These trips are aimed at the photography enthusiast. If you enjoy photography and would like to learn about outdoor and wildlife photography, then this is the course for you!
Workshops have been planned to bring like-minded people together to enjoy and learn more about nature photography. With award winning host photographers as your guides (a maximum of 4 guests per photo guide), you will be taken out to witness the spectacular wildlife viewing of Mashatu Game Reserve - an extended trip includes world renowned MalaMala Game Reserve too.
Days comprise morning and evening drives, talks, short lectures and review sessions to discuss and analyze photographs - resulting in excellent on site learning and ultimately, better images.
The course is designed for you to learn and refine photographic skills in spectacular surroundings - ultimately becoming a better photographer in the process.
The group ratio is kept low enough to maximise your individual attention, meaning all levels of photographers are catered for.
Please note: This course is aimed at the beginner, intermediate and advanced photography enthusiast who would like to improve their nature and wildlife photographic skills. For the best results, we recommend a minimum of a D-SLR camera.
Click here to see a spectacular sequence of images captured during the last photographic workshop by Shem Compion - May 2009
It is our belief at C4 Images and Safaris that many people would like to take their photography a step further, but they don’t have the time, aren’t in the correct environment or don’t have the skill. Addressing this audience, we present this three or seven day adventure of learning and discovery. Your photographic hosts will lead you through a discovery of technical knowledge, nature experiences and practical application. With short instructional lectures designed to stimulate as well as educate, you will be reminded of the photography basics of light, composition and creative effects with the camera.
Landscape, wildlife, bird, macro and action photography each requires its own technique - each addressed over the duration of the workshop. Shem Compion and AndréCloete, both award-winning photographers, will be your hosts. They will share their knowledge of wildlife photography on drives and during talks within the camp. They will also discuss the various techniques of nature photography relating to long lens technique, support systems, iso dilemmas and improvisation methods.
Private vehicles are arranged for photographers - usually four photographers and 1 guide per vehicle. Non-photographers are allowed to join on the photographic vehicle if numbers allow - if not, non-participants will be on their own vehicle with a ranger.
Mashatu Game Reserve is an unheralded gem in a 35000ha wilderness area, situated in the Northern Tuli Game Reserve at the confluence of the Shashe and Limpopo Rivers. Being an open semi-arid area, game viewing is relatively unrestricted by shrubs and trees - and what game viewing it is! Exceptional sightings of leopard, lion and cheetah herald the large cats, but it is the elephants that the Tuli area is famous for. Once known for their “bad” manners, these elephant are now so docile they walk within a few meters of the safari vehicles.
And if these sightings aren’t enough, then let the giraffe, eland, baboons, kudu, impala, zebra, wildebeest, red hartebeest and birds (a species list of over 350) entice you a bit closer to this wonderland. With a landscape broken by deep lying riverbeds cutting through its rocky surface, Mashatu offers landscapes and scenery that tell of a time gone past where giants once used to roamed.
MalaMala Game Reserve holds a host of ecosystems that will cater to any nature lover’s needs - be it grassy plains, fig tree-lined rivers, boulder strewn hills or large, languidly, meandering rivers. Over the three days, you will be guided on drives to look for animals, birds and other creatures that inhabit this unique reserve. Based in luxurious accommodations, you will enjoy morning and evening game drives in open 4 wheel drive Land Rovers in the company of an experienced MalaMala ranger and your C4 photographic guide.
MalaMala Game Reserve is acknowledged as being the prime game viewing destination in Southern Africa, and is undoubtedly one of the best destinations in Africa to view predators such as lion and leopard. Both species are territorial, and their regular appearances in the area allow rangers to plot their movements, and to observe their behaviour. Large herds of buffalo, numbering in excess of 300, often find their way to the Sand River which runs north to south through the MalaMala Game Reserve for 13 km (8 miles). Elephants are also seen in large numbers, drawn to the Sand River during the warm days. Over 98% of guests will experience “The Big 5” – very often in one day and sometimes in one drive.
We will employ the technique of early morning and late evening game drives to go out in search of photographic subjects. After a morning breakfast / brunch, a lecture will be delivered. This will concentrate on photographic techniques dedicated towards those being used during the weekend.
After the lecture we will have discussion sessions regarding the principals discussed in the lecture. Practical demonstrations will also demonstrate such principals.
