8 Epic Photographic Hides in Africa You Need to Experience

Photographic hides offer photographers of all levels an unobtrusive perspective on Africa’s varied and abundant wildlife. By minimising human presence, the natural behaviour of animals can be observed, offering a more intimate wildlife viewing experience. Add to that comfort, safety, and extended viewing time, and you’ve got a recipe for extraordinary shots.

Hides can also be used throughout the year, providing the opportunity to capture wildlife in all seasons. Get a closer look at eight lodges that offer uniquely African photographic hides.

1. Sable Valley Underground Hide

 

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• Lodge name: Ol Donyo Lodge
• Destination: Hwange, Zimbabwe

Thanks to its innovative underground hide, Sable Valley provides an exceptional photographic hide experience. The hide gives guests a close-up view of the abundant wildlife, including animals like buffaloes, elephants, and the rare sable antelope, which they can find on a photographic safari in Zimbabwe.

The hide is equipped with modern amenities like WiFi, charging points for camera equipment and laptops, a fireplace for cooler weather, and a mini-bar so you can quench your thirst without skipping any action. This is the hide for you if you’re looking for a comfortable location for intimate wildlife encounters.

2. Photographic Mashatu

 

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• Destination: Tuli Game Reserve, Botswana

The Photographic Mashatu in Botswana’s Tuli Game Reserve consists of several hides, all offering excellent opportunities for capturing great photos. Each hide is strategically positioned, considering the sun’s angle and the viewer’s perspective. Your visits to the hides include the guidance of professional wildlife photographers who can help you set up the perfect captures.

Tuli Game Reserve’s abundant wildlife and spectacular birdlife mean you won’t have to wait long for a successful shot, especially at the Matebole Elephant hide, which is sunken into the ground near a waterhole and offers brilliant views of the animals coming to cool off.

3. Kings Warren Hide

 

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• Lodge name: Kings Camp
• Destination: Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, South Africa

You’ll find this spectacular underground hide in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve in South Africa. The reserve teems with wildlife, and the waterhole in front of Kings Warren hide sees a lot of animal action, especially during the drier months. The hide is named after Kings Camp’s longstanding General Manager, Warren Moore, but also takes its inspiration from the burrow-like entrance tunnel.

Designed for professional wildlife photography, every aspect of Kings Warren has been carefully considered, from the viewing windows that can be fully opened for uninterrupted views of the wildlife to the specially imported one-way photographic glass, ideal for unobtrusive observation.

4. Hippos Hide, Elephant Hide, Wild Dog Lagoon Hide & Carmine Bee-eater Hide

 

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• Lodge name: Kaingo Camp
• Destination: South Luangwa, Zambia

Kaingo Camp in Zambia’s wildlife-rich South Luangwa area offers photographers of all levels a range of hides. The camp offers exclusive access to the Hippos Hide, Elephant Hide, Wild Dog Lagoon Hide, and Carmine Bee-eater Hide. These hides provide ample opportunity to capture unforgettable shots and observe the animals from unique perspectives in their natural habitat.

Kaingo Camp also offers mobile hides that can be set up in the best locations at a moment’s notice for a varied and dynamic wildlife viewing experience.

5. Andersson’s at Ongava Sunken Hide

• Lodge name: Anderssons Camp at Ongava Reserve
• Destination: Etosha National Park, Namibia

Perfectly positioned on the fringe of the Etosha National Park, Anderssons at Ongava offers a luxurious safari getaway combined with great opportunities for stunning wildlife photography. This idyllic destination’s state-of-the-art underground photographic hide is strategically positioned at a popular waterhole, allowing guests to observe the untamed beauty of the region at eye level.

The hide’s discreet design blends in seamlessly with the surrounding wilderness. This guarantees uninterrupted views of the diverse wildlife that comes to the waterhole to quench their thirst and cool off. Visit this hide, and you’re pretty much guaranteed spectacular close-up photographs of animals like elephants and lions and an abundance of bird species.

6. Ol Donyo Lodge in Chyulu Hills, Kenya

 

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• Lodge name: Ol Donyo Lodge
• Destination: Chyulu Hills, Kenya

With its newly enhanced sunken hide, Ol Donyo Lodge in Chyulu Hills, Kenya, offers an exceptional safari experience with ample opportunity to capture amazing photographs. Situated on 111,000 hectares of private land between the Tsavo and Amboseli National Parks, the wildlife here is as abundant as it is diverse.

Guests at the lodge can spend an entire day at the hide or even overnight alongside the waterhole. This provides the perfect chance to capture nocturnal creatures.

7. Pula Pan and Pan 51 Photographic Hides

 

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• Lodge name:  Hyena Pan & Little Sable
• Destination: Khwai Private Reserve, Botswana

You’ll be spoiled for choice at Khwai Private Reserve. Two exceptional hides offer ideal opportunities to capture wildlife in their element. Expertly designed for wildlife photography, these hides boast intimate views of animals congregating around waterholes.

The Pula Pan Hide is located near Hyena Pan and delivers close-up perspectives of elephant herds in particular. The Pan 51 Hide, near Little Sable, merges comfort with the thrill of unhindered wildlife viewing. If you’re looking for exceptional photographic opportunities, this pair of hides has got you covered.

8. Terrapin Hide

 

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• Lodge name: Jaci’s Lodge
• Destination: Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa

Terrapin Hide offers an exclusive photographic experience with its uniquely submerged design. This feature gives photographers a rare and fascinating eye-level perspective of the visiting water-based wildlife. Positioned within an idyllic waterhole, the hide is a prime location for getting great shots of a variety of interesting wildlife. Terrapin Hide ensures comfort and convenience in the search for the perfect picture.

If you are looking to experience a photographic safari during a tour through Africa, speak to a safari expert at Discover Africa to plan your trip today!