Luxury Wildlife Photography Safari in South Africa
12-Nights of Incredible Wildlife Encounters, Expert Guiding, and 5-Star Accommodations
Operated by
Finisterra Travel
Three Trips in One
Unforgettable 12-Day Adventure
This exclusive 12-day wildlife photography safari in South Africa is operated by Finisterra Travel (BC Reg. #70260), with photography instruction hosted by Follow Me North.
This unforgettable journey takes you to the breathtaking destinations of Cape Town, Timbavati, and Madikwe, offering an experience tailored for both photographers and wildlife enthusiasts.
For photographers, private jeeps provide the peace and quiet needed to focus on capturing stunning images. No crowds. No distractions.
For wildlife lovers, the safari promises incredible, up-close encounters that are as authentic as they are unforgettable. With a perfect blend of intimacy, exclusivity, and world-class game viewing, this adventure is designed to create memories that will stay with you forever.
Trip Summary
DATES: TBD for April/May 2027
LOCATIONS: Cape Town, Timbavati & Madikwe
PHYSICAL RATING: EASY
GROUP SIZE: Limited to 10 to ensure an intimate and personalized experience
PRICING: TBD in 2027. For context, in 2025, the trip was priced in Four Equal Payments of $4,748.75 CAD (Taxes Included)
Please Note: Follow Me North Photography is not a travel agency or tour operator, and does not sell or facilitate the sale of travel services. All travel arrangements, payments, and logistics for this trip are managed solely by Finisterra Travel, a licensed travel company (BC Reg. #70260), and proud members of the Adventure Travel Trade Association. Follow Me North is responsible for hosting and delivering photography instruction. Travel details and payment instructions will be sent to you after registration.
Trip Inclusions
4 Nights in a Luxury Camp in Timbavati
Inspired by traditional South African design, the lodge offers a relaxed ambience where indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly flow into one another. Guests can enjoy a perfect balance of communal and private moments, all infused with the authentic feel of the African bush.
5 Nights in a Luxury Camp in Madikwe
The suites offer luxurious accommodations, nestled in custom-designed structures inspired by stilted treehouses. Connected by raised walkways, each suite boasts breathtaking views of the surrounding riverine forest and the iconic Marico River.
Private Hide At A Watering Hole
Our lodge offers a unique opportunity for game viewing, even between daily drives. Whether you’re hoping to capture eye-level shots of wildlife at a bustling waterhole or simply want to soak in the serene beauty of your surroundings, our private hide offers the perfect balance of intimacy and connection to nature.
Accessible through an underwater tunnel directly from your room, our submerged photographic hide is available 24/7. This one-of-a-kind feature allows you to immerse yourself in the wildlife experience like never before.
All Meals On Safari
Menus celebrate farm-to-table ingredients while delivering the sophistication of fine dining. And yes, drinks are included! Start your mornings with coffee on the go, infused with love, and a splash of Amarula, before indulging in lavish bush breakfasts. Savour bush picnics and dinners under the stars, surrounded by the sounds of the wild. Each evening game drive is capped off with sundowners, where our guides serve up your cocktail of choice, making every sunset a celebration.
Daily Morning Game Drives
At first light, you'll set out in an open 4x4 safari vehicle for a thrilling morning game drive. Experience the magic of the bush as predators conclude their nocturnal hunts, and many animals emerge to graze in the cool, tranquil hours before the heat of the day. Our expert guides will lead you through the landscape, offering unique insights into the rhythms of the wild. Imagine the anticipation of spotting a lion or leopard, or the serenity of watching herds of wildlife silhouetted against the rising sun. Each morning promises new wonders and breathtaking photographic opportunities.
Daily Evening Game Drives
As the African sun begins to dip below the horizon, join our expert rangers for an unforgettable evening game drive. You’ll have the unique opportunity to track the Big Five and a variety of other wildlife as they stir with the setting sun. Witness the dramatic spectacle of animals coming to the river to drink in the late afternoon light. As darkness falls, the bush comes alive with new sounds and possibilities, and our night drives often produce rare and unusual wildlife sightings, making each drive a unique and exciting adventure.
