Join us on our exclusive photo safari to Tswalu for unparalleled opportunities to photograph some of Africa’s rarest mammals from private vehicles and possibly on foot.
Tswalu Private Game Reserve is truly unique. There are very few destinations that offer such exclusivity and rewarding photographic opportunities. The reserve is renowned as being one of the best locations in Africa for observing and capturing images of some of the continent’s rarest and most elusive mammal species such as aardwolf, meerkat, African wild dog, brown hyena, aardvark and even ground pangolin.
During our 7-night stay at the delightful Tarkuni Lodge situated inside the reserve, we will have our own private vehicles and local guides to help us track the wildlife and find the optimal spots for photographing a variety of species. This will also mean that we have complete flexibility on how much time we spend out in the field for photography in search of the magnificent wildlife and taking advantage of the best light for photos. Whilst the vast majority of our photography will be vehicle-based, on occasion we may also be able to photograph these animals on foot if it improves our sighting and helps us to capture a stunning portfolio of images. The reserve is home to a habituated family of meerkats which should also provide memorable photographic encounters.
Award-winning wildlife photographer Bret Charman will be on hand throughout to provide expert tuition on composition, techniques, image processing and camera settings. He will rotate between vehicles to ensure that everyone can benefit from his advice and guidance. Out in the field there will be various chances to use a wide range of your photography equipment including long telephoto to wide-angle lenses.
In addition to this dedicated photo safari we offer further departures on our South Africa's Rare Mammals in Style tour which are perfect for those who would prefer less emphasis on photography.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart UK
Tonight we depart the UK on an overnight flight to Johannesburg.
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Day 2:
Fly to Tswalu Private Game Reserve
On arrival in Johannesburg, we pass through South African immigration and collect our luggage. We make our way to the private terminal for charter flight over to Tswalu Private Game Reserve. The flight takes approximately an hour and a half. We land on the Tswalu Private Game Reserve by mid-afternoon and are met on arrival. From the airstrip we are transferred by vehicle to our exclusive lodge in the reserve. There is time to settle into our accommodation before dinner in the evening.
Accommodation: Tarkuni Lodge, 7-nights
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Days 3-8
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Explore Tswalu Private Game Reserve
For the next six days, we explore the enchanting Tswalu Reserve on a series of privately guided excursions with access to two exclusive safari vehicles and trackers. The reserve is located in the foothills of the Korannaberg, one of the few mountain ranges that run through the Southern Kalahari, and this helps to create a landscape of rolling dunes and expansive grasslands broken sporadically by patches of thicker vegetation. Tswalu also happens to receive more rainfall than other regions of Kalahari which promotes a greater diversity of wildlife. So far, 80 mammal and 240 bird species have been recorded in the reserve including a dazzling array of mammals that are much harder to see in the other national parks and protected areas of Southern Africa. These mammals are the species that we will spend the majority of time trying to photograph.
Having our own private vehicles gives us complete flexibility on how much time we spend out in the field for photograhy in search of the marvellous wildlife and it also gives us the option to enjoy night drives as well to find some of the nocturnal species. Tswalu is among the very best locations in Southern Africa to encounter ground pangolin, aardvark, aardwolf, African wild dog, cheetah, brown hyena, Cape fox, Hartmann's mountain zebra, gemsbok, bat-eared fox, desert black rhino, small-spotted genet and African wild cat - some of which are among the rarest mammals on the continent.
On occasion we may also be able to photograph these animals on foot if it improves our sighting and helps us to capture a stunning portfolio of images. The reserve is home to a habituated family of meerkats which should also provide memorable encounters. We should of course come across other species that are well known from more traditional safari locations, such as lion, leopard, honey badger, buffalo, giraffe and eland.
We will ensure that we are up and out for first light, to maximise the photographic opportunities in the soft morning light, and retreat to the comfort of Tarkuni when the light is too harsh for the best photography. It is now that we can rest or take a look at our images, with Bret on hand throughout to help you with any image processing or critiquing as and when required. We plan to head out each afternoon to make the most of the warm evening light, before continuing on a night drive in search of any nocturnal species. Bret will be rotating between the vehicles to ensure that everyone in the group gets the benefit of his advice and guidance. There will be opportunities on the majority of our safaris to use a wide range of photography equipment, from long telephoto to wide-angle lenses.
Whilst much of our focus will be on the rare mammals, Tswalu is also home to a myriad of birdlife including sociable weaver, spotted eagle-owl, common scimitarbill, secretarybird, Kalahari scrub-robin and kori bustard.
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Day 9:
Return flight back to Johannesburg & departure
This morning we depart Tarkuni and transfer to the airstrip for our charter flight back to Johnnesburg. Once again this flight will take an hour and a half and we connect with our onward flights.
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Day 10:
Arrive UK
