IN A NUTSHELL

1 Night Johannesburg (safari drive one of the world’s largest urban nature reserves)
3 Nights Kruger (one of Africa’s greatest wildlife regions)
3 Nights Zululand (South Africa’s bio-diverse hot spot)
3 Nights Cape Town (the beautiful Cape Peninsula with its endemic fynbos species)

JOHANNESBURG (1 Night)

Just 30 mins from Joburg Airport lies one of the world’s largest urban nature reserves (Rietvlei Nature Reserve – 4000h/10 000 acres). It is home to cheetah, rhino, buffalo and an abundance of antelope, including species only found in the Highveld like Black Wildebeest and Blesbok. And spectacular birding with over 300 species recorded. The open grasslands create fantastic photographic opportunity.

It is recommended to overnight flight into Johannesburg, so we collect you early, drop bags at the  hotel with time to relax before departing for Rietvlei Nature Reserve. Your safari experience begins with a short safari photography workshop, followed by a drive around this beautiful reserve, practicing techniques before returning to our hotel late afternoon.  

Accommodation: Comfortable Johannesburg Guest House 

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK (3 Nights)

Approximately 5 hours drive from Johannesburg is the Kruger Park. It is justly considered one of Africa’s top wildlife destinations due to its abundant wildlife – 147 mammal species and 500+ bird species. Birds like Hornbills, Starlings, Rollers, Bee-eaters and Shrikes are common and in the camps and picnic sites many species have become quite tame allowing for close up photography.

We will be staying 3 nights in Marloth Park which shares over 12 Km’s (8 miles) of the Crocodile River boundary with the Kruger. Marloth is a very special birding destination because it is fenced which keeps dangerous animals out and creates the rare opportunity to be in the Kruger region but with the option to walk anywhere to photograph birds as well as giraffe, zebra and other smaller wildlife species on foot. There are many sought after bird species that are easier to photograph in Marloth than anywhere else like Ritz Helmetshrike, Eastern Nicator, Orange Breasted and Gorgeous Bush-shrike, Sterling Barred Warbler, Cut Throat Finches and Yellow-fronted Tinkerbirds.

Though we will be based in Marloth, we’ll be using Safari Vehicles to do excursions into the Kruger Park, focusing on the southern sections which are famed for having some of the best wildlife sightings – in particular big cats and elephants. 

Accommodation: Safari Lodge in Marloth Park

ZULULAND (3 Nights)

Approximately 6hrs drive south from Marloth is Zululand, South Africa’s biodiverse hotspot. There are an impressive 550+ bird species recorded in this relatively small region, reflecting its incredible richness.

If available we will stay at Africa’s only reserve set up exclusively for wildlife photographers with 9 dedicated hides (blinds), including reflection ponds, a mobile bird hide and even 2 state of the art overnight hides.

The hides are par excellence second to none; they’re spacious and soundproofed with Tripods + Benro GH2 Heads + Arca Swiss plates provided at each seat, you can of course also bring your own support system.

With almost 400 bird species and 80 mammal species recorded within just 8000 hectares (16 000 acres) this is a bird and wildlife mecca! For birders there are many sought after specials like Pink Throated twinspot, Rudds Apalis, Neergaard’s sunbird, Narina Trogan, African Broadbill, Lemon Breasted Canary and more!

IMPORTANT: As this reserve has limited accommodation and is very popular, it is strongly recommended to book as far in advance as possible. If there is insufficient availability we have 3 alternative Safari Lodges to use, all with same exceptional bird and wildlife viewing but not the hides.

On the last day, we drive 4hrs south to Durban airport for an included 2 hour domestic flight to Cape Town.

Accommodation: Dedicated Photographic Safari Lodge or similar alternative 

CAPE TOWN (3 Nights)

Cape Town is one of the most beautifully located cities in the world and offers opportunities to photograph bird in areas of great scenic beauty. The Cape also has beautiful birds that are found nowhere else on earth like the Cape Sugarbird, Cape Rock jumper, Orange breasted Sunbird and Protea Seedeater. And of course, the African Penguin colony at Boulders is sensational as is Kirstenbosch Gardens, renown as one of the most beautiful botanical gardens anywhere.

No birding trip to Cape Town would be complete without a visit to the Cape Point where we’ll look for; Cape Sugar birds, Cape Bulbul, Cape Canaries, Cape Cormorant, Black Oyster-catchers, White backed Mousebirds and the endemic bontebok (antelope).

Where Cape Town really shines for nature photographers is out at sea, with some of the best shark, whale, seal and bird photography anywhere on earth so close to the mainland!

A Half Day boat trip can produce thousands of birds. Numbers and diversity of species is seasonal with June – Sept having the highest bird densities but year round there is always something special to photograph. 

Cape Destinations
Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope Reserve. Penguins Boulders Beach. Boat Trip, Milnerton Lagoon, Table Mountain Sunset. Kirstenbosch Gardens. 

The order of the Cape Tour can change depending on weather conditions, especially if large swells cancel the boat trip. If this happens, there are many alternatives such as the Rietvlei and Strandfontein sewage works, Intaka Island and the picturesque coastal route to Rooiels to find the Cape Rockjumper. Cape Town and its surroundings have so much beauty that there is enough to keep photographers busy for weeks!

If tour is (mid-august to mid-sept) it is recommended to add extra day for the West Coast National Park during the wild flower display which attracts an abundance of birds. Accommodation: Comfortable Guest House, marine tour 

Tour ends: Cape Town airport or hotel drop off.

This tour can be extended to a 13 days by adding an extra night at each destination.