Kruger Park Photographic Safari South Africa - Hosted by Wild Artistic Photography Photography Guide - Rick Budai
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Kruger Park
Photographic Safari
South Africa
Hosted by Wild Artistic Photography
Photography Guide - Rick Budai
Kruger Park Photographic Safari
12 Day Exclusive Kruger Photographic Safari Itinerary –
An African Photo Safari Opportunity Like No Other!
Day 1. Kruger National Park - Punda Maria
Today the adventure begins, guests departing from Johannesburg need to be
at the transfer departure point at 6:30am. The transfer will bring guests safely
and comfortably to Hoedspruit, a small town bordering Kruger National Park.
You will arrive at approximately 13:00pm and be met by your guide from Wild
Planet Safari.
Guests that choose to fly in to Eastgate Airport will be picked up and
transferred to Hoedspruit. Flights are not included and it is up to the guests to
book the best flight option. We kindly ask you to book a flight that arrives
before
1pm.
Kruger National Park is one of Africa`s premiere national parks and is the best
place in Africa to find the Big 5 and other flagship animal species from the
Continent. Kruger National park is the size of a small country and offers many
great wildlife opportunities that will enthrall first timers as well as
experienced visitors.
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Kruger Park Photographic Safari
After a light lunch, we will then travel north towards Zimbabwe, to the
northern gate of Kruger National Park. We will pass through the main game
breeding areas of South Africa on route to Kruger and we will have chances
to see rare antelope like sable and roan. After a short check in at Punda Maria
gate we travel to our camp.
Our accommodation this evening is in a beautiful rustic camp in the north of
Kruger, Punda Maria. The facilities found here include a swimming pool, a
hide that overlooks a waterhole, a small shop and the flycatcher trail (a 20-
minute trail famous for its birdlife and interesting vegetation). This afternoon
you can enjoy a break from being in the vehicle all day and spend the rest of
the day at the waterhole in front of camp and enjoy watching the animals as
they come thorough for a drink. Tonight you will be staying in the Historical
Bungalows of Punda, these are the original Bungalows from the mid-20th
century, the interiors however have been renovated. The rooms have 2 single
beds, electricity, air conditioner, bathroom with shower, basin and toilet.
Tonight we will all get together for dinner, and go through a short briefing of
the tour using maps to show where we are going at each stage of the safari.
This time will also be used to introduce your choice of photography
equipment to Rick, photography specialist, so that he can start to give you
specific advice during the safari.
After Dinner Rick will provide an educational talk on basic exposure workflow
and discuss some of his preferred camera settings for photographing wildlife.
Meals Provided: Dinner
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Kruger Park Photographic Safari
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Kruger Park Photographic Safari
Day 2 - Kruger National Park (Punda Maria Rest Camp)
We start before sunrise today as this allows us the best opportunities to find
animals and the best light for photography. A quick coffee and we are off
heading further to the north. This route takes us through fairly open country
mixed with Mopani thickets where we may find big herds of buffalo and
elephant.
We stop for breakfast at Pafuri picnic site which perches amongst lush Ana
trees, on the banks of the Luvuvhu River. The fantastic riverine forest shading
the banks of the river around the area has prolific birdlife, and the river often
teems with crocodiles and hippo. We then proceed further to Crooks Corner,
the meeting point of the Luvuvhu and Limpopo rivers. Here there is a great
view of the confluence, and it is the point where South Africa, Zimbabwe and
Mozambique meet. The beauty and low tourist density of this Northern area
of the park make it one of the most exclusive areas of our trip.
The area is stunning and the fever tree forests that run along the river are a
paradise for all the forest dwelling species. We then head slowly back to
camp stopping at the many waterholes along the way checking for any
animal activity. We will have lunch at the camp and have time to relax by the
swimming pool or sit at a bird hide before going on an afternoon drive on the
lookout for any predators active at dusk.
Tonight we will discuss various focusing techniques and camera settings.
Understanding the different methods used for focusing will enable us to
adjust our 'technical' approach dependant on the scene or subject being
photographed. We will also discuss creative panning and tracking techniques.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
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Kruger Park Photographic Safari
Day 3. Kruger National Park. (Shingwedzi Rest Camp)
This morning we will depart on an early morning drive in the Punda Maria
area. We will drive a loop around the Dimbo Mountain, an area that is great for
spotting leopard. We will return in time for breakfast after which we say
goodbye to Punda Maria and head south to our next camp, Shingwedzi.
It’s a 70 km drive, and this area is known to be home to big herds of buffalo,
elephant, waterbuck, impala and leopard. Some of the rarer antelope can be
found in this area such as Eland and Roan. Shingwedzi is one of the quietest
camps in Kruger and is located on the banks the Shingwedzi River. The views
from the camp are fantastic and many hours can be spent on a bench gazing
out over the sandy beaches of the Shingwedzi River watching the animals
come and go.
