Host: Nikongear.com & Dallas Dahms
Guide & Organiser: Pepe Jones - Nature Uncut
Special Guest: Bjørn Rørslett

This 2-week wildlife and cultural photo safari starts in sub-tropical Durban, South Africa’s “Holiday City” and ends in the panoramic Eastern Escarpment, to the east of Johannesburg.  On this tour we visit a number of world-renowned game reserves, including Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, Mkhuze and Kruger National Park, where we will have the opportunity of photographing some of Africa’s big game and remarkable birdlife.  We also explore Kwazulu-Natal, land of the Zulu people, and the Royal Kingdom of Swaziland, where the colourful crafts and traditional clothing present numerous photographic opportunities. After three days in Kruger, one of Africa’s greatest National Parks, we explore the spectacular eastern escarpment, known as “The Panorama”, with its awe-inspiring canyons, caves and waterfalls, and an area with a rich and fascinating history. 

From the lush indigenous forests of Eshowe and the mangrove-lined wetlands of St Lucia to the grasslands of Swaziland’s highlands and the magnificent Blyde River Canyon, this tour promises to be an incredible photographic adventure.

This safari has been designed specifically for photographers, thus we aim to maximise photo opportunities and present as wide a variety of photographic subjects within the 2-week period as possible.

All accommodation is based on 4-star ratings.

DETAILED ITINERARY

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN DURBAN

Highlights:  City tour, Welcome dinner / BBQ
You will be collected from Durban International Airport and enjoy a brief tour of the city, before being taken to your guest house in the vicinity of Umhlanga.  In the evening you will be collected for a welcome dinner where we will have the opportunity to meet one another and discuss our adventure ahead.

Highlights:  Dlinza Forest, Shakaland, evening game drive
After breakfast, we make our way northwards up the Kwazulu-Natal coast.  Our first stop is the village of Eshowe, the oldest European settlement in Zululand.  The name ‘Eshowe’ is said to be inspired by the sound of wind blowing through the Dlinza Forest - a lush indigenous canopy teeming with birds, and the most significant feature of the town.  We will explore this forest by foot and view the forest canopy from the recently erected aerial boardwalk – one of its kind in South Africa.  The Dlinza Forest is home to many spectacular birds, such as the elusive Narina Trogon and Purple-crested Turaco.  We then make our way to the nearby Shakaland – a traditional Zulu cultural village.  At Shakaland, originally the set of the popular TV series’ Shaka Zulu and John Ross, we will be introduced to various aspects of Zulu culture, including social systems, fighting formations, the greeting of the home, beadwork, pottery, beer making and spear throwing.  After lunch, we continue to Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, South Africa’s oldest game reserve.  We will embark on a late afternoon photographic game drive, followed by dinner at the Hilltop Rest Camp, with its views over the park.

Highlights: “Big 5” game-viewing, birdwatching
We will embark on an early morning game drive, where we hope to encounter and photograph numerous mammals and interesting birdlife.  The wide variety of plant life in this park gives rise to a diversity of mammals, birdlife, reptiles and amphibians, including the Big Five - lion, black and white rhino, elephant, buffalo and leopard, as well as a variety of other interesting species such as cheetah, wild dog and giraffe.  It is also one of the best places in the world to see nyala (a shy antelope found in wooded areas).  Through the world famous project "Operation Rhino", the white rhino population was brought back from extinction in this reserve.  From less than 20 animals in 1900, there are now more than 10 000 White Rhinos in existence worldwide.  During the heat of the day and when the light is poor, we plan to relax at the camp.  In the late afternoon, we will embark on another game drive, returning to the camp at sunset.  We will again spend the night at Hilltop Rest Camp.

