Thanda Private Game Reserve, an award-winning Big Five safari lodge located in Hluhluwe, northern KwaZulu-Natal, is offering aspiring photographers with a passion for wildlife the opportunity to hone their photographic skills under the guidance of Thanda’s resident expert photographer, Christian Sperka. Christian works as a specialist photography guide and field ranger at Thanda and also teaches wildlife photography at the reserve according to his ‘Nine Basic Rules of Wildlife/Motion Photography’ under the motto ‘Keep it simple’.
Originally from Switzerland, Christian has travelled across the world photographing animals in game reserves in South Africa and Namibia, the jungles of Costa Rica, and the Yellowstone National Park in the USA. His work has been featured in various wildlife magazines and books. Prior to joining Thanda in 2012, Christian worked as the official photographer and photography teacher at Nashville Zoo in Grassmere, Tennessee, USA.
The ‘Wildlife Photography Academy’ package costs R16 500 per person sharing and includes three nights’ accommodation in a luxury villa at the main lodge, three meals (brunch, high tea and dinner) per day and selected local beverages at meal times and on game drive. The course covers bird photography, motion photography as well as shooting at night with a spotlight. Included in the course are daily lectures and review sessions, two ‘photographers only’ game drives per day (game drive times will be adjusted to cover all types of wildlife photography), and a session on picture post processing (on computer). The course is restricted to a maximum of six participants (with a minimum of two participants) to ensure hands-on training, and each participant will receive course documentation and a certificate. Participants will need to bring a digital SLR, long tele/zoom lens (minimum 200mm), and a laptop for picture post processing.
One of only two safari lodges in the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World portfolio, Thanda Private Game Reserve is situated on 14 000 hectares of wild bush and rolling mountains, providing visitors the opportunity to view the Big Five, and hundreds of other animal and bird species, in their natural habitat. The main lodge at Thanda consists of nine luxury bush villas which are the epitome of pure safari luxury, which each villa featuring its own private plunge pool, private boma and private sala (an outdoor day bed area). Public facilities at the main lodge include a spacious lounge area, a dining room and deck, a cosy library, wine cellar, cigar bar, communal boma and a business centre. Within walking distance is the award-winning wellness centre run by Africology.
For further information or to make a booking, please visit: https://www.thandasafari.co.za/