Backcountry Journeys Presents
Kruger National Park & Sabi Sands
June 10 - 19, 2025
Discover South Africa's Wildlife Treasures
Limited Availability - Only 6 Spots
Explore South Africa
Discover untouched wilderness and photograph thriving wildlife populations as we explore the pristine and wild ecosystems of South Africa. With millions of hectares of protected wilderness, there's no shortage of wildlife photography opportunities here. From Large Mammals, to a dazzling array of birds and more, this part of the world is a true wildlife hotspot. Join us on this all-inclusive, world-class adventure into the beating heart of South Africa.
Capture Iconic African Wildlife
Photograph many of the most iconic, powerful, and awe-inspiring animals on the entire planet. With talented naturalists and professional photography instructors, you will experience up-close and personal interactions with countless animal species. Capture stunning images of animals native to South Africa including exceptional opportunities to photography leopards, elephants, hippos, wildebeest, cheetah, giraffes, the elusive white lion, and much more.
Experience Luxurious Safari Lodges
Enjoy the luxury and comfort of world-class safari lodges that provide an immersive experience into the natural world. Each of the three lodges on this trip have their own unique charm and character and they are some of the highest-rated in the entire country. Enjoy the luxury of clean and comfortable accommodations, delicious gourmet meals, and opportunities for socializing all while experiencing the sounds and sights of the pristine wilderness around you.
Venture Into Kruger National Park
Explore the expansive wilderness and capture stunning images of animals in their natural habitats in Kruger National Park. As the centerpiece of a vast network of protected areas in the heart of South Africa, Kruger National Park is one of the largest and most visited parks on the entire continent. With over 2 million hectares of untouched wilderness that's home to abundant and healthy wildlife populations the photo opportunities here are truly endless.
Enjoy The Calm Sabi Sands Game Reserve
Discover a less-crowded and more intimate wildlife experience in Sabi Sands Game Reserve. Sharing an open and unfenced border with the adjacent Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands offers all of the same photography opportunities. The key difference is that without all of the crowds we'll be able to experience more intimate and peaceful wildlife encounters. Sabi Sands is known for its exceptional wildlife viewings, and is especially famous for leopard sightings.
Embrace the Thrilling Timbavati Game Reserve
Enjoy the seclusion and personalized experiences of a private game reserve that also shares an open and unfenced border with Kruger National Park. Timbavati Game Reserve is known throughout the world as one of the best places to see and photograph the big five. With countless opportunities to observe healthy wildlife populations while avoiding the crowds, Timbavati is truly a top-notch wildlife experience. And if we're lucky we might even see the elusive white lion.
Start/End
Johannesburg, South AfricaArrival Airport: JNB
Dates
June 10 - 19, 2025
Price
$10,995
Deposit
$3,000
Fitness Level
Level 1 - What's This?
Group Size
Up To 6 Guests
Enter a World Of African Adventure.
Join us for an unforgettable wildlife photography adventure in South Africa. Over ten days, we will explore three of Africa’s premier wildlife reserves: Timbavati Game Reserve, Kruger National Park, and Sabi Sands Game Reserve. Our journey promises not only luxurious stays in exclusive Safari Lodges but also close encounters with Africa’s majestic wildlife in their natural habitats.
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Our adventure begins in the lush, undisturbed wilderness of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. Nestled within the Greater Kruger National Park area, Timbavati offers a sanctuary to the Big Five—lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and buffalo—and is one of the few places on Earth where you might capture the ethereal beauty of the rare white lion. With over 74,000 hectares of richly diverse ecosystems, more than 40 mammal species, and 350 bird species, Timbavati provides unparalleled photographic opportunities. Our expert guides and professional photographers will lead you off the beaten path, offering intimate wildlife encounters and in-depth naturalist insights that enhance your photographic experience.
Kruger National Park
As we venture into the iconic Kruger National Park, prepare to be overwhelmed by the expansive landscapes and the sheer abundance of wildlife. Covering nearly 2 million hectares, Kruger is a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and conservation policies. It offers a wildlife experience that ranks among the best in Africa. Over two days, you’ll have the chance to photograph everything from towering elephants to elusive leopards in a vast, unspoiled setting. Our excursions are designed to immerse you deeply in the park, capturing Africa’s iconic wildlife through your lens.
Sabi Sands Game Reserve
The final leg of our journey takes us to the renowned Sabi Sands Game Reserve, adjacent to Kruger and sharing an unfenced border that allows wildlife free movement between the reserves. This close proximity to Kruger enhances your chance to photograph a diverse range of wildlife in natural interactions. Known for its high-end lodges and exceptional wildlife viewing, Sabi Sands is especially famous for leopard sightings. Here, in the tranquility of the reserve, you’ll enjoy peaceful mornings and stunning golden hour scenes, perfect for both amateur and seasoned photographers looking to expand their portfolio with images of African wildlife in lush, unfiltered settings.
Join Us for an Epic Journey
Each destination in our itinerary has been chosen for its unique ecosystem and photographic potential, ensuring that you come away with not just photos, but stories worth telling.
Experience the thrill of Africa with us and capture memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t miss out on this unique and immersive wildlife safari—spaces are limited!
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Our adventure begins in the lush, undisturbed wilderness of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. Nestled within the Greater Kruger National Park area, Timbavati offers a sanctuary to the Big Five—lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and buffalo—and is one of the few places on Earth where you might capture the ethereal beauty of the rare white lion. With over 74,000 hectares of richly diverse ecosystems, more than 40 mammal species, and 350 bird species, Timbavati provides unparalleled photographic opportunities. Our expert guides and professional photographers will lead you off the beaten path, offering intimate wildlife encounters and in-depth naturalist insights that enhance your photographic experience.
