AFRICA
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AFRICA PHOTO Tour / Workshop
2027 DATES - January 27 - February 10
Guests will need to depart USA on January 26
A Total African Photo Safari Experience
January 27 - February 10, 2027
Guests will need to depart USA one day prior to beginning of workshop
Depart USA on January 26th!
Experience the adventure of a lifetime in Africa. Teeming with wildlife you'll soon discover why some would describe this as the homeland where all life originated from. Embark on this photo safari workshop and marvel at the wonders of this world in an international photography workshop that captures the heart of South Africa and Botswana.
This coming year - enjoy an unforgettable lifetime experience. One of the advantages of our workshops is that we have exclusivity while at the respective lodges listed below. That means that it will only be our group present during our stay.
Highlights
The guides who accompany us are the very best on the entire continent.
Very up-close encounters with the wildlife.
Leopards, lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, giraffes, impala, baboons, monkeys, hyenas, African wild dogs, buffalo, and a myriad of birds can all be encountered in this small group photo tour to South Africa.
Exclusivity at lodges
Itinerary 2027
DAY 0: 26 January - Depart USA
DAY 1: 27 January - ARRIVAL IN Johannesburg
Group arrives at airport (JNB) in the evening, meet and assist and escorted to hotel, overnight City Lodge O.R. Tambo Airport hotel.
(please note if any of group members arrive the day before or on different flight an additional meet and greet service have to booked and paid for – not included. Meet and greet service included for group arriving on Delta).
DAY 2: 28 January – Transfer to Madikwe Game Reserve - Rhulani Safari Lodge
Breakfast at hotel, check out – meet Fed Air driver and transfer to Fed Air terminal, 10 minutes from Jnb O.R.T. airport. Check in for flight to Madikwe,depart at 10h00 fly to Madikwe West airfield, arrival around 11h00.
Meet rangers from Rhulani Safari lodge and transfer to lodge – about 30 minutes drive. Arrival at lodge.
Lunch, afternoon game drive, dinner and overnight
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAYS 3 - 4: 29 January - 30 January - Morning & Afternoon Safari's
Early wake-up, coffee, depart on early morning game drive, return to lodge for breakfast, at leisure, lunch, afternoon game drive, dinner and overnight
Rhulani Safari lodge, Madikwe Game Reserve
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 5: 31 January - Morning Safari - Fly back to Johannesburg
Early morning coffee and cold breakfast, morning game drive, breakfast, check out and transfer to Madikwe airfield for Fedair flight to Johannesburg, departing at 14h30,arrival Jnb at 15h30, transfer to City lodge O.R. Tambo, overnight Jnb
Arrive in Johannesburg. Check in at City Lodge O.R. Tambo Airport hotel
(Breakfast)
DAY 6: 1 February - Johannesburg to Sabi Sands - Afternoon Game Drive
Breakfast at hotel, Flight to Skukuza.
Meet driver and transfer to Inyati Game lodge.
Arrival, lunch, check in, afternoon high tea, afternoon game drive, dinner and overnight Inyati, Sabi Sands
(Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon High Tea, Dinner)
DAYS 7 - 14: 2 February - 9 February - Morning & Afternoon Safari's - Inyati
Early morning wake up with light breakfast, game drive, brunch, at leisure, high tea, afternoon game drive, dinner and overnight
(Light Breakfast, Brunch, Hight Tea, Dinner)
Day 15: 10 February - Early Morning Safari - Transfer back to Johannesburg - Departure Day
Early morning game drive, check out and transfer to Skukuza airport and
check in for flight to Johannesburg.
Arrival Johannesburg, check in for your flight back home.
Fly home today.
(Breakfast)
Logistics 2027
Please arrive in Johannesburg, - O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) on January 27th.
You will be arriving as a group on Delta at airport (JNB) in the evening, meet and assist and escorted to hotel, overnight City Lodge O.R. Tambo Airport hotel.
(please note if any of group members arrive the day before or on different flight - an additional meet and greet service will need to booked and paid for – not included. Meet and greet service included for group arriving on Delta).
*** You will need to leave the US one day earlier than start date listed above. Depart US on January 26.
Lodging is included during the 14 nights of the workshop.
Meals are included as per the itinerary.
Private ground transportation is provided during the entire workshop.
Inner African flights are included.
ARRIVAL IN AFRICA - Johannesburg - O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
*** You will need to fly into and out of Johannesburg (JNB)
Arrival Flight: January 27th, 2027: (JNB)
*** You will need to leave the US one day earlier than start date listed above. Depart US on January 26.
We will be met and escorted to hotel.
DEPARTURE FLIGHT FROM AFRICA (JNB)
We fly home February 10th.
Departing Flight February 10th, 2027: (JNB)
Contact us for flight plans and additional itinerary.
Luggage Requirements: Very Important
BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE
1 free checked bag up to 20 kg (44 lbs) + 1 small carry on up to 5 kg (11 lbs.) for each passenger. (Soft sided bags are always preferred)
Hard shell bag maximum size : 40 cm W x 30 cm H x 60 cm L
If your bag is over the limits they cant load it!
Extra baggage must be prebooked at an additional charge
All extras depend on aircraft limits and can ’t be guaranteed.
