Penda Photo Tours

The program was a fantastic experience that fully met my expectations. The highlights were truly unique, from experiencing animals that are not normal for me up close and personal to seeing a baby 1-month-old hyena and witnessing a lion vasectomy. The purchased experiences, such as a gorge swing and swimming with crocodiles, were also very high up there. The team were all wonderful and very friendly too. I would absolutely recommend Penda. Overall, it was a wonderful experience to celebrate a big birthday. The team went above and beyond in keeping me safe and comfortable, including celebrating with me when I was not expecting it. The experiences in front of me were once in a lifetime for me, and I hope to see them again in the future.

The program not only met but far exceeded my expectations. The highlights were truly incredible, from the viewing of a cheetah making a kill and the treehouse session from the camp to the bushwalks and sundowners. I would recommend Penda, yes. Overall, Alan is a great photography guide and he made the whole holiday a great experience.

The program with Penda Photo Tours was a wonderful success, fully meeting my expectations. The highlight of the experience was being surrounded by elephants in Zambezi National park. I would absolutely recommend Penda.

My expectations for the program were absolutely met; for my first wildlife trip it was interesting and exciting. The highlights included Cairngorm Mountain, the red squirrels, and the fact that the group was fun to be with. Will is an exceptional guide and was also able to teach me some tricks I did not know before, and I actually enjoy bird photography now. I would recommend Penda, yes. My overall thoughts are that I'd like to thank Penda and especially Amy and Will for making this trip easy and enjoyable.

The program was an incredible experience that surpassed all my expectations. I wasn't sure what to expect as I've never done a photo tour before and I had no prior photographic experience other than using my camera in automatic mode. The trip was one of my favourite life experiences so far and I have learnt so much about my camera, selecting settings, composing shots, processing images and more. Alan was so helpful even prior to my trip and was happy to chat about my equipment and helped me hire a lens to make the most of the photo opportunities. Whilst away, he made the theory so relatable and easy to understand and was patient and always on hand to make sure everyone had what they needed. Mike was an incredible guide. He made every drive so interesting with his vast knowledge about the wildlife and geography of the area. He ensured the driver positioned the vehicle so we could all get the best shots possible and his knowledge meant he could often anticipate the animals next movements. He was amazing at helping everyone in the vehicle get the most out of every drive despite differing abilities, experience and equipment. His passion for photography and wildlife was so inspiring and I am very grateful to have spent time with someone so talented, patient and kind. Mike's expertise helped me get shots I never thought possible and he has transformed the way I look through the lens. The accommodation was also excellent- I will never forget a herd of 30 elephants drinking a few feet away from us whilst we ate, having a surprise dinner away from camp on our last night in Serolo, sitting around the campfire at Mohave, chatting and gazing at the stars and having lions wander through camp one night. The staff at the camps were also so friendly and helpful and the food was delicious. For me, the highlights were the incredible wildlife sightings, Mike's knowledge, talent and passion for photography and wildlife, the amazing group of people I got to spend the experience with, learning so much about my camera and not using the automatic settings once, getting some shots that I never thought possible, and the amazing accommodation with wildlife sightings from the dinner table, plunge pools to cool off and sitting around the campfire, chatting and gazing at the starts every night. I would recommend Penda, yes. Overall, I want to thank Amy for her patience answering all my questions before I went.

The program was a fantastic success, far exceeding my expectations. The highlights included the great guiding, plenty of space in the vehicle, supportive tutors, and getting a decent leopard sighting and a brown hyena, which I'd never seen before. I would most definitely recommend Penda.

The trip greatly exceeded my expectations, as the wildlife viewing and accommodation was fantastic. The highlights of the experience were that we had daily Lion & Elephant sightings, and we also got to witness a Wild Dog hunt. The food & accommodation were amazing and it had a very relaxed feel to the place. I would highly recommend Penda and will be using them again in the future. Overall, the trip was fantastic throughout and the 3 nights in nThambo was a nice addition to the holiday.

The program was a deeply moving experience that mostly exceeded my expectations. The highlights were Anna’s enthusiasm, energy & warmth, the group of photographers working together, the great team, and the variety of NGO’s we visited. I was particularly touched by the experience at the Bezweni Centre for Disabled Children and I hope I was able to provide them with what they needed. Reflecting on the whole experience, the highlights are all about the encounters with people and the generosity of spirit. I am grateful to have had the opportunity access these communities and contribute to the work of the NGO’s with my pictures. I would recommend Penda, yes.

