Departure 1KwaZulu-Natal Bird Photography Expedition
28 June to 4 July 2027, 7 days
From Centurion to Benvie Gardens, Mtunzini, Dlinza, Ongoye, St Lucia and Cape Vidal
3 seats available
R22,000per person
Bird Photography in South Africa
Day outings in Gauteng and surrounds, and longer photo tours announced six months ahead. Hosted by wildlife photographer Christo Swart.
Three seats, never more
Every outing and tour takes a maximum of three guests. There’s room for everyone to get the shot when a bird appears, and time for Christo to help with settings, fieldcraft and composition.
Prefer a day outing to yourself, or with one friend? You can book all the seats, with a substitute fee for the empty ones.
Day outings in Gauteng and surrounds
A full day photographing birds within easy reach of Johannesburg and Pretoria. Good for a first taste of South African birding, or a day between longer trips.
- Breakfast
- Coffee and rusks
- Mineral water
- A light lunch
| 3 guestsStandard rate, all seats filled | R2,000each |
|---|---|
| 2 guestsIncludes a single substitute fee | R2,500each |
| 1 guestIncludes a double substitute fee | R5,000for the day |
Day outings are priced for three guests. If you’d like the day to yourself, or with one friend, you can book all the seats: the substitute fee covers the empty seat or seats, and it’s already included in the prices above.
Upcoming tours
Tours are announced six months ahead and run once all three seats are booked. A 50% deposit holds your seat, with the balance due 60 days before departure.
Departure 1
Departure 2KwaZulu-Natal Bird Photography Expedition
12 to 18 July 2027, 7 days
From Centurion to Benvie Gardens, Mtunzini, Dlinza, Ongoye, St Lucia and Cape Vidal
3 seats available
R22,000per person
A custom tour
Your dates, your target species
Tell Christo which birds you’re after and how long you have. He’ll plan the route, the timing and the places to stay.
A day in the field
We don’t watch the clock. We care about your photo.
There before sunrise
We meet at an agreed spot where you can leave your car, and we’re on location before first light, with coffee and rusks.
Morning session
The best light and the most activity. Christo helps with settings, positioning and fieldcraft while you shoot.
Breakfast in the field
Breakfast out where the birds are, with mineral water through the day and a light lunch later on.
Until you have the shot
We’ll do our best to get you the photo you came for, even if that means birding into the dark.
Recent images
View the gallery
Your photo host, Christo Swart
Christo is a South African wildlife and bird photographer. He spends his time searching Southern Africa’s habitats for common and hard-to-find species, from local birding spots to the Kruger National Park and the KwaZulu-Natal coast.
Before Wildlens, he was a teacher. That shows in the field: he explains technical things clearly and patiently, whatever your experience, with a strong focus on animal behaviour, natural light and responsible wildlife photography.
- Camera
- Canon EOS R5 Mark II
- Main lens
- Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM
- Also in the bag
- Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM
Trip reports
Read all trip reports
KwaZulu-Natal Expedition 2026: over 100 lifers in five days
From the forests of Benvie Gardens to the coast at Cape Vidal, with the elusive African Finfoot saved for the very last morning.
Highlights Crowned Eagle, Orange Ground Thrush, Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, Narina Trogon, Green Malkoha, Green and Pink-throated Twinspots, African Finfoot
Read the trip reportPlanning a trip to South Africa?
Send your dates and the birds you’re hoping to see. Christo replies personally to every enquiry.