Africa’s fabulous photo hides and hotspots

Africa offers a diverse and exciting array of safari experiences and at Umlingo we know that for wildlife photography lovers, her best-kept secrets secrets lie hidden in some of the wildlife reserves that offer dedicated photographic hides.

A hide is a concealed, purpose-built structure that allows photographers as well as nature enthusiasts to discreetly observe and photograph wildlife in their natural habitat, up-close-and-personal. These hides are always strategically placed near waterholes, salt licks or other areas frequented by animals, ensuring excellent wildlife traffic.

Designed to blend seamlessly into their environment, hides prevent the animals from being disturbed, allowing for more natural behaviour to be observed and photographed than you would get from a game drive vehicle or on foot. Many are positioned at water level or are made from robust shipping containers sunk into the ground, providing unique angles for dramatic and intimate shots and reflections of wildlife and birds.

Some of these hides can be very make-shift or rustic, but there are some really high-quality hides emerging which offer comfortable seating, adjustable windows, and equipment like camera mounts, charging points and editing software for extended sessions. There are even a handful where you can stay overnight.

Most hides are also designed to maximize natural light and offer various perspectives, from wide landscapes to close-ups, but some, such as the new Lala Limpopo overnight hide at Mashatu Game Reserve, even have adjustable back and side lighting.

Some hides are tailored for specific wildlife, such as bird reflection hides with still water for mirrored images or overnight hides for nocturnal predators such as wild dogs, hyenas, genets, civets, honey badgers and jackals. They also provide a secure environment for observing large or dangerous animals like elephants, lions and leopards while offering unique vantage points, lighting conditions, and uninterrupted wildlife action.

Photo hides are not just for professional photographers though. Any wildlife lover will be awestruck by the proximity and raw beauty of the wild. Mashatu introduced Family Hour in their Matebole Elephant Hide in 2024, where youngsters can try their hand at fun things like recording timelapses on their mobile phones. You actually don’t even need to take a camera – and opt to rather just be present in the moment.

Here are some of Africa’s hottest hides and hotspots, perfect for both amateur and professional photographers as well as anyone wanting an unforgettable game encounter:

The underground Matebole Hide at Mashatu is a dream location for photographing elephants and other wildlife. Created from a sturdy shipping container in 2012, it has since become a renowned hotspot for photographers, with C4 / PhotoMashatu offering expert guidance. Many award winning photos have been taken here including Greg du Toit’s Essence of Elephants, which won him the acclaimed “Wildlife Photographer of the Year” award in 2013.

The hide comfortably accommodates up to eight photographers, allowing them to lay out their lenses and capture the classic scenes of Mashatu as they unfold before them. Mashatu offers a “family hour” between sessions so that families with younger children can also get a taste of the Mashatu magic.

Mashatu’s Lala Limpopo overnight hide is a bucket list experience for photographers wanting a very exclusive, immersive nocturnal experience. With innovative adjustable lighting and two comfortable bedrooms to lala (sleep) in – up to 4 guests can now capture incredible images from dusk till dawn. With windows at ground level, you can observe elephants and other nocturnal wildlife drinking some 3 meters away. Nighttime sensors around the waterhole alert you to animal presence, ensuring you never miss an opportunity. There is also a kitchen, lounge, bathroom, courtyard and photographic area, as well as a room for your PhotoMashatu guide. The experience is offered between March and December only as it closes for the rainy season.

Situated on the eastern fringe of Etosha National Park, Onguma’s Onkolo Hide offers stunning views and creative angles at water level. It’s an ideal spot for capturing diverse wildlife and birdlife in beautiful light. It also offers ablution facilities and is best enjoyed with a guide. Many award-winning photos have been captured in this hide.

There is also another gorgeous water level hide located at Onguma Camp Kala which guests can access at any time, just below the lounge deck, overlooking the watering hole. With only 4 suites in the whole camp, Camp Kala’s hide is undoubtedly one of the most exclusive photo hides you will find anywhere!

Tembe Elephant Park in northern KwaZulu-Natal is mostly known for its large indigenous bull elephants with their huge tusks, but its Mahlasela hide is also a prime location for spotting all of the Big Five as they gather around the waterhole.

The live ellie-cam, hosted by Africam, based at Mahlasela, has been in operation for well over two decades and has won over loyal followers from around the globe, many of whom dream of visiting in person, and often do!

This hide has also recently been updated to be fully accessible with a new lower- level viewing area and a wheelchair friendly toilet on the hidden access pathway – right in the middle of the bush! Not everyone enjoys a tree-wee!

Other wildlife viewing spots – from spectacular salt licks and dreamy decks, to busy birdbaths and rockyoutcrops – include:

Overlooking a busy salt lick, Mara Bushtops blends absolute luxury with incredible wildlife viewing. Guests can observe all the wildlife action from the comfort of this award-winning camp, with its enviable view over a busy salt lick which attracts wildlife from miles around in search of the minerals needed for healthy bones. There is no need to “hide” here … you can view all the wildlife activity from either their acclaimed spa, the restaurant, terrace or even your private tented suite. A live webcam offers a window to the wild for viewers around the globe, as gazelle jostle with warthogs, zebra and impala, topi and buffalo. Herds of elephant can be joined by up to 40 giraffes at a time – and even spot leopards and lions. The Maasai also come down each evening to build a traditional fire at dusk and enjoy a sundowner with your fellow wildlife enthusiasts.

It may not be an official hide, but the humble bird bath on the peripheral border of Mosetlha Bush Camp and Eco Lodge, right in the heart of Madikwe Game Reserve, sees almost as much action as an Attenborough documentary.

Between game drives there’s also no better place to sit than in the lapa or on the deck to see which local residents will visit. Regulars include lions, buffalo, warthogs, jackals, hyenas, zebras, baboons, wildebeest and even the rhinos. And of course, the most incredible array of birds, for whom the bath is intended! At Mosetlha, the magic comes right to you!

There is also a fabulous new viewing deck on the edge of camp overlooking a busy wildlife pathway for whiling away the hours between game drives with Jonny and Justice, or relaxing with a sundowner.

The 1st July will see a brand-new safari lodge opening in the central Serengeti called Warangi Ridge Lodge by The Wilderness Collection, which will offer front row seats to the legendary wildebeest migration. Perched on a stunning granite cliff, it will offer breathtaking views over the Serengeti’s iconic savanna, grasslands and kopjes. Located in a restricted “rangers only” TANAPA Research Area of the park, with no neighbours within a 12 km radius, this exclusive wilderness is set to be an exciting new wildlife watching hotspot, be it from your private pool, bathtub or the main lodge.

Whether you’re aiming for award-winning shots or simply to immerse yourself in nature, Africa’s hides offer unparalleled and unforgettable wildlife encounters.