Big Cat Photo Safari

IDUBE RESERVE – ‘BIG CAT’ PHOTO SAFARI 

5 DAYS /4 NIGHTS

This 5-day safari gives you a chance in 5 days to photograph Africa’s Big 5 in their natural habitat while staying at one of the Greater Kruger Parks premier luxury game lodges – Idube.

WHAT TO EXPECT

On this photo safari we cater for photographers of all abilities, however non-photographers or videographers, spouses/travel companions will also have fun on this photo safari.  The wildlife we will encounter will appeal to anyone with a love for animals and nature.

THE LODGE

Idube is a luxury safari lodge situated in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve which is the ultimate safari destination.  It has the distinction of being South Africa’s oldest private game reserve and there are no fences between the Kruger National Park and Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

There are 9 air-conditioned safari chalets and 3 air-conditioned exclusive suites. Each exclusive suite has its own private pool and they are available at an extra charge.

All rooms have Wi-Fi, as do the entertainment areas.  Other facilities include 2 lounges, curio shop and gym.

DAY 1 – AFTERNOON ITINERARY

Arrive at the lodge in time for a late lunch or for afternoon refreshments and a short briefing by Tony.

Around 16.00 the afternoon game drive departs into the early evening with the trained local guide and tracker.  Always a special treat and part of the afternoon drive are Sundowners, drinks in the bush, out of the vehicle and in Big 5 territory.  The ranger and tracker will, of course, ensure your safety.

Returning to camp, there will be time to freshen up and join other guests in the well-stocked bar before dinner is served in the lantern-lit boma or out at a bush venue.

DAYS 2/4 – MORNING ITINERARY

After a very early morning wake-up call and after an invigorating hot beverage it’s time to embark on the first game drive of the day. Early mornings are the best time for animal activity. After our morning game drive, it will then be time to head back to the lodge for a well-deserved breakfast.

After breakfast, you can relax around the lodge and get the opportunity to choose any of the other activities on offer.  Or if preferred sit and go over your morning’s photographs as a group or with Tony.

DAYS 2/4 – AFTERNOON / EVENING ITINERARY

After a bit of personal time and a sumptuous lunch served at the open-air dining deck, and in summer once the heat of the day has faded a little, it will be time for the afternoon/evening drive.

Keeping to a similar format to the first day – the drive will be broken for that welcome sundowner, followed by the early evening game viewing and plenty of photographic opportunities, returning to the lodge once darkness falls.

On our photographic safaris in the Sabi Sands, depending on conditions and the number of guests interested an optional extra of a night drive, (one night) is a possibility.

DAY 5 – MORNING ITINERARY

The last day of the safari, and the last opportunity to shoot those last few photographs; so no time to sleep late, the early morning game drive gets off just before sunrise so we have the best opportunities to capture the morning light and then as the sun rises it’s time for a relaxing breakfast back at the lodge before checking out.

Check out at 10:00 am at which time the safari ends.

COSTS & INCLUSIONS/EXCLUSIONS FOR THE ‘BIG CAT’ PHOTO SAFARI

(ZAR prices are an estimation linked to the exchange rate and the exact price will be confirmed via invoice at the time of booking)

This photo safari will run throughout the year with a minimum of 4 guests and a maximum of 6 guests.

Safari Cost: From ZAR P.O.A.  pp sharing

We can accept payment via International Swift transfer, Credit Card or Paypal.

Please be advised:

Please contact us for any single supplement requirements, together with your preferred travel arrangements, so we can advise you on the availability of your dates and open spaces on this safari.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

• 5 days – 4 nights accommodation at a premier lodge
• Three meals per day, teas and coffees
• Two game drives daily with ranger and tracker and professional wildlife photographer
• Safari walk
• Photographic tuition
• Lightroom post-editing sessions 

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

• Flights.
• Transfers to and from the lodge (Transfer rates are available on request depending on origin)
• Night Drives
• Gratuities
• Purchases of a personal nature
• Purchases from the curio shop
• Beverages and alcoholic drinks
• Telephone calls
• Sabi Sand entrance fees and Rhino conservation fees

We regret that we are unable to accommodate children under the age of 14 on this photographic safari package.

SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa is officially listed as one of the most biologically diverse countries on earth.  With South Africa being made up of an astonishing kaleidoscope of landscapes as well as a plethora of eco-systems.

