South Africa
BOTSWANA & SOUTH AFRICA: Mashatu and Mala Mala Photo Safari
![A beautiful herd of African Elephants at sunrise in Botswana](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![Night photography of a leopard catching a catfish on a wildlife photography tour of Botswana and South Africa with Wild Images Photo Tours](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![A cute little Lion cub with its mother in South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![Slender Mongoose on the Wild Images wildlife photography tour of Botswana and South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![Learn how to take the perfect silhouette photograph on the Wild Images Photo Tour of Botswana and South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![Beautiful Cheetahs make for incredible photography subjects on a wildlife photography tour of Botswana and South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![Spotted Hyena family on the ultimate Botswana and South Africa wildlife photography tour of South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![Baby elephants are always fantastic to photograph in Botswana and South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![Action photo of a Cheetah with a young Eland in Mashatu on the Wild Images photography tour of Botswana and South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![Searching for nocturnal wildlife can yield encounters with wild Flap-necked Chameleons in South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![White-fronted Bee-eaters are attractive subjects on our Botswana South Africa wildlife photography tour of Africa.](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![A young Impala drinks on the ultimate wildlife photography tour of Botswana and South Africa with Wild Images Photo Tours](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![Portrait of a male Cheetah on the Wild Images wildlife photography tour of Botswana and South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![A beautiful leopard yawns at sunset in Botswana on the Wild Images wildlife photography tour](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![Baobab trees are beautiful photography subjects in Botswana and South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![Portrait of a Nile Monitor in a Marula tree, South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![Bird photography on our wildlife photography tour of South Africa and Botswana](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![Portrait of a beautiful female leopard in South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![A male Hippopotamus makes a splash on his threat display in South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![A flock of Helmeted Guineafowl gather to drink on the Botswana and South Africa wildlife photography tour with Wild Images](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![Portrait of a young Kudu in South Africa with Wild Images](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![A leopard sleeping in a tree on the Wild Images wildlife photography tour of South Africa and Botswana](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![Silhouette of a Blue Wildebeest in South Africa on the Wild Images Wildlife Photo Tour](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![Photographing lions is always a highlight of wildlife photography tours in South Africa and Botswana](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![African sunset photography on the ultimate photography tour of Botswana and South Africa with Wild Images](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![Bird photography on the Wild Images wildlife photography tour of Botswana and South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![The ultimate wildlife photography tour of Botswana and South Africa with Wild Images](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![Red-billed Queleas make great bird photography subjects on a wildlife photography tour in Botswana and South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![Photographing elephants is a real highlight of any photography tour to Botswana](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![Portrait of a White Rhinoceros with Red-billed Oxpeckers in South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![Photography tours of Botswana and South Africa with Wild Images teach you how to capture detail like this elephant tusk](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![A beautiful black and white image of a female Lion resting on the Sand River in South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![The sunrises and sunsets of Africa are some of the most beautiful in the world.](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![Leopard photography on the ultimate African wildlife photography tour with Wild Images](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![A grim sight of an African Wild Dog with the remains of its Impala lunch](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![An African Wild Dog is the highlight of wildlife photography tours in South Africa with Wild Images](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![Flight photograph of a Meyer's Parrot coming in to land on a photography tour to Botswana](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![A herd of Elephants crosses the Sand River on the Wild Images wildlife photography tour in South Africa and Botswan](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![Baboons playing at sunset are fantastic subjects on our wildlife photography tour to Botswana and South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![Photography of a lioness and her cubs is always a highlight on photography tours in Botswana and South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
![](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/close.png)
![A beautiful herd of African Elephants at sunrise in Botswana](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
African Elephant herd crossing the dry river bed in Mashatu at sunrise (Image by Wim Vorster)
![Night photography of a leopard catching a catfish on a wildlife photography tour of Botswana and South Africa with Wild Images Photo Tours](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