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Kruger Park Photographic Safari
Facilities here include a Swimming pool, a laundry, and a small shop. You will
be sleeping in twin bed Chalets, the rooms have 2 single beds, electricity, air
conditioner, bathroom with shower, basin and toilet. When we arrive we will
have lunch (own expense) and then you can cool down by the pool or have a
“siesta” before we depart on another excellent afternoon safari drive. This
drive will take us along the Shingwedzi River past waterholes where spotted
hyena like to rest and through beautiful riverine forests that are perfect
leopard habitat. Tonight we will serve dinner at camp.
Think like a Pro! Tonight Rick will go through the thought process and
questions you should ask yourself prior to capturing the moment. We will
also cover some of the pitfalls every wildlife photographer should be aware
of.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
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Kruger Park Photographic Safari
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Kruger Park Photographic Safari
Day 4. Kruger National Park (Shingwedzi Rest Camp)
This morning we will go out for an exciting drive along the Mphongolo River,
We will follow the beautiful tree lined river and do a spot of birdwatching
whilst we search for the elusive leopard. We will enjoy breakfast at a picnic
site before taking a slow drive through the Mopani thickets - one of the
dominant ecosystems of Kruger Park - back to camp. We will serve lunch at
camp.
We will then head out on an afternoon drive along the Shingwedzi River,
which is a seasonal river. Even when it is dry though, it presents excellent
opportunities for game viewing, perhaps even better than in the spectacular
wet season when it often breaks its banks, as wildlife searches for ever
diminishing water supplies.
Dinner tonight will be served at camp.
This evenings educational will be dedicated towards improving composition.
We will discuss different “rules” of composition…when and how to use them to
improve our wildlife shots.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
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Kruger Park Photographic Safari
Day 5.Kruger National Park. (Letaba Rest Camp)
Early this morning we will depart for one last safari in the Shingwedzi area.
We will follow the River and try to search the low lying branches of the giant
jackal berry trees for any leopard out and about.
When we return we will serve breakfast, pack up and leave Shingwedzi to
head further south. Our next camp, Letaba, is about 110km drive through
Mopani and bush willow and is a good area to find some very big elephants.
We will stop for an own expense lunch at Mopani Camp on route and arrive at
Letaba in the late afternoon.
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Letaba is one of our favourite camps in Kruger, halfway between the Northern
and Southern borders. It is built on the banks of the Letaba River, set on a
sweeping bend. Views of the river from the camp are fantastic and many
hours can be spent gazing out over the vast sandy banks - elephants are
regular visitors, and the birdlife is reknowned.
At Letaba there is a Park Shop with souvenirs and gifts, a swimming pool,
restaurant and The Great Elephant Hall, a museum dedicated to the biggest
elephants in the history of Kruger National Park. We will be staying at Letaba
camp for the next 2 nights in traditional round thatched African huts called
Rondawels, inside there are 2 single beds, a ceiling fan, air conditioning, a
private washroom with shower and toilet, a fridge and a small patio to relax
and enjoy the surroundings.
This afternoon Rick will cover some tips and techniques on photographing
wildlife in low light conditions. This should come in especially handy for those
choosing to go on a night drive.
Tonight we will prepare and enjoy a traditional South African dinner cooked
over an open fire, then relax and delight in the sounds of the African bush.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
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Day 6. Kruger National Park, Letaba Rest Camp
Today we will wake up and head out for an early morning game drive in
search of the animals roaming the area. This part of Kruger is known for the
huge herds of Buffalo, Elephants and Leopards that frequent the areas along
the Letaba River.
Many other species can be viewed along the route including Hippo, Crocodile
and various antelope species.
We will serve breakfast at a picnic site and then take a slow drive back to
Letaba. When we return to camp you can enjoy the various facilities the camp
has to offer and relax during the midday heat.
We will serve lunch at camp and then this afternoon we will go out for
another great game drive in the area before we return to camp for dinner.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
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Day 7. Kruger National Park. (Satara Rest Camp)
Early this morning we will go out on a short sunrise drive along the Letaba
River, but this time we will follow the river to the east. This is an area where a
large pride of lion live, they are shy but we have found them many times in
the past.
We will return to camp for a hearty breakfast after which we pack up and
head further South on our way to our next camp, Satara. On the way to Satara
we pass through open savannah grasslands, the area is great for big herds of
grazing animals such as Zebra and Wildebeest.
When we arrive at Satara we will check in and prepare lunch, then there is
time to relax before we head out on an afternoon drive in the area.
