2025 South Africa & Botswana Photography Safari | Wildlife Photography Workshop
Dates: January 3 – January 19, 2025 (16 nights/17 days)
Tour size: Cindy plus 7 - SOLD OUT
Locations: South Africa and Botswana
Cost: $22,860 per person - Double Occupancy.
Deposit: $6,706 via wire/bank transfer. CC deposits will incur a 2% surcharge.
Balance Due: November 4, 2024
(Credit Cards will incur a 2% surcharge)
Target species includes the Big 5, the Magnificent 7, all the sexy cats, lots of babies, migrating birds, bat-eared foxes, brown hyena, zebra migration and the famous Kalahari Desert meerkats.
EMAIL CINDY FOR WISH LIST & ADVANCED PRIORTY
Join Cindy and experience three fantastic and diverse wildlife reserves in Southern Africa. This epic 16-night/17-day adventure offers unparalleled photographic opportunities: incredibly close and ample wildlife, vast landscapes and migrating birds of all feathers. Be inspired, motivated, and challenged to improve all aspects of your photographic skills. Learn how to determine and control every technical, artistic, and physical element of your photograph. You are guaranteed to return home with intimate portraits and incredible action shots of the wild animals who call Africa 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 eight of us. This means 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 3 nights at Londolozi Varty Camp in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Kruger, South Africa, which is renowned for Big 5 opportunities along with wild dog, cheetah and birding opportunities. All suites have an outdoor living room and a private plunge pool and the main deck has a glorious view of the Sand River.
We will spend 8 nights at Mashatu Lodge, Botswana. My favorite camp, located in a remote and unique location, Mashatu can be ablaze in yellow Devil’s Thorn flowers in January. Known as the land of the giants, this exceptionally diverse landscape provides intimate wildlife opportunities and stunning backdrops. Also famous for leopards, lions and cheetahs along with the unforgettable Mashatu and Baobab trees.
We will spend 3 nights in the Kalahari Desert at Camp Kalahari bordering the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. Unique photographic opportunities in January include zebra migration, meerkats, brown hyena, foxes and excellent birding.
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: 16 nights lodging as specified. All meals, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic, excluding premium brands) limited laundry and private game activities at Londolozi Varty, Mashatu, and KalahariCamps. 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 Londolozi Varty Camp. Private charter flight to Limpopo airstrip and transfer to Mashatu Lodge. Private charter flight from Mashatu to Camp Kalahari. Private charter flight from Camp Kalahari 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 $600.00 from each of us for the entire trip.
Mary will be following up this email 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 deposit. This is a helpful site for comparing Travel Insurance plans.
DETAILS:
Friday January 3, 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.
Saturday January 4, 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.
7:00 pm Dinner together at The Residence.
Sunday January 5, 2025
AM Transfer from The Residence hotel to OR Tambo Airport to board our charter flight to Londolozi Varty Camp where we will spend 3 nights with 2 private safari vehicles each day.
Wednesday January 8, 2025
AM private charter flight from Londolozi Varty Camp to Mashatu Lodge, Botswana.
Spend 8 nights in Luxury Suites with 2 private safari vehicles.
Thursday January 16, 2025
AM private charter flight from Mashatu to Camp Kalahari.
Spend 3 nights in tented rooms, with 2 private safari vehicles
Sunday January 19, 2025
AM private charter flight from Camp Kalahari to OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg). Meet & Greet at OR Tambo International Airport to escort us to our departing flights. Workshop ends.
This workshop is currently SOLD OUT, please email Cindy to be placed on the waitlist.
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.
