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Kgalagadi Expedition – Photographic Safari and Wild Camping

8 days of authentic adventure in the heart of the red desert, among big cats, starry skies, and intensive photography.

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Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa, Botsawa, Photographic Safari

Kgalagadi Expedition – Photographic Safari and Wild Camping

Days

From March 10th to 18th

Max participants

6 participants

Price

 290,00

€ 2490

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Destination

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park It is one of the wildest and most authentic places in Southern Africa. An immense red desert stretching between South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia, where nature still follows ancient rhythms. Here, the horizon is endless, the skies are among the clearest in the world, and every pool of water can transform into a memorable scene.

The park is famous for its  black-maned lions, leopards and cheetahs, as well as an incredible variety of species: oryx, bat-eared foxes, African wildcats, black-backed jackals, Cape foxes, mongooses, meerkats, wildebeests, giraffes and dozens of species of raptors and desert birds.

Sleeping inside the park, traveling in 4x4 jeeps equipped for camping, and experiencing the desert from dawn to dusk means fully immersing yourself in an extraordinary ecosystem, where every moment can become a photograph. A trip dedicated to those seeking true contact with nature, authenticity and adventure.

Dates and participants

Duration

9 days

Dates

From March 10th to 18th

Number of participants

6 participants

Activity details

Overnight stay and meals

7 nights in equipped Jeep Tent

breakfast, lunch, dinner, aperitif

Photographic activities

Difficulty

🟡 Medium

Preparation and equipment

The tour does not involve physically demanding activities, but requires adaptability and collaboration in daily activities.

Modality

Safari

Costs and Tour leader

Tour leader

Maurizio Ferrari

Starting from

€ 2490

Payment

€290 deposit upon registration and balance 90 days before departure

Learn more about your experience

This tour of 7 nights and 8 days It is designed for those who wish to experience the Kgalagadi in the most authentic way: camping in the internal camps, moving with 4×4 jeeps equipped with roof tents, cooking together and spending long hours in the field searching for large predators.

Each vehicle hosts two roof tents (each for two people), refrigerator, stove, and all the necessary cooking utensils. The guides will take care of the shopping before departure, so that everything is ready in the jeeps.

During the trip we will explore the southern, central/north-western areas of the park, areas famous for felines and spectacular sightings at the pools. Every day will be marked by the most beautiful lights: we leave at dawn and return at sunset, following the movements of the animals and adapting to the rhythms of the savannah.

Between safaris, we'll experience camp life, where mongooses, ground squirrels, meerkats, and numerous birds often approach without fear. The camps offer swimming pools, very clean communal bathrooms, and a shop with essentials, perfect for purchasing snacks, drinks, or a Wi-Fi pass when needed.

This experience is designed for those who want to experience the real Africa: no lodge, no superfluous comforts, but a direct and profound contact with one of the wildest areas of the continent.

The Safaris

Safaris will be the heart of the trip: about 6 hours a day, divided between morning and afternoon, with departures at dawn and returns at sunset to take advantage of the best light conditions and animal behavior.

We will use the same 4×4 jeeps we camp with, so as to always be ready to shoot. Every photographer will have a dedicated window, ensuring space, comfort and freedom of movement.

The guide is a professional photographer with long experience in the park: he will take care of position the jeep in an ideal way for each sighting, evaluating light, background and animal behaviour to offer the best possible photographic opportunities.

Among the species we will be able to photograph: cheetahs, black-maned lions, leopards, African wildcats, bat-eared foxes, black-backed jackals, Cape foxes, mongooses, meerkats, oryxes, springboks, elands, wildebeests, giraffes, birds of prey, vultures, and a variety of desert fauna.

The variety and quality of sightings in the Kgalagadi make it a paradise for nature photography enthusiasts.

Traveling as a couple?

Sharing a safari makes the experience even more special.

This itinerary is perfect even for those who don't take photographs and simply want to experience an authentic safari In Africa. Activities follow the same pace as traditional tourist safaris, but with more relaxed schedules, longer stops, and a special focus on wildlife observation.

Anyone accompanying a photographer will never feel out of place: the beauty of African landscapes, close encounters with wildlife, and the thrills of the bush are experiences that captivate anyone.

For the double bookings (couples or friends sharing a room) are available dedicated discounts.

Contact us to receive the offer reserved for your travel dates.

The Camp

The tour is an experience 100% camping, authentic, engaging and comfortable.
We will sleep in roof tents mounted on jeeps (2 people per tent), safe and comfortable, ideal for experiencing the park in a real and immersive way.

The internal camps offer: very clean shared bathrooms, divided between men and women, showers and hot water, pool, perfect in the hottest hours and one shop with essential goods, snacks, ice cream, soft drinks, ice, firewood, and the possibility of purchasing Wi-Fi credits

All meals are included and self-managedWe will cook together, creating an atmosphere of collaboration and sharing that is an integral part of the experience.

In the camp it is common to encounter small and very photogenic fauna: mongooses, ground squirrels, meerkats, as well as numerous birds that move freely around the pitches.

