South Africa Photo Safari

Home / Penda Tours / South Africa Photo Safari

Welcome to the land of the Big Five.

Join us for a Big Five photography safari in South Africa. We’ll be based in the stunning Timbavati Game Reserve, an area of private reserves that offer truly exclusive wildlife encounters – some of the best in Africa. The area is particularly known for its brilliant sightings of the otherwise elusive leopard – but you can also expect lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalos, and much more.

We’ll stay in a lodge in the middle of the reserve, surrounded by wildlife and beautiful scenery. During our twice-daily game drives, all guided by expert local guides and trackers, you can expect to photograph the African Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, and elephant) – and a whole lot more. Throughout this photo safari, you’ll enjoy the expert tutoring of wildlife photographer Alan Hewitt, an official Fujifilm UK ambassador, who will help you hone your photography skills. We’ll have a maximum group size of 6, ensuring that everyone will receive personal tutoring that suits their level.

If you’re keen for an extended wildlife photography adventure, you can combine this trip with our photo safari in Botswana! This is based in the stunning Tuli Game Reserve, where wide open landscapes and some unique wildlife encounters will offer an equally exciting but totally different photographic experience. (There’s a discount if you join both trips!)

Quick Facts

Timbavati (Greater Kruger), South Africa

Jul 25 - 31, 2025

Aug 1 - 7, 2025

Jul 4 - 10, 2026

Jul 24 - 30, 2026

Wildlife Photography

Photography Guide: Alan Hewitt

Group Size: Max 6

All Photography Levels

Tour & Destination Highlights

Get incredible photographic opportunities in a private game reserve, which is likely to include quality encounters with the Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalos)
Improve your photography skills, whatever level you’re at, through tutoring by Alan Hewitt
Enjoy the exclusivity and flexibility that comes with staying in a private game reserve
Enjoy a small group size, allowing plenty of personal guidance, and a great position in our game drive vehicle
Be guided by local guides and trackers with a wealth of expertise

Quick Facts

Timbavati (Greater Kruger), South Africa

Jul 25 - 31, 2025

Aug 1 - 7, 2025

Jul 4 - 10, 2026

Jul 24 - 30, 2026

Wildlife Photography

Photography Guide: Alan Hewitt

Group Size: Max 6

PRICING OVERVIEW

From USD $4195GBP £EUR €ZAR RAUD $

USDGBPEURZARAUD

At the current exchange rate. Please note final quote might vary slightly

per person sharing

DETAILED RATES

2025: $4195
2026: $4995

INCLUDING

Accommodation & all meals
Airport transfers
All game drives
Photographic tutoring

EXCLUDING

International flights
Travel insurance

EXPLORE

Photography in South Africa

This photo safari is fully designed around getting you the best wildlife photography opportunities.

Lion asleep with his head on another lion on photo safari in botswana_6

birds on an giraffe's back in south africa_5

WHAT TO EXPECT IN SOUTH AFRICA

Your Photographic Experience

This photo safari is set in the Timbavati, a collection of private game reserves that borders Kruger National Park. The game viewing here is incredible; some of the best in Africa. The wildlife is exceptionally relaxed around game drive vehicles, allowing for phenomenal photographic opportunities. You can expect to photograph the Big Five with ease, including the otherwise elusive leopard. It’s also a brilliant area for spotting the highly endangered white rhino. Our itinerary on this photo safari is fully designed around getting you the best wildlife photography opportunities. Twice a day, around times when the African light is at its very best, you’ll enjoy a 3-hour game drive. You’ll be guided by expert local guides and trackers, who will make sure to find you a wealth of wildlife to photograph. You can expect to have close encounters with a large number of animals, including lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, rhino, and many different antelope species. We’ll always get you to the best possible angle and the best possible light, so that the photographic opportunities are optimal. You can expect to return home with an impressive portfolio of wildlife images! Wildlife photographer Alan Hewitt will offer guidance throughout the trip, making sure that you’ll be improving your photography skills. The tutoring covers everything from composition to technical camera use and post-production. Since we’ll be traveling in a small group, there will be plenty of one-on-one time, which ensures that everyone can learn at their own level and pace. Photographers of all levels are welcome!

The photo safari exceeded by expectations on all levels. It was a tremendous experience and I enjoyed every moment of it. I have learned an incredible amount about photography, the South African Bush, the animals and the people.

