WILD NATURE PHOTO TRAVEL

In May 2025, I am offering an intensive African wildlife masterclass with unprecedented ground-level photographic opportunities in Zululand, South Africa. This masterclass workshop will see us based in an exclusive private game reserve for nine nights / ten days, approximately three hours drive from Durban in South Africa. Durban is just a short one-hour flight from Johannesburg, and there are direct flights into Durban from Dubai.

The game reserve is unique in Africa and is equipped with multiple state-of-the-art photographic hides that facilitate ground-level photographic opportunities with many of Africa's wildlife species in comfort and safety. There are overnight reflection hides for large mammals and lagoon and bird bath hides for birds, crocodiles, and more. The overnight hides are equipped with full bathroom facilities, a kitchenette for food preparation, and beds for resting and sleeping. The hides are temperature-controlled for comfort.

During this masterclass workshop, there will also be the opportunity to walk with and photograph Cheetahs at eye level without the requirement to be restricted to a safari vehicle like most camps.

This exclusive workshop is for a strictly limited number of just 14 participants plus a leader and is dedicated to photography of African wildlife at ground level. Additionally, there will be extensive photographic tuition on how to get the best wildlife photographs, including how to get the best photographic results at night from the overnight hides.

This workshop is a full 'takeover' of the private game reserve, which means you will have full access to the available facilities without sharing them with other groups. It also means multiple hide visits for the group without the usual restrictions. As we are based in the one-game reserve for the workshop, there are no restrictions on how much equipment you can bring - so bring what you need! If you are excited about photographing many of Africa's incredible species at ground level from luxurious private hides, then now is the time to register your interest. Places are extremely limited, and once spoken for, that's it.

Accommodation: The main lodge can sleep up to 12 guests in six separate air-conditioned luxury double suites, with the ability to host single visitors in four stylishly furnished single rooms. The Lodge is situated in close proximity to the Homestead, with breathtaking views over the Mkhombe Valley and nearby Tamboti overnight hide from the large deck with sun loungers, large shade providing umbrellas and rim-flow swimming pool.

Delectable meals are served within the dining area with a cosy fireplace, and the open deck offers another dining alternative for those who prefer to dine outside under the stars. A large circular open-air boma provides the ideal spot to enjoy a nightcap whilst sharing the day’s stories around a small bushveld fire. In between vehicle-based safaris or hide sessions, one can explore the lovely lodge gardens, which host a magnificent variety of indigenous plant and bird species, enjoy a book from our well-stocked sponsored library, relax in the swimming pool or sun loungers with one’s favourite drink, or laze around in your room to conserve energy for the next adrenaline filled activity. The Greaves’ collection of camera equipment is on display at the lodge, with some items dating back to the late 1800s!

Wildlife: Africa's Big Five can be seen and photographed in the game reserve. In addition, there are many other mammals, reptiles and birds, including eagles, owls and more. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, and Cerval are regularly seen and photographed in the reserve. You can also expect many encounters with elephants, giraffes, rhinos, Cape Buffalo, zebras, and other wildlife on the plains.

Hides: There are currently nine photographic hides on the reserve, including two Bird Bath Hides or Reflection Hides, called the Mkhombe and Bhejane hides, named after the Zulu words for white and black rhinos, respectively. These are ideal for small bird photography. The larger Lagoon hide focuses on waterbirds and crocodiles in the summer season.

Umgodi and Tamboti Overnight Hides are the only hides custom-designed for large mammal photography. The bee-eater hide is a mobile unit that can be placed in close proximity to where white-fronted bee-eaters nest and produces stunning results for these colourful birds. These hides have been designed and built by the owners of the reserve in conjunction with Bence Mate, who is not only a former winner of the coveted BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year award in 2010 but is a world authority in hide design, construction and photography. Photographers are seated on comfortable executive-style chairs, which glide effortlessly and quietly across the wood laminate flooring. The hides are spacious and soundproofed, with carpet on the walls to muffle the sound. Benro GH2 Heads and tripods are provided at all seats (1 per chair), but guests can bring their own support systems along if they prefer to do so. Arca Swiss plates can be collected at Main Lodge’s reception at no charge to guests.

The hides allow photographers a non-intrusive method of wildlife photography. Although the subjects are free-roaming, and hence, no sighting is guaranteed, the hides tip the balance heavily in favour of the photographer to get that amazing shot.

Dietary Requirements: If you have special dietary requirements, we will do our best to accommodate you. Please just be sure to let us know when you make your booking.

Travel: We will travel by private transport from our starting location in Durban, South Africa, to our private game reserve. Typically, there is no significant walking during the workshop.

Equipment: Telephoto lenses from 300 mm to 500 mm are recommended. Zoom lenses generally provide more flexibility for fast-moving wildlife and bird life. An ultra wide-angle lens is recommended for the overnight hides to capture the full reflection of larger wildlife such as elephants, Cape buffalo, Giraffe and Rhino.

If you are excited about travelling to South Africa with a small group of dedicated photographers to photograph some of Africa's iconic wildlife from eye level, then now is the time to secure your place. Places are very limited, and once they are spoken for, that’s it.

REGISTER ONLINE FOR THIS WORKSHOP