My 2022 and 2023 safari itineraries include a stay at a private house with a water level, underground photography hide at a big 5 watering hole.
For this special itinerary we start with our classic itinerary, already full of highlights such as the Sabi Sands leopards and Kruger Park, then add something very special: 2 nights in the Baluli Reserve (part of the Greater Kruger region). Here guests will be steps away from this new underground photographic and wildlife hide perched at the edge of a busy watering hole. The hide is also positioned for wonderful night sky photography. Inside there is ample space for photographers to sit in office chairs and mount cameras on sturdy supports or rest them on bean bags.
With no limits on use, guests can visit the hide day or night to watch wildlife and get breathtaking images from a unique angle. Wifi is available in the hide, charging points are numerous, and there is refreshment in the form of water, a refrigerator, and a bench for resting. The water is 60cm from the opening of the shutters and wildlife comes incredibly close. Lights for night spotting and photos are controlled from inside the hide.
Other hides of this type have become popular in recent years, but the difference here is that the hide is right at our accommodations and does not require a vehicle to get to and is not restricted to certain hours of use like at the luxury lodges. I have been to some of these lodges and you are only paying for a 2 – 3 hour time slot either in the morning during the game drives or in the evening.
Being on a big 5 reserve that is contiguous to Kruger National Park means we will have the chance to see anything from giraffes to elephant, lions, leopards, and wild dogs. The hide has some spot lights and is positioned to face the Milky Way for star photography.
Check out our safaris and you will find them to be full of the best areas for wildlife in South Africa at a very good value price.
Gregory Sweeney is your host and guide for this safari and as part of the safari we stay at his tree house lodge.
Safari details and prices are found at. Safari with Hide Details
