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AFRICA - Mashatu / Extension Experience

AFRICA PHOTO Tour / Workshop Extension

January 11 - January 18, 2026 - 4 Spots Remaining

Double Occupancy Rooms Only


Guests will need to depart USA on January 10

Mashatu Experience



January 11 - January 18, 2026

Guests will need to depart USA on January 10th



Enjoy an extended stay in Africa by joining us early for the Mashatu Game Reserve extension. Located in the remote eastern corner of Botswana, Mashatu offers wide plains in its landscapes, lush forests, rustic hills and a wide diversity of egological findings along the way.


At Tuli Safari Lodge, you'll eperience wilderness luxury at it's finest, filled with both comfort and adventure.




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.

  • 10 exciting game drives during this extension.



Itinerary

DAY 0: 10 January - Depart USA


DAY 1: 11 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.

Buffet Dinner following check-in.

(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: 12 January – Transfer to Mashatu Game Reserve

Breakfast at hotel.

Transfer to Mashatu.  Lunch, afternoon game drive, dinner and overnight Tuli Safari Lodge, Mashatu.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) 


DAYS 3 - 6: 13 January - 16 January - Morning & Afternoon Safari's

Early wake up, tea/coffee, depart on early morning game drive, return to lodge for breakfast, at leisure, lunch, afternoon game drive, dinner and overnight Tuli Safari Lodge, Mashatu.  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)


DAY 7: 17 January  - Morning Safari - Fly back to Johannesburg

Early wake up, coffe/tea, morning game drive, breakfast, check out and transfer to airport for flight back to Johannesburg.

Arrive in Johannesburg. Check in at City Lodge O.R. Tambo Airport hotel  (Breakfast)

 

DAY 8: 18 January - Johannesburg

Breakfast at the hotel. Overnight in Johannesburg.


  • Continuing on to the January 18th - February 2nd Africa Experience - you will be staying at the City Lodge O.R. Tambo Airport hotel tonight. Departing on January 19th for Pangolin Lodge.



Logistics

Please arrive in Johannesburg, - O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) on January 11th.


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 10.


Lodging is included during the 7 nights of the extension.


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 11th, 2026: (JNB)

  • *** You will need to leave the US one day earlier than start date listed above.

    Depart US on January 10.

  • We will be met and escorted to hotel.


DEPARTURE FLIGHT FROM AFRICA (JNB)

  • We fly home February 2nd (as long as you are taking part in both the Extension and the original Africa itinerary from Januay 18 - February 2, 2026.

  • Departing Flight February 2nd, 2026: (JNB)

Contact us for flight plans and additional itinerary.


Additional Notes

Participants Need to be able to board jeeps, carry their own gear.

Pricing

$7,455 PER PERSON*


January 11-January 18, 2026 -

4 Spots Available

(2 Double Occupancy Rooms)


$7,455 per person / based on Double Occupancy*


Botswana & Mashatu - 4 Spots Available

January 11 - January 18, 2026***

$7,455 per person

Double Occupancy Only


We highly recommend acquiring travel insurance!

*** You will need to leave the US one day earlier than start date listed above.


Deposits and Balances please pay in cash or check.

CC will incur a 3.5% merchant processing fee.

Balance Due September 16, 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 - 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


From the moment you set foot onto this continent, your life is changed, and suddenly your eyes are opened.


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