There will be about an hour break before afternoon tea, and thereafter we head out for our evening game drive.
Open vehicles will have a maximum of four photographers (1 host and 4 photographers per vehicle).
CHECKLIST
Participants are required to bring :
Digital Camera
Lenses
Tripod / Monopod
Memory cards
Fully charged batteries – bring spare if necessary
Laptop computer or portable hard drives.
NB : Download cables from camera to computer
PHOTOGRAHIC WORKSHOP DATES
Mashatu Game Reserve - Mashatu Tent Camp - 4 nights. Dates to be confirmed
MalaMala Game Reserve (MalaMala Main Camp) and Mashatu Game Reserve (Mashatu Main Camp) – 8 nights.
Dates to be confirmed
Mashatu Tent Camp :
Per person Sharing : US$ 1 200.00
Per Person Single : US$ 1 700.00
** Based on a minimum of 4 guests.
Mashatu Main Camp :
Per person Sharing : US$ 1 700.00
Per Person Single : US$ 2450.00
** Based on a minimum of 4 guests.
MalaMala Main Camp & Mashatu Main Camp
Per person Sharing : US$ 4 640.00
Per Person Single : US$ 6 540.00
** Based on a minimum of 4 guests
Includes
Maximum of 4 guest per photo host
All course material (CD with all notes and presentations and hard copy notes in a folder), photo training and tutoring over the workshop.
Beanbags and various support brackets and clamps for photographers.
En-suite accommodation
All meals and snacks
Game drives in open 4-wheel drive safari vehicles conducted by experienced rangers and trackers
Nature walks
Transfers to and from the Limpopo Valley Airfield and the Pont Drift Border Post at scheduled times
Excludes
Bar purchases
Telecommunication costs
Laundry
Airport transfers to and from the Limpopo Valley Airfield and the Pont Drift Border Post outside of specified times
Any applicable airport taxes, entrance fees, adventure activities
Cable car transfers across the Limpopo River if river flowing strongly
Travel insurance
Travel visas
MASHATU GAME RESERVE
March : Visit Mashatu during perhaps its best season. The heat has cooled down, but the green of summer is still very prevalent. The Devil thorn flowers carpet the whole of Mashatu in bright green and yellow. This provides a beautiful setting for landscape and wildlife photography. All the seed eating birds, and especially the monotonous larks, are chirping in abundance and enjoying the short grass, and the Mojale and Pitsane rivers will have ample pools of water in them. This means that animal activity will be high in the central areas of the reserve. As usual, the predator viewing here is exceptional. With open areas and little infringing bush, leopard, lion and cheetah photography is remarkably easier. Elephant numbers should be high due to the high water levels, meaning close encounters with breeding herds.
At camp, the summer birds will still be around and the water bath (3m from the lounge) will be attracting species like meyer's parrots, green-winged pytilias, grey go-away birds, starlings, tropical bou bous, grey headed shrike and red headed weavers. Small raptors such as gabar goshawk and little sparrowhawk are also common in camp, especially near the water bath. The swamp area in the south will have all manner of egrets, ibises, ducks, geese and storks on its fringes; while deeper in the reeds, elephants will be splashing around.
April : - Mashatu receives its late rains every April, causing one last spurt of growth and greenery. Days are milder and game concentrations are at perhaps the highest in the reserve. Photographically, it is a great season. Most of the devil thorns' flowers have died down, and the mopane and is just starting to turn a beautiful rusty-green colour. The Limpopo valley sandstone kopjes are a beautiful sight at this time of year, and excellent for landscapes. The late rains will have filled up the pools of water in the Mojale River, keeping the game concentrations high in the reserve. Grass cover is only about a foot in height; excellent for photographing animals. The numerous grass seeds attract large flocks of nomadic finch larks and sparrows. Plains game concentrations are high and the impala herds tend to stay near the major water sources. This keeps the leopards very happy and sightings of them along the riverbeds are common. Cheetah and lion are regular occurrences, with cheetah being seen more in the open areas. The lions are attracted to the birthing of the giraffes in May, meaning action and sightings are good. The elephant breeding herds are still in strong numbers, enjoying the purple pod terminalia seeds. Days are mild and evenings cool. The sun is starting to dip lower in the sky, allowing longer shooting hours. As per usual, the viewing is intimate, close up and as always, action packed.