From the arid, near-deserts on its west coast to the montane forests and subalpine zones at the top of the beautiful Drakensberg at nearly 3,500 metres above sea-level.  In the South African cape, you will find pristine beaches and the uniqueness of its Fynbos ecosystems and lest we forget the vast wildlife and birds to encounter the rich savannahs of its north-east provinces.

Without a doubt, any visitor to South Africa will be captivated by its constantly changing landscapes and the warm friendly people one encounters.  All this goes towards making up, what can only be described as, experiences one will never forget and want to keep coming back for more of the same.

This applies particularly for those who wish to capture and record their experience no matter what photographic genre, as South Africa remains a primary destination for experiencing a Big 5 wildlife safari, with our specialist Kruger Park Safaris and tours.  Phenomenal birding and nature photography where the enthusiast can lay witness to the annual bird migration which takes place annually. Read more about South Africa

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR THE ‘BIG CAT’ PHOTO SAFARI

THE LODGE

The lodge’s pool and thatched bar area give guests the opportunity to cool off on those hot sunny days and sit and relax with a drink and take in that ‘African vibe’ only the African bush can provide you.  Idube is dedicated to giving our guests a genuine and informative African experience in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.

Also between drives, you get the chance to enjoy the pool, relax on your private deck or make the most of some of the stunning locations around the lodge to practise your bird photography and even try your hand at macro photography as there are many interesting things to discover. For the more energetic a bushwalk could be an option or time for a workout in the gym.

OTHER GENERAL SAFARI INFORMATION

As photographers with all levels of experience are welcome on this photo safari, it will be conducive to learning from one another and we include the instruction that will suit everyone’s photographic needs, as we focus on photographing in the field.  We spend most of our time and effort on photographic activities and capturing images.

In the field, should you need or require any instruction or tuition on how best to capture stunning images we are there to guide you with our professional wildlife photographer and qualified guide Tony Sparkes, along with the local guide and tracker on the vehicle; so your photographic and animal sighting success is almost guaranteed during this Sabi Sand wildlife photo safari.

To make the most of our photographic safaris in the Sabi Sands,  you are advised to bring a laptop and card reader as well as enough external storage for the photo sessions as well as the editing software you are most comfortable with. Tony uses Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop CC and during these photographic safaris in the Sabi Sands, Tony will share his workflow and basic processing techniques with those who would like to enhance their worklflows.

WHAT TO BRING ON SAFARI

• Mornings and evenings in an open safari vehicle are cold to cool (even in the summer), bring a fleece and a windbreaker jacket
• Rain jacket, hat, cap or beanie
• Sunblock
• Binoculars
• Spare batteries for your camera
• Torch
• Camera/video camera & flash (for wildlife photography a 300 – 400mm lens is ideal but there are opportunities for wildlife images for all sizes of lenses.
• Should you wish to hire any camera equipment or binoculars for your trip then we can assist, you can enquire here
• Your camera’s instruction/user manual

OTHER THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

• Please read our Safari Safety and Etiquette.
• Guests are required to ensure they have an adequate medical cover (This must include Emergency Medical Evacuation Cover)
• Discretionary gratuities for ranger and tracker are recommended at USD $5 to $10 per person per day.
• Discretionary gratuities for lodge staff are recommended at USD $10 to $15 per person per day.
• Any discretionary gratuities for guides, rangers, trackers and trip leaders should be paid out in cash.
• Note: That some of the Lodges/Safari camps will only accept cash for private purchases. (Please confirm at the time of booking)
• Although most safari lodges offer complimentary internet access, connections are unreliable and can be extremely slow.
• Special dietary requirements can be accommodated if sent through beforehand, please contact us with such requests

PS: Don’t forget to catch up with our blog, read interesting posts about our wildlife tours, wildlife and nature.  Why not join our Safari Buddies family to be sure you are first to receive into your inbox all our latest tour and safari news, new tour destinations, discounts, photography and travel tips, tricks and news.

Maybe interested in our other Kruger Park Tours? Look at our other fantastic tours at Imbali Safari Lodge or Hoyo-Hoyo Safari Lodge. Maybe our tours and safaris in other great international destinations. Fancy trekking with Gorillas? Then look at our Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tour or witness the great migration and Safari in Tanzania.