2027 Itinerary
Our South Africa Photo Expedition begins on arrival in Johannesburg, where you are met and transferred to our hotel. At our welcome dinner this evening, our Expedition Leader shares a preview of the many wildlife adventures and exciting photography opportunities that lie ahead on this exclusive safari itinerary.
Transfer to the Johannesburg airport for our flight to Thabazimbi, then continue by road to Marataba Private Reserve. Lying within Marakele National Park, this 57,000-acre mosaic of plains, mountains and valleys is home to predators, primates, antelope, small carnivores and more than 400 bird species. Marataba is a less-discovered treasure, and while it doesn't have the name cachet of Kruger or Sabi Sand, it delivers one of the most scenic and impressive photo safari experiences in South Africa. Black and white rhinos are a special focus here, and we seek them out in the company of our Expedition Leader and local guides adept at tracking them. Lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo round out the Big Five, with other abundant species on display, too, including greater kudu, eland, impala, giraffe, zebra, waterbuck, wildebeest, spotted hyena, bat-eared fox, jackal, chacma baboon and vervet monkey. Avian highlights include yellow-billed hornbill, African Scops owl, fiery-necked night jar and lilac-breasted roller. After dusk, we go in search of nocturnal animals to photograph. The camp's boat is also available for water safaris on the Matlabas River, where elephants snorkel and waterbirds abound.
In the evening, tuck into the comforts of Marataba Safari Lodge, which enjoys an unparalleled setting. Beautifully appointed stone and canvas tented suites are raised on stilts to survey the vast expanse of bushveld beyond. Views over the plains are spectacular, offering panoramic photos of the Waterberg escarpment merging into acacia savanna. Each luxury tent has a private shaded viewing deck, lending a sense of being one with the wild environment beyond.
Take a chartered flight this morning from Thabazimbi to Phinda Private Game Reserve. one of South Africa’s most ecologically diverse safari destinations. Spanning more than 70,000 acres, Phinda encompasses seven distinct habitats, from open grasslands and woodland to rare sand forest and wetland systems, creating a rich environment for a wide variety of wildlife and birdlife. This great variety of habitats offers outstanding photo opportunities, particularly for wildlife species less commonly seen elsewhere on the itinerary. Phinda is known for the Big Five, plus frequent sightings of cheetah sprinting over the open savanna—ideal conditions for capturing high-speed action and unobstructed scenes. The reserve also offers good chances to see rarer species such as pangolin, along with nyala and black rhino browsing dense tamboti thickets.
Our base, the award-winning Phinda Mountain Lodge, sits atop a hill with sweeping views across the surrounding bushveld. Daily game drives with our Expedition Leader plus expert local guides and trackers focus on maximizing photographic conditions, with time and flexibility to position for the best light and compositions.
Days 7–10: Sabi Sand—MalaMala Private Game Reserve Depart this morning on a scheduled flight to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, then transfer to MalaMala Game Reserve, one of the oldest, largest and most highly regarded private wildlife sanctuaries in South Africa. Covering 33,000 acres and sharing a 12-mile unfenced border with world-renowned Kruger National Park, MalaMala lies in the heart of the legendary Sabi Sand region, the country's premier safari destination. Historic MalaMala was one of the first reserves to transition from hunting to wildlife-viewing safaris. Today it is renowned as one of the best places to photograph the Big Five in Africa. These famous five—lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and Cape buffalo—were once favorite hunting targets, and while many were hunted nearly to extinction, reserves like this one have made inspiring strides in bringing them back.
Enjoy the exclusivity of MalaMala Main Camp, situated along the Sand River where wildlife regularly wanders in to drink, providing great opportunities for close-up photos. MalaMala is famous for its leopard viewing, and nighttime photography drives are a highlight here, with an array of nocturnal species on view, including predators on the hunt. With the luxury of four days at MalaMala, we have ample opportunity to check a host of species off our viewing list. As the largest private game reserve in South Africa, safari tourism from MalaMala directly supports many individuals in neighboring communities, and it is gratifying to know that our presence contributes directly to conservation as a result.
After breakfast, our safari concludes with a transfer to nearby Skukuza Airport. Capture aerial images on the flight back to Johannesburg to connect with onward flights or extensions.
