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panthera private SAFARIS
Book professional field guide and award-winning wildlife photographer Lance van de Vyver as your private guide throughout your journey and benefit from his photography tuition and safari experience from beginning to end.
Luxury Safari Destinations with Panthera Safaris
From ballooning over the Masai Mara to paddling down the Zambezi River and cruising through the territory of lions, we create safari experiences that will speak to the unique needs of our clients.
Our team is compact and we are based in South Africa where we have been able to live our dream and accumulate experiences that have shaped what Panthera represents. The travel expeditions we create and lead for our guests are strewn with adventure, romance, and luxury in the most sought after wildlife destinations in Africa and beyond. As an owner-run operation, every element of your journey – whether it be a tailor-made travel itinerary or a privately guided photographic workshop – is overseen with meticulous care and attention to detail.
To travel with Panthera is to photograph the world’s most iconic wild animals in their natural habitat, to participate in life-changing wildlife conservation projects, and to experience the best in safari hospitality, worldwide.
WHY HAVE A PRIVATE GUIDE?
A private guide elevates your entire travel experience, not just your game drives and wildlife encounters.
You will benefit from the expert knowledge of a seasoned wildlife and photographic guide, but you will also have hands-on assistance with your travel arrangements, check-ins, and communications along the course of your itinerary. This is the ideal way to journey through a new country or cover a variety of safari destinations seamlessly and in the company of a qualified pro.
As a photographer, a private guide will be there to give you tutelage and advice as you require it, enhancing your experience behind the lens. With a practiced history working in wilderness environments, Lance can advise on appropriate camera gear and equipment in particular wildlife sightings, and predict the behaviour of animals. setting you up to capture the best images you possibly can. It is a one-on-one dedicated experience.
From a customised safari point of view, opting for a private guide means total personalisation of the journey. Private game viewers for you and your family, an adaptable safari schedule designed to suit your needs, more time in the field, at photographic hides, or searching for specific species.
It is an entirely exclusive, tailor-made experience.
A CRAFTED JOURNEY
A privately guided experience is crafted specially for you, with your preferences and priorities in mind. When using Panthera Safaris as your Private Guide, we ensure:
- Exclusivity – your own safari schedule dictating time spent on game drive, at a hide, or a waterhole.
- One-on-one tuition – personal tutelage and advice from Lance on photographic technique and equipment.
- Private vehicle – a game viewer dedicated to you, which means more space on board and more freedom on safari.
- Freedom in sightings – the ability to look for certain species or remain in a sighting for longer than usual.
YOUR DESTINATIONS
Select your dream destination with your priority in mind – whether it be photography, big cats, or star-gazing – and allow us to ensure your destination delivers. A private guide will:
- Prioritise your sightings or photography goals in each destination
- Liaise with teams in each destination to ensure your needs are met
- Advise on seasonal changes, animal behaviour, or availability of activities at various destinations.
- Handle all the logistics and administrative tasks related to travel, transfers, and check-ins
YOUR ACCOMMODATION
Choose the accommodation that appeals to your level of luxury, comfort, budget, or location. This is your customised experience and we will ensure you find your dream accommodation in your destination of choice.
BUCKETLIST SPECIES
If you’re intent on locating some of the rarer species, migratory birds, or wildlife adapted to specific habitats, a private guide can maximise your chances by:
- Advising you, pre-travel, about the right location, season, and circumstances for targeting certain species
- Maximising your time in the right areas to increase your chances of landing your special sighting
- Conducting your game drives with your goal in mind, so that all efforts are focused on locating your bucket list species
Why choose Panthera Photo Safaris?
With Africa in our hearts and years spent guiding and travelling to wildlife destinations around the world, our small team operates from experience.
We offer fair and completely transparent pricing. Our rates are no more than booking direct with the lodges, but come with the advantage of all additional services and logistics included in your itinerary.
We offer fair and completely transparent pricing. Our rates are no more than booking direct with the lodges, but come with the advantage of all additional services and logistics included in your itinerary.
First Hand knowledge
We’ve explored our own back yard and we’ve jetted to the small corners of the earth to discover our natural world. Let our first-hand knowledge guide you.Owner Operated
Founders Kirstin and Lance are hands-on throughout your travel process and are present during your privately-guided journey.Africa Based
We are located in the hub of the safari scene, in the Greater Kruger region of South Africa. Working from Africa and in Africa is the secret to our success.