Exclusive African Photo Safari Tours

The only way to travel when you love photography!

THE BEAUTY OF WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

Photography allows people to see the world from different perspectives. It allows us the opportunity to admire the most diverse scenarios, breathtaking scenes, and once in a lifetime sightings, all captured in a frozen moment.

Of all the fascinating genres out there, wildlife photography is probably one of the most exciting. In search of that perfect shot, we connect with nature, experience animals in their natural environment, and spend precious time in wild, remote places. These experiences stay with us forever, and being able to capture these on camera in vibrant detail is something truly special!

Yet, aerial photography is another highly rewarding form of photography rarely used by travelers on safari. An aircraft gives us a bird’s eye view of the earth below, and the results can be fascinating. Seeing how rivers and waterholes affect animal routes, spotting jackals looking for seal pups on the Skeleton Coast, marveling at the shapes of Etosha National Park’s salt pans, finding a lone Oryx on the crest of a massive Namib Desert dune – with no water in sight for miles, or flying along the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, creates spectacular photographic opportunities. The combination of land-based photography (wildlife and landscape) and aerial photography truly completes any photographer’s portfolio on safari. The result is a stunning collection of photos encompassing the beauty of an African safari holiday.

AN EXCLUSIVE FLY-IN SAFARI – THE LUXURY OF TIME!

Unfortunately, anyone who has been on a general wildlife safari will be aware of the conflict that sometimes exists between different people on a game drive vehicle. Each person wants a different experience from their game drive.

First timers might want to tick off the Big 5 on their safari list, while others might be looking for an elusive bird sighting. Then there are those tagging along just for the sundowner drinks and snacks toward the end of a drive! This normally leaves the guide in a predicament trying to satisfy everyone’s needs on a single game drive.

The beauty of African photo safari tours is that they consist of a group of like-minded people. Those that like to explore creativity, enjoy travel and a little adventure, love wildlife, and often have some interesting stories to tell. Having the same objectives makes these holidays extremely enjoyable. Guests encourage, inspire, and exchange ideas while all share the excitement of a special sighting.

Considering this, exclusivity is of the utmost importance when planning African photo safari tours. The key to capturing that once in a lifetime shot is understanding animal behavior, observing them in their natural environment, and sitting patiently while waiting for them to do their thing. This is when the real magic happens – a fish eagle catching a massive bream, a leopard cub making its first appearance, or an oryx on the crest of a massive Namib dune.

AFRICAN AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARIS – “FLY-IN SAFARIS IN THE TRUE SENSE OF THE WORD”

African Aerial Safaris’ African photo safari tours stand out head and shoulders above the competition for one main reason – ultimate exclusivity. Using a private aircraft, piloted by the owners themselves, with over 20 000 flying hours between them, these holidays take private safaris to the next level. Using your preferences and expectations as a guide and our vast knowledge of aviation and Southern Africa, these trips use detailed flight planning to connect the most spectacular landmarks, destinations, and aerial scenery in Southern Africa. It allows us to break from the normal safari traditions and bring you remarkable experiences, active and meaningful engagements with each destination’s culture, people, and environment, to create once in a lifetime experiences.

For example, getting airborne for a fifteen-minute flight to capture a beautiful sunset over the Namib Desert, landing at a remote village to experience and contribute to a philanthropic project, orbiting over Victoria Falls, looking for big buffalo herds in the Okavango Delta, climbing to a high altitude to get the “big picture” areal shot of the Makgadikgadi Pans, or stopping at a little airstrip in the hauntingly beautiful Skeleton Coast for a lunch break between destinations.

These photographic safaris are not designed to lecture and instruct on/about photography. Although the owners are highly proficient, experienced photographers and always willing to assist and advise when needed, we specialize in placing our clients in the perfect positions for spectacular photographic opportunities. Taking our clients on truly unique, off the beaten path holidays. Whether it’s from the air, orbiting over the mighty Victoria Falls, or on the ground in a secluded spot in the Savuti channel, an African Aerial Photographic Safari will not disappoint. Finding that once in a lifetime photograph is easier on an African Aerial Photographic Safari!

WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE?

• Highly experienced crew.
• Aircraft and crew/guides stay with the client for the entire safari.
• Over 20 000 flying hours.
• 30 years in aviation.
• 25 years spent on safaris throughout Southern Africa.
• Emphasis on the aerial beauty of Africa from above when flying between destinations.
• Detailed flight planning to connect landmarks and scenery.
• Owner guided – quality over quantity.
• Excess aircraft seats removed to create a spacious, exclusive experience.
• On board refreshments.
• Exclusive safari vehicles – Fewer people in the vehicle – room to move, room for all your gear.
• Photography boats – Purposely built with rotating seats, gimbal mounts… space to store equipment and freely move around.

OUR PROMISE TO YOU: “THE HOLIDAY OF A LIFETIME!”

“If you love to travel, relish time spent in Africa’s wild places, and enjoy the excitement of exploring new destinations, cultures, and experiences, then these trips are for you. Guided by the owners Riaan and Willem themselves, each day will bring hand-picked lodges in spectacular destinations, exciting photographic opportunities, the finest cuisine, and stories shared around the campfire while listening to the sounds of the African wilderness!”