THE CAPE PROVINCE

Cape Town, South Africa’s second largest city with 3.5 million inhabitants, is located along the Atlantic Coast in southwestern South Africa, beautifully situated on a peninsula just off the Cape of Good Hope. The city sits at the foot of the magnificent Table Mountain. As Cape Town is a big city, it has everything that could be expected of a city of this size, including many cosy restaurants, plenty of shopping as well as a large cultural scene with museums and art galleries.

In the area around Cape Town there’s endless things to experience with everything from fine beaches to the wine region on the outskirts of the city. At only about 20 minutes south of Cape Town, is the country’s oldest wine region, Constantia. However, the most famous of South Africa’s wine districts is nearby Stellenbosch. One the most visited places around Cape Town is the Cape of Good Hope whose tip, Cape Point, marks the southwestern-most point of Africa, and offers breath-taking views and cliffs plunging 300 meters into the sea. 

PILANESBERG NATIONAL PARK

Pilanesberg National Park is located in a crater landscape that was formed over 1,000 million years ago and the area has over time become a well-known geographical area. The park is located in the borderlands where the dry landscape of Kalahari meets the more plant-rich “bushveld” vegetation. This has given the area a unique flora and fauna and several rare minerals. Just as fascinating as the landscape and geology is its wildlife of the area. Here, in addition to the “Big Five” – leopard, lion, rhinoceros, African buffalo and elephant – there are also hippos, wild dogs and the world’s largest population of brown hyena. The park is particularly famous for its good opportunities to see leopards but the park also has other felines, including over 70 lions.

MAY 14-21, 2023

DAY 1, ( 14/5) – ARRIVAL IN CAPE TOWN
In the afternoon we gather at our hotel near Waterfront in Cape Town. In the late afternoon we will do a tour of Cape Town and, among other things, ride the cable car up to the city’s famous Table Mountain. From here you have a fantastic view of the city and large parts of the Cape Province, and if the lighting conditions are good there are plenty of opportunities for nice pictures. In the evening we share a welcome dinner at the famous seafood restaurant Panama Jack. (D)

DAY 2, (15/5) –FULL DAY IN THE CAPE AND WINE DISTRICT
After breakfast at the hotel, it’s time for a tour of the southern Cape Province. We drive along the beautiful stretch of coast, past Chapmans Peak, and take a boat trip out to Seal Island and its large colony of seals. Next stop is the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point, Africa’s southwestern most point. During the day we also visit the famous Boulders Beach, with its colony of about 2,200 African penguins, and the opportunity to photograph them up close.

The day ends with a visit to South Africa’s famous wine district where we visit two wineries: Stellenbosch Wine Estate where we get to taste the vineyard’s own wines and learn about the winemaking, as well as Constantia Glen Wine Estate. You are free to spend the evening at leisure.

DAY 3, (16/5) – GREAT WHITE SHARK SAFARI
In the morning we leave Cape Town and head towards Gansbaai, where the big photography highlight of the day is a meeting with the world’s largest predatory fish – the Great White Shark. By boat we go out into the shark-inhabited waters to photograph this mighty animal up close. With a little luck, we can also experience the shark jumping out of the water, a magnificent nature experience that gives us the opportunity for spectacular pictures. For those who wish, there will be the opportunity to go down in a cage to photograph the white shark in its element underwater. Back on land and with our memory cards filled with pictures, a light lunch is served before we return to Cape Town. There’s a chance to relax a bit, before dinner is served at a nice restaurant in Cape Town’s famous marina and shopping area. (B, L, D)

DAY 4, (17/5) TRIP TO PILANSBERG NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast we leave the hotel and fly to Johannesburg and from there go by bus to the next destination: Pilanesberg National Park. After checking in at Black Rhino Lodge where we will stay for the next few days, we have a late lunch before it’s time for our first safari in Pilanesberg National Park. (B, L, D)

DAY 5-7, (18-20/5) PILANESBERG NATIONAL PARK
The next few days we will do morning and evening safaris in Pilanesberg’s fascinating crater landscape. Together with our experienced guides and Tom, we will explore the 57,000-hectare park. Pilanesberg is known for its large numbers of felines and its photo opportunities of the leopard in particular. Other animals that we can photograph with luck, and the skill of our guides, are wild dogs, cheetahs and the rare brown hyena. During our photo sessions in Pilanesberg, Tom will rotate between the jeeps to give us photo tips and personal guidance. In addition to jeep safaris, we will also photograph from some of the park’s five hideouts, strategically located by the waterholes. This gives us an opportunity to take pictures from new and unique angles. When we are not photographing, we will be image processing and participating in group discussions, with personal and constructive image criticism, from Tom and Nigel. On the last evening of the trip we will share a closing dinner where Tom will select the ‘Image of the trip’ that will advance to the final of the ‘Image of the Year’ competition. (B, L, D)

DAY 8, (21/5) SAFARI THEN RETURN HOME
After a final morning safari we will continue to Johannesburg and its airport for return our flights home. (B)

TOM SVENSSON –  Wildlifephotographer

V&A WATERFRONT HOTEL****

PRICE

Price per person for Amateur Photographer subscriber:

£ 3 200 or USD 3 800

Price per person for non-subscriber*:

£ 3 900 or USD 4 730

* Buy an Amateur Photographer subscription to get access to the magazine at a great price and save a lot of money on the tour. Get your subscription here.

Included:

• Transportation according to the programme.
• Accommodation in part of double rooms at the listed lodges.
• Meals according to programme (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner).
• Safaris according to the programme.
• Park fees.
• Shark tour.
• Tour to the wine district.
• Tour to the Cape of Good Hope and the penguins.
• Participation of Tom Svensson during the trip.
• Participation of Nigel Atherton during the trip.
• Workshops by Tom Svensson during the trip.
• Involvement of local rangers in connection with all safaris.
• Participation of a host from Zoom Photo Expeditions.
• Various conservation activities and lectures during the trip.
• Hotel and other local taxes and fees.
• Travel documents and practical travel information.
• Hotels and other local taxes.

Excluded:

• Single room supplement. £ 470 or USD 565
• Flight to South Africa.
• All costs of a personal nature.
• Tips for the rangers. About 10 dollars/day.
• Cancellation protection and travel insurance. For more information, see “other” on our website.

FLIGHTS

You should not arrive later than 13.00 to Cape Town and not book your return journey earlier than 18.00 from Johannesburg

In view of the long flight and flight delays, we recommend that you arrive the night before and stay at the airport hotel to be rested and ready for the pending adventure.

If you wish to book an international flight, we are happy to help you with this. Contact us by phone +46-470-466 40 or by e-mail info@zoomphototours.com

GROUP SIZE

In order to for you to get personal photo guidance and the best experience with our photographer our groups are always small. On this tour the minimum and maximum number of guests are 8/12.

PHOTO GEAR

• A DSLR Camera
• Telephoto lenses up to a 500mm
• Wide-angle lens, like a 24-70mm
• A Laptop computer with Photoshop or Lightroom software.
• Extra batteries, chargers etc.

LANGUAGE

Languages: English and Swedish

TERMS & CONDITIONS

For more information about Terms & Conditions click here.