The Explorations Company have curated this exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime painted wolf safari to Zimbabwe for just a handful of our clients in partnership with award-winning photographer Nicholas Dyer. Don't miss this truly unique, once in a lifetime opportunity for a unique photographic safari providing privileged access to the secret worlds of the painted wolf.
This safari is unique, enriching and life-changing, allowing a deep insight and understanding of painted wolves and their conservation, as well as conservation in Africa as a whole.
Nicholas Dyer is an award-winning photographer, author, and passionate painted wolf conservationist. He has spent six years in the heart of painted wolf territory in Zimbabwe, living alongside three packs. Nicholas will share his knowledge and enthusiasm with you, as well as advise on capturing the most phenomenal photographs of these elusive creatures, Africa’s most efficient predator.
Your safari itinerary.
Day 1: Harare
Arrive into Harare, met on arrival and transferred to a luxury lodge in Harare to overnight.
Days 2 - 5 : Savé Valley Conservancy
Fly to Savé Valley Conservancy to stay in a private tented camp for four nights. You will meet Nick Dyer and the wild dog researchers, learn about their work, as well as observe the packs they are studying in the wild. You also have the rare opportunity to track black rhino in the wild with Jean Blake, your private safari guide in Savé.
Days 6 - 9 : Mana Pools
Fly to Mana Pools and stay in a camp located on the banks of the beautiful Zambezi River for four nights. You will explore the region with Nick and his expert team of trackers. They will take you to see the packs Nick has watched in the wild for years, tell you all about their pack structure and their histories, and help you to see them hunt and play. Nick is an award winning photographer and will help you to get the best from your photography. You'll also learn about the challenges wild dogs are facing for survival and how conservation organisations are making a difference in these wild places.
Day 10 : Return to Harare
Today you will take a charter flight back to Harare International Airport, ready for your flight home. Alternatively it is possible to extend your trip by flying on to Hwange National Park or Victoria Falls from Mana Pools. Victoria Falls can also be a stepping point onto Botswana or Zambia if you wish to explore a different region; do just let us know what you would like to incorporate!
Safari dates
There will be just two departures in 2023, each accommodating between 4 and 6 travellers.
Starting in Harare, Zimbabwe on 26 June and departing from Mana Pools on 05 July 2023.
Starting in Harare, Zimbabwe on 7th July and departing from Mana Pools on 16 July 2023.
Your safari directly supports painted wolf conservation by including a donation to the Painted Wolf Foundation. The PWF supports the survival of this much threatened and ignored species and supports organizations that conserve painted wolves in the field. Some of PWF’s key areas of focus are:
Raising awareness about the painted wolf worldwide.
Increasing the support base for the painted wolf.
Elevating the profile of organizations working to conserve painted wolves in the field.
Raising funds to support field-based conservation of the painted wolf.
Encouraging sharing of best practices.
Supporting painted wolf campaigns worldwide.
Testimonials from Nick's Safari Guests
Contact our Zimbabwe safari expert for more information
Epic helicopter journeys exploring corners of Africa that few have been to or even ever heard of. We specialise in Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, the Congo and Namibia. Our tailor-made safaris cover wild and spectacular mountains, valleys, forests and deserts, with a focus on ‘remote and unknown, unexplored and unforgettable’.
Wow! What a sensational time I had! Thank you for putting together such an interesting trip for me, and a huge thank you for the seamless travelling I had.
Safari to Kenya
Finally I put pen to paper! I just wanted to let you know how delighted we all were with the fabulous safari you organised for us to Tanzania.
Family Safari to Tanzania
This is just a quick note to thank you for all your hard work in arranging what turned out to be a holiday of a lifetime.
Honeymoon to Namibia
Thanks to The Explorations Company, our family trip to East Africa was the trip of a lifetime.
Family Safari to Tanzania and Kenya
Enclosed is a copy of Melanie’s journal from Africa. Although it is a bit long, I thought you might enjoy reading it.
Family Safari to Tanzania
I am delighted that I stumbled across The Explorations Company at the Scottish Game Fair and that you convinced me you were the right people for organising our honeymoon.
Honeymoon to Botswana
There were so many wonderful moments that we had– I could be here all night writing about them. The coffee stops and sundown drinks were always fun and entertaining – in beautiful places on riverbanks accompanied by hippos snorting or kingfishers at their work. I am sure we will speak soon but in the meantime, we are home safe and it was the best holiday ever!
