Madikwe offers countless photographic opportunities and potential, especially for that of unique landscape opportunities with it’s dual ecotone habitat. Elephants, rhinos and buffalos in these landscapes offer excellent wide angle opportunities, whilst predators such as lions, cheetah and wild dog will keep you on your toes and snapping away to capture all the action.

Madikwe’s red soil contrasts delightfully against the deep blue skies, giving you beautifully vibrant and truly unique wildlife photographs. Game drives are conducted throughout the year at optimum viewing times when game activity is generally at its peak, i.e. early morning and late afternoon into evening. The morning safari departs at sunrise, and the evening drive leaves late enough in the afternoon for guests to enjoy a bush sunset and the opportunity to view nocturnal animals after dark.

We will be utilising a private 4x4 landcruiser and field guide, meaning we have complete control and maximum flexibility to get the best photographs possible. Our photographic group will comprise a maximum of six guests, to ensure extra space and comfort whilst on game drive. A smaller group also means that more attentive and focused photographic guidance and tuition is possible. This includes in-the-field guidance and support, making sure you not only don’t miss a beat, but also discover new creative skills and techniques to elevate your photography.

Back at the lodge between drives is the perfect time and location to look at photo cataloging and processing. Open up your laptop and we can look for ways to further improve and streamline your editing skills in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop.... or alternatively we can go over photography basics such as creative composition, the exposure triangle and freezing the action depending on your needs and wants.

The Underground Hide, accessed from a path within the lodge garden, is one of the most unique qualities of what makes this Madikwe Photographic Safari so special; the variation of game viewing opportunities. Spend the morning and afternoons on game drives where we track and find animals, and then take some time to see what animals come to you whilst you sit patiently with your camera. The hide is open 24/7, meaning if you’re able to stay awake in the later hours, you may be treated to some nocturnal visitors or perhaps some thirsty predators. However, the star of the show is when elephants and buffalos come to drink; there’s nothing like being so close to such large mammals, especially from such a low perspective - it’s humbling and offers incredible photographic potential.

Your game drives will be conducted by one of the local field guides with plenty of experience and knowledge of the flora and fauna of the area. They will be the one sharing animal information to help build your knowledge and appreciation of everything you come across. This, plus photographic guidance, means you get the best of both worlds for an unparalleled photographic safari experience in one of South Africa’s best game reserves.

Upon landing at Johannesburg, you will be met at the Arrivals area by a representative of the guesthouse you will be staying at. Look out for your name on display, alongside the guesthouse name 'AfricaSky'

The guesthouse is only 10mins away, and here you will meet the rest of your group, relax, have an evening meal before getting a good night's sleep.

After a hearty breakfast, the group will head out via private transfer to Madikwe. This drive is approximately 4.5hrs long, but there will be a leg-stretch / toilet break halfway.

Our eta at Madikwe is early afternoon, just in time to get settled in, refreshed and have a bite to eat before heading off on the first game drive!

Each day follows the same schedule, where we will be up and departing for our morning game drives just before sunrise. Game drives last around 3-3.5hrs but times are flexible depending on what we are seeing.

Breakfast is ready upon our return, and then the rest of the day is your own time. Whether it's relaxing in your room, taking a dip in the pool, basing yourself in the hide or working with Sam to elevate your photography - you'll find this in-between time flies by just as fast as the game drives!

We meet together for a light lunch / high tea before heading off on our afternoon game drive, which will see us returning back to the lodge at night in hopes for some nocturnal animals. Dinner is served upon our return when we're ready.

We depart Madikwe late morning, making sure we get a final morning game drive and delicious breakfast. We aim to get back to Johannesburg airport for approximately 15:30 - 16:00, but naturally it also depends on traffic. 

Once back at OR Tambo, we will say our goodbyes and depart ways.