African Wildlife Hides
There are many wildlife hides in Africa and this is a selection to inspire you. Please contact us if you are looking for hides in other countries. So we can Tailor- Made your safari to suit your inspirations.
Umgede Hide
Umgede’s photography hide offers a truly unique experience, allowing you to capture stunning photos of wildlife from their level. With ample space for up to four photographers, adjustable chairs, and sturdy camera supports, you can get up close and personal with the animals. Non-photographers can relax in comfortable seating while waiting for the perfect shot. Don’t miss this opportunity to create award-winning photos and memories. Book now for an unforgettable stay at Umgede and experience the magic of our photography hide.
Zimanga Hides
There are currently nine photographic hides on Zimanga, including two Bird Bath Hides or Reflection Hides, called the Mkhombe and Bhejane hides named after the isiZulu words for white and black rhinos respectively. These are ideal for small bird photography. The larger Lagoon hide focuses on waterbirds and crocodiles in the summer season.
Umgodi and Tamboti Overnight Hides are currently the only hides custom designed for large mammal photography. The bee-eater hide is a mobile unit that can be placed in close proximity to where white-fronted bee-eaters nest and produces stunning results for these colourful birds.
Scavengers Hill has been likened to being in a wildlife documentary, whilst our Forest and Tower Hides were built to experiment in photography of the Fever Tree forest’s feathered inhabitants
Matebole Hide
At a waterhole, a whole hide has been sunk into the ground in prime elephant habitat. Inside, you are seated so that your head is at ground level. Everything you see will be from the perspective of lying on your stomach looking upwards. The hide is a strong metal structure and totally elephant proof so you can watch and photograph in total ease as the animals go about their business.
The Matebole Hide is located in an Eco tone between mopane grasslands and the thicker central game-viewing region of Mashatu. This unique combination of these two habitat types creates a wide diversity of bird and mammal species, which reside this area. Elephants in this region migrate daily in the dryer season, heading north in the evenings to feed and south in the mornings. The Matebole Hide is situated along these main daily migratory routes, making their visits to the hide very frequent.
March 2018 the hide was modified by doubling its size and refitting the entire interior, so 8 photographers can comfortably photograph from the hide with their lenses laid out next to them. With the changes to the size of the actual hide we had to modify the waterhole to ensure that the intimacy of the original experience was maintained.
The Hide
Without the need for a guide or host, you can go directly from the deck into the underground hide and observe the elephant family from up-close. Just step off the deck and slip down the steps into a whole new world. Along a tunnel, you’ll walk for about 10 metres under the surface of the earth – and then emerge into a “window on the waterhole”, where you can sit quietly the unobserved observing. Get in touch now to enjoy the experience of “game viewing” more intensely than ever before!
Terrapin Hide
This underground terrapin hide affords keen photographers the unprecedented opportunity to capture incomparable images of Madikwe’s wildlife.
The underground hide is the perfect hiding place. Positioned at the centre of a commonly used watering hole, the hide leaves wildlife blissfully unaware and relaxed. It is accessible 24 hours a day through an underwater tunnel and is fully equipped with specialised photography equipment.
Customised Gimpo arms and pano heads ensure that your camera is ideally positioned and steady, regardless of whether you are looking for the ideal animal close-up or trying to get the perfect landscape shot.
This submerged water level aquatic hide is an unplugged, immersive and all-encompassing wildlife experience. Spend hours here, at this social gathering space, with or without a camera, and delight in the stunning array of animals and birdlife that drink from this lush spot. Marvel at gigantic elephants, so close you can see the bristly hairs on their trunks, the retractable claws of stealthy leopards, and motley wildebeest drinking and cooling off in the watering hole.
Shimmering sparkly dragonflies hover across the mirrored water and magnificent giant kingfishers dart across the skies seeking out glimmers of silver. Solitary and secretive Green Back Herons stand motionless waiting for the perfect moment to strike and snatch their fish.
Shompole Hide
The Hide is 4.7 kms from the nearest water, making it an attractive spot for birds and mammals to quench their thirst.
The Shompole Hide is out on the open dusty plains with a thicket on the eastern side, long open views of Mt. Shompole to the south and the Great Rift Valley wall in the distance to the west.
The hide has open sides (no glass), there is space for up to 6 photographers, the area is very dusty with long views so you can see the animals coming in and getting some low angle dust shots.
Lighting at the night is specialised. Giving the photographers flexibility in front, side and back lighting options.
Lentorre hide
Lentorre hide is a sunken air-conditioned space with sound proofing, professional lighting and the best glass that you can use for photography. The hide itself has two beds, and the anteroom has a bunk bed allowing for overnights. Being sunk into the ground at the waterholes edge you are at eye level with the wildlife and they are completely oblivious to your presence, allowing you to enjoy a truly unique wildlife photography and viewing experience of an animal in its element.
The biodiversity in the area is perhaps unmatched in East Africa, allowing for some special sightings including Striped Hyena and Caracal. The Hide activity is best in the dry months of September and October, and February and March, but this varies depending on the level of rains. Get in touch to guarantee your spot in the Hide!
There is also 2 bird hides that you can use during the day.
Sunken Hide
The newly enhanced sunken hide will offer guests the opportunity to spend the entire day, or, if they wish, even stay overnight alongside the waterhole.
Ol Donyo Lodge is located on over 111,000 hectares of private land in the heart of the Chyulu Hills, between Kenya’s Tsavo and Ambo
seli National Parks.