This safari drone trip is truly an UNIQUE drone photo trip! After 4 years of droning wildlife in South Africa, I decided to open up this experience to my groups in 2024. Now, get ready for the 3rd edition of the safari drone trip already 😍
With a small group of enthusiastic drone photographers we will create the safari experience of a lifetime. A trip that will make you appreciate our precious wildlife even more. A trip to always remember.
Over the course of 5 days we will go on daily safaris to look for wildlife. I will coach you on the spot to improve your drone photography and we’ll discuss composition and how to use movement in our private safari camp. We’ll share best practices and tips in a small group of like-minded participants. And in general we’ll just have a lot of fun on one of the most incredible safari experiences in South Africa.
2026 is sold out now! 😲
Safari drone trip 2026
Interested to join? Enter your email below:
Unfortunately the Safari trips are SOLD OUT for 2026! Fill out your details below to get notified about my other 2026 trips:
Safari drone trip 2026 in a nutshell:
6 people + myself
5 days of safari adventure in South Africa
04-08th OR 10-14th of April (5D/4N)
1 private luxury safari camp with pool
A private chef to prepare us some delicious South African food
2 safari game drives per day!
Wildlife photography with the drone*
Drone coaching in the field
Composition workshops at the camp
All food & drinks included
* flying drones is strictly prohibited in all National Parks in South Africa, because poachers use drones to track endangered rhinos. This trip will be your only safe option to drone wildlife. We will only drone if the animals show a calm and undisturbed behavior. We can encounter lions 🦁, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, rhinos, elephants 🐘, giraffes and herds of zebras, wildebeest, impalas and buffaloes. These animals are wild and need to be treated with the utmost respect!
💡 Focus is 100% on droning, but don’t forget your normal camera (with zoom lens), as there will be plenty of wildlife encounters all day long!
Sleepy lioness – Safari drone trip
Our luxury safari camp in South Africa:
As usual on my drone trips we stay in one location, a luxury safari camp that I have privatized for this occasion. That means we’ll be all alone to do our thing. Next to the daily safari game drives, we can enjoy all the facilities, such as pool, boma (firepit with a view on the waterhole), gym, bar and free wifi.
The safari camp also comes with a waterhole, which attracts animals to come for a drink. And we can observe them from our breakfast table. This is honestly one of the best things! A lot of animals pass through here during the day.
You’ll have the option between a luxury room and a standard room. The luxury rooms come with a complementary outdoor shower! (love those! 😎)
PoolBomaOutdoor shower
Watch actual safari footage from 2024:
This is the showcase video participant Jonty created from the footage he shot on the safari drone trip in 2024. You can see how the animals are calm, unbothered by the drone and continuing their usual activities. You can spot lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, oryx, vultures etc…
Typical day:
Most animals are active between night and day, when the temperatures are low. During the day the sun heats up the land and animals tend to hide in the shadow and take naps. That’s why we need to get up early to see the most activity. Here’s a typical day on the drone trip:
Rise and shine
6:00: departure sunrise game drive 🦁
9:00: back for breakfast
Back-up & charge batteries
Composition workshop
14:00: lunch at the camp
Pool time / relax
16:00 departure afternoon game drive 🐘
19:00: driving back in the dark. Spot some nocturnal animals
Back-up & charge batteries / refresh / shower
20:00 dinner at the camp
Evening drinks & chat by the firepit
Sleep
These timings are indications. We will be flexible to circumstances / opportunities. Both game drives are optional, if you wish to skip one and sleep in, it’s your holiday ☺️
Safari game drive
Safari drone trip pricing:
All prices are all-inclusive, meaning your transportation from Johannesburg airport (JNB), your accommodation (5D/4N), 2x daily game drives and all food & drinks are included.
On top of that you’ll get daily drone coachings in the field and composition workshops from me personally.
