I have just concluded what can only be described as a hugely successful, deeply experiential wildlife photo tour to the Sabi Sands. My Sabi Sands - The Big 5 Photo Tour began on the 15th July, and for the following 5 nights, my guest and I were treated to beautiful and intimate wildlife experiences and photographic opportunities thereof on every single game drive.
My guest and I arrived at Inyati Lodge in the Sabi Sands, having just concluded my Botswana Mashatu - Hides & Predators Photo Tour to which this one guest had been a part of too. These two tours run back to back for a VERY good reason! For guests wanting to extend their wildlife photography experience as many travel from countries far from the African continent, these tour lines up to become a mega powerful super photo tour. Here is a link to my Mashatu tour report and images so that you can see what my guests and I experienced there.
This is the first time my guest has ever been on a safari before in Africa, so not only was Mashatu an impactful first-time experience, when we arrived in the Sabi Sands, the new scenery and potential of what lay ahead was all consuming to my guest! And for a very good reason. We love wildlife, we love Nature, we love photographing it, so that in itself is enticing and energy-giving!
Over the next 6-days, I actually couldn't believe that we were witness to. The sightings were on fire, with experiences some dream of seeing but haven't yet. On our first afternoon game drive, we found a leopardess and her cub in a drainage line. the light was soft due to the soft winter sun being blocked by trees surrounding the area of interest, but that is what we needed for such a soft scene. A Leopardess rested in the cool sand with her 3-4 month old cub by her side. The sweet curiosity of the cub led it to come a bit closer to us as it played with twigs, rolled on her back with her belly exposed as she looked at us upside down, and other beautifully sweet movements and behaviours. As a deep lover of Leopards, my heart was soaring while my eyes drank in the site before my eyes. Pointing out behaviours, compositions, and assisting my guest with technical settings.
Early the next morning, off we went on our game drive with the goal of tracking and finding this little, special pride. We knew time was potentially against us and that we possibly would not find the pride as their last location was on the eastern sector of our camps property, bordering another property where this pride’s territory goes onto, and where the original den site was. After much bush hacking and ducking and getting covered in leaves and branches, some of the thorny kind, our guide found the Lionesses and cubs in a drainage line. An oh! It was so so good! Although two vehicles had come into the sighting, it was a tricky visual as the foliage was dense around the drainage line, but we waited patiently. Once all the vehicles had left expect us, we positioned ourselves again, but not for long. The Lionesses got up and moved through the drainage line, ending up resting in a section that was open and accessible for us to join them with uninterrupted views. The gift of Nature that kept on giving!
After brunch and some relaxing time, I met up with my guest where we would discuss his image selection from the previous game drives. Talk about what we liked, what we would improve (if needed), or why perhaps something did not go right. This sessions are incredibly constructive as it allows me to see what my guests are seeing and capturing, hear what their goal and vision is, and give constructive guidance around their goals. While in the game drive vehicle, I would share various creative visions as well as share the back of screen to my guest so that he could see what my words meant in relation to the image I just took so that he too, could see my creative vision and eye. These feedback sessions at camp allowed me this opportunity to take a look into the world of my guest’s photographic visions.
I could not believe how quickly this tour seemed to come to an end, and all the truly special wildlife experiences, behaviours and moments we were witness to.
For information on my scheduled photo tour departures, please email info@oryxphoto.com
For information on my private photo tour departures, please email private@oryxphoto.com
