Shompole hide and Mashatu Photo Safari - May/June 2026

May 26th - June 10th, 2026

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OVERVIEW

This 16-day, exclusive photo safari, starting and concluding in Johannesburg, South Africa, offers an extraordinary African wildlife adventure for just four guests.

It seamlessly blends Kenya's Shompole and Botswana's Mashatu.

Four nights in Kenya's Rift Valley are spent utilizing special overnight hides, focusing on capturing the soft afternoon and morning light, as well as the fascinating nocturnal animals.

An eight-night adventure in Mashatu follows, featuring private game drives and additional hide sessions, capturing diverse landscapes and wildlife.

Hosted by Stu Porter, this unique itinerary combines intimate hide photography with classic safari drives in pristine, uncrowded environments, with expert photographic guidance throughout.

SHOMPOLE WILDERNESS - GREAT RIFT VALLEY - KENYA

Shompole, a serene wilderness in Kenya's Rift Valley, presents a unique and undisturbed safari experience.

Its stark, beautiful escarpment and sparse acacia woodlands create a photographer's paradise.

Shompole's location means it experiences dramatic variations in light, perfect for capturing stunning late afternoon and early morning photographs.

The area is a vital corridor for migrating wildlife, leading to diverse and unpredictable animal sightings.

Its eye-level hides are arguably Africa's most productive, allowing for stunning, intimate wildlife shots. The night photography sessions are particularly productive due to the fact that the area supports a healthy population of elusive nocturnal species.

This serene atmosphere, untouched by mass tourism, ensures a peaceful and profoundly personal safari experience.

SHOMPOLE OVERNIGHT HIDES

At Shompole, we'll fully immerse ourselves in the wilderness, spending two nights at each of their unique underground hides, providing four nights of extraordinary photographic opportunities.

Each afternoon, we’ll photograph the animals as they approach the waterhole in the soft, late light.

Nights are spent inside the hides, with comfortable beds to rest on. We will take turns "on watch" for sightings, ensuring no moment is missed. The hides feature on-site restrooms, and all meals and beverages are provided for convenience.

We will stay to photograph sunrise and the animals that come down for their early morning drinks. We return to camp for a delicious brunch.

You’ll then have ample time to review your images and rest before we return to the hides in the late afternoon.

Each hide’s distinct location promises diverse wildlife encounters and unparalleled photographic experiences, guaranteeing a truly immersive and rewarding safari adventure.

Here's what you can expect:

Diverse Wildlife: Expect Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Impala, Warthogs, Elephants, and varied birdlife at afternoon and morning drinks.
Nighttime Creatures: Nocturnal sightings may include Lion, Leopard, Hyena, Honey Badger, Civet, Jackal, Caracal, and Genet.
Unique Angles: Capture low-angle, undisturbed wildlife shots in varying light.
Scenic Setting: Enjoy the picturesque location with Shompole Mountain as a stunning backdrop.
Photo Guidance: Stu will provide photographic assistance and tips.

MASHATU PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

Mashatu, where the Limpopo and Shashe rivers meet, is a pristine 42,000-hectare wilderness in Botswana's Northern Tuli Game Reserve.

Renowned for its big cat sightings and the largest elephant population on private land, it offers an unmatched safari.

Its diverse ecosystems, from mopane veld to sandstone formations, create breathtaking landscapes. Mashatu means "Land of Giants" in the local Setswana language, and refers to its elephant herds and ancient baobab trees, some over 1,000 years old.

Mashatu features unique underground hides for eye-level wildlife photography.

Professional guides ensure intimate, unobtrusive viewing with minimal vehicle presence, guaranteeing an exclusive safari.

THE LALA LIMPOPO OVERNIGHT HIDE

We've arranged one night at the hide, dropping off at 16:00 and picking up the next morning at 09:00.

Imagine relaxing in a snug suite with ground-level windows, just two meters from a waterhole. Witness antelope, giraffes, zebras, elephants, and predators gathering to drink.

Positioned beside one of Mashatu's busiest waterholes, the Limpopo hide grants exclusive wildlife viewing.

After sunset, adjustable lights enable creative nighttime photography. If you fancy a rest, four comfy beds offer private relaxation. An infrared motion sensor alerts you to nocturnal visitors, ensuring you don't miss a moment.

A separate dining area ensures peaceful dining without disturbing the animals. Full washroom facilities, including a toilet and changing area, are provided.

The Limpopo sleep-out hide innovatively offers a ground-level safari suite, providing unparalleled views of the bustling waterhole outside your window.

THE MATEBOLE ELEPHANT HIDE

We've scheduled an afternoon and morning hide visit to experience and photograph the wildlife at different times of day.

