The photo tour Cats of the Kalahari takes you to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park at the border triangle of South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. The unique Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is still considered a destination off the beaten track and is located in the middle of the Kalahari Desert, the largest sandy area in the world. The animals benefit from a larger area in this transnational park and have been able to use old migration routes again since the merger of the two former parks in the 38,000 square kilometer area.
The animals have adapted to the arid environment and with a bit of luck you will be able to take great photos of everything from majestic oryx antelopes to cute meerkats. However, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is particularly famous for its high density of cats. On this photo tour, you have a good chance of getting the legendary Kalahari lions with their black manes in front of your lens. You might also photograph a cheetah or even a leopard.
You will certainly not only take great photos of animals, but also of the wonderful landscape. The semi-desert awaits you with golden grasses, red sand dunes and a unique endless expanse. The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park offers a magical and fascinating backdrop that you can capture in your photos and that will certainly leave a deep impression on you.
This photo safari is carried out in a small group of only 4 people maximum. You will be accompanied on this trip by Hannes Lochner. The renowned and multi-award-winning professional photographer lived in the park for five years and knows it like no other. All the pictures in this brochure were taken by Hannes.
CHF 6’590.- | Price per person sharing (double occupancy) |
CHF 7’340.- | Price per person in a single room |
This photo safari is deliberately scheduled for the rainy season, when the otherwise dry Kalahari often awakens to a unique green paradise after the rain. The animal sightings are particularly spectacular at this time and the play of colors between the red dunes, green acacias, endless blue sky and cloud towers in the sky is unforgettable. Fantastic light moods make every photographer’s heart beat faster.
During our photo tour in the South African winter, it is often very cool in the morning. This means that lions and other cats are out and about for longer, increasing the chances of getting great photos.
I was able to travel to the south of Botswana with Amazing Views in October 2021. The game reserve in the Tuli Block surprised us with unique sightings. In addition to lions, elephants and a wild cat with its cub, we were able to enjoy several leopard sightings. Playful in the flowering Raintree, having fun with a feather, sneaking up on a prey - nothing was missing. Not forgetting the exciting ‘sessions’ in the Hide. Thank you Thomas and Hannes, it was a pure pleasure to be able to share these experiences with you.
It was my first photo trip to Africa. The diverse - and, thanks to the driving skills of the guides, close-up - encounters in the private game reserve were impressive: leopards, cheetahs, lions, hyenas, jackals, elephants, giraffes, antelopes, zebras, monkeys, bee-eaters, eagles, vultures and much more. We also had an excellent photo guide with us in Hannes Lochner, who was able to share a lot of his experiences with us. That makes you want more!
The photo tour ‘Botswana up close’ exceeded all my expectations. I was able to experience and photograph countless unforgettable moments. Hannes' professional guidance was brilliant. Everything ‘around’ with a super lodge, extremely good safari guides and the cosy group made this trip the perfect experience. Thank you. Can only recommend this to everyone.
The careful selection of locations/lodges and the extremely knowledgeable and professional local guide made the trip through parts of Botswana a real highlight. The photographer James Clifford knows the places and positions where the animals can be put in the right light and imparts a lot of interesting information about the nature and behaviour of the animals in this unique environment. I returned home with many great pictures and numerous unique impressions.
After the arrival of our recommended flight in Upington, you will be transferred to your accommodation. The journey takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. Alternatively, you can travel to the lodge individually by rental car. On request, we can also book you an overnight stay before or after the photo tour in Upington.
We arrive at Kgalagadi Lodge in the late afternoon. This is located a few kilometers from the park entrance. After a leisurely introduction to the program, you will have time to photograph the first sunset in the Kalahari and later, if necessary, the starry sky.
After an early breakfast we drive to the park entrance. Here you will be met by the open safari vehicle and our guides.
The first accommodation is located in the southern part of the park. This region of the park is particularly known for its high density of lions and regular sightings of cheetahs.
That evening and the next day, you will go on game drives in the south of the park. You will encounter the animals of the Kalahari and capture the beautiful animal experiences with your camera.
Today you drive to the northern part of the park. You will drive leisurely through the Nossob Valley and encounter, observe and photograph animals. You will have a picnic lunch on the way.
