SABI SANDS
BIG CAT PHOTO SAFARI
Join Rhulani Safaris for the ultimate Sabi Sands Photo Safari in what is considered our best value for money tour! This 5-day night Sabi Sands Big Cat Photo Safari is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you won’t want to miss.
Rhulani Safaris offer some of the best African photo safari tours. Each safari is led by Armand Grobler, a seasoned wildlife photographer with a passion for big cat photography. With his expert guidance, you’ll return home with some of the most mesmerising pictures of big cats in the wild.
5 DAY SABI SANDS BIG CAT PHOTO SAFARI
ABOUT OUR SABI SANDS SAFARI TOURS
Rhulani Safaris’ Sabi Sand photo safari brings you the best combination of luxury yet a wild experience.
The Sabi Sand Game Reserve is arguably South Africa’s most famous safari destination due to its unrivaled density of big cats, particularly the leopard. Located within the Greater Kruger Park boundary, the Sabi Sands is unfenced with the neighboring Kruger National Park and Manyeleti Game Reserve. Here animals are free to move about as they please.
Vegetation is in the form of Savanna bushveld, with a mixture of open spaces, riverbeds, and acacia thickets.
Elephant Plains Game Lodge – where this photographic safari takes place – is one of Africa’s most popular photographic destinations due to the high density of wildlife and beautiful landscapes. This is just one of the reasons that make this the best African photo safari location.
Accommodation is in the form of luxury ‘Rondawels,’ with en-suite air-conditioned rooms, comfortable bedding, and delicious South African cuisine of the highest standard.
Photographic workshops are completed as a group in the conference room, where tea and coffee are served. The lodge is surrounded by an elephant-proof fence. However, wildlife such as leopards, hyenas and wild dogs frequent the lodge, and you will be escorted to your room at night by your guide.
2023 DEPARTURES
June 5 – 9 (Fully Booked)
September 3 – 7 (Fully Booked)
October 23 – 27 (Fully Booked)
2023 RATES
ZAR 23 950 per person sharing
2024 DEPARTURES
May 20 – 24
June 10 – 14
June 17 – 21
August 26 – 30
September 2 – 6
October 21 – 25
2024 RATES
ZAR 24 950 per person sharing
Early-Bird Special Only ZAR 23 450 per person sharing (valid until 31 July 2023)
Should the above dates not fit into your travel arrangements, please ask us for other available dates for 2022 and 2023.
SABI SAND SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS – WHAT TO EXPECT?
Our Sabi Sands photo tours are based on finding the African big cat, 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)
OUR SABI SANDS SAFARI PACKAGES OFFER THE FOLLOWING
Our photo safaris offer the experience of a lifetime. From luxury accommodation to delicious meals, here’s everything included and excluded in our South Africa photo safari packages.
INCLUDED
- 4 Nights’ Accommodation (Luxury Rondawels)
- All Meals
- House Drinks (Including Tea’s and Coffee’s)
- Sundowner Drinks
- Bush Coffee and Sundowner Drinks
- Bushwalk
- Art of Wildlife Photography Workshop and Tutoring
- Photographic Guide (Armand Grobler)
- Game Drives (4 Morning and 4 Afternoon/ Evening)
- WiFi
EXCLUDED
- Getting there (Transfers can be organized at additional cost)
- Staff Gratuities
- Flights
- Alcoholic Beverages (can be purchased on site)
ITINERARY FOR YOUR SABI SAND PHOTO SAFARI
Each day of your Big Cat safari has been specifically tailored to offer you the best experience. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to take some incredible big cat photographs that you can take home with you.
DAY 1
- 13:30 Arrive at Elephant Plains Game Lodge
- 14:00 Lunch and Safari Briefing
- 16:00 Afternoon/ Evening Game Drive
- 20:00 Dinner
DAY 2-4
- 05:30 Wakeup call and morning coffee
- 06:00 Morning Game Drive
- 09:00 Breakfast
- 10:00 Bushwalk (optional)
- 11:00 Art of Wildlife Photography Workshop
- 14:00 Lunch
- 16:00 Afternoon/ Evening Game Drive
- 20:00 Dinner
DAY 5
- 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*
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT A PRIVATE TOUR. FOR A PRIVATE TOUR PLEASE INQUIRE ABOUT OUR CURRENT RATES.
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Awards We Won
Timbavati Big Cat Safari named BEST VALUE ESTABLISHMENT based on consistent and excellent rates offered to our guests.
