2025 – Dry Season, South Africa, Botswana & Zimbabwe | Wildlife Safari Workshop
Two incredible camps that include low angle photography, silhouette photography, hide photography and exclusive game drives in private conservancies
Dates: October 6 – 18, 2025 (12 nights/13 days)
Tour size: Cindy plus 5
Locations: South Africa, Botswana & Zimbabwe
Cost: $21,256.00 per person – Double Occupancy.
First Deposit: $5,854.00 via wire/bank transfer. CC deposits will incur a 2% surcharge.
Second Deposit: $1,960.00 per person Due May 1, 2024
Full Balance Due: August 6, 2025
SOLD OUT
Join Cindy and embark on an extraordinary 12-night/13-day safari to photograph the incredible diversity of animals in two distinct wildlife reserves in Southern Africa during the dry season. This safari promises unparalleled photographic opportunities, with the chance to get up close and personal with an abundance of wildlife, a colorful array of diverse bird species, along with the opportunity to capture the vast and breathtaking landscapes of the region. You will return home with a stunning collection of intimate wildlife portraits, breathtaking action shots, and innovative compositions that showcase the wild animals and birds that call Africa their home.
The itinerary has been crafted especially for photographers but will no doubt thrill non-photographic companions as well. We have chartered light aircraft and paid for extra seats to allow each person 77lbs total luggage/gear allowance (as opposed to the standard 32lbs) At each camp we will have private use of two safari vehicles for just the 6 of us, which means plenty of room for gear and complete freedom and spontaneity to do and see more. It also means that each person will have unobstructed views and a bench seat to themself.
We will spend 5 nights at my favorite camp, Mashatu Lodge, Botswana, located in the Northern Tuli Game Reserve of Botswana. Mashatu Lodge is renowned for its incredible biodiversity, boasting over 50 species of mammals and reptiles, as well as more than 350 bird species. It is often referred to as the "land of the giants" due to its remarkable herds of elephants and array of wildlife, making it a paradise for wildlife photographers. The lodge is particularly famous for its resident leopards, lions, cheetahs, and charming bat-eared foxes. In addition to these iconic predators, you'll have the opportunity to photograph the majestic Mashatu and Baobab trees that grace the landscape. One of the unique attractions at Mashatu Lodge is the exceptional underground hide, which provides a rare and intimate perspective of the wildlife. This hide features long windows at eye level with the water, allowing you to photograph the extraordinary interactions that occur at the water hole during the dry season when water elsewhere is scarce. Birds and animals must journey to the waterhole to drink, offering incredible photographic opportunities. We will have exclusive use of the Matebole Elephant Hide for three morning sessions and one evening session. Here, we will have a front row seat to observe and photograph the fascinating behavior of elephants as they parade, swim, splash, and engage in exuberant mudslinging, often just meters away. The hide offers a remarkable and safe vantage point to photograph many diverse species, both large and small as they arrive at the waterhole, providing photographers with endless inspiration.
Our journey continues to Zimbabwe, where we will spend five memorable nights at Somalisa Camp. Nestled within its own private concession in the legendary Hwange National Park, this camp is renowned for its remarkable wildlife encounters.
Hwange National Park is famous for its vast population of elephants, and at Somalisa Camp, you can witness these majestic creatures as they gather just meters away at the camp's watering hole and they have even taken over one of the camps swimming pools.
But the wonders of Somalisa Camp don't stop there. The camp also offers photographers the chance to capture a diverse range of wildlife, including kudu, sable antelope, zebra, wildebeest, gemsbok, the endangered and rare roan antelope, buffalo, giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, and many other iconic species. In addition, be prepared to be captivated by the colorful and melodious avian residents of the Hwange National Park. The camp's surroundings are teeming with life, and the possibilities for wildlife photography are endless.
Cindy is partnering with Mary Keet of Go2Africa for this safari. She will handle your deposit and final payment. Mary will provide us with 24/7 safari support starting now and throughout our journey. She can also assist with flight reservations and extensions.
Tour Price Includes: 12 nights lodging as specified. All meals, drinks (alcoholic and nonalcoholic, excluding premium brands) limited laundry and private game activities. Fantastic breakfast two mornings at The Residence Boutique Hotel. VIP Meet and Greet plus private transfer from OR Tambo to The Residence Boutique Hotel, Johannesburg. Private transfer from The Residence Boutique Hotel to OR Tambo Airport to board our charter flight to Limpopo airstrip and transfer to Mashatu Lodge. Private charter flight from Mashatu Camp to Somalisa Camp. Private charter flight from Somalisa Camp to OR Tambo International Airport. Meet & Greet at OR Tambo International Airport to escort us to our departing flights.
Tour Price Does NOT Include: Flights to/from your home to OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg). Lodging/meals before or after the workshop. Dinner and lunch at The Residence Boutique Hotel. Visas, passports, travel insurance, personal purchases, immunizations, medications, etc. Gratuities for drivers, guides and camp staff. We estimate gratuities will total about $500.00 from each of us for the entire trip.
Please advise Cindy of your intentions, Cindy will then work with Mary who will be following up with ETF information so you may confirm your space with the deposit and to provide you with additional pre-tour information.
You must purchase trip insurance within 14 days of making your first deposit. This is a helpful site for comparing Travel Insurance plans.
DETAILS:
Monday October 6, 2025
Plan to arrive in OR Tambo Airport (Johannesburg) this afternoon or evening. Meet & Greet & Assist and private transfer to The Residence Boutique Hotel. Luxury rooms, includes breakfast. Relax and unwind.
Tuesday October 7, 2025
Enjoy a fantastic breakfast at the hotel and then stroll the gardens, relax by the pool, have a massage, whatever you like as you recover from jetlag, meet your travel companions and prepare for safari life.
2:00 pm meet in the hotel board room for orientation, equipment check, and photographic lecture.
6:00 pm Dinner together at The Residence.
Wednesday October 8, 2025 AM Private Transfer from The Residence hotel to OR Tambo Airport to board our charter flight to to Mashatu Lodge, Botswana. Spend 5 nights in Luxury Suites with 2 private safari vehicles. Four Matebole Elephant Hide sessions are included.
Monday October 13, 2025 AM private charter flight from Mashatu to Somalisa Camp. Spend 5 nights in deluxe tented rooms, with 2 private safari vehicles.
Saturday October 18, 2025 AM private charter flight from Somalisa Camp to OR Tambo Airport. Meet & Greet at OR Tambo International Airport to escort us to our departing flights. Workshop ends.
To reserve your spot please email Cindy.
NOTE: For those of you who may be concerned that Cindy will have you working from sunup to sundown, this is for you. A typical day on safari goes like this: You will be awakened about an hour before sunrise and shortly thereafter escorted to the main lodge for a light breakfast. Just before dawn we will load into our safari vehicles for our first game drive of the day. We will generally have a spot of tea and a snack while in the savannah, and depending on the wildlife activity, we will return to the lodge late mid-morning for a delicious brunch. We will then have until 3:30 or so to download, swim, read, take a siesta, or work on photos with Cindy. High Tea happens next with all kinds of nibbles and beverage choices. Then off for our second game drive that will last until the sunset, which can include a “sundowner” (yes, more drinks and nibbles) as we relax in the wild and watch the magic as the African sun disappears. However, we often skip the sundowner and instead photograph during the golden hour including giraffe silhouettes against the colorful sunset. Upon our return to camp a delicious dinner awaits as we recap the day’s events. There is a rhythm to safaris that you will embrace as we roam and engage with the incredible landscape and its inhabitants.
