Lion Kalahari photo tour South Africa – Botswana with Jonathan Giovannini

6 – 15 March 2025

A 10-day adventure of pure nature photography, including dusty roads, spectacular views and an encounter with the powerful black-maned lion. The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, one of the wildest and driest places on the planet, offers a unique opportunity to spot and photograph the big cats in their natural habitat, establishing itself as one of the best destinations in the world for wildlife photographers with Jonathan Giovannini. This trip stands out for its authentically wild spirit: we camp under the stars, with roof tents mounted on our jeeps and overnight stays in specially equipped areas. An immersive experience to live in direct contact with nature, listening to the roar of the lions and the call of the savannah in the African nights.

HOW TO BOOK?

Scroll to the bottom of the page and fill out the contact form, asking for more information on the event or confirming your participation. You will be quickly contacted on Whatsapp.

COST: €1990

DESTINATION:

Immerse yourself in the extraordinary beauty of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, a natural wonder hidden in the heart of South Africa, nestled between the wilds of Botswana and Namibia. This park, known for its pristine ecosystem , is one of the largest and most exceptional protected areas in the world, where nature expresses itself in all its majesty , offering a unique stage for nature photography.

Here, you will encounter the majestic Kalahari Lion , with its distinctive black mane, in an experience that combines the adventure of exploration with the thrill of close-up wildlife observation. Each stop on our itinerary has been chosen for its exceptional photographic opportunities, offering you the chance to capture flora and fauna in settings of incomparable beauty.

Get ready for a journey that will enrich your photography portfolio and leave you with unforgettable memories, precious teachings and a deep connection with nature.

ABOUT THE TOUR:

Our 10-day Italy-Italy expedition will depart from Johannesburg airport, followed by an internal flight to Upington. We will spend six intense days in various camps in the park, exploring and photographing during 13 safari sessions across the sand dunes of these wild lands. We will cross the park stopping at six different camps, so as to explore every corner.

The days will be full of activities: in addition to the safaris, there will be organizational moments in which everyone will have to contribute to ensure the perfect success of the trip. For this reason, the staff requires a spirit of adaptation and collaboration from each participant, so that the experience is lived in serenity.

We have planned at least six photo sessions , moving with our own vehicles to the main points of interest to immortalize the majestic Kalahari lion. We will alternate short excursions with car trips to cover as much territory as possible.

The photographic safaris will be concentrated in the central days of the trip, taking place every day in the morning and evening to make the most of the hours of optimal light.

Traveling along its dusty roads, you will be immersed in an extraordinary landscape, dominated by the imposing Kalahari dunes that shine an intense fiery red under the sun. Every road and every corner of the park is an invitation to explore and capture unique moments through your camera.

The Kgalagadi is not just a place to visit, but a real experience that goes beyond photography .

Here, wild and untouched nature reveals itself in its most authentic beauty, allowing you to take photos that tell stories, that capture emotions, that are windows onto a world waiting to be discovered.

Get ready for an adventure that will leave you with lasting memories. The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is more than just a destination; it is a celebration of the grandeur of the natural world, a chance to grow as both a photographer and a nature lover.

The red dunes of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park are a true natural masterpiece, giving the park an unmistakable and memorable atmosphere that makes it an ideal place for photography and wildlife lovers.

Observe the extraordinary color variations of the sand in different areas of the park: from pink tones to gray, passing through shades of light yellow. These colors create a unique rainbow effect on the ground, just waiting to be captured through your lenses.

With the arrival of the autumn rains , you will witness the magical transformation of the landscape, which is covered in a lush green, dotted with bright yellow flowers. This natural spectacle brings new life and vibrancy to this extraordinary ecosystem, offering dynamic and ever-changing photographic opportunities.

Get ready to capture the magic and variety of this unique environment, where every shot becomes a testimony to natural beauty.

Book your place now and let the Kgalagadi reveal its authentic beauty to you through first-hand experiences and photographs that will tell the story of your adventure.

In the heart of the Kgalagadi , you will find a perfect habitat for an extraordinary variety of wildlife! Looming majestically is the Kalahari lion, known for its distinctive black mane: a magnificent predator that symbolizes the wild and untamed spirit of this area.

In addition to the king of the park, the Kgalagadi is home to other fascinating carnivores, including: cheetah , leopard , caracal, serval, jackal, brown and spotted hyena. The exceptional variety of species continues with animals such as the aardvark, bat-eared fox, giraffe, meerkat, honey badger, squirrel, zebra, wildebeest, gemsbok, springbok, eland and many more.

