September 23rd - October 7th, 2013
Join Daniel and Tanya in the most pristine, private game reserves in Africa. This tour will give you the ultimate photography experience alongside one of the world’s leading wildlife photographers.
Meet Daniel and Tanya Cox
2013 South Africa Photography Tour Travel Plans
Guests: 6 Minimum. 14 Maximum
Monday, September 23
Depart U.S./Canada
Tuesday, September 24
Arrive Johannesburg (JNB). Airport shuttle provided by nearby hotel. Overnight stay at the luxurious Peermont D’oreale Grande at Emperors Palace Hotel
Wednesday, September 25 – Saturday, September 28 (B, L, D, Bev, Lau)
After breakfast, depart from Johannesburg and take a flight (55 minutes) to Londolozi Game Reserve. Here we’ll be escorted by rangers to the Londolozi Founders Camp where we’ll stay for four nights.
Londolozi Weekly Wildlife Sightings
Daily, we’ll head out early on safari for the best light. Dan will rotate between safari vehicles to help each guest with camera questions and settings. Midday (when the light is harsh) we’ll have time for downloading memory cards, small workshops or to relax near the pool. There will be a second game drive beginning in late afternoon until dusk. Evening drinks followed by gourmet dinners.
Londolozi is famous for its visibly abundant leopard population but also boasts home to high concentrations of white rhino and lion. Herds of elephant and buffalo and also zebra, hyena, cheetah, giraffe and a vast variety of antelope may be seen.
Since it is privately owned, Londolozi is not bound by the strict rules of Kruger National Park. We can drive off-road into the heart of the bush and take guided walking safaris with their excellent team of rangers and trackers. We can stay out for evening sunsets until after dark unlike Kenya reserves. Londolozi has two of the 17 master trackers in South Africa. With over 42,000 acres to explore, no two game drives will be the same!
Sunday, September 29 – Tuesday, October 1 (B, L, D, Lau)
Breakfast and then transfer by road (approximately 45 minutes) to MalaMala Game Reserve. Overnight MalaMala Main Camp for three nights.
MalaMala Wildlife Viewing Stats
No other destination can compete with MalaMala’s Lowveld’s pristine wilderness locations. Since human impact is kept to a minimum and only MalaMala guests are allowed access to this privately-owned 33,000 acres, we can enjoy longer periods of wildlife sightings and increased photographic opportunities. Game drives daily in open 4-wheel drive safari vehicles, conducted by qualified rangers along with spotlight game drives at night.
Wednesday, October 2 – Saturday, October 5 (B, L, D, Bev)
Drive from Mala Mala Main Camp to Kings Camp. Overnight Kings Camp for four nights.
Kings Camp is located in northern Timbavati. Knowledgeable rangers will take us out daily for morning and afternoon off-road safaris. We’ll photograph the Big 5 and Kings Camp also has some of the better viewing/photographic opportunities for wild dog, black rhino and cheetah. Timbavati is known for white lion sightings, a rare and beautiful color mutation of the Kruger subspecies of lion.
Tea, coffee and biscuits will be served on morning game drives and drinks and canapés on afternoon game drives. Afternoon game drives last until after dark, which provides the opportunity for spotting nocturnal animals with a spotlight.
Sunday, October 6
Fly to Johannesburg on a shared charter; luggage will arrive by road. Fly home this evening.
Monday, October 7
Arrive home
Tour Extensions Available
Trip Cost
$12,200 per person, based on double occupancy
Add $300 if booked after September 16, 2012Single Supplement: $1350
Deposit
$2000 Per person due at time of booking
Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, Discover, or check acceptedDeposits are non-refundable. If cancellations are necessary, we require this request in writing. We will do our best to resell your space. Only if we can resell your space, we will refund (minus deposit and discounts given to sell your space). No partial refunds are possible for unused services.
