Madikwe Photo Safari – 7 Nights | Madikwe Hills

Masterclass Photo Safari series

A seven-night South African photo safari hosted by Eric van Staden, designed for guests seeking rewarding Big 5 wildlife encounters, refined lodge comfort, and a premium small-group photographic safari experience in Madikwe Game Reserve.

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16 – 23 April 2027

Overview of This Madikwe Photo Safari

7 Nights
Madikwe
South Africa
From $12,250
pps
6 Guests
1 Photo Host

This seven-night Madikwe Photo Safari is a premium Masterclass Series departure hosted by Eric van Staden and designed for a maximum of six guests. Based at Madikwe Hills, this safari combines rewarding wildlife encounters, luxury lodge comfort, and a well-paced photographic safari experience in one of South Africa’s most compelling private reserves.

Staying at Madikwe Hills for the full seven nights gives the safari a calm and settled rhythm. Guests can focus fully on the wildlife, the photography, and the overall safari experience without the interruption of changing camps. Madikwe Hills describes the lodge as accommodating up to 24 guests in 10 expansive, private glass-fronted suites, all connected by wooden walkways and positioned to enjoy views across the reserve.

Madikwe itself is one of South Africa’s standout safari destinations. The reserve is 75,000 hectares, sits near the Botswana border, and supports a rich variety of wildlife across open woodland, grassland, and rocky outcrop landscapes. It is also well known for being malaria-free, which adds to its appeal for many travellers.

The Photo Safari Experience in Timbavati

This safari is designed around the appeal of a classic South African Big 5 reserve, where strong game viewing, varied landscapes, and a polished lodge experience come together to create a rewarding photographic journey. Madikwe is especially appealing because it offers the richness of a major safari destination while still feeling distinct from the more commonly discussed Greater Kruger regions.

For photographers, Madikwe offers real variety. Madikwe Hills highlights the reserve as a destination for Big 5 sightings, with additional opportunities for cheetah, African wild dog, hyena, giraffe, and a wide range of antelope and birdlife. That means guests can build a portfolio that includes both iconic species and the quieter wildlife and landscape moments that make a safari feel complete.

Hosted by Eric van Staden, this safari is designed to help guests make the most of the reserve photographically while still enjoying the broader pleasures of being on safari. It is about strong sightings, certainly, but also about rhythm, observation, and coming away with a body of work that feels varied, thoughtful, and genuinely rewarding.

Limited to just 6 guests, this hosted Masterclass Series safari is designed for travellers who want strong wildlife photography, refined lodge comfort, and a beautifully paced safari experience in Madikwe.

Register Your Interest
Some of our future photo safari concepts are released first as early access opportunities before being scheduled as confirmed departures.
Register your interest using the button below and fill out the form.

Please note, by filling out the “Register Your Interest form”, this does not commit you to travel.

Register Your Interest

Who This Safari Is Designed For

Photography Experience

All skill levels.
Beginner to advanced photographers welcome

Pace & Activity Level

Balanced photo safari.
Walking, trekking,drives and
downtime

Travel Style

Small group experience.
Shared wildlife encounters with expert hosting

Comfort Level

High-quality safari lodges.
Well-positioned accommodation across the route

Eric Van Staden, professional photographer, holds a telephoto lens on an African photo safari.
Meet Your Photography Expert

Your Photo Host On This Safari

Eric van Staden is a professional wildlife photographer, filmmaker, and safari host whose deep connection to Africa was shaped from an early life spent in Zimbabwe’s wild landscapes. As Co-Founder of Photo Safari Company, Eric brings over two decades of experience in wildlife photography, guiding, and safari design, blending creative vision with an intuitive understanding of animal behaviour and the rhythm of the bush.

Calm and quietly perceptive in the field, Eric’s approach centres on helping guests slow down, anticipate moments, and capture imagery that reflects both emotion and atmosphere. His mentorship elevates the photographic experience beyond technique, creating space for thoughtful storytelling and meaningful connection with Africa’s extraordinary wildlife.

More about ERIC
Two cheetahs on a mound during an African safari. Photo safari in golden light.

About the Masterclass Photo Safari Series

Our Masterclass Series safaris are designed for guests who want more than a standard hosted wildlife photography experience. These departures place a stronger emphasis on photographic development in the field, combining exceptional safari destinations with more hands-on guidance, deeper creative input, and the opportunity to improve both technical skills and visual storytelling while on safari.

