Tembe Wildlife Photography Workshop

Tembe Elephant Park • KwaZulu-Natal
18–22 April 2027 • 3–7 October 2027
VIEW DATES & PRICING
👉️  NATURE & WILDLIFE

Tembe Wildlife Photography Workshop 2027

Five days of wildlife, photography and practical learning in the heart of elephant country.
APRIL 2027 | OCTOBER 2027
Small Group • Maximum 6 Photographers per Guide

2027 Workshop Dates, Pricing & Availability

Choose from two small-group Tembe wildlife photography workshops.

April Workshop

18-22 April 2027
5 days • 4 nights
5 Places Available

October Workshop

3-7 October 2027
5 days • 4 nights
6 Places Available

Price

R22,560 per person sharing
R27,660 single
Maximum 6 Photographers per Photography Guide
Non-photographer spouses or partners are welcome to accompany participants, subject to availability. Pricing and availability are available on request.  To preserve the intimate, photography-focused nature of the experience, accompanying spouses and partners will travel on the lodge's general game drive vehicle.
30% deposit secures your place.
Balance payable 60 days before the workshop. Terms & Conditions apply.
REQUEST YOUR PLACE
Elephant photographed at Tembe Elephant Par

More than a Photographic Safari

Tembe is an extraordinary place to photograph wildlife, but this workshop is about more than simply coming home with great images. 
Over five days, you'll photograph in real-world safari conditions while developing a better understanding of your camera, autofocus, exposure, light, composition and wildlife behaviour. We'll work together in the field, discuss the decisions behind the photographs and review images along the way.
The goal is not simply to tell you which settings to use. It's to help you understand why you are using them—so that you can make better photographic decisions for yourself, long after the workshop is over.
CONFIDENCE THROUGH UNDERSTANDING.

Why Tembe?

One of South Africa's most distinctive wildlife destinations, offering exceptional photographic opportunities in an intimate wilderness setting.
Big Five
Elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino.
Legendary Elephants
Tembe is renowned for its magnificent elephants and impressive tuskers.
Exceptional Birdlife
A rich diversity of resident and seasonal birdlife.
Wild and Unspoiled
A remote wilderness with an intimate, uncrowded safari experience.
Exclusive Photography
 Our own safari vehicle gives us the freedom to focus on photography, positioning and the best available light.
Stay inside the Reserve
Stay at Tembe Elephant Lodge, inside the reserve and close to the photographic action.
Elephant photographed at Tembe Elephant Park
Femail lion at Tembe elephant Park
Birdlife at Tembe Elephant Park

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"I recently attended a course with Rory at Tembe Elephant Park. As a professional photographer, I was highly impressed at the wealth of photographic knowledge that Rory gave us during the workshop and was able to learn many new aspects of photography that I hadn't learnt before."
Kim Steinberg at Tembe Wildlife Workshop
Kim Steinberg
Professional Photographer
Tembe Wildlife Workshop • 2026

What makes this a Photography Workshop?

This isn't a standard safari with some photography advice added. The experience is structured around photography.
Built around Photography
Photography-Focused Game Drives
Our dedicated vehicle allows us to prioritise photography, positioning and the best available light.
In-Field Coaching
Practical guidance while you're photographing, helping you make better decisions as situations unfold.
Camera, Autofocus & Exposure
Hands-on guidance with camera setup, autofocus and exposure, adapting your settings as conditions change.
Image Review & Feedback
Review selected images and discuss what worked, what could be improved and why.
Built around You
Small Groups — Maximum 6 Photographers per Guide
With no more than six photographers per guide, you’ll receive personal attention and practical in-field guidance.
Pre-Workshop Preparation
An online session before Tembe helps ensure your camera, settings and equipment are ready before you arrive.
Personal Attention
Guidance is adapted to your experience, equipment and individual photographic goals.
All Experience Levels Welcome
The workshop is designed to help you develop your skills from wherever you are in your photographic journey.
The Tembe Experience
Great wildlife photography, shared experiences and five days immersed in the wilderness of Tembe.
Wildlife photographer photographing from a game drive vehicl
Photographers on a Tembe wildlife photography workshop
Tembe Elephant Park Lodge

Included

Everything you need for a focused five-day wildlife photography experience at Tembe.
  • Accommodation at Tembe Elephant Lodge.
  • All meals
  • Beverages
  • Community levy
  • All game drives
  • Photography tuition
  • Image reviews
  • Pre-workshop online session
  • Post-workshop follow-up session
  • Complete Rory Baker Photography Flashcard Collection (Value R1,308)
  • WiFi
  • Gratuities

Not Included

  • Travel to and from Tembe
  • Gate & conservation fees
  • Personal purchases
  • In-room services
  • Travel & medical insurance
REQUEST YOUR PLACE
"We had the opportunity to photograph every day and, most importantly, receive feedback from Rory. I received many valuable tips and feel that my skills have improved significantly. My photos are no longer left to chance; I now know how to adjust my camera settings to achieve the desired results."
Rory Baker Photography School
Sybille von Beck • Germany
Photography Enthusiast
Tembe Wildlife Workshop • 2026