The program was a complete success, far exceeding what I had hoped for. The experience in Botswana's Tuli Wilderness was a particular highlight, offering superior and interesting terrain with an incredible variety and quantity of wildlife. Every drive was filled with sightings of different animals along a wide river and among rocky cliffs dotted throughout the savanna. The truly special part was that we were the only vehicle around, which made the viewing and photography experience intimate, personal, and relaxed. To be in the presence of all the animals, including the lions and leopards, undisturbed by the usual safari crowds, was a rare privilege; it was as if time itself held its breath, allowing us to share a quiet moment with these majestic creatures. I would highly recommend Penda, as the programs were well thought out and well planned, and Amy was very helpful and responded promptly. Overall, Serolo Bushcamp and their staff were superb, taking wonderful care of us and always making sure we were safe and comfortable. The unexpected riverside lunch and evening dinner added delightful twists that elevated our safari experience beyond mere adventure. The ranger and tracker went above and beyond to locate the animals and provide photographic opportunities and close encounters we will never forget. Umlani Bushcamp and their staff were also excellent, though the only drawbacks were the vehicles from other camps we had to compete with to view the lions and leopards, and the overall lower quantity and variety of wildlife in the Timbavati reserve, which led to a lot of driving around without seeing any animals. The ranger, JD, made a superb effort to compensate by creating educational situations for us to learn about tracking and animal behavior.

The Program met my expectations, it was yes and more. The highlights of the experience were the animals. I would recommend Penda, yes, and I already have. Overall, it was a great trip and well planned.

The most memorable and exciting part of the holiday was the wildlife photography opportunities. Overall, it was an excellent trip, not without its challenges of course on this type of programme. You do need very good time management and to be flexible, and also be able to get along with people.

The program was a fantastic success, fully meeting my expectations. The highlights included having so many different perspectives of the different types of non-profits and getting excellent, constructive feedback from Anna. I would absolutely recommend Penda.

The Program met my expectations, it did meet my expectations as Alan was great at giving information and suggestions. Being an amateur photographer I now will be working on and practicing techniques at home. The highlights of the experience were that Alan and our group were fabulous to be with. The group ranged from more advanced photographers to those like myself just learning various techniques. JD, our magnificent Guide/driver, and Lucky, our tracker, were phenomenal in tracking the elusive leopards and all. Umlani was an absolutely wonderful lodge to stay at! Everything from our rooms, the fabulous staff, and delicious food! Sitting out on the deck observing the animals that came to the waterhole was so beautiful. They have a treehouse that we were able to go to twice for 2-1/2 hours to observe the animals (lion, herds of elephants, hyena, ungulates, giraffe, birds, etc) that visited = magical. One can also sleep there 1 night if wished. I would recommend Penda, absolutely. I hope I can go on another Penda photo tour someday.

Learnt a lot during the program with Penda Photo Tours while being very enjoyable. All the staff were friendly, approachable and keen to answer any questions. Any issues that did arise were promptly addressed and resolved.

The program was a wonderful success, fully meeting my expectations. The highlights of the experience were the incredible animal encounters and the good times shared with other participants and staff. I would absolutely recommend Penda. Other than the exhausting long trip from/to the US, we had a lot of fun.

Meeting other people (volunteers and guides) who care about the same things as me in the same way - it's so important to surround yourself who share your values and this was a great opportunity to do this! I've made some friends who I am planning on meeting again in person before the end of this year, so that's very special :) Seeing all the wildlife! I've always dreamed of seeing African wildlife and didn't know if I would ever actually do it, so seeing all these animals on a daily basis in the wild was also very special for me. Further to that, this experience has helped me clarify that wildlife photography and conservation is something I want to pursue and I'm now feeling really motivated and inspired to continue down this path.

The program was a fantastic and enriching experience that fully met my expectations. Alongside the great photographic opportunities, the other highlight was the feedback sessions with Anna and the other participants, where so much learning occurred and helped us all make big steps with our photography during the two weeks. I would absolutely recommend Penda.

The program was a profound experience that met and greatly exceeded my expectations. Each location was a highlight by itself, if I am honest, but visiting Kayamandi was probably a pivotal point in truly understanding the environment from which some of our NGOs or beneficiaries are coming. I would recommend Penda, yes.

The Program met my expectations, yes, this trip definitely met my expectations as it was a completely wonderful and worthwhile photo safari experience. The highlights of the experience were that we had many amazing animal sightings in Timbavati, including lots of lions, 5 leopards, wild dogs, white rhinos and hippos. Alan is a great photographer/leader of trips -- he was so knowledgeable and helpful, even tried to help with a computer (Lightroom) glitch I experienced. And I enjoyed the time in the Umlani treehouse and the bush walk led by Marco, both great other ways to experience and learn about the bush. I would recommend Penda, yes, definitely -- the entire Penda team that I encountered were fabulous. Overall, I had a really great time in Timbavati and enjoyed the Umlani Bushcamp -- everyone there was wonderful. And I was so grateful that I combined the two trips (Tuli Wilderness and Timbavati).

The Program met my expectations, in fact it more than met my expectations! The highlights of the experience were being 'one with nature'. Experiencing the animals in their own environment, observing and learning about their natural behaviours, all while giving them space and respect. The camp and the staff were amazing. Hospitality was over and above expectation. Food was fabulous. I would recommend Penda, totally. Overall, it was a wonderful experience. The providers thought of everything to make us comfortable, even hot water bottles going to bed. I'm home with a great portfolio of images.