LIVE UPDATE from our #BigCatPhotoSafari to Sabi Sand, South Africa.

By Specialist Photographic Guide Lance van de Vyver.

Yesterday afternoon we heard that a cheetah had been seen crossing into the east towards the end of the morning game drive cycle. We decided we would try to find the cheetah. Within 5 minutes of reaching the area it was last seen, we found it.

The cheetah was a young adult female and she immediately began to get active. She moved through the bush quickly but silently. We followed her as she went through multiple open areas and some very thick areas as well. She was thin and we could see she needed a meal. She even tried to hunt some impala but she failed.

Suddenly she turned and bolted behind us. We thought she had spotted or smelt danger nearby. We turned around and upon relocating her we found she had caught a male steenbok. It was still alive and kicking.

We sat quietly with her as she killed it and began to feed in earnest. A sad moment for the little antelope but a victory for the endangered cheetah. As the light faded, we left the cheetah so as not to alert anything by using spot lights. We stopped briefly and had a drink (after the sun had already set) before making our way home for dinner.

This morning we headed out and checked the south west corner of the property for any tracks. We found a large elephant bull and photographed him before heading north again.

Tingana had been seen but went into a vey thick block that was impenetrable by the vehicles. We decided not to waste time trying to find him. Moving on, we found three rhino together. Our guests were really happy, as they were hoping to see rhino on the trip. We spent 15 minutes with them, photographing them and the ox-peckers on their backs, before we moved off.

Driving along, we bumped into the Styx lion pride. There were over 10 individuals together and it was great to see another large lion pride in the area. This pride is still suffering from mange but are looking a lot better than a year ago.

After spending some time with the lions we headed to Twin Dams where we spent time chatting over some coffee and then heading back to camp for breakfast.

The weather has warmed up nicely today and we managed to see a lot of general game and some great raptor sightings as well.

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By At Close Quarters April 20, 2019 Leave a comment

Author: At Close Quarters

We are a South African based photographic safari team. Our passion is creating tailor-made safari experiences to help you get your dream wildlife images. We love Africa and can’t wait to share it with you!

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Venise Germanos (RSA)

"This was truly a magical experience from start to finish. As a beginner photographer, I truly appreciated the patience and guidance from Villiers and Lance and have enjoyed moving from the “auto” focus to a more advanced technique! I can’t wait to learn more and this trip has certainly inspired that. Everyone was so generous with their time and expertise. The At Close Quarters team is very professional, friendly and knowledgeable about photography and wildlife. Thank you to the team for the laughter enjoyed and the time you took to get to know all of your guests – this is something I really appreciated and will remember for a long time to come!

I am truly grateful to all the rangers and trackers – Aubrey, William, Taxon and “Van”. These guys made the experience an unforgettable one. Their expertise made the challenge of finding the elusive animals, a remarkable experience! Leopards are my favourite animals and I felt so honoured to spend as much time as we did with these majestic beings.

Thank you to Kirsten and Johan as well as everyone behind the scenes who ensured that we were always well looked after with the delicious meals. Thank you to Michael for joining us on drive and sharing your stories! Thank you to all the other guests who also brought their passion for animals to this event and it made it all the more enjoyable … especially as I got the opportunity to share it with family and friends who also have a great passion for the bush!

One of the things that I appreciated the most, was the incredible respect for the animals that everyone involved had. We were always in good hands. So many incredible memories made and I can’t wait to go back … nature is certainly home for me! Thank you again!"

Deana Challis (USA)

"This was my first trip to South Africa, and first safari. I could not have chosen a better company! My guides, Villiers and Trevor were friendly, fun and informative. I was at Djuma Private Game Reserve, and loved my room, the lodge, and surrounding wildlife that came to visit. Meals were delicious and full of interesting conversation with the 12 guests. On each of my 16 game drives we saw at least one big cat, and had several 3 leopard sightings! Every day I didn't think it could get better, and then it would! I highly recommend this company, and can't wait to book with them again."

Jane Kinnear-Smith (RSA)

"The Big Cat Safari was the best safari i have experienced so far! As a South African who absolutely loves wildlife and wanting to improve my wildlife photography skills this was the perfect safari. The expert rangers, Taxon and Aubrey and the skilled trackers Fanode and William ensured we had amazing sightings of the big cats and also other game to make it a true African Safari experience.

The photographic guidance and Lightroom tuition given by Villiers and Lance was incredibly helpful and I can see the improvement in my photos in just 4 days. There is so much to learn and improve on – so I am definitely going to come back for another trip – hopefully next year.

