Indlovu River Lodge

INDLOVU WILDLIFE PHOTO SAFARI

3 DAYS /2 NIGHTS

This is a 3 day/2 night wildlife photo safari staying at Indlovu River Lodge situated on the banks of the Kuvjenami River in Karongwe Private Game Reserve.  Your luxury accommodation provides a great base to utilise the Indlovu wildlife photo safari hides. This wildlife safari will, however, appeal to anyone with a love for animals and nature.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY HIDE

The wildlife and birds you will encounter from the hide are numerous. From small bathing birds like Blue Waxbill and Starling to large mammals like Zebra, Wildebeest, Giraffe and Nyala which all come to drink right in front of you.  With a little bit of luck, large African Elephants will come to drink and trumpet only metres away from you; close enough to make your heart pound.  Just imagine though, the possibilities of a Leopard or a Lion drinking right in front of you at eye level and you are there to capture the moment!!!  Surely a once in a lifetime opportunity that cannot be missed and must be seen to be believed.

On this photo safari we cater for photographers of all abilities, however non-photographers or videographers, spouses/travel companions will also have a great experience on this wildlife safari, as game drives are possible for non-photographers who do not want to sit in the hides.  However you choose to spend your time at Indlovu, by relaxing at the lodge, on a game drive or ultimately for videographers/photographers in the hides, you are sure to come away relaxed and with great memories and awesome photographs.

THE LODGE

The luxury rooms all have air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms, wifi and tea and coffee making facilities. These luxury rooms are cloaked by towering Jackalberry trees, with the splendid northern escarpment of the Drakensberg mountains as a backdrop.

Located in Limpopo, in South Africa’s far Northeast in tranquil surroundings of over 21,00 hectares of the lush African bush, Indlovu River Lodge in the private Karonge Game Reserve offers a plethora of wildlife, flora and fauna with prolific birdlife.

DAY 1 –  ITINERARY

Arrive at the lodge at around 2 pm in time for lunch (on request at the time of booking).  Prepare for the afternoon hide session which departs at approximately 2:30 – 5:30 pm.  Return to the lodge and freshen up for dinner, which is served at 7 pm. (For more information, see below typical itinerary)

A DAY’S TYPICAL ITINERARY

Early morning call at 5:30am

Set off for the mornings hide session at about 6:15am.  Coffee/Tea and rusks will be served in the hide.

After the mornings hide session at around 10 am, it will be time to head back to the lodge for breakfast.  Between our hide sessions, photographers and non-photographers have time to relax at the lodge or around the pool (weather permitting) or process the images with our specialist photographic guide in the comfort of a photographic studio.

Prepare for the afternoon hide session which departs at approximately 2:30pm – 5:30pm.  Return to the lodge and freshen up for dinner, which is served at around 7 pm.  Discuss over dinner the photographs taken from the afternoons hide session.  After dinner relax and enjoy a drink under the African skies, listen to the sounds of the ‘bush’ and prepare for the following days hide session.

CHECK OUT DAY

Early morning call at 5:30 am

Set off for the last mornings hide session at about 6:15 am. Coffee/Tea and rusks will be served in the hide.

After the mornings hide session, it will be time to head back to the lodge for breakfast.

Check-out (Lodge check out is at 10:00 am).

Note: Itineraries may be flexible and can be discussed on the day at the lodge, dependant on the weather, time of the year and other guests.

NUMBER OF DAYS

To take advantage of these outstanding wildlife photography hides at Indlovu River Lodge, we recommend guests book a minimum of a 3 day / 2 night stay, however additional days can be added to this Indlovu wildlife photo safari based on your own itinerary.  In our experience, 3 to 4 nights would be sufficient to fully exploit the two hides true potential.

Please advise us at the time of booking on the number of days you require and whether all guest will require two hide sessions per day or contact us for other wildlife safaris, photo safaris, birding tours or custom safari options should they be required.