June is the onset of the dry season. Water starts to become a premium,causing tensions around the water sources. Predator viewing is brilliant with a lot of day activity. With the dry season starting to take effect, the colours of Mashatu have changed to red and yellow, interspersed with soft greens. Along the rivers however, it remains very green and it is not uncommon to find leopard reclining in one of the large Mashatu trees. Predator viewing at is at its best now. The soft rays of the winter sun make lion,leopard and cheetah really glow. As usual, the cheetah are found on the open areas, allowing for easy, close up viewing. Water is starting to become a premium and it is not uncommon to find elephants digging in the riverbeds for water, which lies just below the surface. Doves and guinea fowl come down to the waterholes each day to drink. This attracts birds of prey, gabar goshawk (also melanistic) and tawny eagles. With the birth of giraffe in May, there are always a few deaths - this always attracts black backed jackal, spotted hyaena, white backed vulture, lappet-faced vulture and even cape vultures. The water bath in camp is a hive of birding activity and offers probably the most comfortable bird photography ever from the lounge, which is a mere 3m away!
August & September is the real dry season in Mashatu. This means congregations of animals at the waterholes and with them, come the predators. Simply put, this time of year is a 'must' for photographers. The moths herald the beginning of the 'real' dry season in Southern Africa. Gone are the hot, humid and rainy days. Gone are the hot, humid and rainy days, the lush summer fodder and the abundant free-lying water from the rains. Now there is a chill in the morning air. The Mojale River has become a ribbon of life, attracting all manner of animals and birds to its waters. The cliffs house baboon troops not willing to leave the water and the plains are filled with grazers milling about: all providing the perfect ambush set-up for hungry predators. This is 'Classic Africa' season. The light is excellent - with the sun setting as a red orb, animals are still in good condition and the sun remains low on the horizon throughout the day, making for longer photography hours. What more could a photographer want?
November & December - Spring has sprung in a big way in Mashatu. Fresh, fluorescent-green mopane leaves are budding and the devils thorn flowers cover the plains in a carpet of yellow and green. It is a time of new beginnings in this wildlife paradise. Spring is a time of courting and breeding in the animal world, and it's no different at Mashatu. While a green flush spreads across the plains and through the trees, the birds start their courtship and the first of the impala foals make their appearance. Photographically, it is a feast. Nesting red headed and masked weavers in camp offer great action photos, while out in the bush Lilac-breasted Rollers fly morsels back to the nest. The green carpet of devils thorn flowers attract the elephants, who can't resist their sweet nourishment. Hundreds of elephants are found here during this season. A morning spent following a relaxed herd is an unforgettable experience, and is made even more special as many of the elephants have their babies at this time of year. If you want to experience a world anew after the dry and dust, Mashatu in spring is the order of the day.
MALAMALA GAME RESERVE
May to October : Dry season
As the grass dries away and the non-perennial rivers dry up, animals start to congregate along the Sand River's permanent waters. This increases animal numbers in the reserve, making viewing of animals and witnessing spectacular action that much easier. Lions sun themselves on the open plains and leopards lounge in their trees in the early morning - basking in the warm winter sunshine. It really is predator season!
October – December : Spring
As the first rains fall on MalaMala a transformation occurs that boggles the eye, but pleases the camera. Green colours sprout up everywhere,, providing pleasing backgrounds for those leopard portraits. The impala drop their young after the first full rains, with the wildebeest following suit soon after. This is the baby season - and there's nothing better than photographing a quintessential African scene of young antelope on green plains. Of course, the increased numbers of young animals also attracts the predators, and leopard, lion, cheetah and wild dog all take full advantage of the season’s offerings.
January – April : Summer
The lush green of MalaMala Game Reserve forms a perfect backdrop for picture perfect scenes. All the large animals, including the predators, are in excellent condition making this is the best season to photograph them all. The summer migrant birds are everywhere, providing excellent opportunities to photograph colourful bee-eaters, king fishers and raptors. The camp is a veritable hive of bird activity, and days can be spent chasing and photographing birds within the confines of camp. The classic large thunderclouds that build up over the horizon provide striking backdrops over the Sand River flowing into the distance. Even when it does rains, photographic opportunities present themselves in the form of antelope with drops of rain falling past them.
