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| Stampeding Zebra with all four off the floor! |
The photo safari details have changed over time. Sadly, I won't be going to Botswana, so that blog will be retired eventually, and I will incorporate that text into this blog.
I will happily be going to South Africa, and visiting parks in the vicinity of Kruger National Park. I have one partner, whom I am mentoring in photography while honing my own skills. We will have a vehicle, a driver, a tracker to find the animals, and of course, Greg du Toit, voted #1 Wildlife photographer of the year, 2013. The personal instruction will along with the venue will be a once in a lifetime experience and dream come true for me. Needless to say (but I'll say it anyway), I hope to greatly improve as a photographer.
Finally, I am working to make a shark tank dive happen at the end of the trip just because....
Finalized Itinerary
OryX WorldWide Photographic Expeditions
Kasden
South
Africa
Ultimate Predator Photographic Expedition 20th October
to 2nd November
2015 (14 days / 11 nights)
ORYX – Kasden South Africa:
Ultimate Predator Photographic Expedition
____________________________________________________________________
ORYX – Worldwide Photographic Expeditions and Greg du Toit
are proud to present a carefully crafted expedition to one of Africa’s ultimate
wildlife photographic destination: South Africa.
Your safari commences in the Timbavati Game Reserve, which
is in a game rich belt where we can expect excellent sightings and photographic
opportunities. This region is also part of the greater Kruger National Park
conservation area, which at over 20 000km2 is around the size of Israel!
Our final destination is MalaMala Game Reserve, which lies
strategically sandwiched between the Kruger National Park and the Sabi Sand
Game Reserve. The unfenced borders between MalaMala and the Kruger National
Park on the one side, and the Sabi Sands on the other, allow animals to migrate
unhindered to the perennial Sand River that flows north to south through
MalaMala. This well-preserved wilderness is a magnet to some of Africa’s most
sought-after wildlife species, as well as a host of smaller creatures, and is
acclaimed as offering the best Leopard viewing on the continent.
Join us on this photographic safari of a lifetime that
promises breathtaking photographic opportunities in the wilds of South Africa
and Botswana, and that guarantee the ultimate large game and predator
experience in Africa!
Your
photographic highlights
Timbavati, MalaMala and Londolozi Game Reserve
- Tanda Tula, MalaMala and Londolozi
represents the finest opportunity in Africa to photograph Leopard – these
cats have for many generations grown up in the presence of game drive
vehicles, and this habituation will allow you unparalleled opportunities
to observe and photograph these remarkable felines
- The healthy herbivore population
in this area guarantees an excellent food source for a barrage of large
predators – large Lion prides roam these areas, and Spotted Hyaena
are common. Predator interactions, and potentially spectacular photographic
opportunities thus abound
- Great sightings of White Rhino,
which are sadly disappearing from many former strongholds, and regular
sightings of very relaxed Elephants and Cape Buffalos
- This Africa photo safari is
tailor-made to suite wildlife photographers and it guarantees you a portfolio
of surreal images
Photographic Topics that will be covered
- Principles and ethics of wildlife
photography
ORYX – Kasden South Africa:
Ultimate Predator Photographic Expedition ____________________________________________________________________
- Equipment choices and how they
will effect your photography
- Animal behaviour and anticipating
‘the shot’
- Correct versus creative exposure
in wildlife photography
- Composition in wildlife photography
- Difficult lighting situations
- Working your subject and telling a
visual story with your images
- Processing your wildlife images
Your safari at a glance
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Tour Dates
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20th October to
2nd November
2015
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Tour Size
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2
participants and Photographic Leader Greg du Toit
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Day 1, 20th October
Johannesburg flight to Timbavati Game Reserve
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Day 2, 21st October
Timbavati Game Reserve
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Day 3, 22nd October
Timbavati Game Reserve
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Day 4, 23rd October
Timbavati Game Reserve
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Day 5, 24th October
Timbavati Game Reserve
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Day 6, 25th October
Timbavati Game Reserve to MalaMala Game Reserve
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Day 7, 26th October
MalaMala Game Reserve
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Day 8, 27th October
MalaMala Game Reserve
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Day 9, 28th October
MalaMala Game Reserve
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Day 10,
29th October
MalaMala Game Reserve
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Day 11,
30th October
MalaMala to Londolozi Game Reserve
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Day 12,
31st October
Londolozi Game Reserve
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Day 13, 1st November
Londolozi Game Reserve
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Day 14, 2nd November
Londolozi to Johannesburg and Depart for Final Destination of Choice
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Your safari in detail
Day 1, 20th October
2015: OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) flight to Timbavati
Upon arrival from your
international flight and clearing passport control and customs a representive
from ORYX and Greg du Toit will meet you and transfer you to the nearby Federal
Air terminal for your scheduled light – aircraft flight to the Timbavati.
