SENSATIONAL SOUTH AFRICA BIRD AND WILDLIFE PHOTO SAFARI

Flying, soaring and swooping over mainland Africa are approximately 2,250 bird species of which around
1500 are found nowhere else on earth.

South Africa is home to many of these Africa-only species and boasts the most regionally endemic bird list of any
African country (69 near or full endemics). Though these numbers may seem low compared to the neo-tropics
it is the ease at which these birds can be seen and photographed that sets Africa apart. 

Furthermore South Africa is an incredible country to travel as it offers world-class infrastructure, exceptional wildlife viewing and breath-taking scenery. Add to this the rich botanical heritage, fine food, friendly people, fascinating history and it’s easy to understand why South Africa is a top travel destination.

For this Spectacular South Africa Photo Safari we’ll visit of three of Africa’s most productive wildlife regions

The World Famous Kruger National Park
The Birding Hotspot of Zululand & The Dramatically Beautiful Cape Peninsula  

TRIP OF A LIFETIME

This really is a trip of a lifetime with a minimum of 12 mind blowing safari experiences including safari drives, safari walks
and 3 days at Africa’s only photographic reserve set up exclusively for wildlife photographers

WHAT TO EXPECT

Expect to photograph incredible birds and wildlife with you own window seat and space for all your camera gear
Expect small groups to maximize your photographic opportunity 
Expect a unique safari walk where you can photograph zebras, giraffes and birds without worrying about dangerous animals
Expect to photograph at least 150 different bird species and possibly as many as 300
Expect to visit Kirstenbosch Gardens one of the world’s most beautiful botanical gardens
Expect a marine trip in one of the most ocean rich environments on the planet
Expect to visit the dramatically beautiful Cape Point and famed Cape Point 
Expect to photograph African Penguins and lots of them

Expect to capture thousands upon thousands of photos
Expect this to be one of the best photographic experiences of your life!  

BEST  TIME TO VISIT

As each season offers something unique to photograph this tour is available year round, please visit these pages for more detail.
Best time to Visit: https://www.photographytours.co.za/information/best-time-to-visit/
Rain Season Advantage: https://www.photographytours.co.za/information/advantages-rain-season/

SUMMER BIRDING 

For birders visiting Nov – March we highly recommend adding or substituting days for the mountain and grassland regions of
South Africa as these open habitats offer sensational summer bird photography, whereas the safari regions are very hot,
humid and the bush is denser, making it harder to photograph birds

If you wish to photograph long tailed widow birds in breeding plumage (as seen in the top image)
you can only do so in summer Nov – March.  

PHOTO TOUR DETAILED ITINERARY

JOHANNESBURG (1 Night)
Just 30mins from Johannesburg Airport lies Rietvlei Nature Reserve, one of the world’s largest urban nature reserves (4000hectares/10 000 acres). It is home to cheetah, rhino, buffalo and an abundance of antelope, including species only found in the Highveld like Black Wildebeest and Blesbok. For birders this relatively small reserve has spectacular birding because of its diverse habitats with over 300 species recorded and the open grasslands create fantastic photographic opportunity.

It is recommended to overnight flight into Johannesburg, where we collect you for early check-in. There will be time to relax before lunch before departing for Rietvlei Nature Reserve. Your safari experience begins with a short safari photography workshop, followed by a drive around this beautiful reserve, practicing techniques learnt and photographing on until sunset.    

Accommodation: Comfortable Johannesburg Guest House  (includes Lunch and Dinner)

 
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK (3 Nights)
Approximately 5 hours drive from Johannesburg is the Kruger Park. It is justly considered one of Africa’s top wildlife destinations due to its abundant wildlife – 147 mammal species and 500+ bird species. Birds like Hornbills, Starlings, Rollers, Bee-eaters and Shrikes are common and in the camps and picnic sites many species have become quite tame allowing for close up photography.