Madikwe is an excellent fit for this format. With its variety of wildlife, rewarding game viewing, and the comfort of a premium lodge base, it creates the ideal setting for a safari that is both enjoyable and genuinely educational. With all seven nights spent at Madikwe Hills, guests can settle into the experience properly and make the most of both the wildlife encounters and the photographic learning throughout the journey.

Learn aBOUT Masterclass series

Why Travel With Photo Safari Company

Travel with confidence on professionally hosted safaris designed for small groups and exceptional wildlife experiences. As members of ATTA, we partner with carefully selected camps and lodges, provide expert photographic support in the field, and offer transparent pricing with clear booking protection, so you can focus entirely on the experience.

  • ATTA membership
  • Small group guarantee
  • Professional hosts
  • Curated camps & lodges
  • Price protection
Explore all Scheduled photo Safaris
Woman on African photo safari taking pictures of deer in a golden field at sunset.

Register Your Interest
Some of our future photo safari concepts are released first as early access opportunities before being scheduled as confirmed departures.
Register your interest using the button below and fill out the form.

Please note, by filling out the “Register Your Interest form”, this does not commit you to travel.

Register Your Interest

The Photo Safari Experience

Twice Daily Safari Activities

Guided Nature Experiences

Small Group Experience

Hand Picked Safari Camps

Photographic
Support

Time To Unwind

Balanced Safari Pace

Transparent Pricing

Photographic Opportunities

This safari offers rewarding photographic opportunities across Big 5 wildlife, rarer predator species, birdlife, and the varied landscapes that make Madikwe so distinctive.

  • Big 5 photography in Madikwe Game Reserve
  • Cheetah, African wild dog, hyena, and antelope
  • Morning and afternoon game drive photography
  • Wildlife portraits, behaviour, and environmental storytelling
  • Birdlife and wider reserve landscapes
  • Soft autumn light and classic safari atmosphere
  • A strong all-round South African wildlife portfolio
Black and white photo of a Goliath Heron in South Luangwa during an African photo safari. Image by Nick Wigmore - Photo Safari Company

Photo Safari Information

Photo Safari Information Summary

7 Night Photo Safari

safari Cost

From US$12,250
pps

Destination/s Visited

Madikwe
South Africa

6 Guests

US$3,500 Deposit

Safari Starts In:

Johannesburg (JNB)

Safari Ends In:

Johannesburg (JNB)

Safari Plan & Details

Madikwe Photo Safari Overview

This safari is designed for travellers who want a rewarding and well-rounded wildlife photography experience in South Africa. Rather than a fast-moving multi-camp itinerary, this journey is built around a single luxury lodge stay, giving guests the time to settle in properly and enjoy Madikwe in a more meaningful way.

Based at Madikwe Hills for all seven nights, the safari combines repeated time in the field with the comfort and ease of a premium lodge-based experience. That creates the right balance between strong wildlife viewing, downtime between activities, and the consistency that helps guests build a more thoughtful and complete body of photographic work across the week.

Photographically, Madikwe offers excellent variety. Madikwe Hills highlights the reserve for Big 5 wildlife, while also noting species such as cheetah, African wild dog, and prolific birdlife. Combined with mixed landscapes and softer autumn light, that makes the reserve especially rewarding for guests wanting a broad and varied safari portfolio.

Photo Safari Cost

Occupancy

sharing

SOLO

Price

*US$ 12,250

*US$ 15,690

Small Group Pricing

*This safari is priced on 6 guests sharing a room.
**Minimum of 4 guests required.
***If fewer than 6 guests travel, a small group adjustment of $1,550 per person applies to cover vehicle, guiding, photographic hosting, and logistical costs being shared across fewer guests.

Important Information

Safari booking Terms

What’s Included & What’s Not

Included

  • Accommodation
  • All meals
  • All camp transfers
  • Twice daily activities
  • Professional photo host
  • Drinks (house wines, local brand spirits, beers and soft drinks)
  • Refreshments on game drives
  • Wifi
  • Laundry
  • Conservation levies & Parks fees
  • Tax

Excluded

  • International flights
  • Visa’s
  • Travel insurance
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Staff and Guide gratuities
  • Single supplement
  • Aircraft landing and departure fees, if applicable
  • Passenger Taxes, if applicable
  • Anything not mentioned in the Included section

Register Your Interest
Some of our future photo safari concepts are released first as early access opportunities before being scheduled as confirmed departures.
Register your interest using the button below and fill out the form.

