Photographic hides are structures built to maximise the photographic potential of the animal subjects that visit them. These hides can be used to view wildlife in the normal manner but have been positioned with consideration of the angle of the sun, the background and the angle the viewer occupies in relation to the animals and birds. A professional wildlife photographer will accompany participants to the hides. They are on hand to tutor both aspiring and experienced photographers in camera techniques which will see a vast improvement in the quality of their images.

A resident wildlife photographer is based at Mashatu Lodge to guide participants when they are in camp. Guests can also enlist his/ her services while on game drives in the PhotoMashatu photographic vehicle should they require further tutelage over and above time spent in the hides.
The services of a professional photographer in camp and the use of the photographic hides can be booked through Mashatu reservations as an additional activity over and above the daily rates for accommodation.
Guests at Mashatu may use the hides for normal game viewing purposes as well as for photography. It must however be noted that regardless of their preference, they will always be accompanied by the photographic guide in the hides or a ranger from Mashatu Game Reserve.

Matebole Elephant hide

An entire hide has been sunk into the ground right next to a waterhole that is in prime elephant habitat. Inside, seating is arranged so that viewers’ heads are at ground level.

The waterhole attracts all manner of animals beside elephants including kudu, impala and baboons. However the real attraction is the elephants. These massive pachyderms tower above photographers as they splash and drink in the water as close as 3 meters away! The hide is a strong metal structure and totally elephant-proof allowing for total peace of mind. It is also located on a major elephant thoroughfare on route to shade on the banks of the Matebole and Majale Rivers where the elephant wait out the heat of the midday sun. Shortly after sunrise, when the mornings heat up, the elephant herds pass the hide and drink.

Being in a very animal-rich area, predators are also abundant. Viewers may just be fortunate enough to see a large cat at the waterhole too! The hide can take 8 photographers in one session. Best time of year for viewing from the hide is June – November when the elephants generally visit the waterhole every day.

Click here to view a time lapse video of the Elephant Hide. Click here to view footage of Sally Hinton’s Elephant Hide experience.

Photographic Vehicle

PhotoMashatu’s second-generation Photo Vehicle is an upgrade on our original photo vehicle, which was designed and built by the same wildlife photographers who built the world-famous underground hides at Mashatu.

Designed specifically for capturing extraordinary images, this vehicle revolutionizes the way photographers experience and document the beauty of nature from a game viewer. The vehicle is designed to cater to the unique needs of wildlife photographers, combining functionality and comfort.

With no roof or canopy, photographers have unrestricted access to shoot in all directions, including overhead. Ample storage space is available to accommodate camera gear, extra lenses, batteries, and memory cards, with convenient charging options provided to keep equipment powered throughout the safari.

A new feature on our Gen 2 Photo Vehicle is the cut-out side design, which allows photographers to capture stunning low-angle images without disturbing the natural behaviour of wildlife. The vehicle incorporates cushioned camera mounts and strategically placed bean bags, ensuring stability while operating a camera.

In addition, an experienced professional wildlife photographer accompanies photographers on the vehicle. Their extensive knowledge of local wildlife and ecosystems, combined with their photographic technical and artistic skills, provides valuable insights to capture the most remarkable moments.

*(per day – maximum 4 pax, but ideally suited to 2 pax. Includes 1 optional tutor session per day & 1 x hide session subject to availability upon booking. Please note that the 1 optional tutor session per day & 1 x hide session (subject to availability upon booking) offered when booking the PhotoMashatu photographic vehicle, must coincide with the use of the PhotoMashatu photographic vehicle.For dates 1 December – 1 June each year : “book 3 days, pay 2” and  “book 4 days, pay 3” special on photo vehicle.)

**Full Day Hide Experience – The session begins at sunrise / the start of the morning session, and continues to the end of afternoon session / 1 hour after sunset. Guests will be dropped off at the hide in the morning, and collected just after sunset (approx. 6am to 7pm). When booking exclusive use, a maximum of 8 guests are recommended. Full Day Hide Experience on request only. Subject to availability.

• All guests using the hide have to be accompanied by a PhotoMashatu wildlife photographer.
• Should the PhotoMashatu wildlife photographer be unavailable, guests of Mashatu can utilize the hides, at the normal rate in the company of a Mashatu guide.
• Guests will be required to sign an indemnity form before using the hides. This is separate to the Mashatu indemnity.