Your Tembe Workshop

Five days of photography, practical learning and time in the field — with the flexibility to make the most of the wildlife and photographic opportunities Tembe presents.
Day 1:  Arrive and Prepare
Arrival • Welcome • Afternoon Game Drive 
Arrive at Tembe Elephant Lodge, settle in and meet the group. We'll go through the workshop, discuss our approach for the days ahead and head out for our first photography-focused game drive.
Days 2–4:  Photograph & Learn
Game Drives • Coaching  • Image Reviews
Morning and afternoon photography-focused game drives form the heart of the workshop. Between drives we'll review images, discuss technique and work on camera settings, autofocus, exposure and composition — with plenty of individual guidance along the way.
Day 5:  One Last Game Drive
Final Game Drive • Wrap-Up Discussion • Depart
One final early-morning opportunity to photograph Tembe before returning to the lodge for breakfast. We'll wrap up the workshop before departure — with our online follow-up session still to come.
Game drive departure times may vary depending on our photographic goals, wildlife activity and conditions on the day. 
Each full day includes early-morning coffee and a light snack before departure, followed by breakfast, lunch, sundowners in the bush and dinner.
REQUEST YOUR PLACE
Rory Baker – professional photographer and photography educator
LEARN • CREATE • GROW
CONFIDENCE THROUGH UNDERSTANDING

Rory Baker

Professional Photographer • Photography Educator • Workshop Host
I'm a professional photographer and photography educator with more than a decade of experience teaching photographers of all levels and hosting wildlife photography workshops. 
I founded Rory Baker Photography School with a simple approach to teaching photography: make the technical understandable, keep the learning practical and help photographers understand why, rather than simply telling them which settings to use. 
During the Tembe workshop I'll work alongside you in the field, helping with camera setup, autofocus, exposure, composition and the photographic decisions that arise as conditions change. 

About Tembe Elephant Park

Wilderness • Conservation • Community
Tembe Elephant Park lies in northern KwaZulu-Natal, close to the Mozambique border, in the unique sand-forest landscape of Maputaland. 
Established to protect the area's elephants and their historic migration routes, Tembe is renowned for its large tuskers and offers an intimate wilderness experience away from the busier safari destinations. 
The reserve is closely connected to the local Tembe community, bringing together wildlife conservation, community involvement and the protection of this remarkable wilderness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before booking your Tembe Wildlife Photography Workshop.
What are the 2027 workshop dates and prices?

Two workshops are available: 18–22 April 2027 and 3–7 October 2027.
The price is R22,560 per person sharing or R27,660 single.
A 30% deposit secures your place.
Balance payable 60 days before the workshop.

Can a non-photographer join the workshop?

Yes.
Non-photographer spouses or partners are welcome to accompany participants, subject to availability.
Pricing and availability will be made available on request.

To preserve the intimate, photography-focused nature of the experience, accompanying spouses and partners will travel on the lodge's general game drive vehicle.

What level of photography experience do I need?

You do not need to be an experienced wildlife photographer. The workshop welcomes photographers from beginner level through to experienced enthusiasts, with guidance adapted to your experience, equipment and photographic goals.

What camera equipment do I need?

A DSLR or mirrorless camera and a telephoto lens are recommended. Bridge cameras are also suitable.
You don't need the latest or most expensive equipment. Before the workshop we'll have an online preparation session to discuss your camera setup, lenses, accessories and recommended settings.

How many photographers are on the workshop?

Group sizes are kept small to ensure plenty of personal attention and practical guidance. There is a maximum of six photographers per photography guide. For larger groups, an additional photography guide will join the workshop.

What does the workshop price include?

Included:
Accommodation.
Meals and beverages.
Game drives, photography tuition, image reviews, pre-workshop preparation, a post-workshop follow-up session.
Complimentary Wildlife & Bird Photography Flashcards.
WiFi.
Community levy.
Gratuities.
Not Included: Travel to Tembe.
Gate and conservation fees.
Personal purchases.
In-room services.
Travel or medical insurance.

Where do we stay?

Accommodation is at Tembe Elephant Lodge, inside the reserve, allowing us to be immersed in the Tembe experience throughout the workshop.
You will stay in luxury tents each with its own private amenities.

How do I secure my place?

First, complete the Booking Form below.
A 30% deposit secures your booking.
The remaining balance is payable 60 days before the workshop.
A maximum of six photographers is allocated to each photography guide.

Can I attend on my own?

Absolutely. You don't need to attend with a partner or friend. The workshop is deliberately kept small, and the shared game drives, meals, photography sessions and image reviews make it a natural group experience.

"I joined a wildlife photography workshop with Rory Baker in Tembe Elephant Park. I learnt so much, but I’m not quite finished yet… I captured special moments during my photography workshop. What a wonderful experience!"
Roosmarie Kuikman
Wildlife Photography Enthusiast
Tembe Wildlife Workshop 2026
"Thanks for the opportunity to learn more and a bonus to enjoy the outdoor. I must say it's a whole new game for me to use only manual on my camera, I've learned so much. I will definitely join you're group courses again."
Samantha van Zyl
Wildlife Photography Enthusiast
Tembe Wildlife Workshop 2026
"Thanks for a great experience!
I enjoyed every minute of the workshop. The theoretical tuition added to the enjoyment. 
All said a superbly planned photography workshop."
MD
Photography Enthusiast
Tembe Wildlife Workshop 2026

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Tembe Wildlife Workshop 2027

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