members arrive the day before or on different flight - an additional meet and greet service will need to booked and paid for – not included. Meet and greet service included for group arriving on Delta).

*** You will need to leave the US one day earlier than start date listed above. Depart US on January 20.

Lodging is included during the 6 nights of the extension.

Meals are included as per the itinerary.

Private ground transportation is provided during the entire workshop.

Inner African flights are included.

ARRIVAL IN AFRICA - Johannesburg - O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)

*** You will need to fly into and out of Johannesburg (JNB)

Arrival Flight: January 21st, 2027: (JNB)
*** You will need to leave the US one day earlier than start date listed above.
Depart US on January 20.
We will be met and escorted to hotel.

DEPARTURE FLIGHT FROM AFRICA (JNB)

We fly home February 10th (as long as you are taking part in both the Extension and the original Africa itinerary from Januay 27 - February 10, 2027.
Departing Flight February 10th, 2027: (JNB)

Luggage Requirements: Very Important

BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE

1 free checked bag up to 20 kg (44 lbs) + 1 small carry on up to 5 kg (11 lbs.) for each passenger. (Soft sided bags are always preferred)

Hard shell bag maximum size : 40 cm W x 30 cm H x 60 cm L

If your bag is over the limits they cant load it!

Extra baggage must be prebooked at an additional charge

All extras depend on aircraft limits and can ’t be guaranteed.

Regarding Inner African Flights

All passengers travelling on our federal Airlines shuttle flights are entitled to one free piece of checked luggage and one small carry on item. Due to the nature of the environment in which we operate, our aircraft are smaller than a typical airliner. As a result of this we have small luggage holds which means that we have weight and size limitations.

The federal Airlines luggage specifications are as follows:

Preferably soft (all-sides) luggage/duffle bags with ONE flat side.

Maximum luggage weight (including photographic/filming equipment) is 20kg/44lbs (in the hold); maximum luggage size per piece is 40cm (16 inches) wide x 30cm (12 inches) high x 60cm (24 inches) long.

Maximum hand luggage is 5kg/11lbs.

Should your luggage exceed the above limitations, we will NOT BE ABLE to load it. We do provide a COMPLIMENTARY LUGGAGE STORING FACILITY (provided guests are booked on a return to Johannesburg basis).

Oversized luggage CANNOT be carried on your lap.

Additional Notes

Participants Need to be able to board jeeps, carry their own gear.

Pricing

$4,995 PER PERSON*

January 21-January 27, 2027 -

10 Spots Open: Double Occupancy ONLY

$4,995 per person / based on Double Occupancy*

Zimbabwe: Camp Silwane - 10 Spots Available

January 21 - January 27, 2027***

$4,995 per person

Double Occupancy Only

We highly recommend acquiring travel insurance!

*** You will need to leave the US one day earlier than start date listed above. Depart US on January 20th.

Deposits and Balances please pay in cash or check.

CC will incur a 3.5% merchant processing fee.

Balance Due September 25, 2026

Trip Includes:

Inner-African flights
Meals per itinerary
Lodging per itinerary
Ground Transportation
English speaking Escort
Lodging throughout the Africa photo tour workshops as outlined below. If you arrive early you may be able to stay earlier or later but your package only includes the nights for the workshop

Trip Does NOT Include:

International Flights to and from Johannesburg
Tips for guides, drivers and trackers
Alcoholic beverages
Excessive baggage fees
Airline Fees / Insurance / Passports / Personal Expenses
Any additional tours, activities etc. not expressly mentioned in the workshop.
Any additional night’s accommodations that take place beyond the dates of the workshop
Laundry (there is an on-site facility)
Any emergency services, if necessary
Any meals outside of those mentioned in itinerary.

Recommended Camera Gear

Suggested Photo Gear

Camera (I recommend bringing two)
Telephoto Lens
Wide angle lens
Mid-range zoom
Extra camera batteries
Chargers
Plenty of memory cards
Rocket Blaster
Microfiber cleaning cloths
Rain Sleeves
Tripod
BlackRapid Strap
Moose filter for your midrange zoom or wide angle
Small laptop with power cord
External Hard Drive
Card readers
Small power strip

Suggested Non-Photography Gear

Flashlight
Malaria Pill (Mefloquine is what Christopher uses)
Bug spray/wipes
Medications
First Aid kit
Hand Sanitizer
Noise cancelling headphones (Bose)
Rolling Camera Bag – recommended if you want to roll your camera gear through the airports
Disposable toothbrushes (i.e. Colgate Wisp)
Cleansing wipes

What Should I Wear?

Lightweight pants
Lightweight shirts (Christopher wears fishing shirts with long sleeves that stay cool but keep off the sun and any bugs)
Sandals
Closed toe shoes
Shorts
Swimming Suit
Hat (Or buy a stylish legit African safari hat there)
Rain jacket
Laundry services are available at Inyati

TERMS & CONDITIONS

INSURANCE

CANCELLATION POLICY

Every evening you’ll appreciate the highest quality in accommodations, both in the culinary offerings and the intimacy found in the camps and lodges utilized for this life-changing experience that is Africa! Fantastic for the non-photographer as well, this journey holds an amazing itinerary and a price that no one can match for the experiences we provide.

We welcome you to immerse yourself into this African photo tour excursion that will truly change the way you think about and appreciate this life!

Join Christopher Balmer as he hosts this workshop and takes you on a photographic journey through the heart of Africa. Christopher will also be instructing on how to master your camera throughout the workshop.