• No children under the age of 12 permitted in the hides.
• Maximum number of guests per hide:
  • • Matebole Elephant Hide – 8 clients
• PhotoMashatu cancellation terms apply to all PhotoMashatu products. Copy available on request.

Why rent a lens for your safari?

What will renting a Lens offer YOU?

If you don’t own or use a long reach zoom or Prime lens, then the immediate difference in your image quality when using one of our lenses will be the first noticeable effect. The lenses have been crafted for high end results offering the best in sharpness and speed.

If you already own a lens, then the ability to rent one eliminates the need to bring along your own. Many people don’t own super zoom lenses that reach beyond 300mm. Our lenses all go beyond 300mm zoom length. This allows you to get crystal clear and close up images of your subjects. Some of our lenses extend to 600mm which allows for extreme zooming in to get images of small birds and the “eye of the elephant”. At Mashatu, the desired zoom length for photographing wildlife is between 400 and 500mm.

Renting a lens will offer you:

•  Less weight to carry while travelling
• The opportunity to experience and test out professional quality lenses while on safari
• Use lenses beyond 300mm in length, a focal range that not many travellers ever get to experience.
• Photograph Mashatu’s wildlife with the optimum range of 400-500mm and thus increasing your chance attaining of excellent images
• Use lenses that perform best in low light. A lot of animal activity occurs at dusk and this is when these lenses still work very well.
• We supply beanbags and other support for the lenses when you rent them from PhotoMashatu.
• To see the world and take images like a professional photographer

Our selection of Lenses

Sigma’s motto is not to be the biggest Lens Company in the world, but simply to be ‘revolutionary’. Their new range of SPORT Lenses is a true testament to this and they are on top of the game when it comes to versatile zoom lenses. The close focusing distance of 150mm and the far reaching 600mm ensure that weather you are in the hide or out on game drive, you can capture all the action. The aperture of f5.6 at the short end of 150mm tapers off to f6.3 at the long end at 600mm on this zoom lens. These lenses offer extreme versatility and flexibility, which in turn, means it is very easy for you to use and take excellent images with.

When choosing the lens that will best suit you, there are a few factors to keep in mind that will ultimately help you take better photographs. The best Lens is the one that suits the photographer the most.

Ask yourself the following:

• Can or do you want to be able to hold it by hand?
• Do I want to be able to zoom, particularly if you don’t own a zoom already to use alongside the large fixed focal lenses?
• Do I want to change lenses on a game drive if the fixed focal lenses have too much ‘zoom’?
• Do I want to sacrifice the lighter weight and smaller size of the SIGMA lenses over a slight edge in sharpness, heavier weight and marginally faster speed of the lens autofocus like the big fixed focal 500mm and 600mm lenses?
• Do I want a lens that will perform marginally better in low light conditions?
• Do I want to rent a lens that will cover all wildlife, from birds to close ups?

SIGMA 150 – 600mm

• Lighter than 500mm or 600mm fixed lens
• Versatile, ie: can zoom from 150mm to 600mm
• Can be handheld if necessary
• For clients wanting to get a feel for a professional photographers point of view but without the burden of too much weight.
• Can fit into larger camera bag, making it easier to carry
• Great all round lens for all types of wildlife.
• Easy to manage and hold while out on game drive
• Easy to operate

Cost of lens Rental

The cost is $ 70.00 per lens per day for 2021, 2022 and 2023.

This includes: Hand over to the client, Insurance of the lens and Maintenance and cleaning

The Canon 1DX Mark II Camera Body: (1 unit available)

The Canon 1DX II is a 20,2 megapixel professional digital camera body capable of shooting 14 fps continuous shooting for up to 170 RAW frames. That combined with a super-fast 61-point, wide area autofocus system makes it an ideal camera for the serious wildlife photographer.

The Canon 7D Camera Body: (1 unit available) 

The Canon 7D is a great choice for keen enthusiasts. It has top image quality and functionality without the bulk of the top level professional bodies. The 18mp CMOS sensor, 100% coverage viewfinder, 1.6 crop factor and up to 8 frames per second in continuous shooting, makes it an ideal camera for great wildlife and bird photography.