Please note, by filling out the “Register Your Interest form”, this does not commit you to travel.

Register Your Interest

This Photo Safari Itinerary

Please note: This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, logistics, or wildlife conditions. Your guides will adapt daily plans to maximise photographic opportunities and guest comfort.

This seven-night Madikwe photo safari is designed as a premium lodge-based journey with a smooth, well-paced rhythm, allowing guests to enjoy exceptional wildlife viewing, refined lodge comfort, and meaningful time in the field. Based entirely at Madikwe Hills, the itinerary is built around immersive game drives, wildlife photography, and the varied landscapes that make Madikwe such a rewarding South African safari destination. Madikwe Hills notes the reserve spans 75,000 hectares in South Africa’s North West Province near the Botswana border.

Charter flight transfer from JNB to Madikwe airstrip.

Short road transfer/game drive from airstrip to lodge.

Arrive for the start of your safari and transfer through to Madikwe Hills, your home for the next seven nights. Once settled in, guests can take time to relax, get acquainted with camp, and prepare for the first game drive of the safari. The opening day is all about arriving smoothly and easing into the rhythm of the reserve.

Your first full day begins with an early morning game drive, when the reserve is cool, active, and full of possibility. After returning to lodge for breakfast and downtime, the afternoon offers time to relax before heading back out for the evening drive. These opening safari days are about settling into the pace of the bush and beginning to shape your photographic approach.

By now, the rhythm of safari life starts to feel natural. Morning and afternoon game drives provide opportunities to photograph a wide variety of subjects, from large mammals and predators to birds, broader landscapes, and the atmosphere of the reserve itself. With Eric van Staden hosting throughout, guests can continue refining their photographic approach while enjoying the pace of the safari.

As the safari progresses, the benefit of staying in one lodge becomes even more apparent. Without needing to move between camps, guests can concentrate fully on the experience in front of them. Each drive adds another layer to the story of the reserve, whether through memorable sightings, interesting behaviour, or the quieter moments that often become some of the most rewarding photographically.

By the middle of the safari, guests are usually fully immersed in the rhythm of game drives, wildlife encounters, and time back at lodge between sessions. This is where the experience can really come into its own, with more opportunities to focus on behaviour, portraiture, light, atmosphere, and the kind of classic African wildlife imagery that makes Madikwe such a strong safari destination.

Another full day in the reserve allows for more time to enjoy the flow of sightings, weather, and wildlife activity. Some drives may bring dramatic moments, while others offer a quieter, more intimate look at the bush. Both are valuable, and both contribute to a stronger and more varied body of photographic work over the course of the safari.

Your final full day on safari is a chance to enjoy every last moment in the field. Whether that means focusing on a wishlist species, refining your compositions, or simply taking in the atmosphere of the reserve, the final full day often carries a real sense of perspective and appreciation for the safari as a whole.

After breakfast, it is time to depart Madikwe Hills, bringing your seven-night photo safari to a close. Guests leave with not only a strong collection of wildlife images, but also the experience of having spent a rewarding week in one of South Africa’s most distinctive safari reserves.

If you would like to spend more time in South Africa, this safari can be extended with additional nights before or after the main departure. This is a great option for guests who want more time in the bush, extra lodge nights, or the chance to build a broader South African safari itinerary around this Signature Series departure.

This safari can also be paired exceptionally well with other safari destinations across Africa, making it a strong foundation for a longer photographic journey. It can be combined with destinations such as the Okavango Delta and Chobe in Botswana, Mana Pools in Zimbabwe, South Luangwa in Zambia, or other Greater Kruger and South African safari regions. For guests wanting a broader itinerary, we can help tailor this departure into a more expansive multi-destination African photo safari experience.

For guests wanting a broader safari itinerary, we can help tailor this departure into a more expansive multi-destination African photo safari experience.

If you are interested in extending this safari or pairing it with another safari destination, please contact us. We would be happy to help tailor a longer itinerary to suit your travel plans, interests, and preferred style of safari.