COSTS & INCLUSIONS/EXCLUSIONS FOR INDLOVU WILDLIFE PHOTO SAFARI HIDES

(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 2 guests (photographers in a hide) and a maximum of 5 guests (photographers in a hide) additional non-photographers can be accommodated.

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

• 3 days/2 nights in luxury accommodation in Karongwe Private Game Reserve
• Two hide sessions or game drives daily (4 Hide/Drives in total)
• 3 Meals daily and selected local beverages (ie. wine, beer, soft drinks, water, tea & coffee)
• Photographic tuition

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

• Any flights
• Visas
• Transfers to or from Indlovu River Lodge
• Gratuities (Please allow between $US 5-10 a day or rand equivalent for the driver and the tracker) if you wish to give anything. This should be paid in cash.
• Purchases of a personal nature
• Karongwe Game Reserve gate entry fees
• Telephone calls
• Upgrade to Superior accommodation (POA)
• Please contact us for prices if transfers to and from Indlovu Lodge are required

We regret that we are unable to accommodate children under the age of 16 on this photo safari.

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 on 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

INDLOVU WILDLIFE PHOTO SAFARI HIDES –  KARONGWE PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

As part of an area known as the Greater Kruger Park, Karongwe Private Game Reserve, in South Africa’s Limpopo province is a 21,000 hectare ‘Big 5’ game reserve which overlooks the majestic Drakensberg mountain range.  It is here that you will find some of the best wildlife photography hides in South Africa, the Indlovu wildlife photo safari hides.

As a specialist photo hide destination and to make the most of the opportunities that arise while in the hide it is advisable to bring suitable camera equipment, some of which we have detailed below.  We can help you, just follow the link, should you want to hire camera equipment. 

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE HIDES

During the Spring/Summer months (rainy season) in the Lowveld, natural pools of water in the bushveld lure animals away from the man-made hides at Indlovu.  It is, therefore, better to visit Indlovu hides during the dryer winter months from June through to October.  Naturally, ideal conditions would be hot, dry and sunny when you are there to ensure the animals and birds are enticed back to the waterholes.

OTHER GENERAL SAFARI INFORMATION

• It should be noted that the Karongwe Game Reserve is located within a low-risk Malaria area, guests are advised to seek medical advice from your own doctor in this respect.
• Please read our Safari Safety and Etiquette to ensure you have an enjoyable and trouble free safari experience with us.
• There is wifi access and mobile phone reception at Indlovu River Lodge.

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 (can be hired, please advise at time of booking)
• Spare batteries for your camera
• Torch
• Camera/video camera & flash

LENS RECOMMENDATIONS

Due to the diversity of the hides, it is recommended lenses covering the following focal length: Wide angle 12mm – telephoto up to 600mm

Recommended:

• Wide angle 12 – 30mm
• Mid-range telephoto 70 – 400mm
• Long telephoto 400 – 600mm

To ensure all guests who book travel destinations through us have a memorable experience we ask you to read and fully understand our Payment Terms and Conditions, Copyright & Disclaimer and Privacy Policy.   If you have any questions or queries please do not hesitate to contact us

If ‘hide’ photography is not for you but you still want the excitement to photograph Africa’s Big 5 and a plethora of birds and mammals on a game drive in the African bush, then why not look at the following tours and safaris:-

Hoyo Hoyo
Uganda Gorilla Trekking
Hamiltons Tented Camp
Sabi Sand Photo Safari
Kruger Birding and Wildlife Photo Safari.

PS: Don’t forget to catch up with our Safari Buddies Blog, read interesting posts about our nature and wildlife tours. Have you read our post on What is Eco-Tourism or Bird Migration Bird Migration – (Part 1) to Southern Africa? Why not subscribe to our quarterly journal  Safari Buddies to be sure you are first to receive into your inbox all our latest tour and safari news, new tour destinations, discounts, photography tips and tricks and travel news.