Andrew Aveley | Private Nature & Culture Guide and Wildlife Photographer

Private Safaris in Southern Africa and Photographic Guiding

Explore private safaris in South Africa with Andrew Aveley, including personally guided journeys in Kruger National Park, Greater Kruger, the Lowveld and selected Southern African destinations.

Private safaris, photographic journeys, birding experiences and practical photography guidance are shaped around your interests, experience and preferred pace. Whether you travel with a professional camera, a mobile phone, binoculars or simply a desire to spend meaningful time in nature, the experience remains personal and flexible.

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Kruger National Park | Greater Kruger | The Lowveld | Selected Southern African Destinations

Kruger National Park Photography

Explore Photographic Experiences

A More Personal Way to Experience the Wild

A private safari should feel personal. It should allow time to observe, ask questions, enjoy the landscape and respond to what is happening in the field rather than rushing between sightings.

Andrew’s safaris and photographic experiences are designed for solo travellers, couples, families and small private groups. Each journey is planned around the guests, the destination and the interests that matter most to them.

Some guests want to improve their wildlife photography. Others are passionate about birds, animal behaviour, landscapes or simply spending time in the African bush. Many enjoy a combination of everything.

You do not need to be a serious photographer to travel with Andrew. Photography guidance is available whenever it is helpful, but a general private safari will never be turned into a formal photography workshop unless that is specifically what you have booked.

The goal is to create an experience that feels unhurried, thoughtful and genuinely connected to the destination.

Private Safaris and Photography Experiences at a Glance

Personally guided private safaris
Experiences for solo travellers, couples, families and small groups
Private photographic guiding
Wildlife and bird photography
Photography workshops and mentoring
Kruger National Park and Greater Kruger experiences
Selected Southern African destinations
Flexible itineraries shaped around guest interests
Ethical wildlife viewing and responsible fieldcraft
Practical, understandable photographic guidance
More than two decades of field and photographic experience

Andrew Aveley guiding guests during a private safari

Choose the Experience That Suits You

Private Safaris

Enjoy a private safari built around your interests, travel style and available time.

Private guiding provides greater flexibility than a fixed group tour. It allows the daily approach to be adjusted according to wildlife activity, weather, light, guest energy levels and the natural rhythm of the destination.

Andrew welcomes solo travellers, couples, families and small private groups. Guests do not need to be photographers or experienced safari travellers.

Explore Private Safaris

Private Photographic Safaris

Private photographic safaris offer more time to work with light, behaviour, positioning, backgrounds and the changing conditions of the field.

These experiences are suitable for photographers at different skill levels. Guidance can include camera settings, autofocus, exposure, composition, anticipation and practical wildlife fieldcraft.

The emphasis is not on racing between sightings. Patience, respectful positioning and time spent observing often create better photographic opportunities than pressure ever will.

Explore Photographic Safaris

Wildlife photographed during a private safari in South Africa

Bird Photography and Birding

Bird photography requires a particular combination of patience, technical understanding and awareness of behaviour.

Private bird photography guiding and small-group workshops may include birds in flight, perched portraits, environmental images, feeding behaviour, identification and ethical fieldcraft.

Birders who are not primarily photographers are also welcome. The experience can be shaped around birding, photography or a practical combination of both.

Explore Bird Photography Experiences

Photography Workshops and Mentoring

Andrew offers practical photography workshops, field-based learning and private mentoring for photographers who want to understand their equipment and improve the way they approach subjects.

Guidance is explained in plain language and adapted to the photographer’s existing experience. The aim is not merely to memorise settings, but to understand why a particular approach works and when it needs to change.

Workshop and mentoring subjects may include wildlife photography, bird photography, composition, light, camera controls, image selection and editing workflow.

Explore Workshops and Mentoring

Bird photographed in natural light in the South African Lowveld

Private Safaris in South Africa Shaped Around You

Andrew Aveley is a professional wildlife photographer, registered Private Nature and Culture Guide, safari host and photography educator based in the South African Lowveld.

He has spent more than two decades photographing and exploring the wildlife, birds, landscapes and wilderness areas of Southern Africa. His experience combines photographic understanding with practical guiding, teaching and time spent observing nature in changing field conditions.

Andrew’s approach is built around several simple principles.

Private and Personal

The experience is shaped around the people travelling, not around a fixed group timetable.

There is space to discuss interests, adjust the daily plan and spend meaningful time with subjects that genuinely interest you.

Patient Fieldcraft

Wildlife does not work to a timetable and rarely follows the plan prepared before breakfast.