An opportunistic female Leopard successfully hunting catfish in a drying up waterhole at Mala Mala (Image by Wim Vorster)
![A cute little Lion cub with its mother in South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
Young Lion cub seeking some affection from it’s mother in Mala Mala (Image by Wim Vorster)
![Slender Mongoose on the Wild Images wildlife photography tour of Botswana and South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
A Slender Mongoose keeps a watchful eye on the treetops and hovering flies in Mashatu (Image by Wim Vorster)
![Learn how to take the perfect silhouette photograph on the Wild Images Photo Tour of Botswana and South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
Baby Chacma Baboons travel in style in Mashatu, often riding on their mothers' backs (Image by Wim Vorster)
![Beautiful Cheetahs make for incredible photography subjects on a wildlife photography tour of Botswana and South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
Female Cheetah with her four small cubs in Mashatu (Image by Wim Vorster)
![Spotted Hyena family on the ultimate Botswana and South Africa wildlife photography tour of South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
Two of the adult female Spotted Hyena clan members attending to their cubs outside their communal den (Image by Wim Vorster)
![Baby elephants are always fantastic to photograph in Botswana and South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
African Elephant calves having fun on the soft river sand on the banks of the Sand River in Mala Mala (Image by Wim Vorster)
![Action photo of a Cheetah with a young Eland in Mashatu on the Wild Images photography tour of Botswana and South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
This young Cheetah successfully hunted and killed an Eland calf in Mashatu (Image by Wim Vorster)
![Searching for nocturnal wildlife can yield encounters with wild Flap-necked Chameleons in South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
A Flap-necked Chameleon blending in well in it’s bushveld surroundings (Image by Wim Vorster)
![White-fronted Bee-eaters are attractive subjects on our Botswana South Africa wildlife photography tour of Africa.](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
A beautiful White-fronted Bee-eater perched outside close to their nesting area in the bank of the dry riverbed at Mashatu (Image by Wim Vorster)
![A young Impala drinks on the ultimate wildlife photography tour of Botswana and South Africa with Wild Images Photo Tours](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
Impala ram quenching his thirst at one of Mashatu's waterholes with the rest of the herd on the move (Image by Wim Vorster)
![Portrait of a male Cheetah on the Wild Images wildlife photography tour of Botswana and South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
This male Cheetah not only jumped onto the Acacia branch to scan the area for potential predators or prey, but also to urinate on the branch to mark his territory in Mala Mala (Image by Wim Vorster)
![A beautiful leopard yawns at sunset in Botswana on the Wild Images wildlife photography tour](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
Female Leopard resting on a big dead tree, yawning before getting active just after sunset at Mashatu (Image by Wim Vorster)
![Baobab trees are beautiful photography subjects in Botswana and South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
A magical Baobab tree growing in a very unusual place…on a rock on top of a mountain in Mashatu (Image by Wim Vorster)
![Portrait of a Nile Monitor in a Marula tree, South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
Monitor lizards are good tree climbers and often make use of the holes in big Marula trees to hibernate through the cold winter months (Image by Wim Vorster)
![Bird photography on our wildlife photography tour of South Africa and Botswana](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
The Woodland Kingfisher, one of the eight kingfisher species occurring in the South African lowveld at Mala Mala (Image by Wim Vorster)
![Portrait of a beautiful female leopard in South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
A female Leopard keeping an eye on a herd of impala foraging in the distance at Mala Mala (Image by Wim Vorster)
![A male Hippopotamus makes a splash on his threat display in South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
A territorial Hippopotamus bull putting up a big performance when we approached his waterhole in Mala Mala (Image by Wim Vorster)
![A flock of Helmeted Guineafowl gather to drink on the Botswana and South Africa wildlife photography tour with Wild Images](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
A flock of Helmeted Guineafowl gathering around a Mashatu waterhole for an early morning drink with an Eland passing by (Image by Wim Vorster)
![Portrait of a young Kudu in South Africa with Wild Images](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
Portrait of a young Greater Kudu bull licking his lips after having a drink at the waterhole in Mashatu (Image by Wim Vorster)
![A leopard sleeping in a tree on the Wild Images wildlife photography tour of South Africa and Botswana](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
Leopards are predominantly nocturnal creatures and often spend their days resting-up in the comfort of the big branches of the impressive Jackalberry trees in Mala Mala (Image by Wim Vorster)
![Silhouette of a Blue Wildebeest in South Africa on the Wild Images Wildlife Photo Tour](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
The silhouette of a Blue Wildebeest at sunrise in South Africa (Image by Wim Vorster)
![Photographing lions is always a highlight of wildlife photography tours in South Africa and Botswana](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
A big male Lion feeding on the recently killed Cape Buffalo carcass on a cool winter evening in Mala Mala (Image by Wim Vorster)
![African sunset photography on the ultimate photography tour of Botswana and South Africa with Wild Images](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