Regarding Inner African Flights
All passengers travelling on our federal Airlines shuttle flights are entitled to one free piece of checked luggage and one small carry on item. Due to the nature of the environment in which we operate, our aircraft are smaller than a typical airliner. As a result of this we have small luggage holds which means that we have weight and size limitations.
The federal Airlines luggage specifications are as follows:
Preferably soft (all-sides) luggage/duffle bags with ONE flat side.
Maximum luggage weight (including photographic/filming equipment) is 20kg/44lbs (in the hold); maximum luggage size per piece is 40cm (16 inches) wide x 30cm (12 inches) high x 60cm (24 inches) long.
Maximum hand luggage is 5kg/11lbs.
Should your luggage exceed the above limitations, we will NOT BE ABLE to load it. We do provide a COMPLIMENTARY LUGGAGE STORING FACILITY (provided guests are booked on a return to Johannesburg basis).
Oversized luggage CANNOT be carried on your lap.
Additional Notes
Participants Need to be able to board jeeps, carry their own gear.
Pricing
$16,795 PER PERSON*
January 27-February 10, 2027
$16,795 per person / based on Double Occupancy*
Cost for a Single Traveler
$21,635 per person / based on Single Occupancy
Madikwe & Sabi Sands - CALL FOR AVAILABILITY
January 27 - February 10, 2026***
$16,795 per person
$4,840 Single Supplement
$4,000 Deposit (Deposit is non-refundable)
We highly recommend acquiring travel insurance!
*** You will need to leave the US one day earlier than start date listed above.
$4,000 Non-Refundable Deposit
Deposits and Balances please pay in cash or check.
CC will incur a 3.5% merchant processing fee.
Balance Due September 25, 2026
Trip Includes:
Inner-African flights
Meals per itinerary
Lodging per itinerary
Ground Transportation
English speaking Escort
Lodging throughout the Africa photo tour workshops as outlined below. If you arrive early you may be able to stay earlier or later but your package only includes the nights for the workshop
Trip Does NOT Include:
International Flights to and from Johannesburg
Tips for guides, drivers and trackers
Alcoholic beverages
Excessive baggage fees
Airline Fees / Insurance / Passports / Personal Expenses
Any additional tours, activities etc. not expressly mentioned in the workshop.
Any additional night’s accommodations that take place beyond the dates of the workshop
Laundry (there is an on-site facility)
Any emergency services, if necessary
Any meals outside of those mentioned in itinerary.
Recommended Camera Gear
Suggested Photo Gear
Camera (I recommend bringing two)
Telephoto Lens
Wide angle lens
Mid-range zoom
Extra camera batteries
Chargers
Plenty of memory cards
Rocket Blaster
Microfiber cleaning cloths
Rain Sleeves
Tripod
BlackRapid Strap
Moose filter for your midrange zoom or wide angle
Small laptop with power cord
External Hard Drive
Card readers
Small power strip
Suggested Non-Photography Gear
Flashlight
Malaria Pill (Mefloquine is what Christopher uses)
Bug spray/wipes
Medications
First Aid kit
Hand Sanitizer
Noise cancelling headphones (Bose)
Rolling Camera Bag – recommended if you want to roll your camera gear through the airports
Disposable toothbrushes (i.e. Colgate Wisp)
Cleansing wipes
What Should I Wear?
Lightweight pants
Lightweight shirts (Christopher wears fishing shirts with long sleeves that stay cool but keep off the sun and any bugs)
Sandals
Closed toe shoes
Shorts
Swimming Suit
Hat (Or buy a stylish legit African safari hat there)
Rain jacket
Laundry services are available at Inyati
Every evening you’ll appreciate the highest quality in accommodations, both in the culinary offerings and the intimacy found in the camps and lodges utilized for this life-changing experience that is Africa! Fantastic for the non-photographer as well, this journey holds an amazing itinerary and a price that no one can match for the experiences we provide.
We welcome you to immerse yourself into this African photo tour excursion that will truly change the way you think about and appreciate this life!
Join Christopher Balmer as he hosts this workshop and takes you on a photographic journey through the heart of Africa. Christopher will also be instructing on how to master your camera throughout the workshop.
Botswana & Sabi Sands - 2026 SOLD OUT!
January 18 - February 2, 2026
Botswana & Sabi Sands - 2025 SOLD OUT!
January 9 - 26, 2025
Delta & Sabi Sands - 2024 SOLD OUT!
January 20 - February 2, 2024
Botswana & South Africa - 2023 SOLD OUT!
January 16 - February 2, 2023
Details
Skill Level Beginner to Pro Great Trip for Non-Photographers
Your Photographers/Guides Christopher Balmer Katie Balmer
For the traveler who has never been to Africa, excitement swells up within, waiting to experience what some would describe as the homeland where all life originated from. For those who have been here before, a sense of returning home, to a land imbued with deep wonder and awe. Even the most skilled writer cannot describe the intensity of reverence and marvel that accompany this land and its inhabitants.
From the moment you set foot onto this continent, your life is changed, and suddenly your eyes are opened.
The guides who accompany us are the very best on the entire continent. Their ability to bring you safely through this photo tour safari experience and provide you with very up-close encounters with the wildlife will impact greatly both the quality of your adventure as well as the quality of your photography. Leopards, lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, giraffes, impala, baboons, monkeys, hyenas, African wild dogs, buffalo, and a myriad of birds can all be encountered in this small group photo tour to South Africa.
