From
ZAR 1,899.00
Group Size
10-Guests
Location
Mongena GR
Next Tour
14 Jun’ 2025
1 Day | Boat Experience & Breakfast | Expert-Guided | Small Group (Max 10 Guests)
Morning Birding Photography Boat Cruise at Mongena
This is no ordinary boat ride. It’s a premium, limited-space experience designed specifically for birders and photographers. With only 10 guests on board, you’ll have space to shoot, freedom to move, and expert guidance to help you capture iconic African waterbirds in stunning light.
The cruise departs early for golden-hour light and calm water — ideal conditions for photographing species like:
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African Pygmy Goose
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Malachite Kingfisher
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Goliath Heron
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African Fish Eagle
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African Jacana
Whether you’re chasing lifers, building your portfolio, or just soaking in the silence of the dam at dawn, this is a birding experience you’ll remember.
🛶 Birding from a Boat
1 Morning | Photography-Focused | Only 10 Spots
📍 Location: Mongena Private Game Reserve (1hr from Pretoria/Johannesburg)
📸 Focus: Bird photography from a stable boat – private experience
📸 Itinerary: One Morning. Maximum Shots.
05:30 – Arrive at Mongena with coffee and camera gear in hand
06:00 – Launch: Golden hour on the water. Calm. Quiet. Perfect reflections.
Expect Malachite Kingfisher, African Fish Eagle, Black Crake, African Jacana, White-backed Duck, Water Thick-Knee, Black Heron, Little Bittern, African Rail, Blue-billed Teal, and loads more.
07:30 – Floating Coffee Stop – Warm up with a hot cup of coffee and a rusk, and reset your lens while the boat drifts through the reeds.
09:00 – Final Shots & Return – Wrap up with close-up bird portraits and scenic frames before returning to the lodge for breakfast.
09:30 – Hot Breakfast & Photo Recap – Head back for a hearty breakfast and a relaxed reflection on the morning’s photographic highlights.
11:30 – Departure
Why This Trip Is Different
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Boat-Based: Get angles you can’t from land.
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Limited to 10 photographers: No crowding. Plenty of space.
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Bird Guide + Photographer-Coach: You’re not guessing — you’re guided.
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Photography Specific: We don’t just chase totals, we focus on GETTING THE SHOT!
TOUR RATE
RATE PER PERSON
ZAR 1,899.00 p/person
GROUP SIZE
MIN 6 / MAX 10
We keep our groups small to offer the best photo opportunities for everyone on the boat
TOUR INCLUSIONS
INCLUDED ON TOUR
Professional Birding & Photography Guide
Boat Cruise On Mongena Dam
Water, Coffee, Tea & Rusks
Breakfast After The Cruise
All Conservation & Entry Fees
TOUR EXCLUSIONS
EXCLUDED ON TOUR
Transfers To Mongena Private Game Reserve and Back
Items Of A Personal Nature
Pre/Post-Tour Accommodation
Gratuities