A herd of Blue Wildebeest gathering for safety before the nocturnal predators start to prowl at Mashatu (Image by Wim Vorster)
![Bird photography on the Wild Images wildlife photography tour of Botswana and South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
This is a fantastic example of the successful breeding strategy of brood parasites - a Burchell’s Starling attending to a Great-Spotted cuckoo chick in Mala Mala (Image by Wim Vorster)
![The ultimate wildlife photography tour of Botswana and South Africa with Wild Images](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
A Lioness showing some aggression towards the other pride members at the remains of their zebra kill in Mashatu (Image by Wim Vorster)
![Red-billed Queleas make great bird photography subjects on a wildlife photography tour in Botswana and South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
Large flocks of Red-billed Queleas gather at the remaining water sources in Mashatu to drink and bathe (Image by Wim Vorster)
![Photographing elephants is a real highlight of any photography tour to Botswana](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
A playful African Elephant calf enjoying the water and mud as he cools down on a hot winter day in Mashatu (Image by Wim Vorster)
![Portrait of a White Rhinoceros with Red-billed Oxpeckers in South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
An endangered White Rhino bull on the move through the grass plains of Mala Mala with the ever-present Red-billed Oxpeckers in attendance (Image by Wim Vorster)
![Photography tours of Botswana and South Africa with Wild Images teach you how to capture detail like this elephant tusk](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
The textures of an African Elephant (Image by Wim Vorster)
![A beautiful black and white image of a female Lion resting on the Sand River in South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
An adult Lioness resting on the soft sand of the Sand River in Mala Mala (Image by Wim Vorster)
![The sunrises and sunsets of Africa are some of the most beautiful in the world.](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
Early morning mist covers the grassy plain looking east over the wilderness area of the Kruger National Park from Mala Mala (Image by Wim Vorster)
![Leopard photography on the ultimate African wildlife photography tour with Wild Images](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
A beautiful female Leopard drinking, and making eye contact, at Moddergat, the waterhole where the Photo Mashatu underground hide is located (Image by Wim Vorster)
![A grim sight of an African Wild Dog with the remains of its Impala lunch](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
An African Wild Dog walking away with the only part of an impala carcass left after it fell prey to the dog pack that morning (Image by Wim Vorster)
![An African Wild Dog is the highlight of wildlife photography tours in South Africa with Wild Images](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
An African Wild og on the move in Mala Mala, patrolling all along the Sand River for any potential prey to hunt down (Image by Wim Vorster)
![Flight photograph of a Meyer's Parrot coming in to land on a photography tour to Botswana](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
A Meyer’s Parrot, with muddy feet, landing on a small branch after having a drink in Mashatu (Image by Wim Vorster)
![A herd of Elephants crosses the Sand River on the Wild Images wildlife photography tour in South Africa and Botswan](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
A herd of African Elephants crossing the Sand River of Mala Mala in search of greener pastures (Image by Wim Vorster)
![Baboons playing at sunset are fantastic subjects on our wildlife photography tour to Botswana and South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
A group of young Chacma Baboons playing in the dust just before sunset at Mashatu (Image by Wim Vorster)
![Photography of a lioness and her cubs is always a highlight on photography tours in Botswana and South Africa](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/themes/wild-images/img/img-placeholder.png)
Lioness with her two small cubs keeping an eye on a big male approaching them in Mashatu (Image by Wim Vorster)
MASHATU & MALAMALA: BOTSWANA & SOUTH AFRICA WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS WITH WILD IMAGES
There are few places more beguiling for wildlife photography than southern Africa. This celebrated region is renowned for some of the best “Big 5” viewing in Africa. These famous five – Lion, Leopard, Rhinoceros, African Elephant and African (or Cape) Buffalo – were once favourite hunting targets, and while many were hunted nearly to extinction, some reserves have made inspiring strides in bringing them back and making them fantastic photographic subjects.
MASHATU
Located in the Northern Tuli Game Reserve of Botswana, which is situated between the Tuli Safari Area, a national park in Zimbabwe, and the Mapungubwe National Park (a World Heritage Site) in South Africa, Mashatu shares unfenced borders with both the South African and Zimbabwean national parks in the south and north respectively. This vast area forms part of a cross-border wildlife conservation area protecting the substantial biodiversity of the fauna and flora in this region.
Mashatu, ‘Land of Giants’, takes its name from the locally sacrosanct Mashatu or Nyala berry tree (Xanthrocercis zambesiaca) and the giants that roam its terrain. These magnificent dark green trees, which are found along the rivers in the reserve, provide refuge, shade and food to a myriad of wildlife. Mashatu, which is one of the largest privately-owned game reserves in southern Africa, provides a sanctuary for the largest herds of African Elephants on privately owned land on the continent.
In addition to that, the world’s tallest mammal, the Southern Giraffe, the world’s largest antelope, the Common Eland, the world’s largest bird, the Common Ostrich, and the world’s heaviest flying bird, the Kori Bustard are all part of the game drive experience at Mashatu. Add the king of the beasts, the Lion and the iconic baobab tree…and you have Africa’s ‘big seven’ land based giants.