Highlights: Game-viewing, birdwatching, boat cruise
We start the day with an early morning game drive in the reserve, followed by breakfast.  We then head eastwards to the St Lucia Wetlands, one of the world’s great eco-tourism destinations.  The area attracts considerable numbers of animals, especially antelope, hippo, crocodiles and elephants.  Lake St Lucia is also one of the most important breeding areas for birds in South Africa and is surrounded by a mosaic of coastal forest, woodlands and grasslands.  We will embark on an evening boat cruise where we will hopefully be able to get close to hippos and crocs.  After our boat trip we will dine at a local restaurant and spend the night at the luxurious Amazulu Lodge.

Highlights: Game-viewing, birdwatching
After an early morning walk or drive in the St Lucia area, we make our way to the Mkhuze Game Reserve.  Mkhuze, proclaimed a protected area in 1912, is a reserve of great beauty and high contrasts, and is regarded as one of the richest birding spots in Africa (with more than 420 bird species on record)!  The reserve has a wide diversity of natural habitats, including mountains, acacia savannah, swamps, woodlands, riverine forest and sand forest. Two beautiful pans are home to communities of hippo, crocodile, pink-backed and white pelicans, as well as a diversity of ducks and geese, which gather in spring.  Animals that we could see include black and white rhino, elephant, giraffe, leopard, buffalo, nyala, blue wildebeest, kudu, cheetah, hyena and suni.  After dinner we will embark on a night drive where we have the chance of encountering leopard, owls and other nocturnal creatures.

Highlights: Guided walk, game-viewing
We start the day with a guided morning walk in the Fig Tree Forest, where we hope to encounter spectacular birds and possibly some shy mammals.  We then head northwards to the Swaziland border, entering this remarkable Royal Kingdom at the Golela border post.  Please ensure that your passports are valid and available for stamping at the border.  We travel via Big Bend and Manzini to our lodge in the highlands, stopping at the Swazi Candle Factory for lunch.  We will spend the night at the picturesque and cosy Forester’s Arms Lodge.

Highlights: Ezilwini Valley, colourful crafts and local markets, Royal kraal or local village
Today we explore the Manzini market, where we can photograph the local Swazi people making and selling their numerous colourful crafts.  We also explore the Ezilwini Valley, including Gone Rural basket weavers and the House of Fire, where we will enjoy a light lunch.  Depending on the timing of our tour we may be able to visit the Royal Kraal to witness some of the festivities associated with the annual Reed Dance, a colourful Swazi celebration held in late August or early September.  The exact date of this event is decided each year by the King, and depends on the cycle of the moon.  Alternatively, we will visit the chief of a small nearby village, where we will be introduced to the traditional Swazi way of life.  We will again spend the night at Forester’s Arms.

Highlights: Ngwenya mine and glass factory, Malolotja Nature Reserve, Phophonyane Nature Reserve
Today we make our way through Mbabane, Swaziland’s capital city, to Ngwenya mine, the oldest known mine in the world.  Ancient people dug this open-pit mine over 40 000 years ago in search of specularite and haematite and, in more recent years, for iron.  We also visit the Ngwenya glass blowing factory, where local people transform recycled bottles into beautiful glass items – mostly in the shape of various African animals.  After lunch, we continue to Malolotja Nature Reserve, a beautiful park set in the high rolling grasslands of Swaziland.  We will enjoy a scenic drive through the reserve, where we may encounter various antelope species before continuing to Phophonyane Falls Lodge.   Beautifully situated, with outstanding views of mountains and valleys, Phophonyane nature reserve offers a remarkable diversity of habitats in a small area.  The nearby Phophonyane River tumbles down several hundred meters in a series of cascades and rock pools.  We will enjoy dinner at The Driftwood Restaurant, with its romantic and tasteful African ambience and variety of traditional Swazi dishes.