Kruger National Park
As we venture into the iconic Kruger National Park, prepare to be overwhelmed by the expansive landscapes and the sheer abundance of wildlife. Covering nearly 2 million hectares, Kruger is a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and conservation policies. It offers a wildlife experience that ranks among the best in Africa. Over two days, you’ll have the chance to photograph everything from towering elephants to elusive leopards in a vast, unspoiled setting. Our excursions are designed to immerse you deeply in the park, capturing Africa’s iconic wildlife through your lens.
Sabi Sands Game Reserve
The final leg of our journey takes us to the renowned Sabi Sands Game Reserve, adjacent to Kruger and sharing an unfenced border that allows wildlife free movement between the reserves. This close proximity to Kruger enhances your chance to photograph a diverse range of wildlife in natural interactions. Known for its high-end lodges and exceptional wildlife viewing, Sabi Sands is especially famous for leopard sightings. Here, in the tranquility of the reserve, you’ll enjoy peaceful mornings and stunning golden hour scenes, perfect for both amateur and seasoned photographers looking to expand their portfolio with images of African wildlife in lush, unfiltered settings.
Join Us for an Epic Journey
Each destination in our itinerary has been chosen for its unique ecosystem and photographic potential, ensuring that you come away with not just photos, but stories worth telling.
Experience the thrill of Africa with us and capture memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t miss out on this unique and immersive wildlife safari—spaces are limited!
What's Included
- All listed meals and non-alcoholic beverages during the workshop
- All transportation during the workshop
- All lodging during the workshop
- All internal flights and airport transfer fees
- All permits and park fees
- Professional photography guiding and instruction
- Gratuity for service staff, local guide(s), and drivers
What's Not Included
- Flights to and from Johannesburg, South Africa (JNB)
- Meals not listed as included on the itinerary
- Lodging outside workshop dates
- Alcoholic beverages
- Souvenirs and personal items
- Gratuity for photography guide(s)
- Trip Insurance (recommended) - see plans here
This Special Trip Departure is valid for new trip reservations only (no transfers, trip credit, or discounts).
ITINERARY
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Most meals included - (B,L,D) denotes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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DAY 1 (D) - Travel Day
Arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa for an orientation and welcome dinner.
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DAY 2 (B, L, D) - Travel to Timbavati Game Reserve
On the first full day of our adventure, we will depart from our hotel in Johannesburg and take a domestic flight to Hoedspruit Airport. We will then drive to the Kambaku Safari Lodge in the Timbavati Game Reserve where we will spend the next 3 nights. After settling in to our rooms we will enjoy a lunch at the lodge before embarking on an evening game drive. After this we will enjoy a delicious dinner and head in for the evening.
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DAYS 3-4 (B,L,D) - Game Drives in Timbavati Game Reserve
For the next two days we’ll enjoy immersive game drives and wildlife photography in the Timbavati Game Reserve. Our days will start with an early wake-up call and some refreshments before heading out into the reserve for an early morning game drive. After this we’ll enjoy a nice breakfast at the lodge with some time to relax. After Lunch and afternoon tea, we’ll head out yet again for a second game drive in search of wildlife. Finally, we’ll wrap things up with some pre-dinner drinks followed by a delicious meal.
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DAY 5 (B,L,D) - Travel to Kruger National Park
This morning, we will head out for one final game drive in the Timavati Game Reserve before heading to our next destination: the Rhino Post Safari Lodge in Kruger National Park. This authentic unfenced safari lodge will be our home for the next two nights as we explore one of the best locations in all of South Africa for wildlife photography. Upon arriving and settling in we’ll head out for an evening game drive in the National Park before enjoying a delicious dinner at the lodge.
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DAY 6 (B,L,D) - Game Drives in Kruger National Park
Today, we will enjoy a full day of experiencing everything Kruger National Park has to offer. We’ll start off with an early wake-up call and some light refreshments before heading out on a morning game drive. After this we’ll enjoy a nice breakfast followed by some relaxation time at the lodge. After lunch and an afternoon tea, we’ll head out again for an evening game drive followed by drinks and dinner.
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DAY 7 (B,L,D) - Travel to Sabi Sands Game Reserve
This morning, we will rise early and head into the park for one final game drive. After searching for wildlife we will transfer to the next iconic South African destination of our journey: the Sabi game reserve. We’ll check into the Inyati Game Lodge which will be our home for the next 3 nights. After settling in, we’ll head out for an evening game drive and then conclude the day with a delicious dinner.
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DAYS 8-9 (B,L,D) - Game Drives in Sabi Sands Game Reserve
Over the next two days, we’ll settle into a routine of morning and evening game drives to spot all that the Sabi Reserve has to offer. We’ll rise early for some light refreshments and coffee and will head out in the morning when animal activity is high. We’ll then come back to the lodge for breakfast, enjoy some relaxation time, and then indulge in some lunch and afternoon tea. After this, we will head out for an evening game drive before returning to the lodge for dinner.
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DAY 10 (B,L,D) - Travel Back to Johannesburg
On the final day of our incredible adventure, we will head out for one last morning drive in search of wildlife. We will then say goodbye to the Sabi Reserve and head to the Hoedspruit Airport where we will fly back to Johannesburg.
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