Luxury Wildlife Photography Safari in South Africa

Join Us for 12-Nights of Incredible Wildlife Encounters, Expert Guiding, and 5-Star Accommodations

Three Trips in One Unforgettable 12-Day Adventure

April 24th - May 6th

Imagine waking up to the sounds of the African bush: birds calling, lions roaring, and hyenas laughing in the distance. You reach for your camera just as the first light of dawn dances across the savannah. From the comfort of your luxury suite, an elephant strolls by your balcony, and you realize this isn’t just a vacation, it’s a dream come true!

Why settle for crowded safari vehicles and noisy groups when you can immerse yourself in a more intimate, luxury experience, designed exclusively for you and your journey as a photographer?

Our South Africa Photography Workshop is an extraordinary opportunity for a small group of passionate photographers to immerse themselves in breathtaking landscapes, capture stunning wildlife, and experience Africa in a way few others ever do. This isn’t just a trip: it’s a meaningful journey that supports eco-tourism, empowers local communities, and protects Africa’s most majestic creatures.

And the wildlife? It will leave you speechless!

Effortless Vacation: Immerse Yourself in Photography, We Handle the Details

We’re excited to partner with Finisterra Travel to bring you an exclusive 12-day wildlife photography safari in South Africa! This unforgettable journey takes you to the breathtaking destinations of Cape Town, Timbavati, and Madikwe, offering an experience tailored for both photographers and wildlife enthusiasts.

For photographers, our private jeeps provide the peace and quiet needed to focus on capturing stunning images. No crowds. No distractions. For wildlife lovers, the safari promises incredible, up-close encounters that are as authentic as they are unforgettable. With a perfect blend of intimacy, exclusivity, and world-class game viewing, this adventure is designed to create memories that will stay with you forever.

TRIP SUMMARY

DATES: April 24th-May 6th
LOCATIONS: Cape Town, Timbavati & Madikwe
PHYSICAL RATING: EASY
GROUP SIZE: Limited to 10 to ensure an intimate and personalized experience
PRICING: Four Equal Payments of $4,748.75 CAD (Taxes Included)

Where Wildlife, Culture, and Conservation Unite

What sets our South Africa safari apart isn’t just the breathtaking scenery or incredible wildlife, it’s the deep, meaningful connections we’ve built with local guides who dedicate their lives to conservation. While many luxury lodges make claims about supporting communities, we’ve gone further by partnering with individuals actively involved in conservation projects that directly benefit their communities and protect Africa’s most vulnerable wildlife.

Our guides are more than professional trackers, they’re storytellers, advocates, and stewards of the land. Their knowledge of the local environment and wildlife, paired with their personal (often humorous) experiences, provide a perspective that goes far beyond the surface. We’ve carefully selected lodges that embody the true spirit of South Africa, ensuring your investment directly supports local communities and conservation efforts.

This deeper connection is what makes our safaris truly meaningful. It’s not just about capturing bucket-list images, it’s about gaining a profound understanding of the delicate ecosystem and the people dedicated to protecting it.

By limiting the number of vehicles and crafting intimate experiences, we provide our guests with authentic, exclusive moments that go beyond the ordinary.

Over the years, we've had the honour of inspiring photographers to discover the beauty and importance of ethical wildlife photography through our workshops.

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The Complete Safari Package

  • 4 Nights in a Luxury Camp in Timbavati

    Inspired by traditional South African design, the lodge offers a relaxed ambience where indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly flow into one another. Guests can enjoy a perfect balance of communal and private moments, all infused with the authentic feel of the African bush.

  • 5 Nights in a Luxury Camp in Madikwe

    The suites offer luxurious accommodations, nestled in custom-designed structures inspired by stilted treehouses. Connected by raised walkways, each suite boasts breathtaking views of the surrounding riverine forest and the iconic Marico River.

  • Private Hide At A Watering Hole

    Our lodge offers a unique opportunity for game viewing, even between daily drives. Whether you’re hoping to capture eye-level shots of wildlife at a bustling waterhole or simply want to soak in the serene beauty of your surroundings, our private hide offers the perfect balance of intimacy and connection to nature.

    Accessible through an underwater tunnel directly from your room, our submerged photographic hide is available 24/7. This one-of-a-kind feature allows you to immerse yourself in the wildlife experience like never before.

  • All Meals On Safari

    We cater to all dietary restrictions, ensuring every guest enjoys a memorable culinary experience. Our menus celebrate farm-to-table ingredients while delivering the sophistication of fine dining. And yes, drinks are included!