Highlights: Mountain views and waterfalls, “Big 5” Game-viewing, birdwatching
We start the day with an early drive and walk – the Gobolondo Mountain Trail.  A short steep climb (approx. 20 minutes) takes us to the top of the mountain where we can enjoy spectacular 360 degree views of the surrounding highlands and possibly a swim in the waterfall pool.  After brunch back at our lodge we will make our way northwards into South Africa to the spectacular Kruger National Park. Kruger, one of Africa’s largest and most magnificent game parks, was established in 1926 and is nearly 2 million hectares in extent.  The park is home to an incredible 150 mammal species and over 500 bird species, making it one of the most popular game parks in the world!  Here, we hope to see elephant, lion, cheetah, leopard, rhino, various antelope species, crocodile, hippo and many others.  In addition to the “Big 5” we should also encounter some spectacular birdlife including bee-eaters, rollers, kingfishers, cuckoos, hornbills, eagles (including Bateleur), vultures, owls, turacos, storks, and many others.  We will spend three nights in Kruger, of which two will be at Lower Sabie (with its superb river views, and population of hippos) and one night at Satara (a good area for sighting lions and other big cats).  Each day we will embark on game drives in the early morning and late afternoon where we will seek out mammal and bird species and visit various hides along the way.  We will spend the heat of the day (when animals are more scarce and light is harsh) relaxing at the camps.  Most of the camps have swimming pools and at each camp there is the option of going on a night drive to view nocturnal creatures, such as genets, spring hares, civets, and aardvark (optional extra activity).

Highlights: Forested island, Blyde Canyon boat trip
After a further early morning game drive we will continue our journey out of the Park towards the Blyde River, where we will spend the night on a forested island at Otter’s Den.  In the late afternoon we will embark on a boat trip through the Blyde River Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world (after the Grand and Fish River Canyons) and inhabited by crocodiles and hippos.  We then enjoy a barbecue on our forested island with the sound of owls and bushbabies in the trees above, before retiring to our rustic wooden chalets.

Highlights: Wildlife rehabilitation centre, Silk factory, Optional hot air balloon flight
In the morning we will enjoy early breakfast and photography at leisure on the island, after which we visit the world-renowned Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, a haven for abandoned and injured wildlife, and a breeding centre for endangered Southern African species.  The centre is home to numerous birds of prey, including Crowned and Marshall Eagles, as well as large cats such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs.  After our tour of the centre, we plan to stop for lunch at the Bombyx Mori Silk factory, one of only two in South Africa, where we will be introduced to the history and art of silk weaving and have the opportunity of viewing a large variety of silk items for sale.  [Today you will also have the opportunity of taking an early morning hot air balloon flight, operated by the owners of Otters Den.  This excursion requires a very early start, is strongly weather dependent and must be booked in advance.  The flight will take you gently over one of the nearby private game reserves or Blyde River enabling you to see and photograph wildlife from the air!  If you choose to do this activity, it will replace the visit to the rehabilitation centre].  We will spend another evening and night at Otter’s Den.

Highlights: Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window, waterfalls
After breakfast we head via the spectacular Abel Erasmus Pass to various view sites along the “Panorama”, including the Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondavels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes (interesting geological features formed by swirling whirlpools grinding their way into the bedrock of the Blyde River), God’s Window with its tropical rainforest and magnificent outlook onto the Lowveld, and the much-photographed Pinnacle.  After lunch in the quaint and historical town of Graskop we visit the Mac Mac and Bridal Falls, two spectacular waterfalls that cascade from the escarpment.  We then continue to Sabie, where we will spend the night in luxury log chalets on the bank of the Sabie River.

Highlights:  Historical Pilgrim’s Rest, Mpumalanga Highlands
After breakfast, we visit the nearby Lone Creek Falls, before heading to the historical mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest, where we spend the morning exploring the town.  Virtually the entire town has been declared a national monument and remains largely unchanged since the gold rush in 1873.  Here we will visit a number of museums, restored houses and quaint shops followed by lunch in one of the town’s numerous restaurants.  After lunch we make our way via the quaint village of Dullstroom, South Africa’s premier trout fishing destination and one of the highest towns in South Africa (2100m), towards Johannesburg.  You will be taken to OR Tambo International Airport to catch your evening flight home.  Alternatively, if your flight leaves the following morning, we would be happy to arrange accommodation for you in Johannesburg and an airport transfer the following day.