Installments
January 1, 2013: $6000 First Installment
May 1, 2013: Final PaymentCheck only for first installment and final payment. Please make check payable to Natural Exposures and mail to:
Natural Exposures
810 N. Wallace, Suite E
Bozeman, MT 59715Included
- Private small group travel with Daniel J. Cox
- All accommodations during safari
- All game drives
- Meals where indicated (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
- Beverages where indicated (Bev)
- Laundry services where indicated (Lau)
- Purified drinking water
- Entrance fees
- Domestic flight as specified in itinerary
- Expert rangers/trackers/guides in all locations
Not Included
- International airfare
- Miscellaneous personal expenses including alcohol, soft drinks and laundry where not indicated
- Vaccinations
- Tourist visas
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Airport transfers on unscheduled itinerary days
- Extra nights at lodges/hotels
Flights to Book
September 24
Arrive Johannesburg (JNB) any time of dayOctober 6
Depart Johannesburg (JNB) any time of dayTravel Insurance
Travel/emergency medical evacuation insurance is not required for this photo tour, but we always recommend purchasing it for any trip. We recommend one or more of the following, depending on your needs:
Global Rescue
(use code natexp)Allianz Global Assistance
(use travel agency ID F203564)Terms & Conditions
Natural Exposures cannot control nor is responsible for abnormal weather, natural disasters, or any other disaster that might affect the trip. Travel insurance should be purchased to cover any missed flights or medical problems that may affect/delay your travel. National Parks have the right to change our itinerary.
By booking a trip with Natural Exposures, you agree to the following CANCELLATION AND LIABILITY POLICY
Accommodations for 2013 South Africa Photography Tour
September 24, 1 Night
Peermont D’oreale Grande at Emperors Palace Hotel
Discover untold luxury and regal comfort at this 5-star hotel that is now a member of the prestigious Great Hotels of the World Luxury Collection.September 25 – 28, 4 Nights
Londolozi Founders Camp
Londolozi is the Zulu word for protect and means “protector of all living things”. This private reserve is situated on the Sand River in the heart of Sabi Sands Game Reserve and world-renowned as one of Africa’s premier game lodges. This rich, wild wonderland has some of the highest recorded concentrations of white rhino and lion in Africa and is also famous for its viewings of leopards. Londolozi is truly one of life’s treasured experiences. Each African-style chalet in the Founders Camp comes with en suite bathroom and private plunge pool.September 29 – October 1, 3 Nights
MalaMala Main Camp
MalaMala is South Africa’s first and largest private ‘BIG 5’ reserve (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhinoceros). Wild dog, cheetah and many other mammals and birds provide for some of the finest game viewing/photographing on the African sub-continent. Many international wildlife documentaries have been filmed on this reserve.Accommodations include ‘his’ and ‘hers’ bathrooms, 24-hour temperature control, mini bar, mini safe, bathroom amenities, insect repellant, hair dryer, tea and coffee making facilities.
Camp facilities include safari-style lounge, air-conditioned dining room and historic bar, air-conditioned library with satellite TV, Internet connectivity, large wooden safari deck, small fitness facility, safari boutique, massage service, and a fully stocked wine cellar with South Africa’s finest wines.
October 2 – 5, 4 Nights
Kings Camp
Situated in a pristine corner of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Kings Camp reflects the charm and romance of a colonial past. It faces an open savanna plain with a waterhole which is frequented by a wide variety of wildlife day and night. The ‘Big 5’ reside here along with populations of wild dog, black rhino, cheetah and the rare white lion.The generously spaced thatched colonial suites are luxuriously equipped with romantic soft cascading mosquito nets, remote controlled air-conditioning, tea and coffee facilities, Victorian ball-and-claw bath, indoor and outdoor double shower, fully stocked mini-bar and a private veranda with hammock. For additional comfort and convenience, other room amenities include robes, mosquito repellent, an umbrella, hairdryer and a torch. Your suite is also equipped with its own safe and telephone. Dark tones of wood and thatch offset the natural colors of the bushveld.
