Wildlife Photo Safaris in Kruger National Park
Private Kruger Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $60 to $480 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
CA
Email Rhonwen & Quinot | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely amazing!!
We booked our very first safari, a 4-day/3-night private safari tour, with Private Kruger Safaris and we could not have asked for a more amazing experience! It was both educational and adventurous, and is something that we will remember for a lifetime.
Communication – this company is extremely professional and all our email queries were answered promptly and thoroughly. While on tour, Bernhard (our head guide) always checked in with us to find out what we wanted out of our experience.
Comfort – we booked a private safari (it really wasn’t as expensive as you might think and it is so worth it—ask them about it!) and so it was just the two of us and our two guides. Bernhard told us that he only take a maximum of 6 guests so that everyone gets a window seat with an extra seat in the middle—most companies we saw squeezed 9 people into the same sized vehicle. They also arranged our accommodation in the park and personally inspected it after check-in to make sure everything was in order.
Flexibility – Bernhard created the tour around the dates we were available and also with consideration to where we needed to start (Skukuza) and end (Letaba) our tour. Each evening he also gave us the option of when we wanted to start our morning drives the next day—just in case we wanted to sleep in.
Friendliness—I don’t think you can beat Bernhard and Hennie for this! We capped off our safari with a traditional South African braai (BBQ) at their campsite. It was really a pleasure to have them as our guides. They are not in this business to make a buck--they have a lifelong love for the Kruger and their enthusiasm for even the smallest creature or plant is infectious.
Experience—We did see the Big Five, and while no tour can guarantee that you are going to see all the animals that you want to see, it makes all the difference in the world if you have a guide that knows what to look for. It absolutely astonished us that while driving at 40 km/h Bernhard spotted a pair of lions and cub lying down in the shade of some low trees over 250 m away! And we were always given lots of time to just watch the animals. The first day we spent 90 minutes watching a group of lions and I don’t think any other tour group stay around for more than 10 minutes. There also wasn’t a single animal or bird that we pointed out that he couldn’t identify immediately.
We highly recommend this company. If we are ever lucky enough to go back, we will absolutely book another safari with them.
US
Email Theresa Wiltrout | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The BEST of the best!
Bernhard & Hennie Bekker deliver it ALL! From the moment we arrived at Kruger, they worked their magic and made our private safari one of the BEST vacations we have had...EVER!
The Bekker brothers know Kruger. They know where the animals are and are masters at finding them and getting the safari vehicle in the perfect position to get amazing photos. Their knowledge of the myriad of species in Kruger is impressive; they have their iPad ready to go, so in the rare event they do not know the species, they look it up!! Both are accomplished photographers so really know how to work with the light to give you the best chance at nailing the perfect photo. Their open safari vehicle is a photographer's dream, equipped with mounted tripods and bean bags. And their ability to spot animals constantly amazed my husband and myself. They seriously must have 10/10 vision...lol.
We spent 6 amazing days in 2 locations ; Satara and Skukuza. And we saw it all...lions, Casper the white lion, leopards, wild dogs, rhinos, cheetahs, buffalos, elephants, zebras, giraffes, hyena, black-backed jackals, dozens of bird species, and even a flap-necked chameleon! Every day we were more amazed than the day before; it was a safari photographers and animal lovers dream.
Traveling from the U.S. with the current chaos with air travel, we had 2 flights cancelled and ended up getting to the park 2 days late. Bernhard and Hennie took care of the reservation changes needed in the park making our delay no big deal. They were even able to extend our trip with them 2 extra days to make up for the days we missed due to our cancelled flights. They picked us up at Skukuza Airport, and also picked up a 600mm lens I had rented from Hilton Kotze with Africa Photographic Services so it was ready for me to use as soon as we arrived. Bernhard even met us in the park at the end of our trip (we spent an additional 12 days on our own in the park) to retrieve the lens so I didn't have to deal with returning it.
If you are considering a safari trip to South Africa, I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND Private Kruger Safaris. This was our 2nd trip with them, we will most definitely be back, and I wouldn't consider using anyone else. They really are the BEST of the best!!
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Email Hudson Crider | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best photo experts and safari guides!