    Start your mornings with coffee on the go, infused with love—and a splash of Amarula—before indulging in lavish bush breakfasts. Savor bush picnics and dinners under the stars, surrounded by the sounds of the wild. Each evening game drive is capped off with sundowners, where our guides serve up your cocktail of choice, making every sunset a celebration.

  • Daily Morning Game Drives

    At first light, you'll set out in an open 4x4 safari vehicle for a thrilling morning game drive. Experience the magic of the bush as predators conclude their nocturnal hunts, and many animals emerge to graze in the cool, tranquil hours before the heat of the day. Our expert guides will lead you through the landscape, offering unique insights into the rhythms of the wild. Imagine the anticipation of spotting a lion or leopard, or the serenity of watching herds of wildlife silhouetted against the rising sun. Each morning promises new wonders and breathtaking photographic opportunities.

  • Daily Evening Game Drives

    As the African sun begins to dip below the horizon, join our expert rangers for an unforgettable evening game drive. You’ll have the unique opportunity to track the Big Five and a variety of other wildlife as they stir with the setting sun. Witness the dramatic spectacleof animals coming to the river to drink in the late afternoon light. As darkness falls, the bush comes alive with new sounds and possibilities, and our night drives often produce rare and unusual wildlife sightings, making each drive a unique and exciting adventure.

  • 3 Nights in Cape Town

    We’ve arranged airport pick-up for our group and set reservations aside at a high-end hotel in Cape Town so we can rest up before our safari officially begins.

    Enjoy the flavours, music and sights of Cape Town’s Table Mountain and vast beaches during our leisure time. *Meals not included.

  • Full Day South African Penguin Tour in Cape Town

    Join us on a spectacular journey into the South Western Peninsular of the Western Cape. You will experience the natural beauty of Cape of Good Hope on foot, visit an endangered African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach up close and personal, and take a journey on one of the world’s most beautiful and iconic drives. This day trip will run from 8:30 am - 5:30 pm. on one of our rest days in Cape Town.

  • All Domestic Flights & Road Transfers To/From Safari Lodges

    Our first three days will find us exploring Cape Town. Once we land, we’ve arranged a shuttle for our group to our hotel. We’ve also arranged transportation to/from our hotel for our Full Day South African Penguin Tour in Cape Town.

    Our road transfers from Cape Town to Hoedspruit airport are covered, as well as our domestic flight between lodges.

    Mid-way through our safari, we’ll be travelling from Timbavati Game Reserve to Madikwe Game Reserve. All associated transportation between lodges is 100% covered!

  • Conservation Levies

    All game reserve levies will be covered. These fees preserve the wildlife heritage of each park for future generations.

    Smaller game reserves, like those we’re visiting on this trip, are at an increased risk of poaching unless rhino monitoring programs and other security measures are implemented and maintained. Conservation levies are now deemed essential to assist in the significant costs associated with these multi-layered anti-poaching measures. We love supporting family-run operations dedicated to getting the local community involved in wildlife conservation and converting privately owned land into agricultural land for conservation. Protecting the rhinos is a key factor in the ongoing success and sustainability of this initiative.

  • Individual Photography Coaching

    The core of this experience is helping you gain confidence in the field and to provide individual photography coaching. If you’re an iPhone user, amateur, seasoned photographer, videographer, or the spouse of a photography enthusiast along for the ride, you’re welcome to join us! A wildlife safari is truly for everyone!

  • One-On-One Lightroom Photo Editing

    In wildlife and landscape photography, challenges like varying weather and low lightcan impact image quality. With targeted editing techniques, you can reveal incredible detail and enhance your images. Our photo editing sessions at the lodge will focus on essential skills, such as reducing digital noise from high ISO settings and adding depth to your images. You’ll also learn to develop a consistent aesthetic across your portfolio, ensuring your images always look their best, regardless of shooting conditions.

Take The First Step In An Unforgettable Adventure Today

DATES: April 24th-May 6th, 2026

LOCATIONS: Cape Town, Timbavati & Madikwe

Investment:

Four Equal Payments of $4,748.75 CAD (Taxes Included)

Payment Schedule:

$4,748.75 CAD Deposit
(First Payment) Due:
February 2025

Second Payment Due:
September 11, 2025

Third Payment Due:
November 10, 2025

Final Payment Due:
January 10, 2026

Two Reserves,
One Epic Story.
Uncover South Africa's Hidden Gems

To maximize your wildlife viewing opportunities, this safari adventure is split between two distinct locations: Timbavati Private Nature Reserve and Madikwe Game Reserve. Each reserve offers a unique ecosystem with diverse species, ensuring a richer and more varied photographic experience.