Living in the Kgalagadi camps means listening to the desert wind, gazing at the brightest starry sky in Africa, and sometimes hearing the roars of lions in the distance.
An experience that stays with you.

Detailed plan

Find out how the days will unfold and which activities make up the experience

Day 1 - March 10: Johannesburg

Arrival at Johannesburg by scheduled flight and transfer to the hotel by shuttle for the overnight stay on the first evening.

Free dinner and overnight stay 

Day 2 - March 11: Kgalagadi

After your domestic flight from Johannesburg to Upington, your guides will greet you on arrival for your transfer to 4×4 jeep inside the Kgalagadi. The journey takes approximately 3 hours up to the first camp.

Upon arrival, we will set up camp together for the night, showing how the curtains, of the refrigerators, the organization of the kitchen area and the correct procedures for opening and closing tents in preparation for the following days of camping.

The meals are included but self-managedThe entire group will help prepare breakfasts and dinners, following the guides' instructions.

Accommodation in the camp and dinner.

Overnight stay in a double tent.

Day 3 & 4 - March 12-13: Kgalagadi

These days, we'll focus on the southern part of the park, an area characterized by busy waterholes and excellent opportunities to spot lions, leopards, cheetahs, and numerous herbivores. Each day includes two safaris: one in the morning departing at dawn and returning in the late morning, and one in the afternoon returning at sunset. In late March, sunrise is expected around 10:00 a.m. 06:30 and the sunset around 18:15.

The day begins with a pre-dawn wake-up call, tent closure, and a quick breakfast, followed by a morning game drive lasting approximately three hours. Depending on sightings and light conditions, we'll return to camp in the morning, where you can relax, enjoy the pool, or observe the smaller wildlife that frequents the area: mongooses, meerkats, ground squirrels, and a wide variety of birds.

At midday, we'll prepare a light lunch and, in the afternoon, we'll set off on our second safari, also lasting about three hours, until sunset. Once we return in the dark, we'll prepare our tents for the night and have dinner before spending the night.

Meals are included and self-managed: the group will collaborate in preparing the various courses.
Overnight stay in double tent.

Day 5 - March 14: Kgalagadi

We'll wake up before dawn, have a quick breakfast, pack up our tents, and unpack our bags. During the morning safari, we'll move to the second camp, located in the central northwest area of the park. The transfer will take approximately 4–5 hours, entirely within the park and therefore in safari mode, with good chances of sightings along the way.

This new area, characterized by a more sandy environment, offers excellent opportunities to observe lions, cheetahs and numerous herbivores, as well as species typical of the area such as Cape fox, jackals and otocyones.

We'll reach our new camp in the late morning, where we'll set up our tents again and prepare lunch. A relaxing break will follow before departing for our usual afternoon safari, which will last until sunset.

Upon returning in the evening, we will prepare the tents and dinner before spending the night.

Overnight stay in double tent.

Day 6 & 7 - March 15-16: Kgalagadi

In these days we will focus on western area of the park, an area characterized by numerous pools and excellent opportunities to spot lions, cheetahs and many herbivores, as well as a good concentration of African wild cats, bat-eared foxes, jackals And Cape fox. Each day includes two safaris: one in the morning, leaving at dawn and returning late in the morning, and one in the afternoon, returning at sunset. At the end of March, sunrise is expected around 06:30 and the sunset around 18:15.

The day will start with wake up before dawn, closing of the tents and a quick breakfast, followed by departure for the morning safari lasting about three hours. Depending on the sightings and light conditions, we will return to the camp in the morning, where it will be possible to relax, take advantage of the pool or observe the smaller fauna that frequents the area: mongooses, meerkats, ground squirrels and numerous species of birds.

At midday we will prepare a light lunch and, in the afternoon, we will leave for the second safari, again lasting about three hours, until sunset. Once we return in the dark, we will dedicate ourselves to the preparing the tents for the night and at dinner, before the overnight stay.

The meals are included and self-managed: the group will collaborate in preparing the various courses.
Overnight stay in a double tent.

Day 8 - March 17: Kgalagadi

During the morning safari we will move again towards the first camp, where we'll spend our last night in the park. The transfer will be entirely safari-style, with excellent chances of spotting game along the way.

The day includes two safari sessions, one during the transfer in the morning and one in the afternoon, which will allow us to explore both the part East both the part South of the park. These areas are particularly interesting for their variety of habitats and rich wildlife, with good opportunities to observe big cats and herbivores, as well as the more elusive fauna typical of the Kgalagadi.

We will get to the field  in the late morning, where we can set up camp and prepare lunch, before a moment of relaxation in preparation for the afternoon safari until sunset.

The return will take place in the dark, followed by the preparation of dinner and the tents for the night.

Day 9 - March 18: Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Johannesburg

Wake up before dawn, close the tents, and organize all the luggage for the return trip. Depending on the timing and hours of the day, it will be possible to make a last short safari in the southern part of the park, for a last opportunity to observe the Kgalagadi wildlife.

We will then leave the park in the direction Upington, from where we will take the internal flight to Johannesburg, thus concluding this intense and extraordinary experience.

Which flights to buy?

