A PRIVATE, TRANQUIL AND AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE
Join Rhulani Safaris on our 5 Night Private Manyeleti Photo Safari. On this tranquil yet wild experience, 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, where our Private Manyeleti Photo Safari takes place, is 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.
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
Rates are dependant on the amount of people per booking and requirements such as transfers.
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)
THIS PACKAGE OFFERS THE FOLLOWING
Rhulani Safaris offer some of the best Kruger photo safari tours and our big cat safaris offer the experience of a lifetime. From accommodation to photographic workshops, here’s everything included and excluded in our Kruger cat photography workshop.
INCLUDED
- 5 Nights Accommodation at Buffelshoek Tented Camp, Manyeleti Game Reserve
- 10 Game Drives (5 Morning/ 5 Evening)
- Private Vehicle
- Private Photographic Guide
- Private Nature Guide
- Meals
- House Drinks (Juice, Water, Coffee’s and Tea’s)
- Art of Wildlife Photography Workshops (Daily)
- Basics of Wildlife Photography Workshops (Daily Private Sessions for Novice Photographers)
EXCLUDED
- Flights
- Transfers (can be organised prior to safari)
- Staff Gratuities
- Alcoholic Beverages (must be organized prior to safari)
PRIVATE PHOTO SAFARI ITINERARY
Each day of your Big Cats photo safari has been designed to offer you the best experience. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to take some magnificent pictures of African cats and other wildlife that you can show off to friends and family.
DAY 1
- 13:30 Arrive at Buffelshoek Tented Camp
- 14:00 Lunch and Safari Briefing
- 16:00 Afternoon/ Evening Game Drive
- 20:00 Dinner
DAY 2 – 5
- 05:30 Wakeup call and morning coffee
- 06:00 Morning Game Drive
- 09:00 Breakfast
- 11:00 Art of Wildlife Photography Workshop
- 13:00 Basics of Photography Workshop (Private Sessions)
- 14:00 Lunch
- 16:00 Afternoon/ Evening Game Drive
- 20:00 Dinner
DAY 6
- 05:30 Wakeup call and morning coffee
- 06:00 Morning Game Drive
- 09:00 Breakfast
- 10:00 Departure
Times may vary slightly depending on season*
Workshops are not scheduled safaris and can be booked to your convenience. Price quoted below is based on 2 people, please ask us about Group or Family Bookings as well as Private Safaris should you like a private vehicle.
Please Contact Us for Private Booking Quotation