Price: €3.600
Single standard room
King size double bed
Ensuite bathroom
With shower
Price: €3.900
Single luxury room
King size double bed
Sitting area
Ensuite dressing
Ensuite bathroom
With bath
+ outdoor shower
Not included: your own flight to Johannesburg
Safari drone trip testimonials:
Unforgettable adventure
Watching Bertie Gregory capture wildlife with a drone made me dream about filming wildlife with my drone. This safari trip made that dream a reality, with an unforgettable adventure capturing rare moments from graceful giraffes to gentle giants like Rhinos. I also got to capture the diverse birds that reflect the beauty and wonder of South Africa’s ecosystem.
The coaching from Johan and the peer learning from other drone enthusiasts made the experience incredible.
Obi Nnabuihe
United States 🇺🇸
Safari drone trip 2024
Fantastic drone safari experience
An African safari was on my bucket list and to be able to fly my drone was the reason to book with Johan. What an exciting adventure! Sharing the passion of flying with 5 like-minded people was so enjoyable. Johan was the perfect organiser and host, the game reserve, accommodation and food was first class. There were 2 daily drives and though tracking the animals was not always easy, it was so exciting to find them and film them from above. The daily workshops on how to set up our drones and edit our photos/videos, personally gave me the knowledge and confidence to fly my drone to the next level. I would highly recommend booking a trip with Johan 🙌
Stephen Brown
United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Safari drone trip 2026
Still on cloud nine 🤩
This drone safari was perfectly organized from start to finish. The experience truly elevated everything – from my skills and the exchange with other pilots to the accommodation, food, and wine. Johan was the perfect host: knowledgeable, easy-going, and always making sure everyone felt at home.
Highly recommended for anyone ready to literally rise above the ordinary! 🚀
Yves Blättler
Switzerland 🇨🇭
Safari drone trip 2026
Already booking my next trip back! 💪
If you are a fan of The Lion King and you can fly a drone, ranging anywhere from an amateur level to a DJI pro, this is a once in a life-time opportunity! Johan guides and leads the team with two private game drives everyday. We are the animals, we live in their world; that is how beautifully the environment has been curated to be. Whilst promoting and prioritising the sustainability of endangered species, accompanied with an unmatched catering and hospitality service, it is a true privilege to be part of this drone project and this certainly won’t be the last with Johan!
Ash Searly
United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Safari drone trip 2026
100% recommended !!!
The truth is that the experience exceeded all expectations! 😍 We had a great group and we had a great time sharing the moments of flying our drones. Being able to share our “photography addiction” with other colleagues is great fun! I 100% recommend the experience even for experienced pilots and photographers. Johan’s lectures on technique and photography are very useful and enjoyable.
Furthermore, in the Safari Drone Trip where I was; the hotel, the safari guides and the food couldn’t be better!
Fran Arnau
Spain 🇪🇸
Safari drone trip 2024
One of a kind African safari
Johan offers an irresistible African safari for drone enthusiasts. I have been on many safaris, but this trip allowed me to drone the wildlife from a bird’s eye view. His coaching at the lodge and in the field was great and it gave me confidence to drone from any platform or vehicle too. I highly recommend Johan’s safari drone trip for anyone that wants a new safari experience! 👍
Roger Nelson
Thailand 🇹🇭
Safari drone trip 2026
10/10 – Would recommend !!!
If you want to have a great time with like-minded “drone addicts”, this was a great trip with a lot of learning, lessons and laughs! Johan was a great help with the ‘on-the-fly’ tips about droning and how to apply them in real life. Johan led great workshops which allowed each of us to compare, discuss and geek out about each other’s drone shots, as well as give each other tips!
The location and the experience of this Safari Drone Trip was unmatched! With great staff, great setting, great company and great food – everything was fantastic! Can’t wait for the 2nd edition! Thank you & pura vida! 😎
Anthony Wheeler
Costa Rica 🇨🇷
Safari drone trip 2024
Highly recommend!
I had an incredible time on the safari drone trip! Even though I brought an older drone, Johan generously lent me his for a few days, which made all the difference. I have learned so much about droning, the landscapes were stunning, the flying was thrilling, and I met some amazing people along the way.
Highly recommended!
