Mashatu is fast becoming one of the top destinations for Wildlife Photography in Southern Africa.
- Sightings of leopards, lions and cheetahs are common and there’s often action involved. Be sure to always have your camera settings ready for action. At any given moment ask yourself “if a lions suddenly runs past giving chase to something, will I be ready”.
- Don’t just concentrate on the big cats. Mashatu has so much diversity. In the wet season there are carpets of green and yellow, creating stunning backdrops for most subjects. In the dry season look out animals kicking up dust as they move about, creating wonderful silhouette and rim-lighting shots.
- If you are shooting with a large telephoto zoom lens a monopod is useful on the vehicle, unless of course you have booked the Photo vehicle (see next point).
- If you are serious about photography, consider booking the Photo Vehicle. You will have exclusive use of a vehicle that has been specially adapted for photographers. There’s ample place for your equipment as well as support for those heavy lenses. Photo Vehicle guests are accompanied by a photographic guide who has experience in both photography as well as wildlife.
- Book a session at one of our underground hides, which have been specifically designed with photographers in mind. Numerous award-winning photos have been taken from our hides including the Natural History Museum Photographer of the Year 2013 and Botswana Photographer of the year 2017. In addition, Team USA won gold in the 2018 World Photographic Cup with a photo taken from the hide. It’s a must for any serious wildlife photographer. Bring a telephoto zoom lens for birds and a wide angle for the bigger mammals.
- If you need a little help while there, you can book a tutor session with the resident photographer.
Images and text by: Janet Kleyn
Janet, I wish I had read this article before starting my journey to Africa. The tips and instruction I received from you during my visit to the hide on June 1, 2018 enabled me to capture the the amazing leopard and elephants that visited us that morning. I will start my next safari in Africa with a trip to Mashatu to further improve my skills. My experience with you in the hide will stay with me forever……the thrill of seeing the herd of elephants stop by for a drink, the leopard drinking from the pan and the moment the leopard looked directly into the hide when someone knocked over the metal water bottle. I look forward to learning more from you, having fun and laughing at the same time! Thank you again for making my time in the hide and at Mashatu so much fun!!!!!