Dates: May 16-25, 2026
Short Description: This new workshop starts in Maun, Botswana and ends in Johannesburg, South Africa. I don't know of anyone else who has put these unique environments into a photo workshop, and this one is completely lodge-based with very high standard for those that like to travel comfortably. This workshop will be taught by Thom Hogan (bythom.com) and native Botswana resident Shane Hedges (Capricorn Safaris), who together did the scouting necessary to create this unique itinerary.
This itinerary is special in many ways. First, it incorporates are rarely visited but highly productive area of Botswana called the Tuli Block. Besides being tucked into an out-of-the-way corner of the country, the Tuli area has unique (to Botswana) terrain: rocks, ridges, and dare I say hills! Surprisingly, we still find elephants in this tough terrain, as well as all the other animals you might imagine. The bird and antelope species are a little different, but other than that, you'll get the full range. Also unique to this workshop is that everyone will spend a full day at a hide on one of the few permanent water areas in the region. This hide is productive for birds (see above) as well as the entire mammal population. You'll be stunned at the images you can get here. Once we're done in the Tuli Block, we'll hop on small planes and transfer to Londolozi, one of the private reserves in South Africa that borders Kruger National Park. This area is famous for its leopards, so of course we'll seek them out, but it's also highly productive for just about everything African. This is a completely lodge-based trip, so you'll have plenty of hot water and Wi-Fi access throughout. We fly from Londolozi back to Johannesburg in time for your flights home.
This itinerary has some of the closest and productive animal encounters you can have on safari in Africa.
We generally only put three students in each of our three vehicles, so there's plenty of room for your gear. Every vehicle has a very experienced driver guide, and Thom will be in the front seat of one vehicle, while Shane will be in another. In other words, you'll have top-level help both photographically as well as in spotting and identifying animals and birds throughout most of this workshop. We travel with laptops, projector and screen on this trip, so even in our downtime Thom and Mark are teaching pretty much every day.
Cost: Africa is not inexpensive. We provide first class food, lodging, and facilities throughout, as well as top-level instruction and guiding. We’ve worked hard to keep our prices from experiencing the same inflation you’re probably encountered at home. US$17,760, plus US$5995 in all internal flight costs (we do a lot of flying, and mostly without weight limits).
Other: This workshop is limited to nine students. Only one single room is available at an extra cost; all other rooms are shared. Trip is full; taking wait list signups only
Signups: Call Lisa Laferte at Wilderness Travel (800-368-2794).
