Mashatu Photo Workshop - Client Images

Below is a collection of images taken by a one of our most valued clients, Judith Gawehn, while on a Photo Workshop at Mashatu in March this year.

















All images by Judith Gawehn
Next available Mashatu Photo Workshop: 22-26 September 2011

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Mashatu Feedback

The first Mashatu photo workshop of 2011 started off with a real bang. Make that 7 bangs, which if you were with us, equated to 7 lions- with the youngest age being 4 months. Not something you get to see every day. Not even in a riverbed out in the open...





I suppose it set the tone for the rest of the weekend. Lions every day, Watching a leopard hunting tree squirrels, twice. And then witnessing it falling out of a tree in its hapless pursuit to catch the tree squirrel! Elephant herds so close and relaxed that we were using the wide angle lenses against the lovely mottled sky. Baboons, bee eaters and of course the night sky images of a baobab against the stars.







Mashatu offers so much flexibility when on a workshop. Their willingness to help us as photographers stay longer at sightings, get out of the vehicle at certain, safe, spots and stay out late to do star trail images makes it one of the best lodge operations c4 deals with.
Of course, a course could not happen without some very enthusiastic clients. Thanks to Avril, Judith, Josh and Florian who made the workshop more fun than work...! Looking forward to travelling and photographing with you again!









Next available Mashatu Workshop: 22-26 September


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The Masai Mara - Africa's Ultimate Wildlife Destination by Christine Lamberth

This blog post first appeared on one of our clients sites. Here she shares about her experience of the Masai Mara, one of Africa's ultimate wildlife destinations...



The anticipation is building, my bags are packed, stacked next to the door and as I pack them into the boot of the car I can feel the slight tension building – those hesitant little butterflies start flitting and my palms are slightly damp. I hit the road north, its a long journey from Rorke’s Drift to the Masai Mara and has several stops along the way. First stop Pretoria and one more sleep, then to the infamous O R Tambo where a shock awaits! Flight Cancelled is blazoned above the check in counter. However, as all worldly travellers must do, you simply stand in line and wait. Then the news, bumped onto another flight so a long wait ensues in the hallowed halls of O R Tambo. Many cups of cuppacino later and I am sitting on a Kenya Airways flight heading for Nairobi. At Nairobi the hot air hits as I alight from the plane. Of course, none of the modern conveniences are really working and so I have to carry/drag my increasingly heavy camera gear behind me. Through customs and then, thankfully, some familiar faces. Isak Pretorius and Shem Compion of C4 Images are there to meet us. Introductions to the rest of the group and we are all unceremoniously bundled into two taxis to transfer to the very comfortable Serena Hotel for a good night’s sleep. Dinner is arranged at a local restaurant. The next morning early we head for Wilson Airport and the flight to the Mara. Luckily no big problems with luggage weights as C4 Images has thoughtfully organised a dedicated road transfer for our luggage bags. Cameras are safely stowed along with us.



As we take off and hit the air we can immediately see the lines of wildebeest dotting the landscape. The aerial view affords one a unique perspective of a massive ant colony moving ever forward. I spend almost the whole time on the plane staring transfixed through the window at this awe inspiring spectacle. The plane dips onto a dusty airstrip, we recover our camera bags and are greeted by our driver/guides resplendent in their Masai traditional dress. A contradiction within itself, tartan like fabrics draped in a Romanesque fashion. The mind boggles. We are whisked away in our game drive vehicles to our camp, Entim, tucked inamongst some bushes on the banks of the Mara River, in time for a quick lunch. Preparations ensue to get camera gear ready for our first foray onto the plains of the Mara.



As we drive out of the Camp no amount of information has prepared me for the spectacle I am about to witness. As we are there to see the greatest migration of animals in the world the first priority is a river crossing. But on the way one stumbles over other animals and the shutters start their furious symphony.



On our first drive we saw more wildebeest than we could count, a tawny eagle perched deliciously close for a shot or two, a lonely elephant on the horizon and while taking this shot the realisation hits that the light and contrasts in colour make a magical combination to produce photographs that you will never get anywhere else in the world. Next in line is a cheetah whose soft creamy colours compliment the golden shades in the grass followed in quick succession by two sub adult lions perched atop a termite mound surveying the land. Then the light starts fading fast and we catch a breathtaking chocolate box sunset that only the Mara can produce. This short drive sets the scene for the next six manic days where we race from pillar to post chasing the next sighting. It all happens in such quick succession so that not a day goes past without the frenzied downloading of flashcards being a constant après safari occupation. In camp the single source of power is overloaded with chargers and laptops and soon the lounge becomes the meeting place where we all compare notes and socialise incessantly. Rest and relaxation is not on the agenda.



It is an almost surreal situation. Far removed from any form of civilisation you can immerse yourself in the task at hand, lose yourself in the moment and simply be absorbed into the landscape of Africa. Food becomes an insignificant irritant and sleep however interrupted fades into ignonimity as an essential life support. The anticipation each day of something new to see, something exceptional to photograph takes over all thoughts and one becomes obsessive in thought and deed.



