Safari trip to Kruger Park, South Africa

[David Barry]

My wife and I are planning a trip to South Africa in April.

I would like to do some sort of photographic safari.

We are considering Kruger park, and I found Kruger Park Photo Safari - Stu Porter - Wild4 Photography Tours & Safaris - South Africa
who will do a custom safari for us.

Does any one have any experience of them, or any recommendations as to whether it is better to book something like them in Kruger, or go to one of the private reserves and let them organize it for you?

Any help appreciated.

David.

[David_Buzzard]

I've been to Kruger a few times and have always had good luck. The main roads are mostly paved and you can see lots of elephant and girafs without too much effort. You'd probably want to get a tour if you want to find any lions though. Kruger is a national part, and I believe that the park rangers can take you on a land rover tour.

The private game reserves smaller affairs, and you're pretty much guaranteed to see more game. They're also a lot more comfortable than Kruger, more expensive, and not anywhere near as wild.

[Lenny Hartley]

I would concur with what David says, Kruger is huge and you normally
have to stay on the roads (paved or unpaved) with a private
park they will take you offroad, and you get very close to the animals
I would suggest both why not go on a Kruger safari and stay in
a private game reserve for a couple of days, there are plenty ajacent
to the Kruger.
see my photos of Kruger and mostly Thorniybush private park
at
South Africa 2008
Lenny

[David Barry]

In the end we did go with African Photo Safari Kruger Park - Stu Porter - Wild4 Photography Tours & Safaris - South Africa and could not have been more pleased with the choice. Stuart Porter is an avid photographer, and you would be hard pressed not to get some great shots with his encouragement and willingness to spend the time to set things up for you. He has a converted Toyota jeep that is set up to cater for no more than three photographers that each have their own seat with access to both sides of the vehicle. Each shooting position has a support shelf for a bean bag, or Wembley mount which Stuart can supply to save you bringing one. I've attached a shot of us in the jeep below.

Stuart has a terrific knowledge of the animals and birds, not just their names, but also their habits. On several occasions he turned a simple animal sighting into the chance of a great photo by anticipating the re-appearance of the animal and positioning us there ready to take the follow up shot. The back shot of the Honey Badger is the one that most people would have got, the second one is thanks to Stuart.

I have uploaded my favorites to Picasa, so if anyone would like to take a look, drop me a note and I'll arrange to send you an invitation to view them.

If you are looking for a friendly, well organized, safari that is focused on letting you get the best shots that you can, then take a look at Wild 4. Just to make it clear, I have no financial or other interest in them, it is just that we had such a great time, and (I think) came away with such great pictures that I would like to put some independent testimonials out there for them, as that was one of the concerns that we had before we met them. Their web site looks great and has plenty of testimonials on it, but there wasn't anything independent on the web that I could find, and the truth is they more than live up to what you see on their site.

[drew]

Thanks, David.

Any more photos? I've been to Kruger myself and would love to see some more, if you are able.

Drew

[David Barry]

Dear Drew,

If you go here

Picasa Web Albums - david - Safari Favori...


you can see my favorite shots. I have recorded them with the US copyright office, but I am still a bit sensitive to having them lifted from the web, so please forgive the watermark.

Hope you enjoy them.

David.

[drew]

Thanks, David! Very nice.

The lion in the giraffe carcass certainly paints an interesting picture.

Drew