We had an unbelievable day in Kruger National Park with Private Kruger Safaris. In one day we saw hundreds of elephants and giraffes! Other highlights were seeing hyenas and cubs walking around our safari vehicle. We saw the endangered African wild dogs feeding their pups! From a distance we saw a leopard with its kill lounging in a tree. But the biggest highlight of the day was watching lions hunting kudus and impalas. It looked like something straight out of National Geographic watching the lions stalk and run after their prey! Private Kruger Safaris did an incredible job of making sure we were in the right place at the right time!
If you are a professional or serious photo hobbyist, the owners of Private Kruger Safaris have another company B1 Photo Safaris that is focused on wildlife photography. We were so thankful for our incredible game drive and photos in Kruger National Park!
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Email charlotte | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Seeing the animals in their habitat was the most incredible experience i have ever had !
I must say thank you, to Private Kruger Safari's for their support and assistance made my safari, a life experience. It was my first trip to Africa. PKS shared with me a most warm welcome upon arriving, to the special care given me right up to my departure at the airport,PKS made my trip outstanding. Their knowledge of the bush allowed my safari experience to be the most incredible trip i have ever taken ( i have traveled all over the world). i was able to see and photograph all the big five and what i learned from them , the magnificent seven . The time spent on the hunt for these animals was well spent because i learned about each one in a very special manner from guides that knew the bush , as one guide, named Arrno said "the bush is my office" I look forward to going farther in to the bush with PKS on another safari.
CH
Email Richard McCombie | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Private Photography Safari
We booked the Photographic Safari with Private Kruger Safaris and we had a wonderful time. I had a chance to learn a lot about photography from Bernhard, who has a lot of expertise in this area. Bernhard gave me many tips and I left Kruger Park as a much more accomplished photographer. Bernhard and his brother Hennie are experts in the park wildlife and have the ability to spot and name animals that most people might not even notice We had an education in different species of birds that was quite fascinating. They have this ability to find the animals and birds and once found, they have the perfect vehicle and specialized (GimPro) photography equipment for taking great shots. What is more, Hennie is marvelous at maneuvering the vehicle into the best position for taking great photographs. We were picked up at around 5.30 am every morning and then it was non-stop action until about 6pm. We saw about 60 lions, numerous leopards, 7 cheetahs, rhinos, hyenas, African Wild Dogs, hippos, elephants, giraffes, crocodiles, buffalo, wildebeest, rare birds and much more. Some of our encounters with the lions and leopards were at close quarters, which was exhilarating. On the first day, my lens malfunctioned but Bernhard lent me a lens at no charge and arranged for a new lens to be hired – with some effort, he had it by the next day. Whenever we moved camps, they took care of our luggage and checking in/out and even put our drinks in the fridge. Importantly for us, Bernhard and Hennie truly respect that Park and its animals and lead by example in terms of following Park Rules and ensuring the safety of clients. All in all, we had 6 fantastic days that we will never forget. These guys are worth every penny.
Email Mo Mathew | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wow! What a Trip!!
Having been to Mana Pools, ZM (twice) on safari, I was a bit underwhelmed when my sister and sis-in-law invited me to join their intrepid group of safari newbies on a trip to Kruger N.P. The thought of sitting all day in a 4 x 4, without getting out and about on foot made me pessimistic about this trip.
It was with this preconception that I reached Skukuza and made contact with P.K. Safaris – well, Bernhard Bekker, Proprietor….and Hennie, his assistant and younger brother to be exact.
What I experienced over the next 5 days all but blew away the preconceived notions that I had arrived with!
These guys were awesome! They were great guides, knowledgeable about local wildlife and viewing conditions. They knew the areas extremely well, were obviously well connected with other fellow professionals – there was a continuous two-way flow of information re: wildlife sightings – which meant that they were able to rapidly deploy to these specified locations, enabling our group to see and experience some truly memorable moments. Up until this trip, my long standing disappointment had been that I had been unable to see leopards and cheetahs in their natural environment…. whilst the cheetah still remains elusive, the Bekkers (and PK Safaris!) managed to get us to seven different leopard encounters! Truly outstanding moments include:
• a stalking leopard lying in wait in a bush near a waterhole…. for unsuspecting impala to come to the water’s edge…we held our collective breaths for an attack – which unfortunately did not materialise (the wind changed and the spooked impala bolted)! Notwithstanding this, the drama of the situation was rewarding in itself, not to mention the numerous photographs it generated
• a leopard that had dragged a fresh impala kill up a tree…and proceeded to gorge itself in full view of this awestruck group…!