Andrew’s guiding approach favours patience, careful observation, appropriate distance and quiet positioning rather than placing pressure on wildlife or guests.

Photography Without Pressure

Photographic guidance is available when needed and can be as detailed or informal as the guest prefers.

Beginners are supported without being overwhelmed, while experienced photographers have the flexibility to concentrate on light, behaviour, composition and more specific goals.

More Than the Sighting

A rewarding safari is not measured only by the number of animals seen.

The landscape, changing light, tracks, sounds, smaller species, birds and unexpected field moments all contribute to understanding and enjoying a destination.

This broader connection is central to Andrew’s guiding and photographic philosophy:

Connecting with Nature and Light.

Learn more About Andrew Aveley

Wildlife photographed during a private safari in South Africa

Where Andrew Guides

Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park offers an extraordinary variety of habitats, wildlife, birds and photographic opportunities.

Private guiding can be planned around a particular region, camp, season or area of interest. Experiences may range from private day safaris to longer journeys through different parts of the park.

The daily route is influenced by conditions, recent activity, seasonal movement, light and the interests of the guests rather than a rigid checklist of sightings.

Explore Private Kruger Safaris

Greater Kruger

The private reserves of Greater Kruger offer intimate wildlife viewing, experienced guiding teams and access to areas beyond the public road network.

These destinations can suit guests looking for a lodge-based experience, specialist photographic opportunities or a more exclusive safari setting.

The most suitable reserve and property will depend on the type of experience, travel dates, group size, budget and availability.

Explore Greater Kruger Experiences

Selected Southern African Destinations

Andrew also guides and hosts selected photographic and nature-based journeys beyond the Kruger region.

Each destination presents different landscapes, wildlife behaviour, seasonal conditions and photographic challenges. These journeys are selected and planned according to the experience being offered rather than simply adding another pin to the map.

Explore Southern African Experiences

Elephant in. Golden Light in Mana Pools during a private Kruger safari

Featured Safaris and Workshops

Private Kruger Safaris

Personally guided journeys through Kruger National Park for solo travellers, couples, families and small private groups.

Plan a Private Kruger Safari

Kruger Photographic Safaris

Private photographic guiding focused on natural light, animal behaviour, fieldcraft and practical camera support.

Explore Kruger Photographic Safaris

Bird Photography Workshops

Small-group workshops combining specialist bird knowledge with practical photography guidance in Kruger and the Lowveld.

View Bird Photography Workshops

Wildlife Photography Workshops

Practical field-based workshops for photographers who want to strengthen their camera control, composition and approach to wildlife photography.

View Wildlife Photography Workshops

Andrew Aveley assisting a participant during a wildlife photography workshop take a photo of these African Wild Dogs

What Guests and Photographers Say

“

Andrew you are a gentleman – and your work speaks for you. Keep following that pathway to bliss with energy and creativity – we will always look for your work.

Warm regards – J and A

Jonathan and Angela Scott

Canon Ambassadors, National Geographic Explorers and Discovery TV Hosts

“

From the first time we met Andrew, and spent time with with him as a professional photographer and teacher, our trips would not have been complete and as amazing as they were. Andrew was incredibly generous with his time and knowledge.

Andrew allowed us to explore simple but very effective ways of using the camera, and the shots we achieved from the holiday are amazing and very satisfying. We will have the pleasure of enlarging a number of them for framing to capture our memories on our home walls.

Sarsha & Joe Rinkovec - Australians in Love with Africa

Safari Guests - Madikwe, Kgalagadi, Lowveld Panorama route, Kruger National Park

“

I had the pleasure of experiencing a week-long Wilderness Photography Workshop with Andrew. With his outstanding experience in wildlife photography, this was a very special experience.

Due to his outstanding experience, he is able to excellently adapt in the field to the special conditions of each individual trip, analyze the photographic challenges and surprise us again and again with his amazing creativity.

Thomas Weidner - Germany

Safari Guest - Wilderness Photography and Kruger National Park

“

Andrew is a magical Photographer with knowledge that he brings into your life if you are passionate about photography. Not only his personality , but also the way he conveys his knowledge makes him such a special person.Thanks to him, I learned a lot about my way of photography.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this unique time spent on the course in Makuleke.

Natalia Humecka

Safari Guest - Wilderness Photography, Kruger National Park

“

Without a doubt one of the wildlife photographers that I always turn to for advice, help or just a chat over a cup of coffee.

Andrew is a great narrator and shares his passion and knowledge through his work.