Safari Essentials:
What You Should Know Before You Go

Timbavati Reserve: A Sanctuary for Endangered Species and Abundant Wildlife

After a scenic road transfer from Hoedspruit airport, the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve offers 53,000 hectares of unspoiled wilderness in the Lowveld region of South Africa.

This reserve is dedicated to protecting endangered species such as the black and white rhinoceros, pangolins, saddle-billed storks, and southern ground hornbills. The lack of fences between Timbavati and its neighbouring reserves allows for a great abundance of wildlife, including herds of African elephant, buffalo, kudu, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, impala, waterbuck, and warthog, as well as predators like lion, leopard, cheetah, and hyena.

The critically endangered African wild dog and rare white lion may also be spotted, and there are more than 360 recorded bird species, making it a birdwatcher's paradise.

Luxury Camp in Timbavati

Located in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. The architect and interior designer of the lodge was inspired by the Timbavati setting of this luxury South African safari lodge to create a relaxed ambience with indoor and outdoor guest spaces that segue into each other, and enable both communal and private moments suffused with an authentic bush feel.

Madikwe Reserve: A Biodiversity Hotspot.
Home to the Big Five and 350+ Bird Species

Madikwe Game Reserve, a remarkable 80,000-hectare wildlife sanctuary in South Africa's North-West Province, was established on former farmland in 1991 through a major wildlife relocation known as Operation Phoenix.

Today it is home to the Big Five (lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinoceroses) and over 60 mammal species, including endangered species like hippos, giraffes, African wild dogs, and cheetahs, as well as more than 350 bird species.

The diverse landscape features over 45 tree species, the Thswene Tshwene Hills, and the Dwarsberg Mountain Range, offering an unforgettable experience for wildlife and nature lovers.

Luxury Camp in Madikwe

The Treehouse Suites offer luxurious accommodations, uniquely housed in custom-designed structures reminiscent of stilted treehouses. Linked by raised walkways, each suite provides breathtaking views of the surrounding riverine forest and the renowned Marico River. The collection of 8 Treehouse Suites seamlessly integrates into the sprawling canopy of verdant foliage, providing an excellent vantage point for birdwatching.

The Main Lodge, boasting both indoor and outdoor dining areas as well as open-concept lounge and bar spaces, sets the stage for a truly authentic and inspired safari experience.

Luxury Photo Safari:
Tailored to the Rhythm of the Wild

April 24 - 27th (Cape Town)

We land in Cape Town on the 24th and check into our hotel for three nights. Here we’ll rest up and enjoy a Full-Day tour of the Cape of Good Hope and Boulder Beach to witness South Africa penguins up close.

April 27th - May 1st (Timbavati)

We’ll fly from Cape Town to Hoedspruit Airport, taking a scenic road transfer to our lodge in Timbavati Game Reserve.

On our first day, we’ll settle into camp and enjoy an evening game drive before dinner.

May 1st - May 6th (Madikwe)

We’ll drive for four hours, taking the scenic route from Timbavati to Madikwe Game Reserve.

On our first day, we’ll settle into camp and enjoy an evening game drive before dinner.

Rough Safari Itinerary:

Our itineraries are designed to be flexible, allowing us to take advantage of spontaneous wildlife sightings as they arise.

5 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. - Early Morning Game Drive (Light Snacks)

10 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. - Luxurious Bush Breakfast

12:00 p.m. - 2 p.m. - Free Time. Learn Photo Editing with Jesse and Susan, or enjoy the various amenities at the lodge.

2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Gourmet Lunch

4 p.m. - 7 p.m. - Evening Game Drive (Sundowner Cocktails and Light Snacks)

7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. - 5-Star Dinner

Are You Ready for Daily Game Drives and Intimate Wildlife Encounters?

This is our fourth year running this incredible South Africa photography workshop, and we’ve fine-tuned the experience to offer the best possible locations and encounters. We can't guarantee this specific itinerary will be offered again in 2027.

Don’t miss your chance to join this exclusive adventure. Spaces are limited to 10 participants to ensure a personalized experience

BC Reg 70260