Greater Kruger Photo Safari

GREATER KRUGER PHOTOGRAPHY SAFARI – SOUTH AFRICA

8 DAYS /7 NIGHTS

This 8 day/7 night Greater Kruger photo safari, staying at an ‘eco’ friendly unfenced tented bush camp in the Manyeleti Private Game Reserve and a 4-star safari lodge at Karongwe Private Game Reserve gives you the opportunity to experience a broad and authentic African bush safari.

Our guests will be staying in the splendour of one of the top safari lodges in the area and in contrast also experience the true ‘wild’ Africa when staying in a private eco-friendly bush camp in a well-appointed safari tent (under thatch).

WHAT TO EXPECT

On this Greater Kruger 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 and birds we will encounter will appeal to anyone with a love for animals and nature.

THE BUSH CAMP

Our ‘unfenced’ eco-friendly tented bush camp (4 nights) has no mains electricity; with all lighting being provided by oil lamps.  There are a few charging points in the main sitting area and each tent has one point for an electrical fan.  The hot water systems operate utilising ‘hot water donkeys‘, with water being provided via a water borehole.  With only 4 tents the bush camp offers privacy and personal attention in an authentic African setting. The large en-suite tents offer either twin beds or large king-size beds, cotton linen and fluffy duvets. The en-suite bathrooms feature stand-alone showers, baths, flushing toilets and African inspired hand basins.

The eco camp is located within the private 23,000 hectare Manyeleti Private Game Reserve which borders the Kruger National Park, Timbavati and the Sabi Sands game reserves.

THE SAFARI LODGE

The safari lodge (3 nights) is situated on the banks of the Kuvjenami river and your luxury rooms are hidden under towering Jackalberry trees.  The lodge has a large swimming pool which is always a welcoming sight for those hot sunny African days.  The rooms and the pool have views of the magnificent northern escarpment of the Drakensberg mountains as a backdrop.  All rooms are beautifully appointed with en-suite and outside showers; each room is authentically decorated in a typical Africa theme.

The safari lodge is located within the 9,000 hectare ‘Big Five’ Karongwe Private Game Reserve which offers game drives and has 2 sunken photographic hides. One hide is suitable for morning photography and the other for the afternoon session.

DAY 1 – ITINERARY

Arrive at the bush camp (+/- 2 pm in time for lunch).  At around 3:30 pm the sunset game drive with a qualified driver/tracker and professional wildlife photographer departs.  Return to camp around 7 pm for dinner and prepare for the following days game drive.  Discuss, over dinner the photographs taken from the Sunset drive.  Maybe an opportunity to try some night time photography after dinner  (conditions & circumstances permitting).

DAYS 2 to 4 – ITINERARY

Early morning call at 5:00 am – Coffee/Tea & Rusks
Set off for our morning photography game drive in an open safari vehicle at 5:30 am.  Duration: +/- 3 hrs dependant on sightings and guests requirements.

Breakfast is served on our return to camp at around 8:30 am
After breakfast, relax around the camp and get the opportunity to sit and discuss your photographs from the mornings drive together with Tony. Editing techniques, composition and settings will be discussed.

Around 3:30 pm the afternoon photo game drive departs into the early evening with our trained local guide and tracker.
Returning to camp, there will be time to freshen up before dinner is served in the lantern-lit bush lounge.

DAY 5 – MORNING OF DEPARTURE

Early morning call at 5:00 am – Coffee/Tea & Rusks
Set off for our last morning game drive in an open safari vehicle at 5:30 am.
After the game drive, it will then be time to head back to the camp for breakfast and to check-out (camp check out is at 10:00 am).  We head off to our next location; the safari lodge in Karongwe Private Game Reserve.

DAY 5 – ITINERARY cont.

Arrive at the safari lodge by 2 pm.  Time to check-in and have a light lunch.  After a short briefing by Tony, prepare for your first afternoon photographic hide session.  After the hide session return to the lodge in time to freshen up for dinner.

DAYS 6 and 7 – ITINERARY

Early morning call at around 5:00 am – Coffee/Tea & Rusks
Set off for our morning photography hide session in an open safari vehicle at 5:30 am.  Duration in the hide: +/- 3hrs dependant on guests and sightings.

