A close up image of a beautiful female Leopard called Saseka.

Seseka female Leopard - Canon 5D mkIV with Canon EF 200-400 IS USM L lens with 1.4x extender engaged

f/5.6, 1/500 sec, ISO 800, 560mm - Photographed in Thornybush Game Reserve

Thornybush Photographic Safaris

 

We sell out every year - book now to avoid disappointment

 

Dates and rates further down the page

Thornybush Game Reserve - Greater Kruger

 

Join us on an exciting Wildlife Photographic Safari in the world famous Thornybush Game Reserve. The entire trip is focussed on learning the finer details of wildlife photography. It is an amazing opportunity for photographers to photograph wildlife in their natural habitat while learning how to do it with an expert trainer and a professional wildlife photographer. Take shots of species at amazing angles while we spend quality time at the sightings. Between game drives you will get one on one time with Michael Tucker, a professional wildlife photographer with expert training experience since 2007.

 

Eye-level hide at the camp!

We have managed to secure a private camp in the Thornybush Game Reserve which has a great eye-level hide at the camp. We have had every member of the Big 5 at the hide, along with Wild Dogs, amazing birds, reptiles and other game. You are free to use it for the duration of your stay. Check out the video of the Elephants visiting the hide at the bottom of this page. Below this are a selection of images taken from the hide. 

 

  

Highlights

  • Open safari vehicle without a roof so you are open to all photographic opportunities
  • Underground hide at the lodge overlooks a water hole. Get some awesome low angle images a few meters from your bedroom
  • "Off-road" driving is permitted in this reserve, so we have great opportunities to get closer to the game to get some awesome angles
  • The entire lodge is for our own use and we are on a private consession with traversing rights to other properties should the need arise
  • Extremely high game densities with great photographic opportunities

  • We cater for all levels of photographer, from newbie to pro

 

Safari Summary:

 

  • Run exclusively for small groups of no more than 6 people
  • Hosted by professional wildlife photographer, Michael Tucker
  • Develop your wildlife photography skills and techniques with on the spot training and tuition
  • Learn how to process your images using Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
  • Game drives on open safari vehicles with a  side of the vehicle guaranteed
  • Brunch and dinner with plenty of snacks between, teas, coffees along with soft drinks are included
  • Please supply your own alcoholic beverages should you so require

 

What you will learn:

 

  • The finer details of Wildlife Photography
  • Learn all techniques, including detailed understanding of Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO
  • Understand exposure and what shooting modes to use in different circumstances
  • High key and Low key photography
  • Star photography - Photograph the Milky Way, Star Trails and the Moon (weather permitting)
  • Lightning photography should the weather turn sour
  • The finer details of autofocus modes, autofocus points and techniques
  • Animal behaviour in Wildlife Photography - Making your photos stand out
  • Learn how to process your images using Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

Ndzalo Male Leopard

Thornybush, March 2024

2025 & 2026 Dates & Rates 

Every workshop we have run has been sold out since we started the Thornybush experience in 2019. The popularity of our photo safari has been amazing and we have guests coming back for more year after year. You will experience great value for money and a learning experience that can not be found anywhere else, so book now to avoid disappointment!!

Please enquire about our camp "book out" prices. If you book the entire camp (6 or 8 people), you can save up to 25%. Ask us how...

2025 Rates

Southern African Resident Rates:

R20625 per person sharing - 3 nights 

R27500 per person sharing - 4 nights 

R34375 per person sharing - 5 nights 

R41250 per person sharing - 6 nights 

International Rates in US Dollars

US$ 1380 per person sharing - 3 nights 

US$ 1840 per person sharing - 4 nights

US$ 2300 per person sharing - 5 nights

US$ 2760per person sharing - 6 nights

2026 Rates

Southern African Resident Rates:

R23700 per person sharing - 3 nights 

R31600 per person sharing - 4 nights 

R39500 per person sharing - 5 nights 

R47400 per person sharing - 6 nights 

International Rates in US Dollars

US$ 1650 per person sharing - 3 nights 

US$ 2220 per person sharing - 4 nights

US$ 2750 per person sharing - 5 nights

US$ 3300 per person sharing - 6 nights

Non-photographers are always welcome...