The Timbavati, which is in a
game rich belt where we can expect excellent sightings and photographic
opportunities.
ORYX
– Kasden South Africa: Ultimate Predator Photographic Expedition
____________________________________________________________________
This region is also part of
the greater Kruger National Park conservation area, which at over 20 000km2 is around
the size of Israel! Tanda Tula Safari Camp is positioned amongst enormous
trees on the banks of the
Nhlaralumi Riverbed, in the
heart of Big Five country.
Visitors are welcomed into this picturesque camp, which exudes “elegance with
African roots”.
Tanda Tula Safari Camp is
owned and run by Don and
Nina Scott, together with their
incredible team of staff.
Guests are immediately
captivated by the down-to-
earth atmosphere of this
family home, as well as the charm and warmth of the people that live and work
here. The camp is completely unfenced merging luxury with the natural
environment.
The tented camp consists of
just 12 secluded, luxury tents, each with a breathtaking view over the
riverbed. The East African styled tents is the epitome of simple luxury,
comfort and style mirroring the early-tented camps of Africa. Each luxurious
tent features its own en-suite bathroom, Victorian bathtub, outdoor shower and
a spacious deck overlooking the riverbed and African bush.
ORYX
– Kasden South Africa: Ultimate Predator Photographic Expedition
____________________________________________________________________
Overnight
Tanda Tula
Days 2 to
Day 5, 21st to 24th October
2015: Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
The Timbavati is known for its
abundance and variety of African wildlife, including the Big Five (lion,
leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino). With only 9 lodges in more than 120 000
acres, guests experience the African bush at its most pristine. The lodges
have mutual traversing areas and co- operate with each other in animal
sightings.
The bushveld varies from Acacia
thornveld and Marula trees to open savannah grasslands as well as dense
riverine with majestic Jackalberry and Fig trees, allowing for superb viewing
of zebra, antelope, giraffe and wildebeest. The Timbavati Private Nature
Reserve 20 years ago, we have enjoyed large breeding herds of buffalo, up to
1000 strong, as well as large elephant herds.
Numerous territorial Leopards
call Tanda Tula home, as well as several prides of magnificent Lions. Cape
Buffalo and Elephant congregate in huge numbers here and we expect to see and
photograph these giants at very close range. We will explore this Big 5
country in customized, open Land Rovers in the mornings as well as in the
afternoons in our quest to find and photograph our numerous photographic
targets.
We also have the opportunity
to view and photograph the increasingly endangered White Rhino and, if we are
extremely fortunate, perhaps even a roaming pack of African Wild Dogs. Two
individual packs of these mythical predators move in from the neighbouring
Kruger National Park on occasion, and our local guide and tracker will most
certainly follow any fresh tracks and signs that we might happen to come
across.
However, the Timbavati
promises far more than just a good game-viewing destination: with access to
100 square kilometres of shared wilderness, guests are also treated to an
abundance of beautiful bird species – large raptors are a prominent feature in
this area, and include Africa’s largest eagle, the rapacious Martial Eagle.
Overnight
Tanda Tula
Day 6, 25th October
2015: Timbavati to MalaMala Game Reserve
After a final morning’s safari
and a hearty breakfast we will depart from the Timbavati on a road transfer
(approximately 3 hours) to MalaMala Game Reserve, which borders the enormous
Kruger National Park.
Post arrival and settling in,
we will embark on our first game drive in this incredible reserve. MalaMala
Main Camp is a diverse place, with many facets contributing to its beauty and
allure – the granite outcrops of Sithlawayise and Campbell Koppies which stand
guard over this amazing wilderness area, the perennial Sand River which flows
past camp, and the floodplain beyond.
ORYX
– Kasden South Africa: Ultimate Predator Photographic Expedition
____________________________________________________________________
The rooms have “His" and
"hers" bathrooms, are temperature controlled 24 hours a day, have
direct dial telephones, a mini-bar and mini-safe, and bathroom amenities,
insect repellent and
hairdryers.
The game viewing successes at
MalaMala are a direct result of the vast area of land owned, a 19 km (approx.
12 miles) unfenced boundary with the Kruger National Park and the fact that
the Sand River flows through the property for approximately 19,5 km (approx.
13
miles) assuring a plentiful
supply of water at all times. This well-preserved wilderness is a "honey-
pot" to the most sought-after wildlife species, as well as a host of
smaller creatures!