3 Nights in Cape Town
Airport pick-up and reservations at a high-end hotel in Cape Town are included, so we can rest up before our safari officially begins. Enjoy the flavours, music and sights of Cape Town’s Table Mountain and vast beaches during our leisure time. *Meals in Cape Town not included.
Experience the natural beauty of Cape of Good Hope on foot, visit an endangered African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach up close and personal, and take a journey on one of the world’s most beautiful and iconic drives. This day trip will run from 8:30 am - 5:30 pm. on one of our rest days in Cape Town.
Full Day South African Penguin Tour in Cape Town
Our first three days will find us exploring Cape Town. Once we land, a shuttle will take the group to our hotel. Transportation to/from our hotel for our Full Day South African Penguin Tour in Cape Town, road transfers from Cape Town to Hoedspruit airport, as well as domestic flight between lodges are all covered.
Mid-way through our safari, we’ll be travelling from Timbavati Game Reserve to Madikwe Game Reserve. All associated transportation between lodges is 100% covered!
All Domestic Flights & Road Transfers To/From Safari Lodges
All game reserve levies will be covered. These fees preserve the wildlife heritage of each park for future generations.
Smaller game reserves, like those we’re visiting on this trip, are at an increased risk of poaching unless rhino monitoring programs and other security measures are implemented and maintained. Conservation levies are now deemed essential to assist in the significant costs associated with these multi-layered anti-poaching measures. We love supporting family-run operations dedicated to getting the local community involved in wildlife conservation and converting privately owned land into agricultural land for conservation. Protecting the rhinos is a key factor in the ongoing success and sustainability of this initiative.
Conservation Levies
Individual Photography Coaching
The core of this experience is helping you gain confidence in the field and to provide individual photography coaching. If you’re an iPhone user, amateur, seasoned photographer, videographer, or the spouse of a photography enthusiast along for the ride, you’re welcome to join Jesse and Susan in the field for hands-on learning! A wildlife safari is truly for everyone!
One-On-One Lightroom Photo Editing
In wildlife and landscape photography, challenges like varying weather and low lightcan impact image quality. With targeted editing techniques, you can reveal incredible detail and enhance your images. Photo editing sessions at the lodge will focus on essential skills, such as reducing digital noise from high ISO settings and adding depth to your images. You’ll also learn to develop a consistent aesthetic across your portfolio, ensuring your images always look their best, regardless of shooting conditions.
Take The First Step In An Unforgettable Adventure Today
DATES: TBD
LOCATIONS: Cape Town, Timbavati & Madikwe
PRICING: TBD. For context, in 2025, the trip was priced in Four Equal Payments of $4,748.75 CAD (Taxes Included)
Please Note: Follow Me North Photography is not a travel agency or tour operator, and does not sell or facilitate the sale of travel services. All travel arrangements, payments, and logistics for this trip are managed solely by Finisterra Travel, a licensed travel company (BC Reg. #70260), and proud members of the Adventure Travel Trade Association. Follow Me North is responsible for hosting and delivering photography instruction. Travel details and payment instructions will be sent to you after registration.
What You Should Know Before You Go
Non-Refundable Fees
All workshop fees and dues are non-refundable.
You have the option to make your workshop payment in full upon booking, or paying a 25% Non-Refundable Deposit to hold your spot. Final Payment is due 60 days before departure.
If unforeseen circumstances arise, participants are welcome to transfer/sell their space to another interested participant within their own personal network.
IMPORTANT: Failure to pay by the payment due date means forfeiting your deposit and fees to date, and your spot will be freed up and potentially sold to another interested participant.
ACCEPTANCE: Once your request is accepted, we will provide you with a link to our secure payment portal to pay your deposit and sign waivers.