Contact Us

“Madikwe was a great choice for a photo safari. The sightings were consistent, and we had some excellent opportunities with wild dogs, which was a real highlight. What stood out was the pace, we were able to spend proper time with each subject and focus on getting the shot rather than rushing. The guide understood what we were trying to achieve photographically.”

Johan & Elise, Amsterdam Netherlands

A Glimpse Into This Photo Safari

This gallery offers a window into the extraordinary, from once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters to the elegant camps and lodges that redefine safari luxury.
 
While specific properties may vary by itinerary, each has been handpicked for its exceptional service, comfort, and immersive connection to the wild.

This Masterclass Series photo safari is designed for guests who want to experience Madikwe in a way that feels rewarding, refined, and beautifully well paced. With all seven nights based at Madikwe Hills, the safari combines the comfort of a luxury lodge with the wildlife variety and strong photographic opportunities that make Madikwe Game Reserve one of South Africa’s standout safari destinations.

Madikwe Hills describes the lodge as an intimate and luxurious base within the reserve, with expansive suites and elevated views over the landscape. That makes it a strong fit for a hosted photographic safari where guests want both meaningful time in the field and a polished, comfortable lodge experience between drives.

Madikwe Hills

Madikwe Hills offers an elegant and intimate safari setting within Madikwe Game Reserve, combining spacious private suites, excellent hospitality, and a strong sense of seclusion. It is an excellent base for a premium hosted photo safari in South Africa.

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Photo Safari Map

Madikwe Hills, Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa

Photo Safari Booking & Travel FAQs

Your place is confirmed once your deposit has been received. After completing your registration, you will be guided to a secure payment page to pay the required deposit and finalise your booking.

A deposit of $3,500 is required to confirm your place. The remaining balance is payable prior to departure, with full payment details provided after booking confirmation.

Our photo safaris are kept small and personal, with a maximum of six guests on this departure. This allows for a more comfortable experience in the field and more meaningful time with your professional photographer host.

Full arrival and departure details will be provided as part of your booking confirmation and pre-departure information. This safari is based in Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa.

The safari price includes accommodation, safari transport, guiding, hosted photographic support, and the activities outlined in the itinerary. Full inclusion details will be provided at the time of booking.

International flights, visas where applicable, travel insurance, gratuities, personal expenses, and selected drinks are not included unless otherwise stated. A full list of exclusions will be provided before booking confirmation.

Yes. Solo travellers are very welcome on this photo safari. With only two guests on the departure, it is particularly well suited to travellers who value a more personal and highly curated safari experience.

Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance is essential for all guests travelling on this safari and should be arranged before departure.

Yes. This safari is suitable for a range of photography experience levels, from enthusiastic beginners through to more experienced wildlife photographers. The hosted format allows guests to enjoy the safari while also receiving guidance in the field.

Yes. This safari can be extended with additional nights in South Africa or paired with other African safari destinations, including Botswana’s Okavango Delta and Chobe, Mana Pools in Zimbabwe, South Luangwa in Zambia, or other Greater Kruger safari regions. We would be happy to help tailor a broader itinerary around this departure.

Recommended equipment varies depending on destination and wildlife, but guidance is provided after booking to help you prepare the most suitable gear for your safari.

Book Your Madikwe Photo Safari

This seven-night Madikwe Photo Safari is designed for travellers who want a rewarding South African wildlife photography experience delivered in a premium and well-supported way. With Eric van Staden hosting, a maximum of six guests, and all seven nights based at Madikwe Hills, this Masterclass Series departure brings together strong wildlife viewing, refined lodge comfort, and meaningful time in one of South Africa’s most distinctive safari reserves.

If you are looking for a safari that combines excellent game viewing with a smooth, well-paced hosted experience in a luxury lodge setting, this is a compelling way to experience Madikwe. With limited spaces available, we recommend registering your interest early.

Availability is limited.
Register your interest early to be first in line when the final itinerary is confirmed.

Register Your Interest
Some of our future photo safari concepts are released first as early access opportunities before being scheduled as confirmed departures.
Register your interest using the button below and fill out the form.

Please note, by filling out the “Register Your Interest form”, this does not commit you to travel.

Register Your Interest