Overnight
MalaMala Main Camp
Day 6 to
Day 10, 26th to 29th October
2015: MalaMala Game Reserve
“Not even
Tanzania’s famed Serengeti Game Reserve or the awesome Ngorongoro Crater fills
your camera viewfinder faster with Africa’s legendary Big Five – at MalaMala,
lion, leopard, buffalo, rhinoceros and elephant appear magically, as if on
cue,” says
acclaimed wildlife photojournalist Geoff Dalglish in his Sunday Times review. “Nor
could Hollywood script the wide-screen wildlife encounters any more
dramatically or frequently than nature does routinely in the private game
reserve that is arguably South Africa’s most famous internationally.”
ORYX
– Kasden South Africa: Ultimate Predator Photographic Expedition
____________________________________________________________________
No other destination can
compete with the Lowveld's pristine wilderness locations, which are legally
protected from human interference. The region, larger than many independent
countries, is home to a large concentration of free roaming elephant, lion, rhino,
leopard, buffalo, cheetah and huge compliment of mammal and bird species.
Anyone who has visited MalaMala knows that Leopards are one of the main
attractions here. In fact, these cats are so accustomed to the African safari
vehicles that they hardly take any notice of them. Even when hunting, a
Leopard MalaMala does not seem to mind a vehicle following it, even if this
means following it off-road though the bush!
MalaMala promises some of the
finest game viewing on the African continent and regularly provides the
subject matter for a veritable collection of international and local wildlife
documentaries (including National Geographic). Many of these documentaries
have won international accolades amidst critical acclaim.
Overnight
MalaMala Main Camp
Day 11, 30th October
2015: MalaMala to Londolozi
After the morning’s game drive
and breakfast you will depart by road transfer to Londolozi. Londolozi is one
of the original pioneering Private Game Reserves of the ecotourism industry in
South Africa and an unashamedly family run, stand alone operation and world
renowned as one of Africa’s finest game lodges.
It was also first game reserve
in the world to be accorded Relais & Châteaux status, reinforcing its
commitment to luxurious accommodation, fine cuisine and exceptional service.
Overnight
Londolozi Varty Camp
ORYX – Kasden South Africa:
Ultimate Predator Photographic Expedition
____________________________________________________________________
Day 12 & Day
13, 31st October & 1st November 2015: Londolozi Private Game Reserve
The root of the word Londolozi
is the Zulu word for protect and means “protector of all living things”
– an ambitious conservation ethic that Londolozi embraces in its
sensitivity to the natural world. World renowned as one of Africa’s finest
game lodges, Londolozi is situated on the Sand River in the very heart of the
Sabi Sands Game Reserve.
This reserve in turn
forms part of the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park, a vast and growing area,
currently covering 6 million acres and incorporating the famous Kruger
National Park. Breeding herds of elephant and buffalo roam throughout the
Londolozi area, while white rhino and lion concentrations are amongst the
highest recorded on the African continent.
However, it is the
truly remarkable relationship, which has developed over three decades between
wild free ranging leopards and ranger & trackers, which makes Londolozi
world famous. There is no disputing that viewing the leopards of Londolozi is
one of life’s truly treasured experiences.
With over 16 000
hectares of traversing wilderness, no two game drives are ever the same.
Trackers sit up at the front of the Land Rover looking for fresh animal
tracks, while rangers drive with astonishing skill into ravines and through
thicket in pursuit of elusive animals. An ORYX safari is about enchanting all
the senses and participating in the expedition, so that you come away richer,
enlightened and with a stunning collection of African wildlife images.
The campfire has burned
here for over 85 years making Varty Camp the symbolic heart and soul of Londolozi.
The décor echoes the same tones of the owner’s private homes and their
continuing love affair with the earth.
Varty Camp is the home of an African safari
holiday. All rooms have private swimming pools framed by timber decks that
overlook the riverine bush. The living spaces are raised off the ground and
shaded under a cathedral of trees. The camp has a pleasingly down-to-earth
quality and the emphasis on family heritage means that children of all ages
always have a place at Varty Camp.
Overnight Varty
Camp
ORYX – Kasden South Africa:
Ultimate Predator Photographic Expedition
____________________________________________________________________
Day 14, 2nd November 2015: Londolozi and Depart for Final Destination
of Choice
After breakfast and
your final morning safari (time TBA) you will board your flight destined for
Johannesburg, where this incredible South African safari sadly comes to an
end.
This is the
Ultimate Predator Photographic Expedition!!!!
