South Africa Photo Safari
Come join us in South Africa for a once in a lifetime wildlife photo safari to the incredible Greater Kruger National Park region. Nowhere else on Earth can you find such a large concentration of the Big Five (Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Buffalo and Rhino). December is a great time to visit this region as we are on the cusp of the dry and wet seasons, which gives us the possibility to photograph this region with the first rains hitting the ground. When this happens, everything comes to life! Instead of dry and dusty backgrounds, you can get lush green backdrops for your wildlife images. Throughout our time on the ground in South Africa, you will have 10 game drives that our group will take part in.
Trip Dates
December 6th – 11th, 2019
Tuition Costs
$6000
Group Size
6
Difficulty Level
Easy
Throughout our time in the Great Kruger National Park region, we will spend our time split between two amazing Private Game Reserves. Kapama is a privately owned natural reserve that covers a 13,000-hectare area. Here you can find large prides of lions, elephants, rhino, monkeys, buffalo and of course and an impressive assortment of birdlife. We also spend a couple of nights in Sabi Sands, another incredible reserve that covers a 65,000-hectare space. This is one of the best places on the planet to see and photograph leopards, as well as wild dogs, lions, rhino and occasionally cheetahs. The accommodations in both locations are Luxury offerings that are full board, covering all of your costs on the ground.
What is Included?
- All Ground Transportation
- All Accommodations
- All Local Guides & Permits
- All Main Meals & Local Beers/Wine
What is Not Included?
- All Flights
- Visas to Enter South Africa
- Snacks & High End Alcohol
- All Tips for Local Guides & Drivers
With two photo instructors present for the duration of the workshop, you will have plenty of opportunity for one on one instruction to further the skills that you feel you need to work on. If the workshop is full and you wanted to be added to the waiting list, click HERE.
* please read the workshop F.A.Q. section on this page to learn more about visiting South Africa and check out our cancellation policies if you have any questions.
South Africa Photo Workshop
Areas to Explore
- Hoedspruit
- Kapama
- Sabi Sands
- and much more...
Join the Workshop Waitlist to learn more about any upcoming adventures...
Join the Workshop Waitlist to learn more about any upcoming adventures...
F.A.Q
The workshop starts on December 6th in Hoedspruit, South Africa. You might want to arrive a day early into Johannesburg to help you get over any jetlag. The workshop officially starts with our afternoon game drive on the 6th.
The workshop ends on December 11th. If you can get a flight that leaves in the afternoon on that day, you will be fine.
You fly into & out of the Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) in South Africa.
Not likely, but please consult your closest South African Embassy to make sure. If you are a US citizen, you can get a tourist visa on entry that covers a 90-day stay.
We will be staying at two amazing luxury lodges while on this workshop. The Kapama River Lodge and the Arathusa Safari Lodge in Sabi Sands. All meals, local brand drinks, teas/coffees, and optional bush walks are included in the price of your tuition. All accommodation is based on shared rooms (separate beds unless requested differently in advanced).
At each of the private game reserves we are visiting, we will have our own private game vehicle for just our group, giving everyone a window spot for each game drive. Inbetween reserves, we have organized a private charter van for our group to take us two each of the reserves and back to the airport.
While our main focus will be photographing the “Big Five” you will have plenty of opportunities to see a variety of wildlife. Leopards, lions, buffalo, rhino, giraffe, elephant, waterbuck, gazelles, cheetahs, wild dogs, hyenas and much more.
Because this workshop focuses on wildlife, you will want to bring some long lenses. I highly recommend bringing a 100-400 equivalent lens or longer if possible, such as the new Sony 200-600. If you have a faster super-telephoto prime lens, that could work as well. You can get away with a 70-200 at times, but you will have to crop in some on your images.
Meet Your Instructors & Guides
Colby Brown
Owner/Photographer/Author
Colby Brown is a photographer, photo educator and author based out of Eastern Pennsylvania. Specializing in landscape, travel and humanitarian photography, his photographic portfolio spans the four corners of the globe and all 7 continents. Not too long after picking up his first digital camera in 2006, Colby was leading workshops for National Geographic in South America, further spurring his love for both travel and photo education. In 2011, he founded The Giving Lens, an organization that blends photo education with support for various non-governmental organizations (NGO) and causes around the world, such as child education, clean drinking water projects, and women’s rights.
Testimonials
In June 2013 I had the privilege of attending a workshop in Iceland with Colby. The trip was absolutely amazing, to say the least. Iceland is full of stunning and diverse landscapes and is easily one of the most beautiful places that I have ever visited. I had never been on a workshop before and did not know what to expect, but it was clear to me immediately (from the very first contact e-mail) that Colby(...)
The Patagonia workshop was my 3rd one with Colby, so I knew what I was getting myself into, yet it still exceeded expectations.
Patagonia is very unpredictable with its weather conditions, which can really affect what/when you can photograph... So we just came up with plan B as we went along and still got great images, learned something new for post processing or did a time lapse or two. And when the light(...)
I had been debating a trip to the Dolomites for some time. After going on this workshop the only thing I regret is that I didn’t do it sooner. Just some amazing scenes to photograph and experience. Pedro’s knowledge of the area made we’re very beneficial in having us at the locations we needed to be and when we needed to be there. And he also knows the best places for pizza. Win-Win!!!
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Cancellation & Refund Policy
No one wants to miss out on a trip of a life time…but things do happen. In those situations, the following applies…
All cancellations are subject to a minimum of a $150 service charge. In addition, if you cancel and your spot is otherwise filled, you will be refunded the full amount you have paid (minus the $150 service charge). However if you cancel and your spot is not filled, the following fee schedule applies:
- 90 days or more: full refund minus $150 fee
- 60 days or more: 50% refund
- Less than 60 days: no refund