We also offer a few possible extensions to this tour (i.e. from Day 15 onwards):

3 nights at Mala Mala, rated one of the world’s best private game reserves and an excellent option for photographing big cats such as leopard, cheetah and lion.

OR

7-day Drakensberg Tour, where we will explore the Zulu battlefields, the majestic Drakensberg (South Africa’s highest mountain range) and the Natal midlands.

OR

5-day Cape Town tour, where we visit Cape Point (the southwestern tip of Africa), Table Mountain, the Cape Winelands and Hermanus (land based whale-watching).  The weather is not ideal in Cape Town at this time of the year, but it is still a worthwhile option for those wishing to see the “Mother City”.

Pricing

The price of the tour will be supplied on request, so if you would like to join us on this amazing safari, please send an email to dallas@nikongear.com. You will need to let us know how many people will be in your party and also whether you wish to share or incur a single room supplement to the base price of the trip.

If you are interested in any of the possible extensions please mention this in your email and we will gladly send you a detailed itinerary. Prices will depend on the size of the group.

The base tour price will include the local flight from Johannesburg to Durban, accommodation, all meals, entrance fees, activities, guide fees and transport costs once we are on tour. It doesn't include your international return flight to Johannesburg, South Africa or any alcoholic beverages.

If the price fits your pocket and you definitely want to be a part of this adventure a deposit of 30% is required to secure your place on the tour. This needs to be paid by no later than 31 March 2009. Payments can be made via SWIFT international bank transfer, details of which will be provided on enquiry.

There are only 10 seats available on this trip and based on our pricing we expect these to sell fairly quickly. Places will be allocated once the deposits are received.

About Nature Uncut

Nature Uncut Tours was established in 2006 and specialises in customised, small-group safaris with a particular focus on wildlife and photography. Based in Cape Town, Nature Uncut currently offers tours throughout South Africa, Swaziland, Namibia and Madagascar. Visiting the main tourist attractions of the region as well as selected cultural activities, their tours always include areas of superior natural beauty and interest.

Lodges have been carefully selected for quality, comfort, excellent hosts and beautiful settings, and are usually moderately luxurious i.e. 4 star. All tours are guided by qualified, THETA-registered guides with a background in natural history and or photography. Since they cater mainly for small groups, Nature Uncut will ensure that you receive an in-depth and personal tour experience. They are member of the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA) and the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB), and all guests are protected by the SATSA financial guarantee. Nature Uncut aims to promote tourism in a responsible and ethical manner and they support responsible tourism ventures wherever possible. Please visit www.natureuncut.com for further information.

PEPE JONES, owner of Nature Uncut Tours, obtained a BSc Honours degree in Environmental Science and Archaeology at the University of Cape Town in 1998. She worked as an Environmental Scientist for four years before joining a birding tour company as a guide and joint operations manager. In July 2006 she started Nature Uncut Tours, offering customised wildlife and photographic safaris in Southern Africa. She is a Professional Natural Scientist, a THETA-registered tour guide and an amateur wildlife photographer. She is passionate about nature and her tours generally focus on all aspects of the natural environment (including mammals, birdlife, geography and ecology) as well as local culture and history.

Bjørn hardly needs any introduction to Nikongear members. As our Technical Editor he has made a tremendous contribution to the website since our forum first began midway through 2006. From lens and camera reviews to his incredible photographic work in the invisible light spectrum, having his input as both a photographer and scientist has been invaluable to our members. On this trip Bjørn will be on hand to provide both artistic and scientific input to fellow tourists.

We aim to make this the trip of a lifetime and hope to see you on safari!

Nikongear Safari #1 2009 - Q&A

February 05, 2009, 08:30:04 PM by Dallas

The response to the safari so far has been very positive and there are now only 8 seats left. So, if you are contemplating coming along, but want to know a bit more about the trip (that isn't covered already on this page) please ask away here.