Apart from multiple sightings of small prides of lions, Bernhard and Hennie also contrived to serve us not one, but two encounters with separate pairs of mating lions!
I am an amateur wildlife photographer, with some experience behind me….and it quickly became apparent that Bernhard was an expert photographer himself. He shared his expertise with me, and my less experienced fellows unselfishly, and with equal enthusiasm… If any of us required a different viewing angle – or needed to repeat a botched shot – it was never too much…these guys moved those vehicles to optimal or desired positions….and their Nissan off roaders are fitted with gimbals (GimPro equipment) which long lens enthusiasts will see as a huge bonus!
In addition to the above, we managed a surfeit of giraffe and Kudu, a smattering of sable, nyala and bush buck, blue wildebeest, wonderful trysts with a Variable Sunbird, lilac breasted rollers, saddle billed and marabou storks, fish eagles, a gymnogene, bateleurs, a tawny eagle, and snake eagles….and many elephants (the place was awash with them!) …. not to mention the (black and white) rhino sightings!
Last but not the least, Bernhard and Hennie are great fun! Self-deprecating wit, acerbic humour, and an awfully good thick skin to be the butt of a joke – they had these traits in big dollops, ensuring a hilarious few days! AND…. they serve a great braai!!
I give this outfit 5 Big Stars! I heartily recommend them to any who read this…. You will not regret hiring them for your safari trip and game drives!
Here’s wishing you all Happy Safari Days and Wildlife viewing!!
Phenomenal safari led by best-possible professionals who truly know and love the animals!
Amazing Safari - focus on the animals, led by knowledgeable, kind guides.”
I very highly recommend a safari led by the Bekker brothers - particularly if you're interested in seeing and learning about the incredible animals in Kruger. Bernhard and Hennie Bekker will make this an unforgettable experience for you given their tremendous knowledge, enthusiasm and kindness.
Visited September 2015
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
AMAZING EXPERIENCE !!! 10 +++
We got 2 cheetah + 1 male lion !!! amazing !!!
Thanks to Bernhard and his brother experience and passion !
These guys have got a passion and it's their job !!!
very very suggested !!!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Morning Kruger Park Game Drive
Bernard collected us in the early morning before sunrise and took us through to one of the gates at the Kruger. He is an extremely knowledgeable guide and was constantly busy explaining the intricacies of the Park. He has also been in the area for a number of years, so he was also able to comment on the changes that he had noticed, regarding the wildlife and the ecosystem in the Park.
There were 2 occasions when he stopped to ask other guides if they had seen anything. They said they'd seen nothing and a few meters down the road were we fortunate enough to first come to within 10m of a rhino, were Bernard allowed us plenty of time to marvel at this majestic creature, while giving us plenty of information about the beast.
The 2nd incident involved a herd of elephants moving towards the river. We sat and watched as a herd of elephants walked down towards the river, walking over trees and generally just being elephants. Yet again, Bernard was very informative and his patience was what eventually turned 2 elephants into a whole herd. Many other people drove past without noticing or saw 2 elephants, snapped a photo and left.
He knew to wait and that made for an amazing experience. I would definitely recommend Private Kruger Safaris, our morning game drive has left me with a need to go back and experience it all again. I had always wondered about the merits of paying for a guided drive, but afterwards I realised that it was well worth the money.
JP
Email Bradley | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic service, Great knowledge, Perfect equipment
The team at Private Kruger Safaris provided a great service for my very very last minute trip.
I had a late change to my business trip agenda so I had a spare weekend in Africa, after a few quick emails with the team they were able to organise my Photographic safari in the Kruger national park.
They went beyond my expectations by having a very nice vehicle, equipment to make my photography that much better and endless amounts of water (Which was critical in the very hot water).
The team were excellent spotters both individually and via their network of friends in the area.
I would book with them again in a heartbeat.
Thanks