Wildlife Photography & Conservation Volunteer Project, South Africa

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Contribute to conservation projects while sharpening your skills.

Photograph African wildlife while contributing to conservation efforts – it’s possible during this exciting photography volunteer project. Set in South Africa’s Greater Kruger area, you’ll get to hone your wildlife photography skills during a comprehensive week-long photography workshop. You’ll then put your skills into practice by photographing wildlife such as lions, elephants, and leopards on daily game drives in the stunning African bush, while being guided by a professional photographer.

To support important wildlife conservation work, you’ll have the chance to contribute your pictures to environmental and wildlife NGOs – and you’ll get your hands dirty by working on general conservation projects in the area. This photography volunteer project is a unique opportunity to develop your photography skills, enjoy incredible photographic opportunities, and give back at the same time. It runs throughout the year, and there are monthly start dates.

2024 Start Dates

1 & 29 Sept | 27 Oct | 24 Nov | 22 Dec

2025 Start Dates

19 Jan | 16 Feb | 16 Mar | 13 Apr | 11 May | 8 Jun | 6 Jul | 3 & 31 Aug | 28 Sept | 26 Oct | 23 Nov | 21 Dec

Rates

Quick Facts

Greater Kruger, South Africa

Regular Start Dates

Min. 4 Weeks

Wildlife Photography

Photography Guide: Thomas Robinson

Group Size: Max 12

All Photography Levels

Tour & Destination Highlights

Spend a month (or more!) in the African bush, surrounded by a wealth of wildlife, including the Big Five
Sharpen your photography skills through tutoring by a professional photographer
Get your hands dirty during hands-on conservation work
Be surrounded by like-minded people; fellow photography enthusiasts, as well as conservationists
Stay in a lodge in the middle of the bush, on the Olifants River, with a chance to spot elephants, antelope, and other wildlife right from your verandah

Quick Facts

Greater Kruger, South Africa

Regular Start Dates

Min. 4 Weeks

Wildlife Photography

Photography Guide: Thomas Robinson

Group Size: Max 12

PRICING OVERVIEW

from USD $4155GBP £EUR €ZAR RAUD $

USDGBPEURZARAUD

At the current exchange rate. Please note final quote might vary slightly

per person sharing

INCLUDING

Accommodation
All meals at the lodge
All transportation & Airport Transfers
Photographic tutoring

EXCLUDING

International Flights
Personal travel insurance
Visa
Any additional weekend activities

EXPLORE

Photography in South Africa

This project will give you an amazing variety of photographic opportunities in the African bush

wild dog walking along in south africa_10

shadowy silhouette of animals walking along at night on photo safari_3

elephant curling his trunk against his mother_2

WHAT TO EXPECT IN SOUTH AFRICA

Your Photographic Experience

This photography volunteer project is based in the world-renowned Greater Kruger Area – famous for the Big 5 and amazing scenery. As a photography volunteer, you’ll go out on game drives for wildlife and landscape photography most weekdays. These drives will give you an amazing variety of photographic opportunities, as the African bush presents a constantly changing but ever-exciting scene of wildlife. You’ll have a chance to encounter Africa’s big cats (lions, cheetahs, leopards), as well as elephants, rhinos, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, and many other species. There will also be opportunities for photographing the smaller, but no less photogenic animals, such as chameleons, frogs, and other reptiles and insects. In addition, you’ll be able to capture African scenery during focused landscape photography sessions. The project provides an amazing opportunity for photographers of all levels to improve their skills and put them into practice straight away. During your first week, you’ll be taught a photography workshop that covers a wide range of techniques, including aperture, shutter speed, long exposure techniques, and composition. Though you will be mainly out photographing and volunteering from the second week, you will receive photographic guidance and tutoring throughout your stay. On top of the wildlife photography you’ll be doing, you’ll have a chance to participate in general conservation work in the area. In partnership with local wildlife trusts and foundations, we assist with hands-on field work, such as clearing alien invasive plants and removing snares, and with the collating of data and compiling of animal identity-kits that are part of larger conservation research. You’ll also help raise awareness on conservation issues in surrounding communities. Please note that these projects evolve constantly, so be prepared to get involved in a wide spectrum of project work as things progress. In the rainy season, game drives are sometimes called off to prevent damage to the terrain. In these cases alternative activities will be arranged. Enthusiasm for photography and African wildlife is essential, but experience is not a requirement. This project has been established for all levels – from complete beginners to professionals. Please note that you will be taught how to edit your photos in LightRoom and you’ll spend a fair amount of time editing your images – so a basic level of computer literacy is required.

Feedback

I had an amazing time! Great photography course and an amazing place to spend your time! Highlights for me were learning so much more about my camera and becoming a more experienced hobby photographer, plus the incredible settings and of course the photography — WOW!

Anne Poulson

Gallery

OLIFANTS RIVER MAGIC

Your Accommodation

swimming pool view from the accommodation in Kruger, South Africa

During your placement you will stay in comfortable shared accommodation within the Greater Kruger Area. Volunteers and project staff meet and carry out inductions and research updates in our base – a spacious lodge situated on the banks of the Olifants River. It’s a lovely safari-style camp with a swimming pool, viewing deck, WiFi, hot showers, and an outdoor communal area. Here, you’ll dine, relax and socialise. You can also expect to do some wildlife viewing from the lodge, as many animals come to drink from the river. The lodge is staffed with cooks and cleaners and all bed linen and towels are provided. All meals are included in the price. Breakfast is on a help-yourself basis and usually consists of cereals, toast, tea and coffee. Lunch and dinner are full meals, and will be prepared for you. You’ll share the lodge with other volunteers on the photography project, as well as volunteers on general conservation and education projects. It’s a great social setting, and an opportunity to meet people from many different cultures. Rooms are shared with up to five other volunteers. Single rooms are available at an additional fee.

WORKSHOP LEADER

Anique Van Der Kuil

WORKSHOP LEADER

Anique Van Der Kuil

Anique, hailing from The Netherlands, has a bachelor’s degree in Creative Business where she started learning about photography. During lockdown she bought her first DSLR camera and started taking photos of animals in zoos and this is where the love for animal photography flourished. She took to social media to share her imagery and now shares here photography with over 24,000 followers. She has been featured by BBC Earth & Canon South Africa.

WORKSHOP LEADER

Thomas Robinson

WORKSHOP LEADER

Thomas Robinson

Thomas is a passionate wildlife photographer hailing from the vibrant city of Liverpool, England. Currently living and working in South Africa. He has forged a symbiotic relationship with SONY, who of which have featured Thomas’ work regularly on their social media platforms. He has also been featured by the esteemed BBC Earth on their social channels as well cementing his commitment to showcasing the magnificence of the natural world.

EXPERIENCE

Your Time With Us

Day 1HELLO in Hoedspruit - welcome to South Africa

Day 2 - 7ORIENTATION PROGRAM

We’ll start the project with a 3-day orientation program, which will give you a comprehensive photography workshop that covers everything from technical use of your camera to composition and post-production. It’s a great opportunity to improve your photography skills, before going out and putting all this into practice. The introduction will also introduce you to the area, the aims and methods of the project, and the local cultures.

Day 8 - 27PHOTOGRAPHY DRIVES AND CONSERVATION

Most of your weekdays will be spent going out on photography drives, participating in conservation and conservation education work, and editing your images. Your schedule will be varied and exciting, and the photography opportunities will be bountiful. Weekends are off, and a chance to relax at the lodge, or explore the area on some of the many excursions you can join.

Day 28Good Bye & Departure