In the late afternoon we will arrive at our lodge located in the northern part of the park.
On the following days, you will go on game drives in the early morning and late afternoon. You will have plenty of time for photography. Hannes will support you with tips and tricks.
In the afternoons, Hannes gives short tutorials on topics of your choice and is available for 1:1 supervision. Or you can take time to enjoy the beautiful lodge or take an extended siesta.
After dinner, Hannes will introduce you to the secrets of night photography if you wish. The starry sky in the Kalahari is breathtaking.
Accommodation in the northern part of the park.
A long game drive is on the program today. We head south again, which is known in particular for its high density of lions and regular sightings of cheetahs. On the way, there is plenty of time to take photos of unforgettable wildlife experiences.
Towards evening we reach our accommodation in the south again. Last overnight stay in the south of the Kalahari.
After a final game drive in the early morning and breakfast, you will be driven back to Upington for the flight connection we recommend. Your photo tour ends here and you start your individual return or onward journey.
Alternatively you continue your individual journey with your own rental car.
This photo tour is aimed at both beginners and advanced photographers. You have a basic knowledge of shutter speed, aperture and ISO and are be able to set these on your camera. On this photo tour, you will be individually supervised according to your photography skills.
On this photo tour, you will spend the first day directly outside the park gates and then stay in lodges with full board inside the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
On the first day, you will spend the night in a charming lodge just a five-minute drive from the park entrance. The lodge offers a small restaurant, a pool and comfortably furnished bungalows. The lodge is situated on a typical red Kalahari sand dune. The perfect introduction to the Kalahari.
The simple and natural lodge is located in the park and is about 25 km from the park entrance. The area is particularly known for the regular sightings of lions. The lodge has 9 chalets built on wooden platforms. Each chalet has a double or twin bed, a sitting area, a bathroom, outdoor shower and a large veranda. In the main building there is a lounge, a bar, the dining room and a reading corner.
In the north of the park, you will also spend the night in an accommodation close to nature. It is located in the Nossob Valley, which is home to a large number of predators. The camp is nestled between trees and overlooks a waterhole. The accommodation consists of 8 tented rooms, which are built on wooden platforms and have their own terrace. Each tent consists of a sleeping area with a work table and a bathroom. From the bed you can watch the animals at the waterhole and enjoy the starry sky from the outdoor shower. The main building is beautifully furnished and consists of a spacious lounge, a bar, a dining room, a boma and a reading corner.
In the rainy season, clouds pile up and the fantastic light moods make every photographer’s heart beat faster. When it rains, the Kalahari Desert often turns into a green paradise.
In winter, it is a little cooler in the morning. This means that lions and other cats are out and about a little longer.
There is very limited Wifi/Internet or mobile phone reception in the park (no reception at all in Polentswa).
Single travellers can book half of a double room. If there is no other guest who wants to share the room, the single room surcharge will apply.
We strongly advise you to purchase insurance for cancellation and return journey costs, which will be needed in the event of a secluded region being evacuated, a local hospital stay or return travel costs to your home country.
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) regularly publishes information on countries where there are potential security or other risks. The FDFA’s travel advice is based on its own sources of information that are considered to be trustworthy. This travel advice can be found on the FDFA website: www.eda.admin.ch
TCs of Amazing Views Adventure Tours apply, as well as all other conditions which are listed in the descriptions for the respective trips.
We reserve the right to change prices (especially due to exchange rate fluctuations).
Please fill in the form below with the requested details and return it to Amazing Views Photo & Adventure Tours. We will send you a trip confirmation and an invoice for the deposit. Bookings are held as provisional until the required deposit is received.
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Melde Dich hier für den kostenlosen Download des eBooks an. Etwa einmal pro Monat erhältst Du weitere Tipps und Informationen rund die Reisefotografie in unserem Newsletter. Deine E-Mail-Adresse wird nicht an Dritte weitergegeben.
Melde Dich hier für den kostenlosen Download des eBooks an. Etwa einmal pro Monat erhältst Du weitere Tipps und Informationen rund die Reisefotografie in unserem Newsletter. Deine E-Mail-Adresse wird nicht an Dritte weitergegeben.