We will be staying 3 nights in Marloth Park which shares over 12 Km’s (8 miles) of the Crocodile River boundary with the Kruger. Marloth is a very special birding destination because it is fenced which keeps dangerous animals out and creates the rare opportunity to be in the Kruger region but with the option to walk anywhere to photograph birds as well as giraffe, zebra and other smaller wildlife species on foot. There are many sought after bird species that are easier to photograph in Marloth than anywhere else like Ritz Helmetshrike, Eastern Nicator, Orange Breasted and Gorgeous Bush-shrike, Sterling Barred Warbler, Cut Throat Finches and Yellow-fronted Tinkerbirds.

Though we will be based in Marloth, we’ll be using Safari Vehicles to do excursions into the Kruger Park, focusing on the southern sections which are famed for having some of the best wildlife sightings; in particular big cats and elephants. 

Accommodation: Safari Lodge in Marloth Park (B, L, D)

ZULULAND (3 Nights)

Approximately 6hrs drive south from Marloth is Zululand, South Africa’s biodiverse hotspot. There are an impressive 550+ bird species recorded in this relatively small region, reflecting its incredible richness.

If available we will stay at African’s only reserve set up exclusively for wildlife photographers with 9 dedicated hides (blinds), including reflection ponds, a mobile bird hide and even 2 state of the art overnight hides. The hides are par excellence second to none; they’re spacious and soundproofed with Tripods + Benro GH2 Heads + Arca Swiss plates provided at each seat, you can of course also bring your own support system.

With almost 400 bird species and 80 mammal species recorded within just 8000 hectares (16 000 acres) this is a bird and wildlife mecca! For birders there are many sought after specials like Pink Throated twinspot, Rudds Apalis, Neergaard’s sunbird, Narina Trogan, African Broadbill, Lemon Breasted Canary and more!

As this reserve has limited accommodation and is very popular, it is strongly recommended to book as far in advance as possible, if there is insufficient availability we have 3 alternative Safari Lodges to use, all with same exceptional bird and wildlife viewing. On the forth day, we drive 4hrs south to Durban airport for an included 2 hour domestic flight to Cape Town.

Accommodation: Dedicated Photographic Safari Lodge or similar alternative (B, L, D) 

CAPE TOWN (3 Nights)
Cape Town is one of the most beautifully located cities in the world and offers opportunities to photograph bird in areas of great scenic beauty. The Cape also has beautiful birds that are found nowhere else like the Cape Sugarbird, Cape Rock jumper, Orange breasted Sunbird and Protea Seedeater plus all 3 mousebird species (a family of birds endemic to Africa). And of course, the African Penguin colony at Boulders is sensational as is Kirstenbosch Gardens, renown as one of the most beautiful botanical gardens anywhere.

No birding trip to Cape Town would be complete without a visit to the Cape Point where we’ll look for; Cape Sugar birds, Cape Bulbul, Cape Canaries, Cape Cormorant, Black Oyster-catchers, White backed Mousebirds and the endemic bontebok (antelope).

Where Cape Town really shines for nature photographers is out at sea, with some of the best shark, whale, seal and bird photography anywhere on earth so close to the mainland! A Half Day boat trip can produce thousands of birds. Numbers and diversity of species is seasonal with June – Sept having the highest bird densities but year round there is always something special to photograph. 

Cape Destinations
Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope Reserve. Penguins Boulders Beach. Boat Trip, Milnerton Lagoon, Table Mountain Sunset. Kirstenbosch Gardens. 

The order of the Cape Tour can change depending on weather conditions, especially if large swells cancel the boat trip. If this happens, there are many alternatives such as the Rietvlei and Strandfontein sewage works, Intaka Island and the picturesque coastal route to Rooiels to find the Cape Rockjumper. Cape Town and its surroundings have so much beauty that there is enough to keep photographers busy for weeks!

If tour is (mid-august to mid-sept) it is recommended to add extra day for the West Coast National Park during the wild flower display which attracts an abundance of birds.

Accommodation: Comfortable Guest House, marine tour  (B, L, D)