Kirsten and Johan looked after us very well and we were well fed with delicious meals. It did not take long for it to feel like the ACQ team were old friends and this added to the enjoyment of the Safari.

Thank you all for an amazing time!"

Ronel Thom (RSA)

"We just spent 5 unforgettable days at Djuma and from Villiers and Trevor to the driver Rex and tracker James all of them made so much effort to give us unbelievable great sightings to even make it 8 out of 8 for the cats!! This will be a safari I will cherish forever and we have learnt so much!! Will definitely recommend it!!!"

Len Webb (RSA)

"We have been on four dedicated photographic trips before, but this ranks very high up with us due to the hosts, accommodation, sightings and food.
We will definitely be like the Terminator and Be Back."

Kristin Boggs (USA)

"I am not new to the safari experience, having been on many at different lodges and in different countries over the years. The At Close Quarters Big Cat Safari April 21-29, 2018 exceeded my expectations. The focus is on big cats, and I got to see EIGHT different individual leopards during my stay. There is no pressure to hurry from a sighting. If we were watching something and it was near a meal time or end of game drive…no problem, it was flexible. Being the only group at Vuyatela Lodge, we could simply call in late. You will not find this at any other lodge as they adhere strictly to game drive/meal times regardless of how great your sighting is. We got to practice night photography with lion and leopard, which was fantastic.

The photography instruction was very valuable to me. Villiers and Lance were excellent photography teachers, very knowledgeable and patient. You can get as much instruction as you need, regardless of the level of your experience. I left a better photographer and eager to continue learning.

Vuyatela is a lovely lodge, very comfortable and offering good game sightings on the premises. The food was delicious and the entire staff wonderfully accommodating. Extra thank you’s go out to Kirstin and Johan.

I will definitely be back for another trip!"

Damon & Garth Hoskin (RSA)

Big Cat Photo Safari, 15-19 June 2019.

Unforgettable five days of leopards, lions and laughter with the best people! From the first email to the moment we said our goodbyes, the At Close Quarters experience exceeded every expectation!

As first-time visitors to Djuma and the Sabi Sands, we couldn’t have asked for a more magical welcome! Accommodation at Vuyatela and Galago was beyond comfortable… rooms were spotless and spacious and the camp still feels like our new home from home. The dams in front of the two camp decks welcomed animals all day long, including Hosana, who has crept his way into all of our hearts.

Game drives with Taxon and Fanoti were the best we have experienced! The hard work and effort they put into every drive produced the most incredible big cat sightings! With time on our side, we could track, follow and sit with lion, leopard and cheetah ensuring prime photographic opportunities.

To the ACQ Team, a HUGE thank you! Villiers and Lance, your photographic expertise and guidance was invaluable! In five days, I learnt more than any book could teach! Post drive Lightroom sessions were extremely helpful and I cannot wait to get editing! Kirsten and Michael, thank you for looking after us all so well and for the delicious meals! Breakfasts, lunches and dinners were top quality!

An extra thank you to all the Djuma staff behind the scenes for ensuring our stay was a memorable one!

I cannot recommend this experience enough, an absolute must! At least once!

Djuma, we will be back! (With At Close Quarters of course!)

Lynette Brown (RSA)

"The best safari ever. If you ever get the opportunity to do this you will not be disappointed. Will definitely go back anytime. Amazing people!"

Alun Marchant (RSA)

"One of the best wildlife experiences I've ever had. The teams work together and spend a huge amount of time end effort to ensure you can get great shots. Fantastic experience and I'll definitely be back. If you're into wildlife photography this friendly, extremely relaxed and informal service is a must - I cannot recommend it more highly."

Rachelle Aikens (USA)

"My time with At Close Quarters in Sabi Sands, South Africa was NOT a once in a lifetime experience. It was a life-CHANGING and view-altering experience that you will want to repeat time and again. This trip is not only for adventurers, photographers, and nature lovers, it is for those that love to learn about the world around them and all it has to offer.

I had not traveled overseas previously, so to travel to South Africa from the U.S. by myself? Seems brave, right? Well, yes and no. From my first inquiry, the team at ACQ helped me every step of the way. From choosing an airline, deciding on a flight, working with some pretty intense dietary restrictions, arranging transport to and from the airport, and a million other things I wouldn’t have thought of, they were there to answer any questions I had. The weeks leading up to my trip, they kept in touch to confirm that I had everything needed for my trip, including sunscreen, layers, camera equipment, etc. and a long list of items that I definitely needed and wouldn’t’ve remembered.

