Mana Pools - A Wildlife Photographer's Guide.

[Music] when you think of mods the image that comes to mind first is a large ball elephant stretching for an Out Of Reach Branch but I want to show you there's so much more to monop pools than this one amazing sighting in this video I want to tell you how you can get to Mana pools what you can see and photograph here as well as what camera gear to bring on Safari please stick around to the end as I'll be showing some of my favorite images from this [Music] trip my name is William steel and I'm a wildlife photographer for pangalan Photo Safaris part of my job is scouting out new locations to bring guests and that's why today I'm here in [Music] [Applause] monopol [Music] [Applause] [Music] monopoles can be accessed through various airports and and air strips depending on your starting point for those traveling directly to Zimbabwe the closest major airport is Victoria Falls located approximately 350 km away we start our journey from the pangan chobi hotel which is just a 70 km Road transfer from Victoria Falls a layover in Victoria Falls is a great opportunity to see one of the natural wonders of the world as well as soak up Summer Zimbabwe's culture it is also a great to visit more of Zimbabwe's national parks such as hangi National Park once you've arrived in Zimbabwe you have two main choices to reach monop pools either by Road transfer or Charter flight chartered flights to monop pool's airstrip is the most popular and recommended way of getting to monop pools offering a short 2hour flight that lets you soak in the beauty of the landscape from above most camps are a short drive from the mon Po's air [Music] strip Mona's National Park is located in Northern Zimbabwe along the southern banks of the zambesi river the national park covers about 2,195 Square km providing a vast and varied landscape it encompasses the flood Plaines of the zamb river Woodlands grasslands and four main pools which it is named after the park has a diverse range of terrain including flood Plains woodlands and mapani forests in Land one of its most iconic features is the riverine landscape the zambesi river flows through the park creating a unique environment where animals and plants coexist in close proximity to the Water Source Scenic Riverbanks offer stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape this area is particularly famous for its towering ancient mahogany and acacia trees which provide shade and sustenance for a wide range of wildlife species such as elephants lions and wild dogs the park experiences a subtropical climate with distinct dry and wet Seasons during the dry season temperatures can soore and the vegetation gradually dries up however the wet season brings relief in the form of refreshing rains turning the park into a lush green Paradise the wet season runs between November and April monop pool's national park has been designated as a UNESCO world heritage site and is protected as a national park due to monop pools being a national park status there is no off-road driving but a vast network of Roads both along the river and in land providing great access to Wildlife the park also allows VIs visitors to get out of their vehicle and walk which provides a unique opportunity to not only get closer to sightings but also a lower angle for photography for me it is an incredible opportunity that really sets monopoles apart that being said it is advised to make use of trained walking guides or Park Wardens monopol is famous for its large population of elephants known for their impressive Tusk and size most people know of the resident Superstar Boswell an elephant bull known for its ability to stand on his hind legs while plucking food from the tall trees but he's not the only elephant that does this guides talk of at least five different males who have since adopted this Behavior Fred a stair named because of his dance moves before standing up we were lucky enough to follow on several occasions as he reached for branches overhead other mammals including Kate Buffalo lion African wild dog spotted hyena debah Eland and Impala are frequently seen when moving towards the water photographers can get sightings of hippopotamus as well as Nile crocodiles and water Buck we just had an amazing experience we're following the river looking for game and we bumped into some beautiful line in perfect Morning Light because we're in monopol we're able to get out and walk so with the gu's permission we got out and followed them as they went about their morning activities and what an amazing experience it was Mana pools is also an amazing birding destination due to its vast range of habitats including Woodland High riverbeds and Savannah water birds are well represented along the shore of the Z Bey River and the four pools Southern Carmine beers can be found nesting in the river banks during the dry months African skimmer pel's fishing owl purple crest of traku and Lillian's love birds are just some of the birding treats that you might encounter during your trip we were able to tick off several new birds in our time here there are several activities that visitors can enjoy in and around monopol National Park including game drives canoeing and walking safaris guided walking safaris give visitors the rare chance to explore the park on foot enjoying a more intimate experience with nature while learning about the diverse plant and animal life a combination of game drives and walking where you able to get out and follow subjects is a perfect way to get the best position photographically the guides experience and understanding of the wildlife helps you get close intimate moments with General game elephants and even Predators such as lion and African wild dog I would recommend having a range of lenses from 24 mil to 5 or 600 mil for optimal versatility as walking is a large part of the modle experience a longer lens is beneficial for zooming in and capturing distant Wildlife as as well as the amazing bird life within the park it is worth bearing in mind that longer prime lenses can be heavy to carry while walking so a zoom telephoto lens may be suited for people not used to carrying primes make sure to pack your camera straps so that you can easily sling one of your cameras over your shoulder while walking you will also have the opportunity to get up close with subjects like large elephants so having a wide angle lens is a essential the stunning environment really makes monop a unique Park so a mid distance lens such as a 70 to 200 is perfectly suited for this location additionally using a GoPro action camera or phone can help capture the expansive shots and the thrilling experience of walking canoeing or driving through the remarkable landscape when packing your camera gear it is important to keep in mind the luggage restrictions that often comes with flying on a chartered flight therefore you must pack strategically monopol National Park offers a range of accommodation options visitors can choose from lodges High intent camps and also camping facilities the vast choice of Lodgers provides comfortable and well-appointed rooms with different levels of amenities while tented camps offer a more adventurous experience with spacious tents equipped with beds basic Furnishings as well as basic facilities The Lodges are strategically spread out across the park each offering ing its unique scenery this allows visitors to choose a lodge that best suits their preferences and desired experience from lodges nestled by the river banks to those situated Inland that offer water hole viewing it is worth noting that some lodges May close during the rainy season this is because the parks terrain can become challenging to navigate and access during this time manipul National Park is is an incredible destination from close encounters with elephants and lions to the Exquisite landscape it is a must visit location full of photographic potential the Park's remote nature and limited infrastructure contribute to its untouched charm allowing you to create truly authentic and unique images so whether you're a professional photographer or just a wildlife Enthusiast the beauty of being able to photograph on foot means that monopol National Park should not be missed the park promises an unforgettable experience and the chance to capture one of Africa's most unique [Music] environments [Music] [Music] sadly we've come to the end of our safari but what an amazing experience it's been if you would like to find out more about monopoles or speak to one of our safari planners I'll leave the details below thank you so much for watching and we'll see you next time

Channel: Pangolin Wildlife Photography

Views: 57,316

Keywords: african animals, african wildlife, animals, birds, buffalo, elephant, elephants, lion, mana pools, mana pools 2023, mana pools camping, mana pools documentary, mana pools lion, mana pools national park, mana pools national park zimbabwe, mana pools photography, mana pools safari, mana pools vlog, mana pools zimbabwe, mana pools zimbabwe safari, nature, travel, wild dogs, wild nature, wildlife, wildlife video, zimbabwe safari

Id: -1nbM_rp2Sk

Length: 14min 28sec (868 seconds)

Published: Sun Nov 19 2023