Due to the exceptional diversity of landscapes in the reserve, Mashatu enjoys an ecological biodiversity uncommon in other game reserves. Three members of the Big Five, namely the Leopard, the Lion and the African Elephant, are complimented by some lesser well-known, but interesting species, including Aardwolf, Bat-eared fox, African Wild Cat, Honey Badger, Spotted Hyena and Black-backed Jackal. For visitors who are interested in birdlife and bird photography, Mashatu is home to more than 350 bird species, including the enchanting Lilac-breasted Roller.
During our time at Mashatu we will explore the wilderness area during morning and afternoon wildlife photography drives in open safari vehicles.
Eye-Level with Elephants
At Mashatu, the Matabole hide has been sunk into the ground in prime elephant habitat. Inside, you are seated so that your head and camera are at ground level, resulting in fantastic low angle images! There is nothing quite like photographing wild African Elephants from a low-level hide! On many occasions they are completely unaware of your presence and you are sometimes forced to swap your prime or telephoto lens out for a wide angle when they get really close!
We will spend two morning sessions in the underground Matabole photographic hide, which is a unique and thrilling experience for wildlife photographers or indeed any lovers of wildlife.
MALAMALA
Internationally renowned for the quality of its game viewing, MalaMala adjoins the Kruger National Park, with an unfenced border of some 7.5 kilometres (about 4.5 miles), and is the largest private reserve to do so. This celebrated region is renowned for some of the best “Big 5” viewing in Africa.
The MalaMala reserve is especially famous for its fantastic Leopard viewing, and night drives are a highlight, with an array of nocturnal species that include big cats (Lions and Leopards), Spotted Hyenas, Side-striped Jackals, African Civets, Large-spotted Genets and various owl species.
During our time at MalaMala we will be exploring this magnificent wilderness area twice a day during early morning and afternoon/evening wildlife photography drives in a private, open 4-wheel drive vehicle. The 4×4 vehicle enables the guide to leave the road and provide us with close-up game viewing and fantastic photo opportunities.
We will be visiting Mala Mala during the colder winter months, so the savanna bushveld will be dry and more open to spot and photograph the wildlife. The beautiful Sand River flowing through MalaMala from north to south is a big draw card for thirsty animals, especially at the end of winter.
This extraordinary tour will provide an opportunity to photograph the Big 5 and so much more!
Accommodation and Road Transport
Most accommodation on the tour will be in two truly luxury grade lodges with costs to match. There are also two nights in a comfortable hotel near Johannesburg international airport.
An open, safari-style 4×4 vehicle, for our group’s exclusive use, will be used for all game drives. Having our own private vehicle involves high extra cost, but it means that we are not going to have to compromise our photographic needs because of the presence of other lodge guests. Airport transfers are by minibus/passenger van.
Walking
Walking is minmal and easy.
Climate
During the winter months in the northern parts of South Africa and southern Botswana most days will be warm, dry and sunny, but the early mornings can be cold, especially in the open safari vehicles.
Photographic Equipment
If you use a DSLR for photography you should bring telephotos (and converters) that will (with a full-frame body) cover the range 200-500mm or 600mm or more. You will also find a wide angle lens good for landscapes. There will be only limited opportunities to use a macro lens.
If you bring a good quality bridge camera it will be best if it has an optical zoom of 18-20x or more, combined with a reasonable wide-angle at the other end of the zoom range.
We will have power at all our accommodations, but would recommend having at least one spare battery per camera. Dust is ever-present in Africa, so cleaning your photography equipment is important. A monopod can be helpful if you use a heavy telephoto, as the vehicle sides are low and so often unsuitable for resting on. A beanbag can also be very useful for wildlife photography. If you do not have one yourself, let us know as our lodges can usually provide one. Don’t forget a flash for night-drives.
If you have questions about what equipment you ought to bring, please contact our office.
Photographic Highlights
- Get down to eye level with large populations of African elephants and other creatures visiting the Matabole underground hide at Mashatu
- Stunning, vast open plains that are roamed by Cheetahs and Lions
- Magical baobab trees for fantastic landscape and Milky Way images
- A chance to spend time with Spotted Hyenas at a den site
- Habituated troops of Chacma Baboons
- Fantastic big cat photography, especially Leopards
- A great diversity of savanna birds, with many colourful or striking photogenic subjects
- A chance to observe African Wild Dog pups at a den site in MalaMala
- African (Cape) Buffalo, White Rhinoceros and Hippopotamus, not found at Mashatu, can be seen and photographed at MalaMala
PRICE INFORMATION
Wild Images Inclusions: Our tour prices include surface transportation, accommodations, meals and entrance fees.