Breakfast is served on our return to the lodge at around 8:30 am

After breakfast, guest can relax and explore around the lodge gardens.  Guest get the opportunity to sit and discuss their photographs from the mornings hide session together with Tony.  Editing techniques, composition and settings will be discussed.

DAY 8 – MORNING OF DEPARTURE

Early morning call at 5:00 am – Coffee/Tea & Rusks
Set off for the last hide session in an open safari vehicle at 5:30 am.
After the photo hide session, it will then be time to head back to the lodge for breakfast and to check-out (lodge check out is at 10:00 am).

The Safari ends at the lodge.

Note: Itineraries are flexible and can be discussed on the day in camp, dependant on the weather and time of the year. We also reserve the right to amend the sequence of this itinerary in case of availability.

NUMBER OF DAYS

Additional days can be added to this privately guided photo safari in the Manyeleti and Karongwe Game Reserve should they be desired.  Please advise us at the time of booking for revised prices or contact us for other wildlife safaris, photo safaris, birding tours or custom safari options should they be required.

COSTS & INCLUSIONS/EXCLUSIONS FOR THE GREATER KRUGER 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)

Guided photo safaris will run throughout the year with a minimum of 4 guests and a maximum of 6 guests (5 photographers & 1 non-photographer due to hide capacity)

Greater Kruger Photo Safari Rates

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

Bush Camp

• 5 days/4 nights in a private tented camp in the Manyeleti Game Reserve
• Tent under thatch
• Two game drives daily (8 Drives in total)
• 3 Meals daily and selected beverages (ie. fruit juice, water, tea & coffee).  Alcohol is not included.  You can bring your own or can be pre-ordered. Please advise us of your requirements at the time of booking.
• Photographic tuition by a professional wildlife photographer

Safari Lodge

• 3 nights in a 4-star safari lodge
• Luxury Suite with bathroom en-suite
• 2 photographic hide sessions daily (6 Hide session in total)
• 3 Meals daily and price includes soft drinks, house wine, local beer, water, tea & coffee
• Photographic tuition by a professional wildlife photographer

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

• Any flights
• Visas
• Transfers to the tented bush camp or from the safari lodge (please contact us for prices if transfers are required)
• 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
• Manyeleti & Karongwe Game Reserve gate entry fees
• Telephone calls

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

GREATER KRUGER PHOTO SAFARI

As one of only a handful of private camps and lodges on the Manyeleti Reserve, guests at the bush camp, which has been operating on the same site for over 24 years, offers simple yet memorable safaris, of real value to its guests.

This 23,000-hectare private game reserve is situated in the remote and undeveloped southern portion of the Manyeleti Reserve, on the northern border of the Sabi Sand Reserve and the western border of the Kruger National Park.  As Manyeleti is renowned for its large concentrations of game and relatively low levels of development, guests can expect exceptional game viewing with minimal vehicle density.

The eco-camp has an extremely light ecological footprint. All lighting is provided by oil lanterns, cooking is done either on an open fire or on gas appliances and refrigeration is courtesy of solar power.

The safari lodge in the 9,000-hectare Karongwe Game Reserve is set in the stunning prime African bushveld.  From the hearty meals, you enjoy every day, to the carefully planned hide sessions, every experience you have at the lodge is carefully curated by the team; to help you relax and reconnect with nature.  Being a lodge in the middle of the wilderness, surrounded by bushveld and wild animals, it makes for an interesting and sometimes challenging place to spend quality time with us.

OTHER GENERAL SAFARI INFORMATION

• It should be noted that the Manyeleti & Karongwe Game Reserve are located within in a Malaria area, guests are advised to seek medical advice from their 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 limited mobile phone reception at the safari lodge in Karongwe.  There is no wifi or reliable cell phone reception at the tented bush camp in Manyeleti.

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 – 400 mm lens is ideal but there are opportunities for wildlife images for all sizes of lenses.

For photographic hide sessions, lens recommendations

Due to the diversity of the hide’s you’ll require 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

Should you wish to hire any camera equipment or binoculars for your trip then we can assist, you can enquire here

Finally 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

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