Here's what you can expect:

Elephants - Witnessing elephants up close is the highlight of this experience. Watch them engage in various behaviors like drinking, bathing, and socializing, and maybe even playful interactions.
Other Wildlife - While elephants take center stage, the hide provides glimpses of diverse wildlife like giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, impalas, kudus, and various bird species. Keep your camera ready for unexpected encounters.
Unique photo opportunities - Capture intimate moments and behaviors of wildlife from a unique low-angle vantage point without disturbing their natural activities. Enjoy stunning photographs in different lighting conditions throughout the day.
Scenic surroundings - Set in a picturesque location within Mashatu, the Matebole Elephant Hide offers breathtaking views of the African bush, providing a serene backdrop while you await wildlife sightings.
Photographic assistance - Spend a full day at the hide for an educational opportunity to improve your photography skills. Stu will be available to offer guidance and assistance.

DETAILS

Led by Stu Porter, this photo safari offers personalized photographic guidance, catering to all skill levels.

With a focus on beginners and flexibility for intermediate to advanced photographers, Stu will work with our professional guide to expertly position the safari vehicle for optimal photography.

Along with an impressive portfolio of birds, you will also have an excellent chance to see and photograph the following:

Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Elephant, Spotted Hyaena, Jackal, Crocodile, Giraffe, Waterbuck, Greater Kudu, Bushbuck, Nyala, Zebra, Wildebeest, Chacma Baboon, Vervet Monkey, & Warthog.

DAY 1

Arrive at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. Overnight.

Your safari commences with a meet-and-greet at the airport, followed by an escort to an airport hotel conveniently located within walking distance of the arrivals hall.

Stu will meet you and the other members of the group for a welcome dinner.

You will stay for 1 night in Johannesburg at CITY LODGE O.R. TAMBO

(Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 2

Fly JNB to Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta Airport, overnight at Tamarind Tree Hotel.

After breakfast we will all fly as a group to Jomo Kenyatta Airport in Kenya where we will be met and transferred by road to the Tamarind Tree Hotel for an overnight in Nairobi. (alternatively, you could meet us in Nairobi instead of Johannesburg)

(All meals included)
(Local drinks included)

Day 3

Road transfer to Shompole Wilderness Camp - overnight in the hide

After breakfast we will be met by our transfer vehicle and drive the 2.5 hrs through the rift Vally to reach Shompole Wilderness Camp for lunch.

After lunch we will check in to our tents and rest before heading to one of the two overnight hides in the late afternoon.

Over the next 4 nights, we will divide our time equally between the two night hides at Shompole.

We will typically arrive for a late afternoon photoshoot at the hide

We will then spend all night in the hide, photographing the nocturnal animals that come to drink.

In the morning, we will photograph the first few hours of the day as animals come to drink.

We will return to the camp for brunch, a hot shower and a good rest in your en-suite tent at the camp.

(All meals included)
(Local drinks included)

Day 4

Rest at camp before heading back to one of the hides for our second night - Shompole

Morning photo shoot at the hide, return to the camp for brunch and a rest, then we head back to one of the hides for an afternoon & overnight photo shoot.

(All meals included)
(Local drinks included)

Day 5

Rest at camp before heading back to one of the hides for our third night - Shompole

Morning photo shoot at the hide, return to the camp for brunch and a rest, then we head back to one of the hides for an afternoon & overnight photo shoot.

(All meals included)
(Local drinks included)

Day 6

Rest at camp before heading back to one of the hides for our fourth and final night - Shompole

Morning photo shoot at the hide, return to the camp for brunch and a rest, then we head back to one of the hides for our last afternoon & overnight photo shoot.

(All meals included)
(Local drinks included)

Day 7

Depart Shompole, drive back to Nairobi and then fly to Johannesburg, overnight at City Lodge

We have a shorter morning in the hide today, to be able to get back to camp for breakfast and then depart by road back to Nairobi.

We will go straight to the airport to catch the 15:30pm flight to Johannesburg. We arrive and check in to the City Lodge Hotel for an overnight stay.

(All meals included)
(Local drinks included)

DAY 8

Fly from Johannesburg (JNB) to Polokwane (PTG). Road transfer to Mashatu - Tuli Safari Lodge

Following breakfast, fly on a domestic flight to Polokwane.

Upon arrival, our group will be greeted at the airport, and a 2.5-hour road transfer will take us to the Botswana border. We cross over and head straight to Mashatu where we will arrive at Tuli Safari Lodge for lunch.

You will stay for 4 nights at Tuli Safari Lodge in luxury en-suite rooms. One of the nights will be spent in the special Lala Limpopo overnight hide)