Pricing information is sent on request.

Write Comment

:

Re: Nikongear Safari 2009 - Q&A

1: February 08, 2009, 09:05:29 AM by Dallas

There are tentatively another three members who have indicated a desire to join the tour. That makes 5 in total so far. We only need one more to guarantee the tour from a feasibility point of view. From the 6th member upwards the price reduces quite a bit, so if you are interested please let me know and I will forward you further information.

Re: Nikongear Safari 2009 - Q&A

2: February 08, 2009, 11:01:56 PM by Jan Anne

Well I'm one of those three

It's a bit rough here at work now that thousands are to be fired, in a couple of weeks I'll know weather I'm one of them or not. Don't think so but it's a prereq for me to know before I say yes to an above average budget holiday like this.

Can't wait to meet some of you guys (or girls) for real and at what better to place to do this then on the African planes amongst the planets most dangerous wildlife

So who are the other (almost) lucky members and are there any more whom are considering coming along

Re: Nikongear Safari 2009 - Q&A

3: February 08, 2009, 11:12:27 PM by wildoat

It would be interesting to have at least have a guide price.
There are probably many members who may be interested but don`t want to commit having no idea as to the price!
regards
Tony

Re: Nikongear Safari 2009 - Q&A

4: February 09, 2009, 04:36:18 AM by Dallas

2009 AFRICAN PHOTO SAFARI PRICES

Main Tour 9 - 23 August 2009

Pricing is dependent on the number of seats that are taken up on the tour. The table below shows the prices (in South African Rands) based on the number of seats sold. Please keep an eye on the forum for the number of seats remaining at any time.

No. of tourists   Price per person sharing
6                   54,000
7                   50,400
8                   47,400
9                   45,000
10                 43,200

Single room supplement is R3,000.

The tour price is pegged to the South African Rand which has been trading at around R10 = US$1 for the past few weeks (Jan/Feb), although the Rand seems to have firmed a bit in the past few days to $1 = R9.64.

This price includes the local flight from Johannesburg to Durban, accommodation, all meals, entrance fees & activities. It doesn’t include your air ticket to South Africa, laundry or beverages.

The tour extension prices I will supply on request.

Compared to some other safari tours organised by other outfits this is pretty good value.

Re: Nikongear Safari 2009 - Q&A

5: February 17, 2009, 10:28:52 AM by Dallas

I have been given some feedback from Pepe in response to some of the questions I have been receiving w.r.t. safety, insurance and medical:

Quote

The following are some tips on security and health risks:

1) Personal belongings:  It is recommended that travellers insure their camera equipment against all risks, including damage and theft. We will be travelling and photographing only in extremely safe areas - all National parks are extremely safe from any thefts.  Caution need only be exercised in the cities, such as in Johannesburg and Durban, where it is recommended to heed instructions of tour guide and not flash equipment visibly around.  Equipment is safe at the airport and guest house and clients will be transported by tour guide between the two.
 
Security fears regarding kidnapping or raids are unfounded and one need not be concerned about this in either South Africa or Swaziland.  Swaziland is an extremely safe country with very little crime.

2) Travel and medical insurance:  It is recommended, as when travelling to any foreign country, that travellers obtain adequate medical and travel insurance.  In the event of any emergency, clients will be taken to the nearest private hospital.

Nature Uncut Tours is insured with Southcape Intasure for both passenger and public liability and since we are members of SATSA, we offer a financial guarantee against risks associated with company bankruptcy, etc.

