Who is this trip designed for?

Anyone who feels a deep pull toward wild places and the animals that inhabit them. You do not need to be a professional photographer. You do not need prior safari experience. You need curiosity, a genuine love for wildlife, and a desire to be fully present in one of the most extraordinary environments on earth.

How large are the groups?

Groups are kept intentionally small to ensure a personal, immersive experience for every traveler.

A detailed packing and gear list will be provided upon booking. In general, neutral-toned layers, comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, and your camera of choice are your most important companions.

What level of physical fitness is required?

These safaris are accessible to most fitness levels. Game drives are vehicle-based, though walking opportunities may also be available. Specific activity details will be outlined for each trip.

Will there be time to photograph at my own pace?

Game drives are guided, but there is no rigid schedule when it comes to lingering in a moment. Our guides understand that some images take patience, and patience is something we have always believed in.

Longneck Manor Luxury Safaris

The Africa You Have Always Imagined

Some places stay with you long after you leave. The Okavango Delta at first light. The Serengeti at dusk. A lone elephant crossing a red dust road with nothing but sky behind her.

Longneck Manor Luxury Photo Safaris are designed for the traveler who wants more than a checked box. These are intimate, luxury small-group journeys into some of Africa's most extraordinary wild spaces, including Botswana and Tanzania, where wildlife roams freely, light falls generously, and every morning holds the possibility of something unforgettable.

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What to Expect

These are not ordinary tours. Group sizes are kept intentionally small so that every experience feels personal, unhurried, and genuinely wild. You will stay in thoughtfully selected luxury camps and lodges that honor the landscape around them. Game drives are guided by highly experienced African tour leaders, Rick, Heather and Kelly alongside expert local guides who have spent lifetimes reading the bush.

The photographic opportunities here are extraordinary by nature. Whether you are a seasoned photographer or simply someone who wants to bring home images that tell a real story, the access and environments these safaris provide are unlike anything else.

Destinations include: Botswana, Tanzania, and additional locations to be announced.

Botswana Desert Sunset, Delta Dawn, Chobe MiddayJuly 8 - 20, 2027Led by Rick BarongiOverview: Day 1: En route to Johannesburg Day 2: Joahnnesburg Days 3-5: Maun/Makgadikgadi & Nxai Pans National ParksDays 6-8: Moremi Game ReserveDays 9-11: Kasane/Chobe National ParksDay 12: Johannesburg Day 13: Departure Pricing: Per Person Double Occupancy: $16,995 per person Single Room Supplement: $4,995 Pre-Extension to Cape Town: $4,295 Post-Extension to Victoria Falls: $1,795 Pricing does not include international air fare. More detailed trip itinerary available upon request.

Small-groups, 8-10 people, adults onlyPrivate game drivesLuxury accommodations in carefully selected safari camps and lodgesAll meals during safariLed by highly experienced African tour leaders, Rick, Heather and KellyExpert local guide partnershipsAirport transfers within the safari regionConservation briefings and wildlife education. A portion of each guest fee supports Longneck Manor Conservation Fund conservation grants and programs.

Your Longneck Manor Guides

With more than 50 years working in the Zoo and conservation field, Rick’s experience ranges from zookeeper to Zoo director. He has held executive leadership positions at the Walt Disney Company and the San Diego Zoo and retired as Director of the Houston Zoo in 2015 to develop Longneck Manor, his own 100-acre non-profit conservation park in Fredericksburg, Texas.Rick is an avid wildlife trekker and photographer and has traveled extensively to Africa (over 50 trips), South America, and Asia.

Heather serves as Executive Director of Longneck Manor, a luxury lodging and conservation park in Texas dedicated to immersive wildlife experiences and conservation education. With more than 25 years of experience in global travel and hospitality, she brings a deep understanding of guest experience, operations, and strategic growth.

Kelly has spent over 20 years in working with conservation organizations like the Okapi Conservation Project, International Rhino Foundation, IUCN Tapir Specialist Group and the Longneck Manor Conservation Foundation. She has worked in the field with brown bears in Alaska, tapirs in Brazil, and rhinos in India and Indonesia — giving her a genuine, ground-level understanding of wildlife conservation and the work being done around the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Book?

We partner with Classic Escapes, a world-class safari travel specialist, to manage all logistics, accommodations, and in-country arrangements. Once you are ready to take the next step, we will connect you directly with their team to begin building your journey.

I'm Ready to Book