Our team will assist you in purchasing the correct flights for this experience. It will be necessary to arrive at Johannesburg on March 19, but we will take care of verifying that the chosen times are compatible with the program, so as to avoid any inconvenience.

If you'd like more information before booking, you can contact us at any time; alternatively, we'll contact you after you register to help you choose the best flights.

Our advice is to buy tickets 2–3 months before departure, so you can get the best available rates.

Tour leader. Find out who will accompany you on the tour

Maurizio Ferrari

Born in Rome, he has dedicated his life to travel. A great lover of Africa, he has spent years exploring African national parks and other destinations around the world. Now he dedicates himself to planning experiences to share his knowledge with nature lovers. With his stories and photographs, he allows others to experience the magic of wild nature. His mission is to inspire people to explore and respect our planet, offering unforgettable adventures.

What's included

all Kgalagadi airport transfers return;
7 nights in Kgalagadi (double tent on jeep);
gas;
photographic safari activities;
park entrance fee;
2 equipped 4x4 vehicles (full equipment);
park entrance fee for 2 vehicles;
all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner);
all alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages:
support of two professional photographers
Italian language support;
English language support.

What is not included

registration fee €50.00;
intercontinental flight;
domestic flight;
health insurance (mandatory);
tips to guides;
extras of a personal nature.

The places you will see during the trip

Discover all the places and views that you can admire during this trip. All the material shown here comes from our trips

Frequent questions

Absolutely not. The trip is open to everyone, and no photography experience is necessary. You can participate as a simple nature lover and experience a complete and well-organized safari, identical to a’traditional tourist experience but with a more leisurely pace and greater attention to animal observation.

If you want, this tour It can also be an opportunity to get closer to nature photography: You'll have a professional photographer by your side, ready to explain techniques and tips in a simple and natural way. Upon request, you can also rent a complete photography kit directly through Just Explorers, so you can enjoy your first experience with the right equipment.

And if you prefer not to take pictures, no problem: Africa, the light, the animals, and the atmosphere of the parks are emotions that can be experienced intensely even just with the eyes... or with a cell phone.

Signing up will be very simple.

Just follow the booking procedure by clicking on “Book Now”. After entering your personal information, you will only be asked to pay a deposit, not the full cost of the trip. Once completed, you will receive a confirmation email and your registration will be officially registered. The balance will be due according to the terms indicated at the top of the page, generally 60 days before departure.

In the days leading up to the trip you will be placed in a dedicated WhatsApp group, useful for receiving quick communications, staying in touch with the support team and interacting directly with your tour leader. You will also be sent a PDF with all the final instructions, including practical information on what to bring, logistical details, and helpful tips to help you prepare for the experience.

During this period of the journey there is a strong temperature range.
We recommend dressing in layers: in the morning temperatures can drop to 5–8°C, during the day they can reach the 30°C.

No specific technical clothing is necessary: they are fine light shirts, comfortable trousers, and one heavier jacket for the cool hours.
Further details will be provided after registration to help you prepare as best as possible.

Are you a photographer?

For this experience we recommend using cameras reflex, mirrorless or bridge matched with objectives between 200 mm and 600 mmThis focal length range allows you to obtain sharp, well-proportioned images with an excellent level of detail.

During the safaris we will mainly shoot from the open jeep, which will act as a stable support; for this reason no tripod is needed. It is instead very useful a bean bag, ideal for resting the telephoto lens during shots (you can ask us for all the necessary information).

Throughout the journey you will be accompanied by a professional photographer specializing in African wildlife, always available to help you optimize the use of your equipment. You will receive personalized advice on technique, composition, light management, camera settings and much more, so you can make the most of every photographic opportunity.

Are you a nature lover without a camera?

No problem! We still recommend that you bring with you a pair of binoculars, ideal for observing primates and birds. You can also record videos or take suggestive pictures with your smartphone: Ugandan nature will give you unforgettable moments, even without a telephoto lens.

By booking by paying the deposit to the organizers you accept the following clauses:

1. Since this is a pre-registration, the organizer will endeavor to promptly communicate any possible change in the price of the tour, characterized by cost fluctuations. An annual price fluctuation of around 5% is highly likely if booking is made more than one year in advance. in relation to potential changes in prices of ground services (for example changes influenced by fluctuating costs of electricity, fuel and more).
2.⁠ ⁠The price of the entire workshop will be paid via the payment methods offered by the organizer, such as bank transfer, PayPal, credit card or cash according to the procedures and deadlines established by the organizers, taking charge of the transaction costs.
3.⁠ ⁠⁠In the event that the tour does not take place due to the organiser, the entire amount paid will be refunded.
4.⁠ ⁠In case of cancellation for personal reasons of any kind and in any case not dependent on the organizer, the deposit and any other registration fees will be retained as a reimbursement of expenses.
5. In case of cancellation for personal reasons within 60 days of departure, the entire balance of the tour will be required.

By registering, paying the deposit and sending your personal data you again accept clauses 1,2,3,4,5.

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Kgalagadi Expedition – Photographic Safari and Wild Camping

€ 2490

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