Monday, April 18, 2016

March at Mashatu - By Trevor Kleyn

Last month Trevor Kleyn spent a few weeks heading up C4’s photographic concession at Mashatu Game Reserve. After some late rains, the reserve was left looking lush and the wildlife, healthy as ever.  Trevor spent a few days guiding guests from our customised photographic vehicle, and these where some of the shots he capture around the reserve.

To book a your private photographic safari at Mashatu on our C4 Photo Vehicle, visit our website here for more information!












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Monday, March 7, 2016

Serengeti Calving Season 2016 - By Andre Cloete

A selection of images by trip host Andre Cloete, from our first week of the Serengeti calving season safari 2016.

Some feedback from Andre, "Staying in our private camp set up just for our group of photographers, we were able to be right in amongst the migration herds. This meant full on calving action from early dawn light each day. It also meant predatory action with the predators coming into to catch the young wildebeest."

The trip was perfectly timed with the arrival of the wildebeest herds, making for an action packed first safari.

We are looking forward to seeing what next weeks Serengeti adventure bring...



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Thursday, March 3, 2016

Guest Image Gallery, Iceland 2016 - By Anita Keet

Anita recently travelled with C4 Photo safaris to the wonderful wonderland of Iceland. Under the experienced landscape photographic guidance of tour hosts Isak Pretorius and Hougaard Mala, Anita and the rest of the group had the opportunity to capture the mythical landscapes of Iceland at its very best.


Here is a collection of fantastic images by Anita, her interpretations of Iceland’s endless beauty:



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Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Icy Iceland (Part 1) - By Jurg and Astrid Bluemel

There are no direct flights to Reykjavik for us in winter, because all the "normal" people go there in summer. We leave on January 29th, the sun will rise at around 10:00 and set at 17:00 and won't get higher than 10 degrees above the horizon. The bad thing is we can't pronounce any of the names of the places we are going to see, and we'll barely have 9 hrs of light per day. The good thing is you can do sunrise shots and sleep late.




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Friday, January 29, 2016

C4 Photo Safaris in 2016 - The year in preview



Many companies look back at the year that passes and review what went wrong and what was good. At C4 Photo Safaris, we like to work it the opposite way round where we offer our clients our outlook for the upcoming year.

Here is our preview for 2016.

With the influx of mass tourism and congestion of tourist traffic in certain areas of Africa, C4 has decided to focus on the true wilderness experience for our clients. The Chobe River and Masai Mara are two examples of heavily congested areas in Africa. We counter this by either staying away (Chobe) or managing our timing in the Masai Mara to times when there are not so many tourists.

Maintaining our focus on wilderness, we have built some very new and exciting safaris for 2016 and 2017. Two of these are our South Rift valley and Masai Mara safari (in July to miss the tourists) and our new Iconic Ethiopia safari in early 2017. Both these safaris are new and exciting destinations for not only us, but in the case of the south Rift, the first in Africa. Initially we were not entirely sure about the reaction to these safaris but the reaction to these safaris has been exceptional with both of them being 100% booked. We are currently taking bookings for 2017 on these safaris.

Continuing with our intention to remain fresh and develop new safaris, the C4 photo hides are in for a very special new development this year. Expect an announcement in the coming months, but do know that the development will be one that will again change the perceptions of wildlife photography in Africa just as our underground photo hides did in 2011.

The driving passion in C4 Photo Safaris is to take our clients to destinations that are wild and remind you of true wilderness. We don’t like fenced reserves and we don’t like congestion. Our focus is on getting you to experience and photograph in destinations where if you closed your eyes, you would think you are in an Africa of yesterday. Your support for us has shown that, thank you.

I look forward to a great year on safari with you.

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Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Antarctica 2016 - By Shem Compion (Part 2 of 2)

Part 2, of Shem Compion’s Antarctica 2016 image gallery. If you would like to take photographic journey with us, take a look at our website for 2016 destinations!




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Friday, January 22, 2016

Antarctica 2016 - By Shem Compion (Part 1 of 2)

When you are surrounded by icebergs, glaciers and mountains that dwarf the size of any human built structure on earth you know you are in Antarctica. The sheer enormity of this wilderness prompts an immediate rethinking of your significance on this world.
Then to top it all you take the first cruise down the Lamaire channel for all boats this season on one of the most beautiful days I have ever witnessed in the Polar Regions and all you can do is gasp. Penguins on icebergs scaled by massive glaciers, refection’s so pure you can see your face in them and a sky so clear every photo has a beautiful sun burst in it. Antarctica is a place that never disappoints yet when the sun comes out it shows why it is one of the world’s most amazing destinations. It simply blows you away with its stellar beauty.
A visit to Antarctica would not be complete without visiting a penguin colony; a few times over. It is no secret that the Adelie penguins are my favourite. Their looks, antics and charisma make them perfect photo subjects. Fortunately we had some great opportunities with them and their chicks. Travelling later in the season meant we saw the birds later in the breeding season. The Adelie chicks were huge balls of fluff that were not interacting with the parents and made for some special images. It took a while, but eventually we got the perfect images of these birds and their chicks.
Coming back from Antarctica I have this sensation that the trip was not actually real. Civilisation hits you like a bolt from the blue and all of a sudden you are caught up in life. Yet every few minutes I think back to the dream that was Antarctica and smile inwardly, knowing it was not a dream, it was real.




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Guest Gallery, Premier Predator Tour, June 2015 - By Joy Thomas

In June 2015, Joy Thomas joined award winning photographer, Greg du Toit on a C4 Photo Safari Premier Predator Tour. The tour saw the small and exclusive group of 3 clients travel to Mashatu Game Reserve, Mala Mala Game Reserve and finally end off at Tswalu Kalahari.
What a fantastic combination of wildlife destinations, which are all hugely active wilderness areas, each holding their very own uniqueness and highlights.

Thank you to Joy, for sharing your beautiful collection of images from this evidentially successful tour with Greg du Toit and C4 Photo Safaris!



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Wednesday, January 13, 2016

The business of wildlife photography Nikon Workshop

Join wildlife photographer, Shem Compion and Nikon South Africa for a talk on what is means to run a successful business in wildlife photography. Shem, the owner of C4 Photo Safaris, is an internationally recognized award winning photographer with an expansive knowledge on nature and brand building. Shem will share his invaluable knowledge of how to successfully combine nature and business with photography.

Come and join Shem as he shares his knowledge on how to run a successful photography business on Saturday, the 20 February 2016 from 09h00 - 13h00. For more information and to make a booking please click here.

Topics to be covered:

  • How to start a business
  • Brand uniqueness in a saturated market
  • Freelance or Full time?
  • Selling images vs a brand
  • Marketing and branding
  • Pro’s and Con’s
  • Photographic business etiquette


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Saturday, December 5, 2015

C4 Private Guided Safaris, Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve- By Trevor Kleyn

Recently photo guide Trevor Kleyn returned from a private guided safari to Tswalu Kalahari. 
An incredibly unique safari experience can be had Tswalu, with the opportunity to view and photograph some of Africa's rare species including meerkats, aardvark, pangolin, cape fox, aardwolf, brown hyena and the endangered african wild dog.

The following gallery is a selection of images by Trevor from the trip, enjoy!




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