Our tour prices also include the extra charge for a private safari vehicle and guide for our group’s exclusive use.
Our tour prices also include these flights: Johannesburg-Polokwane-Johannesburg and Johannesburg-Skukuza (Kruger)-Johannesburg.
Tips/Gratuities are not included. We suggest you allow around US$400 per person for this itinerary.
Deposit: 40% of the total tour price. Our office will let you know what deposit amount is due, in order to confirm your booking, following receipt of your online booking form.
The deposit level is unusually high because both Mashatu and Mala Mala are exclusive and in high demand, so require very high advance deposits.
TO BOOK THIS TOUR: Click here (you will need the tour dates)
If you are travelling alone, the single supplement will not apply if you are willing to share a room and there is a room-mate of the same sex available.
This tour is priced in US Dollars. Amounts shown in other currencies are indicative.
Air Travel To & From The Tour: Our in-house IATA ticket agency will be pleased to arrange your air travel on request, or you may arrange this yourself if you prefer.
MASHATU & MALAMALA: SOUTH AFRICA & BOTSWANA WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR: DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1 Our Botswana & South Africa wildlife photography tour begins this evening at our hotel near Johannesburg International Airport. Our leader will brief you on the safari this evening, over dinner.
Day 2 We will take a morning flight to Polokwane in northern South Africa and then transfer by road across the border into friendly Botswana and the Mashatu Lodge in Mashatu Game Reserve, our home for the next five nights. The road transfer, including border crossing, takes around two hours. We will arrive in time for some initial exploration.
Days 3-6 During stay at Mashatu Lodge we will explore the Mashatu Game Reserve on morning and afternoon game drives in an open safari vehicle reserved for the exclusive use of our group, the perfect photograpy platform. Two full mornings will be spent doing photography from the incredible Matabole Hide located at the lodge.
Mashatu Lodge is an oasis among the undulating and seemingly endless plains of wild southern Africa. The lodge has only 14 luxury suites, allowing for a quiet base for our photography safaris.
Day 7 We will depart Mashatu Game Reserve after our last morning safari and return to Johannesburg for an overnight stay.
Day 8 We will take a short morning flight from Johannesburg to Skukuza and then a roughly one hour road transfer to MalaMala Game Reserve, situated in the Sabi Sands area next to the world renowned Kruger National Park, where we will stay for three nights at MalaMala Camp.
We will enjoy our first MalaMala safari this afternoon.
Days 9-10 MalaMala is the oldest and most historic private game reserve in South Africa as it was the first to make the transition from hunting to photographic safaris. It is the blueprint on which the modern South African safari industry was built.
Every aspect of the MalaMala Camp is designed to appreciate and enjoy the view of the surrounding wilds. Pathways wind their way along the perimeter of the camp to reveal individual ochre colored units tucked into the greenery which flanks the Sand River. Massive trees and rolling green lawns are filled with birdsong, with the occasional antelope or elephant which seeks to consume the succulent greenery! The camp is an unfenced oasis in the middle of the bushveld.
As at Mashatu, we will explore the reserve on morning and afternoon game drives in our private, open safari vehicle.
Day 11 After our last morning game drive at MalaMala we will return to Skukuza and fly back to Johannesburg, where our Botswana & South Africa wildlife photography tour will end this afternoon.
Other Tours featuring signature large mammals
![Jaguar in the Pantanal: Photography tours by Mike Watson](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Jaguar-5-Pantanal-Mike-Watson-750x520.jpg)
South America (including Galapagos)
August 2025
BRAZIL’S PANTANAL: JAGUARS AND SO MUCH MORE – South America’s best wildlife photography destination
![Ambush! We have been watching a herd of grazing Guanacos (wild relatives of the Llama) in Chile's magnificent Torres del Paine. They gradually approach the area where we think a Puma is lying in wait in the 'mata barrosa' and 'calafate' bushes. She is! As a Guanaco nears her hiding place she bursts forth, scattering pieces of vegetation high into the air! Image by Mark Beaman of Wild Images](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Puma-hunt-ambush-Chile-Mark-Beaman-2853-2-750x520.jpg)
South America (including Galapagos)
September 2025
CHILE: WALKING WITH PUMAS – An Extraordinary Photographic Adventure at Torres del Paine
![Botswana wildlife photography tours often feature African Wild Dogs](https://www.wildimages-phototours.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Wild-Dog-3-Khwai-Botswana-Grant-Reid-750x520.jpg)
Botswana & The Okavango
November 2025