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.Â
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
I recently had the privilege of embarking on a photography workshop in Kenya led by Colby Brown, and I can confidently say that it was a transformative experience that exceeded all my expectations. #1 on my bucket list!
Kenya's natural beauty is simply awe-inspiring, and Colby curated a workshop itinerary that showcased Kenya’s vast amount of wildlife . Colby's knowledge of the area was evident as he led(...)
us to the best vantage points and patiently waited for the perfect moments to capture the magic of Kenya's wildlife and landscapes.We had the chance to interact with local communities, learn about their traditions, and capture their daily lives through our lenses. It added depth and authenticity to our photography, allowing us to tell meaningful stories through our images. Upon returning home, I found myself in possession of a trove of unforgettable images that will endure a lifetime. Each time I reflect on my adventures with Colby, I uncover hidden treasures in my photographic collection. If you're an impassioned photography enthusiast, eager to explore the world through your lens, I wholeheartedly endorse joining one of Colby Brown's workshops – it's an investment in both your photography skills and your very soul.
PS: Food and lodging were excellent on the “Great Migration Workshop “
As someone who was foreign to landscape photography but adept with other styles of shooting, it was such an enlightening experience to learn something brand-new on-location, with any questions I had answered immediately and, in my opinion, in a superior way that I would have found online. There's the aspect of being in such grand and beautiful places that give learning a whole new layer of(...)
excitement.Pedro, our guide, made sure we would arrive to location earlier than any other people we were met with, granting us the best view of the landscape we were going after. The planning of the days seemed a little unreal-- to think that we had the time to not only visit all the places we did (which was a lot!), but to feel satisfied with the time spent there, and not feeling rushed at all. Pedro was also always on-top of the aurora light forecast, checking frequently, and getting us to those beautiful landscapes or water bays, for a perfect composition when the auroras arrived in the sky.
I've had so much fun going through my photographs so far, and am totally satisfied with what I've learned, my results, and the experience as a whole. It has created a new appreciation for landscape photography and I can now document and capture my travels at an immensely higher level. I highly recommend a Colby Brown workshop!
There we were, in one of the most remote southernly parts of the American continent, waiting for the light… and it finally came.
I must say that this photo workshop was very well managed by Colby and his partner in crime Michael. We were at the right spot at the right time to benefit from the best creative environment possible. Colby’s scouting, experience and knowledge made it worth the entire investment.
We(...)
got to stay on this beautiful island, with one of most spectacular view points of Torres Del Paine which was perfect for early morning shooting. I will always remember the night hike. The starry sky was just so ominously fascinating and gave rise to the morning light on Mont Fitz Roy, which captivated, inspired and lead to amazing shots, a journey in itself.Now about Colby… After years of practicing photography and doing some small workshops, I decided that I had to get THE experience of a lifetime. This was my first experience on a photo workshop with Colby Brown Photography. I had seen him in webinars, watched some of his blogs and I really appreciated the way he teaches. I was not disappointed, Colby is exactly the same in person, nothing to hide, all to give. Plus, I gained a wealth of information from all the highly experienced participants.
I would definitely go back to Colby Brown Photography Workshop for another epic journey.
Other Workshops Worth Checking Out!
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Iceland Winter Photo Workshop – Ice Caves & Auroras
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Norway Photo Workshop – Lofoten Islands
Join us this February as we explore this impressive series of Islands located above the Arctic Circle. While we will work hard to get you in the right spot for both sunrise and sunset, with over half the day steeped in darkness, we will make sure to chase any and all Aurora activity that presents itself throughout our time in the Lofoten Islands.
Patagonia Photography Workshop Adventure
Patagonia is one of the most wild, beautiful & dramatic mountain ranges on the planet. We split our time between the incredible Torres del Paine National Park in Southern Chile and Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina, home to both Cerro Torre and Mt. Fitz Roy.
Iceland Summer Photography Workshop
Visiting Iceland in the Summer is one of the best times to explore this amazing country. Not only are lupines in bloom and waterfalls at peak flow, but the midnight sun provides endless hours of soft beautiful light as sunset and sunrise converge, often providing up to 6 hrs of golden light each evening!
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