South Africa Photo Safari and Photography Workshop

Led by Professional Wildlife Photographer Gregory Sweeney

 

Realize your dream of a wildlife photographic safari in Africa.

 

Our photo safari is all about maximizing time with the wildlife. Our groups of 8 or less will explore the best private reserves and Kruger National Park through the lens. Improve your images by learning and sharing with your professional wildlife photographer guide Gregory Sweeney.

The photographic adventure of a lifetime is possible and affordable.

We host our special safari for photographers twice each year.

Experience the South African wildlife at the best times for light and animal encounters. Our guides know the best places to find big cats, white and black rhino, elephant, and elusive rare species. Photographer Gregory Sweeney offers ways to improve your images through demonstration in the field and in learning sessions back at our lodge.

Our activities will vary depending on weather, animal activity, and group interests. On a typical photo safari our guests can expect to experience the following activities - all right near the lodge or a short drive away.

• Game drives and bush walks on private reserves
• A unique bush safari on elephant back
• Visit private reserves with elephant and rhinoceros sanctuaries
• Big 5 Game Drive on a world famous reserve
• A full day visit(s) to Kruger National Park
• Canyon boat ride with hippos and crocodiles
• See predators and raptors up close at an animal rehabilitation center
• Viewing the spectacular vista of the panorama route

 

Find out More....

 

Read comments from our guests

View a sample itinerary

Contact us with a question

We can also arrange a custom safari for your group of 4 or more

 

 

Why we are different than other wildlife safaris

 

Why we are different

 

We are wildlife photographers and a family owned business; you will be staying part of the safari at our own guest house in South Africa on a wildlife conservancy.

 

As photographers we explore and discover the best places to find and photograph the most exciting animals. We take a maximum of only 8 guests per tour and stay at small lodges in order to allow for a personal experience for each guest.

 

We use open vehicles with 3 tears of elevated seats: not a glass enclosed minivan like so many other operators. Private reserves allow guests, guides,and tracker to get out of the vehicle if you can safely appoach your subject.

 

We explore the African wildlife from our own exclusive and personal bush lodge comprised of unique treehouses, not a big impersonal lodge filled with bus tourists. The lodge keeps you close to nature but is more comfortable than permanent tented camp since the treehouses are more like cabins and have private ensuite facilities and electricity.

 

You will visit a very special place

 

Situated 20 minutes from Kruger National Park, you will be staying in an area with several contiguous private game reserves. The varied conservation efforts of the reserves (white rhino, black rhino, elephant, lions, buffalo, etc) and the large combined area with open range in proximity to Kruger greatly increase the quality and likelihood of encountering many of the more elusive species.

 

When on safari we pace ourselves for photographers and those who like to observe the animals. Your leader and local guides and trackers teach you how to read the animal's behavior and anticipate the action shots.

 

We spend time with the animals observing and waiting for that memorable moment rather and rushing off in a hurry in order to tick another animal off the list. If a special opportunity arises, we are flexible enough to change our schedule and take advantage. The range and quality of wildlife areas in this region means we do not spend whole or half days traveling between destinations: one hour is our longest travel time to get to a photographic site.

 

Though large animals are the attraction, the birds, trees , and small creatures are not forgotten. Our experienced guides know the best areas and times to find specific animals. When we find them, the drivers know how to position the vehicle to anticipate the best photographic angle and will follow photographers’ directions. Our vehicles are open so there is no hanging out the roof or obstructed views. We go on private reserves where it is possible to photograph all of the Big 5.

 

 

Time of year makes a difference to your experience

 

We visit South Africa in the autumn and spring. This has many advantages for our guests including the fact that this is the off season for travelers in Africa so you will have less crowds and cheaper flights. Autumn is the beginning of the dry season when less grass and undergrowth are present which means easier viewing of animals. The temperatures are lower which will ensure the animals (and the humans) can be more active – no need for closed in vehicles with AC. Dry season also means few mosquitoes and bugs to worry about.

 

Learn More with these Links

 

Get tips on preparing for a safari and photography tips

 

Read Comments from our Guests

 

Read our Newsletter

 

Get Information about our Digital Photographer's Safari and photography Workshop

 

We are about to embark on our 2010 safaris. We are very excited and look forward to telling stories and the news from our adventure in our latest Wild TImes newsletter

 

 

 

Twice a year we publish our online and email newsletter Wild Times. Read past issues below and sign up to receive our new issues Here

 

June 2010   February 2010   October 2009   May 2009   December 2008   June 2008

 

 

Ivory Auction to Aid Conservation

More than R67 million ($6.7 million) raised through the auction of a stockpile of 51 tons of ivory will contribute significantly towards elephant research, community, development, anti-poaching, and conservation measures. The ivory was of illegal origin and this was the first international ivory sale in a decade

 

Bachelor Herds: A Trade Off

Male African buffalo living in bachelor herds are 4 times more likely to fall victim to predators in the Kruger than those living in mixed herds. This is because bachelor herds choose to live in areas of low visibility (and consequently increased predation risk) where as mixed herds choose more open habitats. Forage quality is better in low visibility areas however, allowing males in bachelor herds to gain more weight and have increased reproductive success.

 

Saving the Spots by Adopting a Spot

The Cape Leopard Trust is making significant progress in conserving the leopard species in the Western Cape of South Africa through a number of research projects, conservation strategies and tourism initiatives. The Cape Leopard Trust?s latest sponsorship option is the Adopt a Spot program where you can adopt a spot or rosette on the leopard of your choice for R500 per year ($60). Photographs and updates about your leopard will be sent to you quarterly. To find out more visit www.capeleopard.org.za

 

Lunch in a Crowd

Foraging in groups is thought to be beneficial for antelope species like impala at a cost of increased competition for food. There is no change in vigilance watching for predators as the size of the group increases, but when the density of the herd increases (the same number of individuals in a smaller area) members start spending more time feeding and less time watching for predators. Will they take notice if a few individuals disappear?