BONA NTABA PHOTOGRAPHIC TOUR 10 DAYS
Itenary
South Africa Photo Safari And Digital Photography Workshop
 |
 |
Join us for 10 days of wildlife encounters and photography. Professional wildlife photographer Gregory Sweeney is your guide while on safari to private reserves in the Limpopo area of South Africa and Kruger National Park. Each day you have two wildlife activities that will get you up close to the animals including all of the Big 5. Every activity is about getting the best photo opportunities possible. Every reserve and activity is a short drive away so all of our afternoons and down time can be spent informally discussing digital workflow, animal behavior and how to use it in photography, and creative Photoshop techniques to enhance your photos.
Most days will have some time at the lodge when photographers can get together for sessions in which we can share and critique photos. There are plenty of opportunities to learn when your host discusses topics such as white balance, post processing photos, digital workflow in the field and at home, sharpening, preping for printing, and Photoshop artistic and rescue techniques. All levels of knowledge are welcome and the discussions will change to fit the audience.
Welcome to your South African Wildlife Adventure : Thrilling Animal Encounters Daily
Your guides will arrange the daily activities according to weather, previous animal sightings, or other factors. This itinerary is representative of what your days will be like,but exact order and activities may vary.
We keep you busy and fill the best game viewing times of the day - morning and evening, with excellent wildlife encounters and photographic opportunities.Most days will have an early start with a game viewing activity including a break for morning tea, afterwards, returning for a full breakfast. The mid morning to mid afternnon is your free time to work on your images, relax, or enjoy the lodge. After a light, late lunch we depart for another game drive or activity. Dinner is served at 7pm each evening and served under the stars in our authentic boma.On the day we visit Kruger National Park we will leave early and stay in the park all day until they close at sunset. It takes around 30 minutes to drive to the park entrance. On the day we visit the nearby canyon and wildlife rehabilitation centre we will have an earlier breakfast and depart afterwards.Some of the game drives will have a focus such as finding rhinoceros. We make the best attempt to present photographic opportunies according to the interests of each guest.
Day 1: Your South African Adventure Beings
All guests meet up at the Johannesburg airport where you will be greeted and everyone will board the minibus for transfer to the game lodge in Limpopo Province.You will travel northeast to arrive at the tree house game lodge. Now is the time to unwind and unpack the photo gear. Depending on arrival time, you will be served an afternoon tea (a light meal) and given an orientation by the lodge staff and your guides. If possible, you will have your first afternoon game drive on the lodge’s reserve followed by dinner.
Day 2 : The African animals are ready to impress
We rise early then depart on a morning game drive on a private reserve capturing the “golden hour” light . We may see predators finishing their night of hunting and catch the daytime animals as they start their day. A scenic spot or observation blind will be our spot for a morning tea and coffee break. We return to a full English breakfast. Following the meal you will have the mid day to relax.
We meet up again at afternoon tea for a light meal then depart for an afternoon game drive on a nearby private reserve. Our animal encounters keep us busy until sunset when we pull over to enjoy a cocktail or refreshment while watching the sky change color and listen to the lions roar at the start of their evening of hunting. It is getting dark now and we return to the lodge slowly using a spotlight to carefully watch for leopards, lions, and other nocturnal creatures that may be just emerging.
Day 3 : Kruger; Amazing and Beautiful
We need an early start today because we are heading out to Kruger National Park and arrive just as the gates open at sunrise. Many exciting encounters await us today. Our experienced drivers work with your guides to choose the most promising areas of the park given the weather and movement of the animals in the previous days. We will spend the whole day in the park and not return until the park closes at dusk. In the park are concession stands where you can purchase gifts and food items to supplement our packed lunch. Day 4 : Relaxation, Conservation Awareness, and Close Encounters
Today we leave the lodge in the morning to take a relaxing a cruise of the Blyde Canyon. The carved red rock formations are impressive but no less impressive are the hippopotamus and Nile crocodiles that coexist in this waterway.
In the afternoon we visit the Moholoholo Wildlife rehabilitation center. They have many birds of prey to observe up close as well as big cats and other animal ambassadors. The staff and the centre educate the visitors as to their role in wildlife conservation and on the current issues effecting the animals of this region. Before dinner we have time to gather for photo critiques or to discuss digital photography topics such as white balance management, post processing, or backups.