There are too many photographs to post so here is a small selection. They need no descriptions to enhance their enjoyment. You are invited to feast your eyes, hopefully enjoy what you see and proactively further the causes to preserve each and every inch of Africa’s wilderness so that your children, your grandchildren and your grandchildren's children will be able to enjoy what is the essence of Africa.



Every day on the Mara proved to be better than the one before. We got to see four river crossings where the manic behaviour of the wildebeest was a thing of beauty to behold. The photographic opportunities just went on and on. Predators were having a field day and they were well fed and fat. The light each day seemed to be better than the previous day. We could stay out in the rain and still get shots. We were never bored.



This is one destination that I can fully understand becomes addictive. It is also a destination that should be on everyone’s bucket list to do before they die. Never mind 1000 things to do before you die. JUST VISIT THE MARA!



This article originally appeared on Christine Lamberths blog here.

Read more about our 2011 Masai Mara Tours here.


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Sabie Sands Wildlife Photography Workshop by Albie Venter

For the past few months we at Africa Unlocked have presented the very popular C4 Images and Safaris wildlife photographic courses in Hoedspruit in the Lowveld. This past weekend we have had the wonderful opportunity to host the course on a private concession in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve adjoining the Kruger National Park, an area encompassing more than 2 million hectares! This acclaimed region didn’t disappoint as within the first two game drives we managed to log up all of the big five!! Quite a feat considering the course only officially started on the Saturday morning, well after our second game drive!





It’s always such a pleasure hosting likeminded and very enthusiastic photographers and from my side a huge thank you to you all who made the stay in the “Sands” so enjoyable. In order to maintain our high level of personal attention all future courses will be limited to small groups only.



Some comments from the participants:

The course was very educational and I found the subjects help full. The course material was also very use full afterwards.
The instructor has excellent knowledge of the subject. - David Bertram

The course was very educational and I found the subjects helpfull. The course material was also very use full afterwards and the instructor has excellent knowledge of the subject. - Christiaan Willemse

I can honestly say that the course was very helpful especially the following subjects:1. Light and types of light helped me a lot2. Different functions of the camera especially when shooting a fast moving subject3. I learnt a lot about the camera that I use, functions that I never knew exist or have never used before - Neels de Kock

We will be hosting another course during the first weekend of April. Click here for more details or contact us directly for more info and to secure your place.



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Madagascar: A Wildlife Wonderland

When Madagascar broke off Africa 160 million years ago I wonder if anyone knew just how precious its cargo was. Each time I travel to this island I am constantly amazed at the uniqueness, the evolutionary process and the levels of endemism. It is truly a wonderland of discovery. Think about it-in the last year they have discovered new trees, three new frogs and a new carnivore. That is not even mentioning the vast amount of undiscovered insects that scientists haven't had the time to describe.



Of course our C4 tour in November wasn't about discovering new species, it was about photographing the iconic ones. With a specific itinerary in place, we worked hard on getting great images of the wailing Indri, Chameleons, Ring tail Lemurs and the Dancing Verreaux's Sifakas. Our itinerary was based on maximizing our time in the best locations and having exclusive access to some very productive areas. Of course our local knowledge allowed us access to places that not many people get to, so the time we spent with the sifakas and ring tails was just brilliant. We had access for two whole days while no other people were around at all. Something not quite common in Madagascar!

Below are a few of the images form the trip. Hope you enjoy them!
























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A Photo Guide's Year with C4 by Albie Venter

I cannot believe how much time flew. I was still thinking of putting these pics up about a month ago. Well in the meantime Christmas has come and gone and I already need to process the last Kenya pics. It has been almost a full year now since I have been guiding C4 Images and Safaris trips to Tuli and in the process have come to know the many and varied moods of this remarkable wilderness.



What striked me most of this last trip to Mashatu was how everything has come full circle since my first trip in April 2010. During April the area had excessive flooding and we almost got washed down the river.
On our last visit the last of some of the pools had dried up completely leaving the hundreds of Tilapia and Side striped Barbs stranded. A feast for the numerous storks, kingfishers and Herons. We even noticed tracks of Black backed Jackals frequenting these easy pickings.



Fortunately the rains were not far and several millimetres fell during our stay bringing much needed respite, especially to the fish! The area transformed from dry dusty stubble to a parklike environment in a few days and I cannot wait to get there soon to witness the next stage of this ephemeral region.



The thought then came up that as photographers we are always so focussed in getting the ultimate shot that at times we miss the dramas in nature unfolding everywhere around us. And it is often only when you are really aware of the area when the decisive shots present themselves.

Mashatu Photo Workshop: 16 - 20 March
Mashatu Photo Workshop: 16 - 20 June
Mashatu Photo Workshop: 05 - 09 August






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Okavango Delta Photo Safari - Client Images

During December one of our clients, Michael Parker, spend 12 days on our Okavango Delta Photo Safari and 5 days at Chiefs Camp on our Chiefs Island Photo Workshop. Here is a selection of his images taken whilst on safari.







































Chiefs Island Photo Workshop: 2-6 November 2011
Chiefs Island Photo Workshop: 7-11 December 2011



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