The team is AMAZING! They work flawlessly together to make things appear effortless. The accommodations, the food, the game drives, the hospitality in general, was more than I could have hoped. We were treated like honored Guests and completely cared for. I left there with a ton of memories, pictures, experiences, but mostly…. friends, the lifetime kind.

The game drives were magical. The animals are definitely aware that they are not being threatened by the teams of ACQ, so they allowed us to get very close with the jeeps. A fair amount of the time, I didn’t even need a telephoto lens, except to get an up-close shot of their beautiful faces. I added over 10k to my shutter count, zero exaggeration.

The camera settings and Adobe Lightroom classes were a complete bonus to the trip! I learned so much! Anyone would benefit from them, even if they worked in Lightroom before. The guides/instructors helped me take my photos from okay to awesome with their skills as teachers.

Do yourself a huge favor and book a trip as soon as you can. They fill up fast, but more importantly, it is an experience that you are missing out on the longer you wait. And who knows? Maybe I will see you there!"

Jane Kinnear-Smith (RSA)
"The Big Cat Safari was the best safari i have experienced so far! As a South African who absolutely loves wildlife and wanting to improve my wildlife photography skills this was the perfect safari. The expert rangers, Taxon and Aubrey and the skilled trackers Fanode and William ensured we had amazing sightings of the big cats and also other game to make it a true African Safari experience.

The photographic guidance and Lightroom tuition given by Villiers and Lance was incredibly helpful and I can see the improvement in my photos in just 4 days. There is so much to learn and improve on – so I am definitely going to come back for another trip – hopefully next year.

Kirsten and Johan looked after us very well and we were well fed with delicious meals. It did not take long for it to feel like the ACQ team were old friends and this added to the enjoyment of the Safari.

Thank you all for an amazing time!"
Len Webb (RSA)
"We have been on four dedicated photographic trips before, but this ranks very high up with us due to the hosts, accommodation, sightings and food.
We will definitely be like the Terminator and Be Back."
Deana Challis (USA)
"This was my first trip to South Africa, and first safari. I could not have chosen a better company! My guides, Villiers and Trevor were friendly, fun and informative. I was at Djuma Private Game Reserve, and loved my room, the lodge, and surrounding wildlife that came to visit. Meals were delicious and full of interesting conversation with the 12 guests. On each of my 16 game drives we saw at least one big cat, and had several 3 leopard sightings! Every day I didn't think it could get better, and then it would! I highly recommend this company, and can't wait to book with them again."
Rachelle Aikens (USA)
"My time with At Close Quarters in Sabi Sands, South Africa was NOT a once in a lifetime experience. It was a life-CHANGING and view-altering experience that you will want to repeat time and again. This trip is not only for adventurers, photographers, and nature lovers, it is for those that love to learn about the world around them and all it has to offer.

I had not traveled overseas previously, so to travel to South Africa from the U.S. by myself? Seems brave, right? Well, yes and no. From my first inquiry, the team at ACQ helped me every step of the way. From choosing an airline, deciding on a flight, working with some pretty intense dietary restrictions, arranging transport to and from the airport, and a million other things I wouldn’t have thought of, they were there to answer any questions I had. The weeks leading up to my trip, they kept in touch to confirm that I had everything needed for my trip, including sunscreen, layers, camera equipment, etc. and a long list of items that I definitely needed and wouldn’t’ve remembered.

The team is AMAZING! They work flawlessly together to make things appear effortless. The accommodations, the food, the game drives, the hospitality in general, was more than I could have hoped. We were treated like honored Guests and completely cared for. I left there with a ton of memories, pictures, experiences, but mostly…. friends, the lifetime kind.

The game drives were magical. The animals are definitely aware that they are not being threatened by the teams of ACQ, so they allowed us to get very close with the jeeps. A fair amount of the time, I didn’t even need a telephoto lens, except to get an up-close shot of their beautiful faces. I added over 10k to my shutter count, zero exaggeration.

The camera settings and Adobe Lightroom classes were a complete bonus to the trip! I learned so much! Anyone would benefit from them, even if they worked in Lightroom before. The guides/instructors helped me take my photos from okay to awesome with their skills as teachers.

Do yourself a huge favor and book a trip as soon as you can. They fill up fast, but more importantly, it is an experience that you are missing out on the longer you wait. And who knows? Maybe I will see you there!"
Kristin Boggs (USA)
"I am not new to the safari experience, having been on many at different lodges and in different countries over the years. The At Close Quarters Big Cat Safari April 21-29, 2018 exceeded my expectations. The focus is on big cats, and I got to see EIGHT different individual leopards during my stay. There is no pressure to hurry from a sighting. If we were watching something and it was near a meal time or end of game drive…no problem, it was flexible. Being the only group at Vuyatela Lodge, we could simply call in late. You will not find this at any other lodge as they adhere strictly to game drive/meal times regardless of how great your sighting is. We got to practice night photography with lion and leopard, which was fantastic.