Day 5 : The Bush From an Elephant’s Prospective
This morning we travel to a nearby reserve to experience a safari on the back of an elephant. The elephants are a herd of rescued and orphaned elephants and their handlers will introduce you to each one and their story. Guests can touch and feel this incredible animal then mount their ride on a comfortable saddle and enjoy a relaxing and unique bushveld experience. You will have a unique chance to photograph plains game who are completely relaxed in the presence of the elephants. The afternoon will be open for guests to relax. The time can be used to learn and exchange photography techniques. Today may be a good day to prepare for some sunset and starscape photography from the lodge. Our evening will again be occupied by an evening game drive with a return after dark for our evening meal.
Day 6: Tracking the Big 5
This afternoon we take an exciting game drive into one of the most famous private big 5 game reserves. The guides in our vehicle really know their animals and can find lions, elephants, and rhinos very quickly. You will not believe how close they can get - you may want to bring a shorter lens in addition to your long lens. We stay until after dark and often catch smaller preditors such as caracals and shervals on the way back. What a thrill to turn out the lights and listen to the rhinos munching under the Southern Hemisphere starscape.
Day 7 :Awaken to Big 5
This morning will be our second chance to experience the reserve with all of the Big 5, this time in the morning. Expert guides are out early before the guests arrive reading the tracks from the night before and they often find the predator still snacking on its kill. This afternoon is another opportunity for catching up on your photos and learning some new techniques from your guides. We will also use this time to schedule an activity such as a game walk or canopy tour.
Day 8 : Kruger, Never the Same Twice
Today is our second outing to Kruger National Park. Never the same experience twice, we will explore a different area. A hot day may lead us down to the grass filled riverbeds where elephants wade, or a cooler day may be excellent for finding large herds in the open grass plains.
Day 9 : Focus on Conservation
Not far from our reserve is a family owned lodge on a big 5 reserve where they have been running succesful lion, caracal, and cheetah breeding programs for decades. Animal embassadors often visit while guests relax and enjoy the their wonderful European style cuisine. We will participate in their game drives and learn about their programmes while getting some great shots of big cats and other big 5.
Day 10 : All Good Things Must End Africa Wild Safaris Payment Schedule and Cancellation Policy
But not before a huge breakfast and some final photos. Your transportation will get you back to Johannesburg in plenty of time to catch your evening flight back.
The Tree House Game Lodge: A Base for Adventure and a Bed in the Trees
Our guests will stay at our small, exclusive, tree house style game lodge. The lodge offers personal service and is in the perfect spot: surrounded by a private game reserve as well as many other private reserves and only 20 minutes from the Orpen Gate of Kruger National Park. The lodge has been designed for our photographer guests. We may also stay a few nights at another game lodge.
Immediately upon arrival you know you are in an exciting and exotic destination right out the adventure books. The lodge is comprised of unique thatched, reed , and canvas tree houses built among the trees. Picture them as permanent cabins up on platforms with ramps leading up to them. The African naturalistic design using found items and native materials blends with the environment and will put you in the mood for safari and give you a comfortable place to rest after our explorations. The views and sunsets from the tree houses and lodge are spectacular. A path will take you the short walk to the main lodge and dining area.
At the end of the day, wander over and enjoy a delicious South African meal under the stars in the enclosed boma. After, relax in the reading lounge where guests can compare images from the day. During the day you can observe animals walking around the lodge from your private balcony or the sundeck off the lounge.
Each tree house features:
A guest room with linens, pillows, storage shelves En suite bathrooms with hot and cold running water, toilets, showers, tubs, bath towels Balconies with chairs Ramps instead of steps which also serve as a scenic walkway with views of the mountians.
In the tree house, each guestroom features:
Power points (remember to bring an adapter or two) kettles with coffee / tea Mosquito nets over the beds Personal safe
This is the proper adapter. Please note that the prongs are round and not flattened. I have found these for sale at an electronics store in the IAD and JFK airport.
The lodge has safe drinking water but bottled water is available on request at an extra cost.
Payment Schedule:
Deposit due at booking (25%) 75% of total trip cost 90 days before travel Balance due 4 weeks before travel
Credit card payments will be subject to a 5% processing fee
Late payments will be interpreted as a cancellation
The lodges and other providers we work with have strict cancellation policies and advanced reservations are a must, therefore after a certain period of time we are unable to refund deposits and payments in full.
Our Policy
25% cancellation fee is retained from payments and deposits if cancelled between 90 and 45 days before travel
33 % cancellation fee is retained if cancelled less than 44 days before travel
50% cancellation fee is retained if cancelled 10 days prior to travel
No money is refunded if cancellation is less than 9 days prior to travel
* Travelers are advised to look into travel insurance policies that will refund trip costs should you need to cancel