Many people bring along their spouses, partners or friends to enjoy the Big 5 Photos experience. The quality of the game viewing is of such a high standard that they really enjoy the experience. We are always happy to have them along for the trip. All non-photographer charges are at the normal rate as they do occupy a space.

 

Please note 3 night options form part of the 6 night dates. So either the first 3 nights or the last 3 nights of a 6 night option. Select your dates carefully.

 

Single supplement rates gaurantee your own room and are worked out pro rata of the rate due to the lodge only having 4 bedrooms. This will be adjusted based on the make up of the bookings. Please see those rates below:

4 Singles - 50% extra

3 Singles - 33.3% extra

2 Singles - 10% extra

1 Single - no supplement charge

Green = Full Availability 

Blue = Partial Availability

Red = Sold Out

2025 dates:

2 - 6 March 2025 - 4 nights

Sold Out

13 - 17 March 2025 - 4 nights 

Sold Out

6 - 10 April 2025 - 4 nights

Sold Out

21 - 25 April 2025 - 4 nights

Sold Out

5 - 9 May 2025 - 4 nights

Sold Out

2 - 8 June 2025 - 6 nights

 

Sold Out

14 - 18 August 2025 - 4 nights

Sold Out

24 - 28 August 2025 - 4 nights 

Availability (2) - pending sold out

6 - 10 October 2025 - 4 nights

Sold Out

19 - 23 October 2025 - 4 nights

Availability (3)

9 - 13 November 2025 - 4 nights

Availability (2)

23 - 28 November 2025 - 5 nights

Availability (2)


2026 dates:

4 - 8 March 2026 - 4 nights

Availability (6)

17 - 20 March 2026 - 3 nights 

Sold Out

29 March - 2 April 2026 - 4 nights

Sold Out

25 - 29 May 2026 - 4 nights

Availability (6)

8 - 12 June 2026 - 4 nights

Availability (6)

20 - 26 July 2026 - 6 nights

 

Availability (3)

13 - 17 August 2026 - 4 nights

Availability (6)

24 - 29 August 2026 - 5 nights 

Availability (6)

13 - 17 September 2026 - 4 nights

Availability (6)

4 - 9 October 2026 - 5 nights

Availability (4)

26 - 30 October 2026 - 4 nights

Availability (6)

11 - 16 November 2026 - 5 nights

Availability (6)

22 - 26 November 2026 - 4 nights

Availability (6)

If you are interested in joining one of our Thornybush Photo Safaris, please send us an email using the form at the bottom of this page. 

Rates include accommodation, meals & all "soft" beverages, game drives & photographic activities. 

Excludes transfers to and from Thornybush game reserve, Thornybush game reserve conservation fee and staff gratuities. 

E&OE excluded.

The accommodation:

En suite chalets that step out into the bushveld will make you feel a part of nature for the duration of your stay. Our accommodation is in a private camp within the Thornybush Game Reserve in the greater Kruger Park. It forms part of a private consession in Thornybush and no general public may access or traverse on the property. The camp is set in the bushveld in the greater Kruger Park. The camp boasts some awesome resident birds who make the bushveld their home. Our favourite is the Barred Owl family who make one of the large Marula trees their home. It is the perfect place to launch your search for the Big 5 along with African Wild Dogs and Cheetah. All of them are well represented in the area with great sightings all year round.

 

The well spaced out rooms face into the bush and some special sightins can be observed from the comfort of your bed. The central lounge and dining area is where meals are enjoyed. The boma next to the pool is a favourite spot where the days experiences are relived around the roaring camp fire. Even though the camp has a small electric fence, we do get some very interesting visitors from time to time...

Lens & camera rental for the trip:

 

Why not rent that lens you have always had your eye on?  The guys at Foto Rental will take care of you.  

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Some highlights