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Family Business

As Small Group Specialists for over 20 years, our photo safaris are built on decades of field experience and driven by the wild™ — ensuring every guest is perfectly positioned for the photography experience of a lifetime.

Our Roots: 17 Years at the Gates of Kruger 

WILD4 African Photo Safaris is a family-owned and operated business born from a deep respect for the African wilderness. For 17 years, we were based in Nelspruit, South Africa—just 45 minutes from the gates of the iconic Kruger National Park. It was here that we learned to tune into the rhythm of the bush, discovering that the most thrilling wildlife encounters come to those who prioritize patience, ethics, and the quiet observation of nature.

A Global Journey: From South Africa to Tasmania

In 2019, our family began a new chapter, moving to the beautiful island of Tasmania, Australia. While our home is now in Hobart, our expertise and passion remain firmly rooted in African soil. This global perspective allows us to offer world-class service to our international clients while maintaining our status as true African safari insiders.

The Family Behind the Lens

We believe the best safaris are those that feel like you are traveling with friends. Our unique strength lies in combining world-class logistics with deep bush expertise:

  • Justyna: Brings an extensive background in luxury service and global travel logistics. Her career spans from the prestigious halls of Harrods in London to world-class luxury cruise liners, ensuring a level of personalized care that is truly unique. Additionally, Justyna spent years working for a top travel consolidator in the UK, specializing in building complex Round-the-World itineraries and technical flight logistics. As a qualified guide and talented photographer herself, she ensures your journey is as seamless as the light at dawn.

  • Stu: The heart of our field operations. Born and raised in Africa, Stu is a qualified Field Guide (FGASA) with over 25 years of professional experience in the bush. With a BA (Hons) in Wildlife Photography, he is a previous winner of the "African Wildlife" category in the prestigious Nature’s Best Photography competition. His award-winning work has been featured on Nat Geo Wild and exhibited at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Stu personally designs every WILD4 itinerary to ensure you are perfectly positioned for the shot of a lifetime.

  • Our Legacy: Our business was built with the loving support of my parents, John and Ann, and today we continue that legacy alongside our daughters, Molly and Jenny.

Our Philosophy: More Than Just a Booking

We don’t just book tours; we carefully plan every detail of your safari to ensure you are in the right place at the right time. From specific vehicle setups and specialized beanbag placement to understanding light angles and animal behavior, we obsess over the technical details so you can focus on your art.

We lead our expeditions with a deep respect for the wild, giving animals the space they deserve. We’ve found that when you approach the bush with this attitude, the wildlife often chooses to come to you, creating a much more intimate encounter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why choose a WILD4 small-group safari over a standard tour? Standard tours often pack vehicles, but we limit our groups to ensure every photographer has unobstructed access to both sides of the vehicle. We don't just find animals; we are highly sensitive to lighting angles and clean backgrounds, positioning the vehicle specifically to help you create a masterpiece rather than just a snapshot.

Do I need to be a professional photographer or have expensive gear to join? Not at all. We welcome everyone from absolute beginners to seasoned pros. Because our groups are small, we provide one-on-one coaching tailored to your specific gear and skill level. Whether you are using the latest mirrorless setup or a bridge camera, we ensure you leave with a portfolio you are proud of.

Where is WILD4 African Photo Safaris located? Our headquarters are in Hobart, Tasmania, but our heart and operations remain deeply embedded in Africa. This unique "Hobart-to-Africa" connection allows us to provide seamless booking and logistics for our global clientele while offering the "on-the-ground" expertise that only decades of African residency can provide.

Close-up of Lion cubs in Masai Mara, Kenya, captured during a WILD4 expert-led African photo safari
Two small Lion cubs in Kenya's Masai Mara

AFRICA SINCE 2003

Our very first photo safari ran in 2003 and since then we have focussed exclusively on Africa's photographic hotspots. 

We offer photographic tours to South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania and Namibia. These countries offer an amazing variety of wildlife and landscapes along with excellent tourism facilities.

We have forged great partnerships with camps and lodges that are in the best locations for easy access to the wildlife. 

Award-winning photographer Stu Porter using a 500mm lens on a specialized WILD4 safari vehicle
We pay attention to photographic details

PHOTOGRAPHIC DETAILS

We feel strongly that the following principles and photographic details are crucial to the success of a photo safari:

  • Quick response to clients' enquiries and personal attention to each client's travel needs
  • Specialisation in small groups of only 3 to 6 photographers per tour
  • Access to BOTH sides of the safari vehicle for unobstructed photography
  • Careful planning of logistics to ensure maximum time in the field
  • Use of locations that, through experience and over time, have consistently offered excellent photo opportunities
  • Specially designed photographic PLAT4ORMS on the safari vehicles we use at all locations
  • Photo tuition and guidance available on all Photo Safaris led and hosted by Stu Porter
  • Regular use of the same local driver/guides, who are familiar with the needs of photographers through our training manual and who operate to our specific guidelines
  • An ethical approach to wildlife photography and genuine respect for the animals we photograph and the environment they live in

Sticking to the above principles and details has been the number one reason why we have a high percentage of repeat clients and clients who approach us via word of mouth.