The photography instruction was very valuable to me. Villiers and Lance were excellent photography teachers, very knowledgeable and patient. You can get as much instruction as you need, regardless of the level of your experience. I left a better photographer and eager to continue learning.

Vuyatela is a lovely lodge, very comfortable and offering good game sightings on the premises. The food was delicious and the entire staff wonderfully accommodating. Extra thank you’s go out to Kirstin and Johan.

I will definitely be back for another trip!"
Alun Marchant (RSA)
"One of the best wildlife experiences I've ever had. The teams work together and spend a huge amount of time end effort to ensure you can get great shots. Fantastic experience and I'll definitely be back. If you're into wildlife photography this friendly, extremely relaxed and informal service is a must - I cannot recommend it more highly."
Venise Germanos (RSA)
"This was truly a magical experience from start to finish. As a beginner photographer, I truly appreciated the patience and guidance from Villiers and Lance and have enjoyed moving from the “auto” focus to a more advanced technique! I can’t wait to learn more and this trip has certainly inspired that. Everyone was so generous with their time and expertise. The At Close Quarters team is very professional, friendly and knowledgeable about photography and wildlife. Thank you to the team for the laughter enjoyed and the time you took to get to know all of your guests – this is something I really appreciated and will remember for a long time to come!

I am truly grateful to all the rangers and trackers – Aubrey, William, Taxon and “Van”. These guys made the experience an unforgettable one. Their expertise made the challenge of finding the elusive animals, a remarkable experience! Leopards are my favourite animals and I felt so honoured to spend as much time as we did with these majestic beings.

Thank you to Kirsten and Johan as well as everyone behind the scenes who ensured that we were always well looked after with the delicious meals. Thank you to Michael for joining us on drive and sharing your stories! Thank you to all the other guests who also brought their passion for animals to this event and it made it all the more enjoyable … especially as I got the opportunity to share it with family and friends who also have a great passion for the bush!

One of the things that I appreciated the most, was the incredible respect for the animals that everyone involved had. We were always in good hands. So many incredible memories made and I can’t wait to go back … nature is certainly home for me! Thank you again!"
Damon & Garth Hoskin (RSA)
Big Cat Photo Safari, 15-19 June 2019.

Unforgettable five days of leopards, lions and laughter with the best people! From the first email to the moment we said our goodbyes, the At Close Quarters experience exceeded every expectation!

As first-time visitors to Djuma and the Sabi Sands, we couldn’t have asked for a more magical welcome! Accommodation at Vuyatela and Galago was beyond comfortable… rooms were spotless and spacious and the camp still feels like our new home from home. The dams in front of the two camp decks welcomed animals all day long, including Hosana, who has crept his way into all of our hearts.

Game drives with Taxon and Fanoti were the best we have experienced! The hard work and effort they put into every drive produced the most incredible big cat sightings! With time on our side, we could track, follow and sit with lion, leopard and cheetah ensuring prime photographic opportunities.

To the ACQ Team, a HUGE thank you! Villiers and Lance, your photographic expertise and guidance was invaluable! In five days, I learnt more than any book could teach! Post drive Lightroom sessions were extremely helpful and I cannot wait to get editing! Kirsten and Michael, thank you for looking after us all so well and for the delicious meals! Breakfasts, lunches and dinners were top quality!

An extra thank you to all the Djuma staff behind the scenes for ensuring our stay was a memorable one!

I cannot recommend this experience enough, an absolute must! At least once!

Djuma, we will be back! (With At Close Quarters of course!)
Ronel Thom (RSA)
"We just spent 5 unforgettable days at Djuma and from Villiers and Trevor to the driver Rex and tracker James all of them made so much effort to give us unbelievable great sightings to even make it 8 out of 8 for the cats!! This will be a safari I will cherish forever and we have learnt so much!! Will definitely recommend it!!!"
Lynette Brown (RSA)
"The best safari ever. If you ever get the opportunity to do this you will not be disappointed. Will definitely go back anytime. Amazing people!"

LIVE UPDATE from our #BigCatPhotoSafari to Sabi Sand, South Africa.

Join us on #BigCatPhotoSafari

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Author: At Close Quarters

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