Helpful Information for 2013 South Africa Photography Tour
SAFARI VEHICLES
South Africa is very different than Kenya when it comes to vehicles and reserves. The safari vehicles are limited at each lodge and the lodges are more small and exclusive than most lodges in Kenya. The vehicles are “tiered” with three rows of seating – two people per row = six to eight passengers per vehicle. We are working on acquiring as many vehicles as possible at the lodges in order to have only three to four people per vehicle. We have obtained two extra vehicles at Londolozi and one extra vehicle at MalaMala. We hope to have additional vehicles but will not know for sure until closer to trip departure time. Benefits in these smaller, private reserves include no off-road restrictions or restricted distance from the animals. Game viewing is also limited to guests only at their lodges. Vehicle seating cannot be determined until we know how many people are booked on the trip. This has always been an issue in South Africa and is unavoidable at these private reserves. Please know that we will do everything in our power to accommodate each guest with as much space as possible for the duration of the trip.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO PHOTOGRAPH THE BIG CATS?
Anytime is good in South Africa! They have their young year round. We’ll be visiting during the dry season before the November rains, so often we’ll encounter cats at the watering holes which will give us an extra advantage to photograph them. All of the reserves are private so we’ll have the freedom to explore the areas on and off road. MalaMala has recorded daily sightings for over 18 years.
VISAS
US, CANADA, and UK citizens DO NOT need tourist visas if staying for less than 90 days in South Africa. Please make sure to have multiple empty pages in your passport before traveling to South Africa – it is required! For all other nationalities visa requirements, please visit the South Africa Home Affairs Visa Information website.
VACCINATIONS
It is always best to make sure you are up to date with your routine vaccinations and to check in with your doctor or a medical professional ideally 4-6 weeks before travel.
- Recommended (but not required)
- Routine such as MMR, DPT, Polio
- Hepatitis A and B
- Typhoid
- Rabies
- Yellow Fever (optional)
Despite traveling during the dry season, Malaria prevention is suggested.
LUGGAGE
For international flights there is usually no problem with luggage allowance – just pay extra if needed. We highly recommend camera gear is carried onto the plane with you, so make sure to bring a bag that is within carry-on size allowance. It will most likely weigh more than allowed, so if possible keep your carry-on away from the ticketing area when checking in to avoid having them weigh it or give you any hassles. All personal luggage needs to be in “duffel-like” bags whether it is with or without roller capabilities.
Domestically, we will be flying on small commuter planes which will have luggage allowances, so our plan is to have the personal luggage travel by road. This way we won’t have to deal with these weight restrictions. We’ll take our camera bag on flight and personal luggage will travel by road.
Upon arrival and departure into South Africa, it is suggested to use TSA locks or plastic wrap for your luggage. Keep all prescriptions, camera chargers and valuables in your carry-on.
CURRENCY
The currency unit in South Africa is the Rand, denoted by the symbol R, with 100 cents making up one Rand (R1). Foreign currency can be exchanged at local banks, and Bureaux de Changes. Most major international credit cards such as American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa and their affiliates are widely accepted.
Have a question?
Have a question about this tour? We're happy to answer any queries you may have.
Testimonials from Natural Exposures' Explorers
"Anyone who joins you on the Mala Mala - Londolozi photo safari is in for a treat. What an incredible itinerary. Doug and I spent our first safari at Mala Mala and saw our first leopard there. And Christmas in Londolozi. Wow! Tom Emri and the Varty couple Shan and Dave were wonderful. We both came home with loads of very special photos and memories. We only wish we could join you on your tour. Bummer! I know you and your fellow photographers will not be disappointed."
Jan Baldwin
"If you ever want to travel to another country and you want to go first class, travel with Natural Exposures. They are number one in showing their guests the best time ever in the classiest way. I would recommend Natural Exposures Tours to everyone. If you want to go in style, go with NE!"
Michelle Duggan, Massachusetts
"Tanya and Dan’s logistic skills provide a seamless photo tour where one can truly enjoy the experience. With unlimited photographic opportunities Dan’s instruction has taken my photography to a higher level."
Linda Henry, Oregon
"I just wanted to again thank you for a wonderful week of photography and relaxation away from the office. It was a really a good group."
Sue Wolfe, Texas
"What a trip
What a group
What a fabulous everything
To our next encounters with nature"Maud and Leon Soriano, Florida