3) Malaria:  We will be travelling during a period of lowest Malaria risk (dry months).  Most of the places we visit are Malaria-free but some are low risk areas.  It is recommended that travellers take one of the following medications for our time spent in Kruger and Mala Mala (optional extension).  Malanil/ Malarone is the most expensive, but it is the most effective with the least side effects.  You only need to take it two days before and a week after travel.  Drakensberg and Cape tour extensions are Malaria-free.
Any of the following three drugs is highly effective as a malaria preventative measure:
 
- Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil) - Recommended
- Doxycyxline
- Larium (mefloquine)

Mosquito repellent, long trousers/jeans and long-sleeved shirts, particularly at night when malaria (Anopheles) mosquitoes bite, are advised, in addition to the drugs.

4) Dangerous Animals:  Although we are extremely unlikely to see any snakes, we recommend wearing hiking boots and long trousers during any walks that we do, to minimise the danger of snakebites.  In game reserves where large predators roam, it is illegal to alight from the vehicle except in rest camps and picnic areas.  Your guides will instruct you when it is safe to do so.

5) Vaccines: No vaccines are required by law for travel to South Africa and Swaziland, unless travellers are arriving from countries in Africa or Americas infected with yellow-fever. In this case, travellers are required to obtain a Yellow-Fever vaccination certificate before travel.  Hepatitus A, typhoid, tetanus and polio vaccinations are sometimes recommended by doctors, but are NOT mandatory and apply mainly to countries to the north of South Africa, where we will not be travelling. There is an EXTREMELY low risk of contracting any of these illnesses in South Africa or Swaziland.  We will be staying at quality accommodation where the tap-water is drinkable and food is safe from infection.  Bottled water is also available at all garages and supermarkets.
 
6)  Equipment:  Travellers will be required to carry their own photographic equipment.  Travel in the vehicle will be spacious to ensure sufficient room for photographic gear, and trailers will be used for luggage.  Equipment can be stored in the vehicles which will be with us at most times during our tour.  Photography in the game reserves will be mostly done from the vehicles.  At certain times when we do short guided walks or photo excursions it is recommended that travellers have suitable bags/ backpacks to comfortably transport their equipment, incl. tripods and flash gear.  We will not be doing any strenuous walks during this tour - only short walks on level paths.

If there are any other questions please feel free to ask here or via email.

Re: Nikongear Safari 2009 - Q&A

6: February 17, 2009, 11:44:04 AM by msk2193

Dallas,  those rates are quite economical.  I have seen most safaris close to double that.  If you repeat in 2010 I will be there!

Re: Nikongear Safari 2009 - Q&A

7: February 17, 2009, 02:10:01 PM by Dallas

Thanks Michael,

Well, if we sell out these 10 seats and this trip is as successful as I believe it will be, there will certainly be more to come in the future, but not always to the same destinations.

These are pretty tough economic times, so we're doing our best to keep things within reach, while at the same time ensuring that the "African Experience" isn't compromised all that much.

If you put this trip into perspective, it's less than the cost of a D3X (even once you have bought your return ticket to JHB)!!

Re: Nikongear Safari 2009 - Q&A

8: April 07, 2009, 04:09:56 PM by Nikon Bob

Dallas

I had a look at the itinerary for the tour and it looked good to me. My wife and I had been to SA a few years ago and had gone to some of the places when on a general tour. We both want to return to SA and concentrate on the wildlife this time around. The destinations seem very good from our limited experience. I wish you good success with the tour and hopefully there will be future tours when we can participate.

Bob

Re: Nikongear Safari 2009 - Q&A

9: April 07, 2009, 06:13:33 PM by Dallas

Thanks Bob.

I'm pretty sure that this tour will be repeated next year at least twice: once in May and again in August. I can't say that the prices will be repeated at this level though. This is very much an introductory offer.

I also want to offer other tours to places like Namibia and Tanzania (Serengeti) in the future. Those will require plenty of research though and will probabaly only happen in a couple of years time.

Re: Nikongear Safari 2009 - Q&A

10: April 07, 2009, 09:03:49 PM by Ann

I have just joined NikonGear.

I saw your web site by chance and definitely want to sign-up for the Safari and have e-mailed you accordingly!



Ann