Andrew McBean

S. Africa’s Timbavati reserve at Umlani Bushcamp provided spectacular photographic opportunities – Four male lions on a giraffe kill, a hyena den with three playful pups, a herd of elephants at a watering hole viewed from a treehouse, to name only a few. Comfortable accommodations, amazing animal sightings, and a very knowledgeable photography guide made this safari unforgettable.

Renee Rinn

Extraordinary experience – trip of a lifetime. Thank you for everything. Highlights were all the animal encounters, and just being immersed in the bush with nice people.

Axel Elfner

I had fun, met new people from different parts of the world, saw many wonderful animals, was well taken care of and felt safe within each of the two lodges. Photography workshops were full of good help and advice where it was needed. I left this holiday with a light and satisfied heart.

Chris McConnell

The game drives were first rate and the opportunities they presented plentiful. In particular the number and variety of leopard sightings were simply outstanding. Alan Hewitt was a first rate tutor and coach as well as being an engaging and committed host.

David Callaghan

Gallery

YOUR ACCOMMODATION

Umlani Bushcamp

We’ll have the pleasure of staying at Umlani Bushcamp, a secluded lodge in the heart of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve that effortlessly blends comfort with rustic African charm. Tucked deep within the reserve and unfenced, the camp is regularly visited by wildlife—zebra, elephant, nyala, and more may wander past as you sip your morning coffee or wind down after a day’s adventure. The camp’s intimate connection with nature offers a rare, immersive experience of the African bush. Accommodation is in traditional thatched rondavels—simple yet elegant—with comfortable beds, en-suite bathrooms, and open-air bush showers that let you rinse off under the stars. Despite the wilderness setting, you'll enjoy hot water, solar-powered electricity, and all the essential comforts. Umlani also features a bush bar overlooking a nearby waterhole (a favourite for elephants at sundown), a refreshing plunge pool, a cozy lounge area, and a traditional African boma, where guests gather under the stars to enjoy three beautifully prepared home-cooked meals each day. Beyond the creature comforts, what sets Umlani apart is its ethos: a focus on sustainable tourism and an authentic bush experience. The camp is unfenced, enhancing the thrill of being in the wild, and game drives are led by highly experienced guides and trackers who share an intimate knowledge of the land and its inhabitants. Whether you're photographing a leopard at dawn or listening to hyenas call as you drift off to sleep, Umlani offers a truly unforgettable safari experience.

WORKSHOP LEADER

Alan Hewitt

WORKSHOP LEADER

Alan Hewitt

VIEW FULL PORTFOLIO

Alan Hewitt is a wildlife and conservation photographer, writer, and workshop leader. Mainly driven by his appreciation for and fascination of wildlife, Alan’s aim with his photography is to document our natural world and use this as a tool for conservation. His work has been used to support wildlife conservation organisations in Kenya, as well as ones closer to his home in the UK, including campaigns to save nature reserves that are home to iconic and endangered species. Alan is an official UK ambassador for FUJIFILM.

VIEW FULL PORTFOLIO

EXPERIENCE

The Itinerary

Day 1Arrival

Day 2 - 6Our stay in Timbavati

We’ll enjoy full days of being in the African bush, and photographing wildlife. Our days start early, with a 3-hour game drive at the first African light. This is a great time to be out; animals are at their most active, and the light is at its best. When we return, a delicious breakfast awaits us. Afterwards, there is time to relax, to review images, and to talk in-depth about wildlife photography with Alan. Late afternoon, after lunch, we’ll head out on another 3-hour game drive, this time at the last of the warm African light. During the game drive, we’ll stop for ‘sundowners’, drinks in the middle of the bush. After the game drive, dinner will be served, and there is time to relax.

Day 7Departure

South Africa Photo Safari

Enquire

Tour Enquiry

black and white photo of a lion taken on photo safari in south africa

Three smiling people with cameras and long camera lenses, standing close together outdoors

At Penda, we're all about creating incredible photographic opportunities.

Our photo tours and safaris will take you to the right place, at the right time, to get that epic shot. You'll be guided by a professional photographer, who will help you take your photography to the next level, and we keep our trips exclusive by traveling in small groups. Whether it's in Kenya's sprawling savannahs, Yellowstone's snowy interior, or the jungles of India, your journey will be filled with photography magic.

Why travel with us

Go behind the scenes

Read reviews from some of our guests, have a look at the images taken by them, and get some insider tips from the professionals.

1 /

Wildlife Photography Tips by Alan Hewitt

How to Pack for an African Photo Safari

Ethics in Wildlife Photography: Why Distance Matters

The Magic of South Africa's Timbavati