Trip Exclusions
+International Airfare To/From Cape Town Airport
All participants will be responsible for their own International airfare or applicable travel to Cape Town (our first safari stop) and departure flight from Johannesburg. Finisterra Travel can assist you with booking your flights to ensure all road transfers to/from lodges align with our group for a small fee.
+Travel Insurance
Health Insurance is Mandatory. Trip cancellation recommended. For our Canadian friends, we recommend Manulife Insurance for general liability. Photographers might also consider Front Row Insurance or Arthur J Gallagher Canada Limited for equipment coverage of items valued at more than $5000 per item.
+Meals in Cape Town
Cape Town is known for it’s incredible food and we can learn so much about a place by trying new things. We’ll be able to explore local restaurants of our own choosing.
+Spa Treatments
Between tours, guests are able to enjoy spa treatments at the lodges at their own expense.
+Gratuity For Staff & Field Guides
Our tour operators are small business owners and it is generally customary to leave a tip at the end of your stay. USD or African Rand are the accepted currencies in South Africa. Credit Cards are generally accepted for tips, but cash is always king. Please, see each lodge’s tipping suggestions listed below in each of the lodges descriptions. Each has their own payment structure.
Double Occupancy
This safari is based on double occupancy.
Feel free to sign up with your spouse, friend or friend-of-a-friend!
For solo travellers coming without a workshop buddy, we will happily pair you up with a same-sex partner to room with.
Where Wildlife, Culture, and Conservation Unite
What sets our South Africa safari apart isn’t just the breathtaking scenery or incredible wildlife, it’s the deep, meaningful connections we’ve built with local guides who dedicate their lives to conservation. While many luxury lodges make claims about supporting communities, we’ve gone further by partnering with individuals actively involved in conservation projects that directly benefit their communities and protect Africa’s most vulnerable wildlife.
Our guides are more than professional trackers, they’re storytellers, advocates, and stewards of the land. Their knowledge of the local environment and wildlife, paired with their personal (often humorous) experiences, provide a perspective that goes far beyond the surface. We’ve carefully selected lodges that embody the true spirit of South Africa, ensuring your investment directly supports local communities and conservation efforts.
This deeper connection is what makes this safari truly meaningful. It’s not just about capturing bucket-list images, it’s about gaining a profound understanding of the delicate ecosystem and the people dedicated to protecting it.
By limiting the number of vehicles and crafting intimate experiences, we provide our guests with authentic, exclusive moments that go beyond the ordinary.
Two Reserves, One Epic Story.
Uncover South Africa's Hidden Gems
To maximize your wildlife viewing opportunities, this safari adventure is split between two distinct locations: Timbavati Private Nature Reserve and Madikwe Game Reserve. Each reserve offers a unique ecosystem with diverse species, ensuring a richer and more varied photographic experience.
Timbavati Reserve: A Sanctuary for Endangered Species and Abundant Wildlife
After a scenic road transfer from Hoedspruit airport, the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve offers 53,000 hectares of unspoiled wilderness in the Lowveld region of South Africa.
This reserve is dedicated to protecting endangered species such as the black and white rhinoceros, pangolins, saddle-billed storks, and southern ground hornbills. The lack of fences between Timbavati and its neighbouring reserves allows for a great abundance of wildlife, including herds of African elephant, buffalo, kudu, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, impala, waterbuck, and warthog, as well as predators like lion, leopard, cheetah, and hyena.
The critically endangered African wild dog and rare white lion may also be spotted, and there are more than 360 recorded bird species, making it a birdwatcher's paradise.
Camp #1: Luxury Camp in Timbavati
Located in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. The architect and interior designer of the lodge was inspired by the Timbavati setting of this luxury South African safari lodge to create a relaxed ambience with indoor and outdoor guest spaces that segue into each other, and enable both communal and private moments suffused with an authentic bush feel.