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.

The Program met my expectations, as it exceeded my expectations in all respects. The highlights of the experience were the animals, Umlani Bush Camp and the staff, in particular Alan, JD and Lucky. I would recommend Penda, yes. Overall, this was a tremendous experience and I enjoyed every moment of it. I have learned a tremendous amount about photography, the South African Bush, the animals and the people.

The program was excellent, providing a nice balance of theory and practice with a strong focus on putting things into practice. The highlights of the experience were the full day safari trips and the subsequent process of editing photos and getting feedback. I would absolutely recommend Penda.

It was a wonderful trip thank you! We saw so much wildlife and had so many great photo opportunities. Umlani was a great place to stay, they were so hospitable and friendly, and the food was amazing! It was great for me to spend time with Alan, who was very knowledgeable and patient with how new I was to all of this. The rest of the group were quite experienced and I found this a bit intimidating at first and I wasn’t sure that i was good enough to be there. Alan and I talked about it and he reassured me. I gained a huge amount from his expertise and am very grateful for his help. The others in the group were really helpful and encouraging too. Thank you for all your help with the arrangements and hopefully I will be in touch before too long to arrange another trip!

The Program met my expectations, in fact it was more than I expected. The highlights of the experience were that the safaris were fantastic, our guide JD was brilliant. Alan reset both my DSLRs and they are now functioning so much better and I am experimenting with settings. We had some truly amazing wildlife sightings and JD helped us to learn about the animals and habitats ie scat information that was really enriching. I would highly recommend Penda, in fact I already am. Overall, I honestly loved it all. Amazing accommodation. The week was intense and fabulous from start to finish.

Botswana’s Serolo Bushcamp nestled in the Tuli Wilderness, is a wildlife photographer’s dream. The terrain features wide rivers and rocky cliffs. But the real magic? You’re the sole audience to a wide variety of wild animals. No safari traffic jams; just you, the lens, and animals in their natural habitat. The Serolo rangers, friendly and knowledgeable, ensure prime photo ops. Plus, unexpected riverside meals from the talented Serolo staff added a gourmet twist. Our photography and wildlife guide was more than an encyclopedia of wildlife facts and expert photography advise. He knew the stories behind each animal—their quirks, their struggles, and their triumphs. You walk away with better photos, and a love and understanding of the animals in them. The staff at Penda Photos Tours planned a thoughtful and easy to execute itinerary that went off without a hitch. They answered every question promptly. As a solo traveler, I felt secure that Penda Photo Tours had my back if I needed help. So, if you’re seeking a unique photographic opportunity with the unfiltered beauty of Africa, book your safari with Penda Photo Tours. They’ll take you beyond the lens, into a world where every frame tells a story.

This is an experience I’ll remember and will be of use to me for the rest of my life. Definitely something that has planted the seed of a mighty oak tree in me. Doing photography work in Africa has always been at the top of my bucket list. Additionally, my dream job is to be a photojournalist. That being a competitive field, I felt having this under my belt would really help me. Being able to help Zambians with something I was passionate about was also a huge bonus! I learned a lot about the ethics of how to talk to people and build rapport, getting shots that help further the client’s message, and why we don’t take pictures that would provoke pity for the people we’re trying to help. This program will help me in MANY ways! Just the experience of being in a totally new place so far from everything I know gave me invaluable skills and highlighted strengths I didn’t know I had. As for the photography program, for someone trying to make a career for themselves in photojournalism… I have no words! Personally, I learn best by experiencing things. Going out, getting my hands dirty and learning from my mistakes. Getting to spend two weeks working alongside a seasoned professional in such an incredible environment was truly something I thought I would only dream about.

A big personal takeaway was learning to establish and build trust with your subjects and the people you work with. More than just the photography involved, I was really immersed with people's stories and how I would want to best portray them through my lens. In a sense, this enables me to have a greater internal purpose and obligation with my work. Having Anna Lusty as my mentor grew my photography skills and knowledge immensely over the span of three weeks. Her acknowledgement of my growth as a photographer made me very proud to have joined this program.

Being there with Anna who works with nonprofits on a daily basis just solidified the fact that I need to follow in her footsteps in a way here in Canada. I was kind of living in a bit of a bubble for the past decade plus, and working in the communities and townships where there is so much need, beyond what I can even imagine, was really good for me. My bubble had burst and I needed that. There is so much need everywhere and if I can make even the slightest difference, then that is what I want to be doing.

It was such an inspiring experience. I’ve definitely come along way not only as a photographer but as a whole, the experience really enriched me on a personal level. The opportunity to photograph things that most people would never get the privilege of; walking into rural communities and truly feeling welcomed and wanted there, engaging with the local people was something that maybe initially felt a little bit daunting but turned into the best part! Faces and hugs I’ll never forget. It’s definitely made me think harder about what I want to do in the future.