Your
Photographic Leader & Host
Greg du Toit
The 49th Wildlife Photographer of the Year (2013), Greg is a professional safari guide and
award winning wildlife photographer. He has vast experience in Africa, and is specialist
in low light photography, having recently spent over 600 hours in MalaMala
photographing Leopards. The results of this project formed the core of a solo
exhibit titled 'Authentic Africa' hosted by the National Geographic Gallery in
Singapore. He lived in Kenya's rift valley for two years during which time he
photographed his internationally acclaimed 'Waterhole Story' which featured on
NBC television and on the BBC World Wide Service. He has also
worked extensively over the last 10 years in the Maasai Mara whereby he has
recently undertaken an assignment for the National Geographic Channel on
their “Great Migrations” project. Greg has also received two Wildlife
Photographer of the Year awards. Both his bush knowledge and skills,
combined with his astute in- camera techniques, will ensure that your personal
imagery breaks new ground.
www.gregdutoit.com
Financial
Arrangements
The price for this
2015 ORYX – Kasden South Africa: Ultimate Predator Photographic Expedition is
US$21, 650.00 per person in shared
accomodation.
Cost Includes:
·
Scheduled charter flights OR Tambo – Tanda Tula -
MalaMala – OR Tambo
·
All road transfers from OR Tambo to Federal Air;
·
VIP Meet and greet at OR Tambo;
·
All accommodation at MalaMala Main Camp;
·
All accommodations at Tanda Tula Camp;
·
All meals;
·
Beverages at Tanda Tula & MalaMala (except selected premium
wines);
·
Entrance fees to National Parks;
·
Tourism Levy’s for Game Reserves;
·
Private Safari vehicle use at Tanda Tula & MalaMala;
·
All game viewing activates at Tanda Tula & MalaMala;
ORYX – Kasden South Africa:
Ultimate Predator Photographic Expedition
____________________________________________________________________
·
Costs, expert photographic advise and tutoring by
Photographic Leader Greg du Toit;
·
Service of experienced local guides; and
·
Laundry.
Cost Excludes:
·
All international flights;
·
Any gratuities;
·
Travel Insurance and Travel Visas; and
·
Items of a personal nature e.g. curios, beauty treatments and
telephone calls
1.
Payment
of the balance of the safari fee is due 4 months before departure and to be
made as per the details on the booking form which will be sent to you in order
to sign up for the expedition. An ORYX invoice will be issued to you before
full payment is due.
Important
o Costs are subject to major
foreign exchange fluctuations and unforeseen increases in expedition related
costs and may have to be adjusted as a result.
o Furthermore, we may be forced to
change or alter the itinerary due to unforeseen circumstances; please be
aware, however, that we will attempt to stick as close to the original program
as possible.
o Domestic flights are subject to
availability at the time of booking.
o Fitness and health: This
photographic safari does not require a high level of fitness, but
participants should
nevertheless be in good general health.
o Accommodation throughout the trip
is of a high standard.
o Due to the presence of
potentially dangerous game we will be spending much of this safari
in photographic
vehicles.
o This photographic safari will be
run in malaria areas and prophylaxis is recommended. Please
consult your travel
physician for more information.
o It is highly recommended to
purchase travel / medical insurance for this trip.
o Our intended subjects are wild
and free and they are not called, fed or otherwise lured or
attracted to our
camps or vehicles. Despite every effort by our trackers, guides and expert
ORYX – Kasden South Africa:
Ultimate Predator Photographic Expedition
____________________________________________________________________
photographic safari
leader, there may be a chance that desired subjects may not be present for
photographic opportunities - the only guarantee of a specific subject is that
we will do our very best to make this the photographic safari of your
lifetime!
TIPPING:
As noted above,
gratuities for local guides, trackers, lodge staff, butlers etc. are NOT
included on this tour. However, if you feel that your any staff has given you
exceptional service, it is entirely appropriate to tip them. We emphasize that
such tips should be at your own discretion and based solely on the level of
your service satisfaction.
Luggage
& Flights
South Africa
Internal Flights
OR TAMBO – Tanda Tula - MalaMala – OR Tambo
On Federal Air, each
passenger is only allowed 20 kg/ 44 lbs of luggage in a soft duffle bag.
However,
you can book an extra seat on all internal flights if you so choose, which
grants you an additional allowance of 20 kg/ 44 lbs for your camera gear.
FLIGHTS:
As our guests come
from all over the planet we do not include international flights to and from
your home in our tour prices. IMPORTANT: DO NOT book your international
flights until you have consulted the ORYX office for confirmation on the
status of the tour.
PLEASE NOTE:
If you wish to arrive
early and/or depart late and would like assistance or advice in this regard,
kindly contact the ORYX office.
ORYX
Worldwide
Photographic Expeditions
Division of Rockjumper Birding Tours CC reg 2001/059480/23 PO Box 13972,
Cascades, Pietermaritzburg, 3202, South Africa Tel: +27 33 394 0225
Fax: +27 88 033 394 0225
Email: info@oryxphotography.com
Website: www.oryxphotography.com
ORYX – Kasden South Africa:
Ultimate Predator Photographic Expedition
____________________________________________________________________
