5-Day South Africa Big 5 Safari – MalaMala Private Reserve (August 9–13, 2026)

Do you want to see and photograph a leopard? Join award-winning and published wildlife photography guide Karen Blackwood for a photo safari in the top leopard spot in Africa: the exclusive MalaMala Private Game Reserve, 33,000 acres with an open border with Kruger National Park. Our luxurious home base is set on the banks of the Sand River and unfenced, so we’ll see wildlife moving through all day long.

At MalaMala, we can start early and stay out late. We can spend quality time watching the wildlife we encounter. Being a private reserve, we don’t have time limits or take turns with dozens of other lodges’ vehicles.

We’ll have only 6 people per vehicle, so everyone gets the best seat. Whether you use a cell phone, DSLR or mirrorless, Karen will personally coach you. Our private vehicle has a dedicated ranger, experienced in wildlife photography, to ensure the best position for dramatic, one-of-a-kind photographs.

Every morning starts with a light breakfast. Then, we’ll set out on a 3-hour game drive to see what happened in the wild while we were sleeping. Lions and leopards are usually still active, so we’ll see if they’ve hunted overnight. Elephants are just starting their day, and perhaps we’ll see a hippo out of the water—they travel long distances at night. We’ll stop after sunrise for coffee and another snack…ok, we always PLAN to, but we usually have such amazing sightings that we don’t get our coffee until after the game drive!

When we return to the Lodge, we’ll have a delicious filling brunch. Afterwards, you can join Karen for extra help with your camera skills, or just relax until lunch. How about a luxurious afternoon bath? A trip to the spa for a decadent massage? Or you can grab a drink and sit on the deck to watch wildlife meandering along the river.

We will head back out for our evening game drive in the late afternoon, when the big cats start getting active after the heat of the day. If we’re lucky, we’ll watch lions or leopards hunt! Elephants will be at the waterhole, giraffe should be browsing the tops of the trees, and maybe some wild dogs or cheetah will pass by. We usually stop for a sundown cocktail…ok, again, we always PLAN to, but there’s usually something exciting happening so we’ll often have that cocktail on the vehicle.

After we return to the Lodge, we’ll socialize over pre-dinner cocktails and talk about our day before moving to our mouth-watering candlelit 3-course dinner on white linen tables set up around the fire. Then it’s bedtime. Let yourself be lulled to sleep by the night sounds of the bush…

• Bush Veld
• Sand River
• Waterholes
• Kopjies

Whether you bring a cell phone, DSLR or mirrorless camera, Karen will personally help you set it up and customize the buttons and dials. She'll make sure that your settings are right for all of the wonderful photographic moments we'll encounter - but before you know it, you'll be making the decisions because she coached you in a way that's easy to remember.

Light, shadow, composition, shutter speed, depth of field...you'll master all of it.

She'll make sure you get the "keeper" shots. You'll learn how to take minimalist and moody images, and to achieve other fun effects.

Karen will suggest lenses and equipment appropriate for your specific safari.

You'll go home with new confidence in your ability to capture unique moments that tell stories through photography.

Not a photographer? Don't worry, you'll feel welcome and included! You'll see more special moments and animal interactions with the cleanest view, because that's what photographers are looking for.

Beginner to Pro to cell phone shooters. Karen will show you how to maximize your skills. We make non-photographers feel welcome and included, too, so take advantage of the best position for viewing wildlife by going on a photo safari.

Karen’s safaris are relaxed and casual. She’ll check the weather about a week ahead of your Photo Safari and email you so you can edit your packing list.

Speaking of Packing Lists, have you downloaded her Packing List, and her Travel Tips? Those documents really come in handy as checklists to keep you on track as you get ready for your Safari! You don’t want to forget anything, and Karen’s Packing List covers everything you need.

Big 5 safaris are low key and suitable for almost all fitness levels. You’ll be walking on flat paths within the Lodge premises. Bungalows have a couple of steps. We might be able to go on a short, slow-paced bush walk on uneven ground, roadways and paths. You will need to be able to get in and out of the game drive vehicle (one front seat is available); assistance is available. Wheelchairs and walkers are accommodated here.

MalaMala is one of the only Lodges in South Africa to offer a suite for persons with physical challenges. This wheelchair-accessable suite means everyone can get out into the wild, regardless of physical abilities.

We take every precaution to keep you safe, but you are in an area with dangerous wildlife. Animals can be unpredictable. Lodge staff are well trained for wildlife encounters.

We do not ever pressure or provoke wildlife to get a sighting or a photograph; if an animal appears uncomfortable or pressured by our presence, we will leave the area and find something else to watch. You must be willing to comply immediately with direction or instructions from Lodge staff and Karen when we are around wildlife.

The Lodge unfenced and wildlife can wander through. You may see or hear animals nearby. You are free to walk around the Lodge during the day after being briefed on safety protocols. After dark, you must walk with a staff member. Once the lights are turned off for the night, you may sit on, but not leave, your porch.

Only 6 people, maximum, get to go on this small-group private safari. Karen will be seated accessibly the middle row to answer questions and help with settings, as well as suggest unique photographic compositions. Guests will rotate seats on every game drive, giving your photos different perspectives and allowing you to sit next to Karen for personal instruction at times.

Blackwood Safaris keeps this Photography Workshop small and intimate, with only 6 clients at a time.

South Africa uses Type M, N, and C outlets. Learn more here.

Karen always brings her own power strip with USB ports so she only needs one adapter. Be sure your power strip has enough plugs for your laptop and battery chargers, and USB ports for your cell phone and other small devices.

The Staff at our Lodge works hard to ensure you have an exceptional experience. Therefore, we recommend that gratuities are equal for each staff member. Karen recommends that you consider gratuities of about $10/day each for our Ranger, Tracker, and Housekeeping staff ($30/day total). Spa gratuities are typically 10% of services. Gratuities are always based on your personal appreciation and this suggestion is just a guideline.

You may charge gratuities on your credit card at the end of the trip.