With more than 300 species of birds , the park is a paradise for birdwatchers, hosting raptors such as the martial eagle, serpent eagle, red-necked hawk, black-winged kite and Nubian vulture, as well as emblematic species such as the Kori bustard and Verreaux’s eagle-owl.

Every corner of the Kgalagadi is a discovery, where each species contributes to making this ecosystem unique and unforgettable.

RECOMMENDED PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT:

During this tour we will always shoot in open fields and the distances will vary greatly. In some cases, with a bit of luck, we will be able to shoot comfortably with a lens of about 300mm, while in other cases the distances may require a longer lens, especially for those who prefer portraits.

For environmental images, we recommend lenses between 300 and 400mm. For close-ups and portraits, a 500-600mm lens will be more suitable.

During this type of travel, the use of bean bags will prove extremely useful for shooting comfortably on board the jeeps. Since we will be on the move a lot, a tripod is not recommended during safaris. However, there may be great opportunities for landscape photography; in these cases, having a tripod (even a lightweight one) could be very advantageous. Be prepared to make the most of every opportunity to capture the beauty of the landscape and wildlife!

The organization is available for any further questions.

EQUIPMENT RENTAL

Now it is also possible to rent a complete kit (Reflex + super telephoto) to participate in the event and live this experience.

Nikon Z9 , Nikon Z8, Nikon D7100 , Canon R5, Nikon D750, Canon 70D

Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 (Canon or Nikon)

Sony FE 200-600 mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS

Nikon 400 f2.8 VR FL, Nikon 400 f2.8 Z, Canon 400 f2.8 RF, Canon 600 f4 RF

If you are looking for other products, contact us and we will help you find the lens or camera you are looking for.

The products are rented without deposits, without any credit/prepaid card or particular obligation. Each product is delivered on site and no insurance or documents are required.

The service is provided to allow anyone to participate in a trip like this, enabling each photographer to shoot in optimal conditions.

Contact us for more information on availability and prices

More detailed information will be provided at the time of registration.

DAY BY DAY PROGRAM:

The program may be subject to changes agreed with the group. Any variation will be decided based on the weather and the activity of the animals in order to improve the experience. For all overnight stays in the camps, areas equipped with hot water and services will be used, guaranteeing accommodation in double tents.

DAY 1 Italy – South Africa
- Scheduled flight Italy Johannesburg via stopover.
- Meals and overnight stay on board
DAY 2 Johannesburg – Upington – Twee Riveren
- Domestic flight Johannesburg Upington
- Welcome by guides and transfer by 4×4 jeeps inside the Kgalagadi
- Accommodation in the camp, aperitif and dinner (included)

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DAY 3 Kgalagadi – Twee River
- 2 safari sessions (morning and afternoon), to discover the southern part of the park.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
- Overnight stay in a tent
DAY 4 Kgalagadi – Twee Riveren – Mata Mata
- During the morning safari, we will move towards Mata Mata camp
- 2 safari sessions (morning and afternoon), to discover the North West part of the park
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
- Overnight stay in a tent
DAY 5 Kgalagadi – Mata Mata
- 2 safari sessions (morning and afternoon), to discover the North West part of the park
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
- Overnight stay in a tent
DAY 6 Kgalagadi – Mata Mata – Nossob
- During the morning safari, we will move towards Nossob camp
- 2 safari sessions (morning and afternoon), to discover the eastern part of the park
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
- Overnight stay in a tent
DAY 7 Kgalagadi – Nossob
- 2 safari sessions (morning and afternoon), to discover the North-East part of the park
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
- Overnight stay in a tent
DAY 8 Kgalagadi – Nossob – Twee Rivieren
- During the morning safari, we will move towards Twee Riveieren camp.
- 2 safari sessions (morning and afternoon), to discover the North West part of the park
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
- Overnight stay in a tent
DAY 9 Kgalagadi – Twee Rivieren – Upington – JNB
- Last safari of the morning
- Transfer to Upington Airport for flight to Johannesburg
- Boarding for Italy in the evening
DAY 10 Italy
- Arrival in Italy

flight information:

It is essential to be at Johannesburg airport by early morning on March 7th to secure your domestic flight to Upington . We will provide you with more details to help you plan your trip, including the possibility of staying an additional night in Johannesburg .

INCLUDED

all Kgalagadi airport transfers return
7 nights in Kgalagadi (double tent on jeep)
13 Photo Safaris
Assistance by two professional photographers during the entire duration of the trip