From massive-tusked African elephants to elegant leopards, from squat rhinos to regal lions and fierce Cape Buffalo, the Big Five are all here to provide one of Africa’s greatest photo safaris—plus a host of other game and predators promising epic camera encounters! On our carefully crafted itinerary, you’ll get all the wildlife riches of the Greater Kruger region without the crowds. We focus on exclusive private reserves, including Sabi Sand, Marataba and Madikwe, far from heavily touristed zones and tarmac roads in the national park. Amid the silence and solitude of the wild bushveld, just six guests travel with an expert Photo Expedition Leader, for the ultimate in personal attention. Your guide is equally adept at interpreting animal behavior while coaching you with techniques to elevate your shots. Add remote luxury camps and lodges as your base, and you won’t find a superior South Africa photo safari!
Trip Highlights
A Superlative South Africa Photo Safari
With just six travelers, get close to the Big Five and much more in South Africa’s top private wildlife enclaves, including legendary MalaMala
Uncrowded Private Reserves Make All the Difference
No packed national parks teeming with vehicles to impede your shots—we focus on three remote and varied enclaves where animals abound and visitors are few
Our Guides Help You Get the Images of a Lifetime
Shoot alongside our naturalist Expedition Leader who is a top wildlife photographer, coaching you personally with tips and techniques to build your skills
No Better Choice for Your South Africa Photo Safari
South Africa has long been among the continent's most popular safari destinations, and for good reason: its scenic grandeur and prolific wildlife (including the famous Big Five) have few parallels. But popular can mean crowded and standardized, especially in South Africa, and that’s not the kind of safari-of-a-lifetime experience we provide. Take a look at these crucial features that set our South Africa Photo Expedition apart from other photography safaris:
Maximum Group Size Just Six Travelers!
An authentic encounter with nature is tough to achieve in a big group. We limit ours to six, granting us access to smaller camps and remote spots larger groups can't get to. We promise the most personalized photo safari available!Private Reserves Offer Seclusion & Superior Photo Opportunities
Private reserves are essential to the best African safari, especially in South Africa. In the exclusive wilderness areas of Sabi Sand, Marataba and Madikwe, we explore exceptionally varied habitats in solitude, photographing abundant wildlife away from other visitors (most of whom are traveling on paved roads inside the public parks).An Unusually Diverse Itinerary for Varied Photography
Most South Africa safaris concentrate on Kruger National Park, and rightfully so, as its wildlife is legendary. Naturally, our itinerary includes the Greater Kruger ecosystem, but from a private reserve, where visitor numbers are strictly limited. MalaMala has an unfenced border with the park, so wildlife can wander back and forth freely. Our itinerary also includes the less-visited Marataba and Madikwe reserves, adding yet more elements of diversity with completely different ecosystems and landscapes.Remote & Intimate Luxury Accommodations
Most visitors to South Africa are relegated to larger, impersonal safari lodges that dominate in the national parks. Since our focus is private reserves, our guests enjoy exclusive boutique lodgings. Our isolated luxury camps and lodges are highlights in their own right. Each blends seamlessly with the natural environment, and tents and chalets have private verandas to maximize personal wildlife photo encounters right where you're staying.Flights Maximize Your Time on Safari
While we enjoy watching the countryside unfold on the drive between Madikwe and Marataba, we put a big focus on flights, arranging air transfers where possible to maximize your time photographing wildlife, rather than negotiating rough roads on too many long drives. And from the air, you'll gain a whole different perspective on South Africa’s dramatic landscapes and roaming wildlife.The Very Best Vehicles—with a Guaranteed Window Seat
Standard safaris in South Africa often utilize cramped mini buses. In contrast, we charter top-quality custom safari vehicles that optimize comfort and photography access. Our 4x4 Land Rovers and Land Cruisers have a suspension system designed for rugged terrain, and an open-top, open-sided, tiered seating arrangement maximizes photo opportunities. Each vehicle has 10 cushioned passenger seats, but since we don't fill them to capacity, everyone has an unimpeded side view. Each row is raised slightly higher than the one in front of it, allowing for unobstructed views of scenery and wildlife.Exclusive Opportunities for Bush Walks and Night Drives
Guided bush walks and night drives are available on the private reserves we visit, though not in national parks, where most safaris go. You'll appreciate the rare opportunity to stretch your legs while on safari as we get close-up shots of interesting smaller species, which most safari-goers confined to vehicles miss. And drives after dark reveal fascinating nocturnal wildlife that's rarely seen by the typical traveler.South Africa's Most Outstanding Photographer Guides
We employ South Africa's premier Expedition Leaders, the most highly trained and experienced naturalist guides—who are also accomplished professional wildlife photographers and photo instructors. Your guide accompanies you from start to finish, by your side with ready advice to help you get the best possible images. They also have additional resources provided by WWF’s leading scientists. See Expedition Leader bios and traveler comments regarding the quality of our leaders.Our Quality-Value Guarantee Ensures Your Superior South Africa Photo Safari
With Natural Habitat Adventures, you receive our exclusive guarantee, which clearly states that we will meet the lofty expectations we set in our promotional materials. To our knowledge, this is the most ambitious guarantee made by any adventure travel company. Read our important promise for yourself!Feel Good About Your Carbon-Neutral Journey
We care deeply about our planet, as we know you do. When you travel with us, the carbon emissions from your trip are 100% offset—including your round-trip flights from home. Natural Habitat Adventures has been the world’s first carbon-neutral travel company since 2007.Natural Habitat Adventures is WWF's Travel Partner
Because of our commitment to environmentally friendly travel, as well as the exceptional quality of our adventures, World Wildlife Fund—the world's leading environmental conservation organization—has named Natural Habitat Adventures as its worldwide travel partner, a designation that makes us exceedingly proud!