Abri & Genine Krieglar

Safari Guests - Madikwe Private Game Reserve

“

Canon South Africa have had him to present training sessions for beginners , workshops for enthusiasts and presentations to a vast variety of end-users with a very wide range of skill sets in photography and printing. He is a specialist wildlife and landscape photographer that has developed skills and helps in the mentoring and development of other photographers.

He is also part of the Judging Panel at the Field Guides of South Africa, Safari Guide of the Year with Canon. Andrew is equally comfortable talking to small groups in a classroom or event crowds bigger than 1000 in auditoriums.

Roger Machin

Canon South Africa and Photographer

“

Andrew is a great teacher and fantastic host. Our time in the bush was spectacular and he did everything in order to make our stay as pleasant and instructive as possible.

He met the needs of every photographer on a very individual basis thus maximizing benefits for myself and the other participants. We are excited to join him again in a new adventure in Africa.

Phillip & Nadine - Switzerland

Safari Guest - Greater Kruger, Timbavati, Kruger National Park, The Kgalagadi

“

I phoned Andrew to ask his opinion on different Canon cameras on Thursday and after about a 30 minute discussion with him I was frantically trying to get myself organized to get on his course the following Tuesday.

Andrew is full of passion about anything related to photography, wildlife and light. Within that 30 minute phone call he already had me thinking differently about photography and I just had to experience one of his courses in the pristine bushveld of Makuleke, Northern Kruger. It was not to disappoint! Andrew’s Knowledge in the subject, to the smallest detail, is never ending and a little overwhelming at first but he is able to explain and put it all together to understand in real life situations within the field.

Terry Pickard

Safari Guest - Wilderness Photography

“

Fantastic photographic guide. I have been on this journey from the day Andrew found his love for the African Bush and photography. I can highly recommend him as a guide.

He is leading another safari for me in October in the Sabie Sands and my party can’t wait to learn more from him.

Liesl Koch

Safari Guest - Greater Kruger, Sabi Sands, Garden Route, Kgalagadi

“

Andrew has always proven to be a thoroughly professional wildlife photography guide in our interactions with him.

Has a great passion for his chosen craft

Rod Herring

Zambezi Voyager - Botswana

“

“Thank you all for your generosity and willingness to contribute your work to “Prints for Wildlife”.

Without you this whole fundraiser wouldn’t be possible and we can’t thank you enough for being a part of this!”

Pie & Marion

Prints for Wildlife

“

`` Blown away by the kindness and the lengths our photographers go to for our cause, particularly in such a challenging year``

Thank you so much to all you have done to make a diffeerence to our wildlife.... ``

Margot Raggett

Remembering Wildlife

“

Your professionalism in organising our time to best advantage and you humour in putting up with us made the trip. It was a wonderful trip and ranks really highly amongst the best we’ve ever done, even better than our first trip to Botswana

Angela & Trevor - United Kingdom

Safari Guests - Botswana & The Kgalagadi

Start Planning Your Safari or Photography Experience

Every private safari, photographic journey and mentoring experience begins with a conversation.

Tell Andrew where you would like to travel, what interests you most, who will be joining you and what you hope to experience. He can then help determine the most suitable destination, structure and approach for your journey.

Visible contact details:

Email: andrew@andrewaveley.co.za
Website: www.andrewaveley.co.za

Private safaris, practical photography and meaningful time in nature.

Connecting with Nature and Light.

HOMEPAGE FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a photographer to book a safari with Andrew?

No. Andrew’s private safaris are suitable for photographers and non-photographers. The daily experience is shaped around the interests of the guests, and photography guidance is provided only when wanted.

Can solo travellers book a private safari?

Yes. Solo travellers can book private guiding and customised safari experiences. The itinerary, accommodation and transport arrangements will depend on the destination, dates and length of the safari.

Are Andrew’s safaris suitable for couples and families?

Yes. Private safaris can be planned for couples, families and small private groups. Age, mobility, interests, accommodation requirements and preferred daily pace should be discussed during the planning process.

Where does Andrew guide?

Andrew primarily guides in Kruger National Park, Greater Kruger and the South African Lowveld. Selected journeys and photographic experiences are also hosted in other Southern African destinations.

Can Andrew help me with my camera during the safari?

Yes. Andrew can provide practical assistance with camera settings, autofocus, exposure, composition and field technique. The level of guidance can range from occasional assistance to a fully photography-focused safari.

Are wildlife sightings guaranteed?

No. Wildlife sightings, species, weather and photographic conditions cannot be guaranteed. Routes and daily plans are adjusted according to current conditions and available information, but the experience always takes place within a natural and unpredictable environment.