BIG CATS OF KRUGER PHOTO WORKSHOP

Join Rhulani Safaris on our 5 Night African Big Cats of Kruger photographic workshop. On this big cat safari, you’ll come nose-to-nose with some incredible animals. Under the guidance of Armand Grobler, you’ll learn the art of wild cat photography and return home with a stunning collection of photos.

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP

The Manyeleti Game Reserve, known as ‘Africa’s best kept secret,’ lies in the midst of some of South Africa’s most prominent and renowned game reserves – the Sabi Sands, Timbavati and Kruger National Park.

Being unfenced with these reserves, the Manyeleti also boasts a great deal of wildlife, including the iconic ‘Big Five,’ with a particularly high density of lions. This makes it the perfect place to see and photograph some South African big cats.

Sightings of the rare African wild dog and cheetah are also more frequent than the neighboring reserves, and the ever changing vegetation keeps all naturalists intrigued.

Named ‘Place of the Stars,’ by the local Shangaan people, it is this very reason that it captives those privileged enough to experience it. The solitude is almost deafening. And the feel of ‘old Africa,’ almost overpowering as you drive through pristine – almost untouched – wilderness. Manyeleti is truly a magical place kept hidden from the eyes of the world.

MANYELETI GAME RESERVE

Buffelshoek Tented Camp, where we host our Big Cats of Kruger Photographic Workshops, is an en-suit, semi-luxury, permanent tented camp located in the southern parts of the reserve close to the Kruger Park and Sabi Sand borders.

There are few places that rival the scenery around Buffelshoek, and during the dry months you can expect to see regular visitors to the local water hole including elephants, zebras, giraffes, and lions.

The camp is unfenced, providing guests with a truly wild experience and you will be escorted to your room by your guide.

The most memorable of experiences is when a lion was chased up a tree in camp, joining us for a romantic dinner under the open skies!

The camp is solar-powered, and guests are able to charge cameras, laptops, phones and other appliances at the main lodge (there are no power points in the rooms).

The Big Cat game drives are completed in an open-top safari vehicle, perfect for big cats photography and guests can enjoy a breathtaking view across the African plains from the top veranda.

DATES

Workshops are not scheduled safaris and can be booked at your convenience. Price quoted below is based on 2 people for 5 nights/ 6 days, please contact us about Group or Family Bookings as well as Private Safaris should you like a private vehicle.

Should you only have an opportunity to join us for 2 or 3 nights, we can tailor the safari to suit your travel arrangements and budget, please just ask us for availability.

RATES

ZAR 28 450 per person

(PRIVATE VEHICLE IS ZAR 3500 EXTRA PER DAY)

SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS – WHAT TO EXPECT? 

Our Big 5 Kruger photo tours are based on finding African big cats, with a particular focus on the leopard, of which we enjoy regular sightings of. For more information on what a photo safari entails, check out our blog post.

However, other animals in Sabi Sands that you can expect to see on your safari include the following:

• Lion
• Leopard
• Elephant
• Rhino
• Buffalo
• Hippo
• Crocodile
• Giraffe
• Zebra
• Spotted Hyena
• Birds (owls, raptors and lbj’s)
• Occasionally sightings of African Wild Dogs, Civets, Genets, African Wild Cat, Cheetah, Honey Badger

WHAT EQUIPMENT TO BRING

I always say, ‘Bring what you can,’ because you never know what situation you may find yourself in and must therefore be as ready as possible.

However, this isn’t always possible and therefore I have written from my experience what the best set of equipment includes.

It is important to remember that the vehicle is open (doesn’t have a roof) and therefore I would always suggest a camera and lens cover for possible rain or bad weather (THINK TANK products are fantastic for this!).

We also get in close proximity to the wildlife during our photo safaris, particularly the cats who have become habituated to the vehicles. And with the off-roading ability, we can maneuver the vehicle according to the situation.

For this photo safari, I would suggest the following:

• DSLR/ Mirrorless Cameras – film photography is not recommended.
• Lenses
  • 70-200mm f/2.8 (my go-to lens)
  • 100-400mm (most frequent lenses on safari)
  • 400mm f/2.8 (optimum for close-ups)
  • 150-600 f/5.6-6.4 (also provides a great range without having to switch lenses)
• Flash Speedlights (with flash bracket)
• Magmod Flash Magnifier
• Bean bags (can be organized prior to safari)