South Africa with Follow Me North 2025

Arrive in the fabulous Mother City – Cape Town where you'll be picked up upon arrival and taken to your centrally located accommodation at the V&A Waterfront. 

Depending upon your flight time and the weather, we recommend taking the Cable Car up and down Table Mountain.
 

Join us on a spectacular journey into the South Western Peninsular of the Western Cape. You will experience the natural beauty of Cape of Good Hope on foot, visit the African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach up close and personal as well as take a journey on one of the worlds most beautiful and iconic drives. Be in awe of the natural landscape and capture a piece of this world in your tutored photographic journey. Your guide will show you many local spots that will supply you with a variety of experiences to enhance you photographic learning curve.

Today is yours to explore the beautiful city of Cape Town! We recommend strolling through the colourful Bo Kaap area for some fun photos. We don't recommend walking around the city with your big camera equipment, so either take an Uber to and from, or if you're walking, leave your big cameras at the hotel. 

 

 

On April 27th we’ll take to the air, flying from Cape Town to the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, in the heart of the Lowveld region of South Africa, which sports over 53,000 hectares of unspoiled, natural wilderness. Since it’s humble beginnings, the reserve is now a highly professional organization, protecting sustainable populations of endangered species, such as the black and white rhinoceros, pangolins, saddle-billed storks, southern ground hornbills, and many others.

The lack of fences between Timbavati and its neighbouring reserves (Kruger National Park, Klaserie, Balule, Umbabat, Thornybush) offers a great abundance of wildlife and exceptional photographic opportunities. Herds of African elephant; buffalo, kudu, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, impala, waterbuck and warthog, along with their attendant predators - lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena – can be found here. The critically endangered African wild dog may also be seen. The reserve is a birdwatchers’ paradise, with more than 360 bird species recorded. Birder’s will want to pay special attention to the regions ‘Big Six’ feather friends: Lappet faced Vulture, Martial Eagle; Saddle billed Stork, Kori Bustard, Ground Hornbill and Pel’s Fishing Owl.

 

On May 1st, we’ll take to the air, flying from the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve to Johannesburg. Once we arrive, we'll take a 4 hour transfer to the Madikwe Game Reserve.

Madikwe Game Reserve is an 80 000-hectare wildlife reserve which lies in the North-West Province of South Africa. Home to a wide variety of animals, birds, trees and grasses, the reserve is world renowned as a spectacular Big 5 wilderness safari destination.

Madikwe Game Reserve was formally established in 1991 by the government of what was then Bophuthatswana. Previously arid farmland, the 80 000-hectare zone was earmarked for development as a wildlife sanctuary and tourist destination after a feasibility study highlighted the potential of employment, business, and tourism opportunities as well as wildlife conservation in the area.

Madikwe’s rich cultural history began almost one million years ago and is as much a part of the Reserve as the wildlife and other natural wonders in the area. Historical sites containing irreplaceable artifacts are in abundance and in time will be restored and displayed as part of South Africa’s heritage.

After it was formally declared a reserve, more than 8 000 animals were moved to Madikwe Game Reserve as part of the world’s biggest wildlife relocation, Operation Phoenix. The mammoth transfer included, for the first time, the relocation of entire family herds of elephants, as well as the introduction of highly endangered African wild dogs, spotted hyena, buffalo, hippo and lion. Today, the reserve boasts more than 60 mammal species, including the Big 5, and well over 300 resident and migrant bird species.

Madikwe Game Reserve operates as a three-way venture between the North-West Parks and Tourism Board, the private sector and local communities. The Parks Board is responsible for setting up infrastructure and operational management, as well as identifying suitable sites for lease to the private sector for tourism-based developments and activities. The private sector funds the construction of game lodges, which it markets and manages. Lodge employees are drawn from surrounding villages. The success of this approach has made Madikwe Game Reserve a model for similar joint ventures in South Africa and elsewhere.

After breakfast at the hotel, pack your bags and get ready to travel to the Johannesburg International Airport where you will board a flight back home.

If you are interested in extending your stay in Southern Africa, or beyond, please let us know and we'd be happy to help you book your continuing adventure  - [email protected]

Thanks for travelling with us!

 

Extend your trip! Contact [email protected] for more information and inspiration.