Alan was a friendly supportive professional guide throughout keeping us aware at all times. Wildlife - better every day! Leopards with kill up trees, lions female and male doing what they do, big five in first 24 hours, bee eaters and roller birds, close proximity overnight to wild sounds, great colleagues, and friendly staff. I really enjoyed the overall experience.

This trip far surpassed my expectations. Having such good guides/trackers, and such an experienced approachable photographer ensured that we saw plenty of Wildlife and photographed them in the best conditions and positions. Had such a wonderful time.

The wildlife was amazing and photo opportunities were many and varied. For my first safari it was incredible. There were three highlights. Firstly the silence being remote from human intervention, secondly eagle rock and the crossings we witnessed of elephants, giraffe, wildebeest, impala, baboons and storks across the dry river bed and thirdly the lions and leopard with an impala kill up a tree. And of course lots and lots of memorable elephants. A truly memorable experience. Thank you.

I took the NGO photography program because it has a combination of things that are close to my heart and have my keen interest: giving back, Africa and its people, improving my skills in photography and discovering new places (this program allowed me to discover places I would never have visited as a tourist). The program was truly enriching. First, the program definitely helped me advance as a photographer. The teacher Anna was great! She's a professional humanitarian photographer and really makes you experiment. I learned a lot about different aspects of photography; technical aspects, but also how to make a connection with people before taking pictures so that the character of the person transpires in the picture. Second, it made me 'richer' as a person because I had the opportunity to see many different sides of Cape Town, meet lovely people and better understand the societal complexities (and beauty!) of South Africa.

I had the most educating and in depth experience with Penda Photo Tours. There was never a moment where I felt like I knew to little or that I wasn't supposed to be there, they really do teach you so much about Photography and make sure that you know it's okay to make mistakes. The Organizations we visited really stole my heart, everyone was so warm and nice, I wish I could be apart of this program forever.

It was FANTASTIC! The staff at Imire were wonderful. The food was plentiful and delicious and the accommodations were quite comfortable. Sam is an excellent teacher and I would HIGHLY recommend his workshop to photographers of any skill level. It's truly amazing what we accomplished in one short week. I just wanted to let you know, it was an unforgettable experience and I'm very grateful to Penda Photo Tours.

Emil was fantastic throughout with a depth and breadth of knowledge enabling any of us to ask any questions we had and even answered some we didn't know we had. Lauren, our guide was also fantastic working tirelessly to ensure we all had an absolute ball and were all provided with the best possible photographic opportunities. Emil was also able to make some suggestions for good places to for photographs and gave detailed critique on photos we thought were good. How they could be improved and good aspects of the photos. Overall, I had a fantastic time and everything worked superbly. I would recommend the trip to anyone in a heartbeat.

I cannot say enough positive things about my workshop experience. Every aspect was absolutely superb -- shoot locations and time of day, attention/help and extremely, valuable feedback from our leader Emil, logistics, organization, and communication. Hands down, I've never learned so much from a photo workshop before. Also, Emil's passion, enthusiasm, and energy are infectious and, coupled with his eagerness to share a deep knowledge of photography (creative AND technical) and of the places we visited, made the workshop an experience of a lifetime.

Overall, this was an incredible experience and we are so grateful for the opportunity to see this small bit of South Africa with the knowledge and expertise from Emil and Loren, the Dynamic Duo! Their combined knowledge of the areas, geography, animals, birds, cultures, politics, you name it, was incredible. Thank you!

The whole experience was exceptional from start to finish. Everyone involved was amazing, especially Marleen, Andrew and Andy. I would not hesitate in doing it all again. A highlight for me was conquering my fear of taking street portraits.

The game drives were first rate and the opportunities they presented plentiful. In particular the number and variety of leopard sightings were simply outstanding. Alan Hewitt was a first rate tutor and coach as well as being an engaging and committed host.

Very enjoyable trip. Emil did a fantastic job and worked well with both more experienced and relatively new photographers. Highlights were the leopard sighting, amazing bird sightings, and incredible landscapes.

I had fun, met new people from different parts of the world, saw many wonderful animals, was well taken care of and felt safe within each of the two lodges. Photography workshops were full of good help and advice where it was needed. I left this holiday with a light and satisfied heart.

This photography trip to Madagascar exceeded my expectations. Emil was an outstanding guide and tutor. Some of the highlights of the trip were the range and variety of experiences - and meeting the Malagasy people.

This trip definitely reached my expectations; I got exposed to much more than I expected. The particular care and attentiveness of the instructors was a couple steps above my previous experiences with photo workshops. I would recommend Penda.