Family Safari in South Africa
Our trip in Africa was a dream come true. We all fell in love with Africa, needless to say and I have told all my friends to book such a trip with you soon.
Family Safari to Namibia and Botswana
Thank you for organising our fantastic trip to Kenya, it now ranks as our favourite holiday ever and we have been on a few!
Family Safari to Kenya
I couldn't thank you enough! Our trip was wonderful, mostly because everyone paid attention to all the details. Africa, was so beautiful and all the people we met were so kind and helpful. Lots of tears leaving.
Safari to Tanzania
As time passes, the memories of our trip to Kenya just continues to get better. I have come to the conclusion that this was my favourite trip ever!
Safari to Kenya
What an incredible time we had on our safari. A huge thank you for organising it! It was without a doubt the most amazing holiday we will ever have.
Riding Safari Kenya
Zambia seems a long time ago but fortunately we only have to get out the photos (as we often do) and it all comes flooding back! It was terrific and there was nothing that we wished we had done differently.
Safari to Zambia
Well I'm with you. For some reason it is a place that just gets into your soul. There are a few places around the world that have done that to me.
Ethiopia
In short the holiday was amazing, beautiful, peaceful, fascinating, hugely educational - just absolutely amazing.
Family Safari Zimbabwe and Riding
I would just like to add my personal thanks to you for the work you did in creating our holiday and ensuring that all our bookings and connections worked out so well.
Safari to Tanzania
We were so pleased to have selected someone with the clear passion and knowledge for the area that you have.
Safari to Kenya
Many thanks for helping me to organize the trip to Kenya! We had a truly wonderful time and were very well looked after! I really loved the fly camping; the riding was great and the horses lovely - thank you for all your professional help.
Riding Safari Kenya
We had the MOST FANTASTIC time in Namibia. Loved it all! We saw amazing scenery met wild and interesting people, not to mention wild and interesting animals and insects.
Safari to Namibia
We had a fantastic time! You really did a great job for us. We both thought San camp was absolutely incredible.
Safari to Botswana
Our trip was wonderful and was a beautifully organised experience. I would have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending Castleton.
Family Safari South Africa
If you had heard my voice when I called you to thank you, you would have heard sheer HAPPINESS. This is from the fantastic 11 days in Zambia you have organized for us. We have not a single negative point to report! and I loved all the camps.
Safari to Zambia
We had a fantastic time – as did Marie and Dave - “amazing holiday of a lifetime” is how they summed it up on the flight home. Thanks again for creating such wonderful memories!
Safari to Tanzania
We had both been on standard safaris before so we decided to try something different, perhaps walking in less well known parts of Kenya.
Walking safari Kenya
A big thank you from us all, we all had the most wonderful time and enjoyed everything so much it is hard to decide what we enjoyed the most.
Family Safari to Kenya and Tanzania
Katharine, I would like to thank you for all! My holiday was perfect, I really liked everything... The walking company you recommended is the best company in whole Africa to do the Kilimanjaro Mountain, they are very professional, organized, adorable and careful people! The guides in the mountain were incredible, everybody in our group reached the top of Kilimanjaro (Uhuru Peak) and this was one of the most important and valuable experiences that I have ever had in my life!
Tanzania Mount Kilimanjaro and safari
Thank you and your team for the most wonderful flowers that arrived for us today. Thank you also for all your help, care and attention to detail which made everything run so smoothly.
Family Safari to Kenya and Tanzania
Firstly, many thanks for the beautiful flowers. It was the biggest bouquet I have ever received and it was gorgeous.
Safari to Zimbabwe and Zambia
Take the first step on your extraordinary journey into Africa
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour and catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore – Dream – Discover - Mark Twain - You can view clips of some of our own favourite discoveries here.
100% Tailor Made
- Utterly designed and tailored around you and your requirements
- Totally unique every time you travel with us
- The very best hand picked guides which can make the difference between a good and an outstanding holiday
Priceless Knowledge
- Established over 30 years ago we have been around longer than most
- Our specialists come from, have lived in or travelled extensively in the regions we cover
- Unparalleled knowledge provides you with the best possible experience
Making a difference
- Philanthropy is our philosophy
- Our founding principle is to always ‘put something back’
- An amount from each holiday is donated to our selected conservation and humanitarian charities
Nicola Shepherd, founder and CEO of The Exploration Company, organises unusual trips for HNW and UHNW clients ranging from birthday parties at an Indian Maharajah's palace to reliving Sir Vivian Fuchs's 1950s expedition to the South Pole. Citywealth caught ...
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