Satara is located in the grasslands of Kruger, this attracts many grazing
animals to the area. It is an excellent area for viewing the wildlife and there is
a waterhole just outside the camp where you can spot animals whilst at
camp. We will be staying at Satara for three nights and you will be staying in
traditional round thatched African huts called Rondawel. Inside there are 2
single beds, a ceiling fan, a private washroom with toilet and shower, air
conditioning, a fridge and a small patio to relax and enjoy camp life.
Tonight, dinner is own expense at the camp restaurant and then you will be
able to join a night drive in search of some of the nocturnal animals, and
possibly even get to see some of the big cats on the hunt. Please note that
this night drive is shared by other guests in the park and is with a trained
Kruger ranger.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 8. Kruger National Park (Satara Rest Camp)
We start the day with a game drive along the N’wanetsi river road. The drive
takes us along the river with dense vegetation on one side (great for leopard)
and open plains on the other (good for cheetah) and is well known for lion
sightings. The area is also very good for spotting white rhino and has large
herds of buffalo, blue wildebeest, zebra, kudu and giraffe.
We will have breakfast at the picnic site where there’s a lookout over the
Sweni River gorge. We then travel through an area known to be home to one
of Kruger’s super prides, an enormous pride of 20 lions and then back to
camp. We will serve lunch at camp and then there is some time for you to
relax and make use of the camp facilities. In the afternoon we will travel the
Sweni road in search for more lions and if we are lucky wild dog. Dinner will
be made when we return and we will fall asleep tonight to the sounds of the
roaring lions.
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By now we should have captured some great images, so tonight Rick will go
through some basic photo editing techniques using Lightroom and
Photoshop with some of the images we captured.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
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Day 9. Kruger National Park (Satara Rest Camp)
Early this morning we will meet for a cup of coffee and then head out for
another adventure in the Satara area.
The open grasslands found here are the perfect habitat for Cheetah, and we
will do our best this morning to find one of these magnificent, but elusive, big
cats. We will stop at another picnic site in the Satara area and then head back
to camp for some time to rest and relax.
Lunch will be served at camp and then we will head back out in to the
Savanah to search for some more great photographic opportunities.
Dinner will be served at the camp this evening.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
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Day 10. Kruger National Park (Berg en Dal Rest Camp)
This morning, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a guided bush walk in
the wild and untamed Kruger National Park. You will be taken out with a
trained Kruger ranger where he/she will teach you more about the bush and
tracking the different animals - it is a chance to see and experience things
that you cannot see easily from a vehicle.
After your return we will have breakfast, pack up and head further south to
Berg en Dal. We will be staying at Berg en Dal for the last 2 nights of the
safari. You will be staying in Traditional African chalets, the chalets have a
thatched roof, twin beds, private wash room with toilet and shower, small
kitchen and a small patio area to sit and relax.
Berg en Dal is in a mountainous area of Kruger National park and this
provides a beautifully scenic backdrop to all photos. The area receives the
highest rainfall of Kruger national Park and this in turn allows for stunning
riverine forests to grow along the rivers.
It is the perfect area for elephant and leopard and the area boasts the highest
concentration of Rhino in the park. This afternoon we will take you out on a
safari drive in search for some amazing animals that live in the Berg en Dal
area. This will be a very exciting time for you and we hope to find something
special this afternoon. We will return to camp at sunset, start preparing dinner
and enjoy the sounds of the African bush by the warm fire.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
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Day 11. Kruger National Park - Berg en Dal .
Today we will meet for some coffee early in the morning and then go out for a
sunrise safari drive, we will follow the winding rivers as they head east and
we will search the lower branches of the giant trees for any resting or feeding
leopards. We also hope to see some elephant and white rhino and if we are
very lucky we could spot a rare black rhino in this area. We will stop at a
picnic site to enjoy breakfast in the bush and return to camp in the late
morning.
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We will have lunch back at camp and allow for sufficient time to enjoy the
camp facilities before we go out for one last afternoon drive. The camp
facilities include a swimming pool, small souvenir shop, a waterhole and a
self-guided walking trail.
On this afternoon`s drive we expect the African wilderness to reveal itself in
true majestic style as this part of Kruger is teeming with life! Upon our return
to camp we will light the fire and enjoy the surroundings we are in.
Dinner tonight will be own expense at the camp restaurant as we remember
some of the highlights of your tour.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch.
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Day 12. Kruger National Park to Johannesburg
This morning we will go out on one last safari, as we prepare to say goodbye
to the African bush.
Hopefully Kruger has one more surprise for us before we leave. We will drive
out along the Crocodile river and search for any predators retreating as the
sun comes up and if we are extra lucky we will get to see the resident pack of
wild dog that operate in a huge area around Berg en Dal.
We will serve breakfast on route and then take you to the departure point for
your return transfer from Kruger to Johannesburg. You will arrive in
Johannesburg between 17:00 and 18:00. Please note that should you be flying
out on this day that you should not book your International flights before
19:00pm, and domestic flights before 20:00pm.
Meals Included: Breakfast.
In addition to evening educationals, other topics covered include:
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1. The basics of light, including intensity, directional and colour of light.
2. How to interpret the histogram
3. Focal point
4. Using Flash
5. Negative space
6. Seeing Abstractly
7. Animal portraits
8. Panning
9. Silhouettes
10. Photographing birds in flight
11. Freeing your subject
12. Image file formats
13. Perspective
14. Plus, strategies for different subjects such as animals in groups, small and
large birds etc
Included in this 12 Day Kruger Photographic Safari…
*Return transfer to Kruger from Johannesburg
*Entrance fees to Kruger National Park
*Kruger Night Drive
*Kruger Bush Walk
*Kruger Afternoon Drive x 10
*Kruger Morning Drive x 10
*Meals (as specified in the day-by-day description)
*All accommodation
*A professional driver/guide and assistant
*A professional photographic guide
*All transportation
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Excluded in this 12 Day Kruger Photographic Safari…
*International flights (from/to the client’s home country) and domestic flights
*Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
*Tips: tipping guideline of $10 per person per day for the guide and crew
*Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees and other personal
items)
Travelling Precaution
It is recommended that you get your checked-in baggage wrapped (a service
available at most airports). This is to discourage anyone from tampering with
your bags. As much as is practical, bring important stuff with you as carry-
on luggage. Think about what would ruin your trip if it was lost or delayed -
while it is unlikely, bags do sometimes get lost and waylaid on international
flights. You should also ensure you have travel insurance to cover all the
essentials.
We also recommend checking smartraveller.gov.au (or the relevant
government travel alert) for up to date travel alerts that may be relevant to
your personal circumstances.
Washing
Don't overpack! Most places that we stay with have the facility to wash and
dry your own clothes. Bring a small amount of detergent/washing powder
for this purpose.
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Clothing
You will need some comfortable, lightweight clothes, which give you
flexibility for getting in and out of vehicles, light walking, getting down low to
photograph an amazing flower. Layers are great, as while days can be warm,
mornings and evenings can be cool. Look for clothing with useful pockets for
stashing small items that you want to keep close by.
Long-sleeved shirts and full-length pants will help prevent sunburn as well
as keep the local mozzie population at bay. Bring along a couple of pairs of
lightweight, loose pairs of full-length pants, and look for those that have zip
off 'legs'. Breathable, long-sleeved or short sleeved tops will also maximise
your comfort. You don't need 'safari' wear though - that makes you stand out
as a tourist.
Don’t forget to bring a warm top such as a fleece, and a rain jacket.
Umbrellas aren't practical on a safari vehicle.
A beanie is a great addition to your pack for cool mornings and evening, and
a sunhat for the midday sun. Don't forget to pack your swimsuit too!
Shoes should be comfortable and suitable for light walking, at least one pair
with closed toes..
Soft bags, such as duffel bags, make for easier moving around, and are better
accommodated on the vehicles.
Sunscreen
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Hat - ideally with a wide but soft brim that won't get in the way of your
camera
Water bottle for refilling from larger bottles of water. You should not be
drinking tap water.
Insect repellent - ideally one containing DEET but please consult your
pharmacist to determine if this is suitable for your skin type, as it is strong.
Personal medication - make sure you have enough for the duration of your
entire trip
Lip balm
Torch or headtorch
Power adapter for South Africa. Please note that not all adapters advertised
as suitable are! Check this carefully - feel free to ask us for a photo of the
connector you will need. If you can bring along a small power board with a
surge protector this will give you added peace of mind.
Alarm clock or phone with a reliable alarm - you don't want to miss sunrise
gamedrives!
Hand sanitiser
A great book for some well deserved down time
Tripod
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Spare camera batteries - while you will be able to recharge in most places
that we stay, there are some long days and some amazing photo
opportunities. Don't be caught short!
Spare memory cards - As for batteries. We also recommend that you bring
along two hard drives to upload your photos to, with a backup. Good internet
connections may be scarce so do not rely on uploading to cloud based
services.
Your camera manual - for those hard to find functions and settings. You will
have a photography expert with you, but every camera make and model is
different - your manual is essential.
A camera backpack or similar system to ensure you can have a variety of
lenses with you.
Laptop - if you wish to participate in post processing you should have Adobe
Lightroom installed.
Your camera and lenses - you are welcome to speak to us about
recommended gear to bring with you. We also recommend labelling your
gear where possible - there may be others with the same/similar equipment
to yours.
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