Amal Benhamou
Morocco 🇲🇦
Safari drone trip 2025
Not my first trip with Johan and surely not the last one!
Intimate moments in a lodge with nice expendables droners looking for animals, droning, teaching, sharing and good laughs and food in the wild. Awaiting the season 2 of it to go back. Thanks Johan
Noël Nyamsy
Cameroon 🇨🇲
Safari drone trip 2024
Incredible Drone Safari Experience!
Johan organised a fantastic 5-day trip in South Africa that allowed me to capture stunning wildlife visuals with my drone. Every detail – from the scenic locations to the perfect light – was thoughtfully planned. The food and accommodation were excellent too.
A truly unforgettable experience for any drone photographer. Highly recommended!
Kumar Meena
India 🇮🇳
Safari drone trip 2025
My recent trip to Africa with Johan was nothing short of extraordinary. Every detail was thoughtfully handled. The lodge was comfortable, beautiful, and perfectly placed to take in the surrounding landscape. What truly made this experience unforgettable, though, were the people. The team was incredibly welcoming, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about what they do. And the nature … was simply exceptional. Being surrounded by Africa’s raw beauty was both humbling and inspiring. As a photographer, it was a dream come true, every moment felt like something out of a story. If you’re considering an adventure that combines world-class guidance, incredible scenery, and an experience you’ll carry with you forever, I cannot recommend Johan enough 🙌
Jennifer Bakker
United States 🇺🇸
Safari drone trip 2026
My mind is still blown
I had the absolute best time during the African trip with Johan. I was able to see a lot of new animals, improve my drone skills and meet people who share the same passion.
I would love to join another trip sometime in the future! 🙌
Olia Kolokolova
Russia 🇷🇺
Safari drone trip 2026
Flying the drone over elephants, lions, giraffes 😍
When I saw I could fly the drone over elephants, lions, giraffes … I did not hesitate. My experience was great, and we also took workshops that helped us a lot with the composition and quality of our videos.
I highly recommend it! 💪
Fernando Toledano
Spain 🇪🇸
Safari drone trip 2025
A great opportunity!
These drone adventures are a great opportunity to create new material and meet people who share your hobby. This is my second trip with Johan and we have already created an amazing group of friends!
I can attest that traveling with Johan is a great adventure and it pays off! One of the pictures taken on the Safari Drone Trip in 2024 was published on the official DJI Instagram profile!
Fran Arnau
Spain 🇪🇸
Safari drone trip 2025
Unique opportunity to drone on safari
This is my third trip with Johan and it was quite special. I’ve been on many safaris and this trip is truly a unique opportunity to photograph wildlife with the drone. Unlike most of the national parks, we had the whole reserve to ourselves. I was super excited to photograph giraffes, elephants and zebras from an aerial perspective. It is definitely a unique perspective.
As usual, Johan gave us pointers on flying and shooting as well as feedback on our photos and videos. The food was delicious, and it’s always enjoyable to be with like minded people. I hope to do it again next year!
Gina Morello
United States 🇺🇸
Safari drone trip 2025
Amazing experience!
I had a fantastic week with Johan and the group. Its a perfect trip for animal lovers with plenty of incredible sights, but with a whole new perspective! If you’re looking for a more slow-pace/relaxing trip, with plenty of fantastic animal sightings (not just from the game viewer but from the lodge as well!) then this is definitely the trip to go on.
Johan was fantastic as always – this is my second trip with him – and massively improved my droning abilities over the course of the 5 days. Thank you!
Morven Smith
United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Safari drone trip 2025
Great minds think alike
When I saw that Johan released the safari drone trip in South Africa – I booked immediately! I couldn’t miss this chance! ☺️ I learned a lot – it was a perfect mix between both flying drones, but also workshop lessons where we went through settings and looked at the photographs we took during the trip! It was great fun meeting people from all over the world, who share one’s interest in drones and the photo results from this trip were incredible! 😍
Jonas Andersson
Sweden 🇸🇪
Safari drone trip 2024
A good time with great people!
It was a very good and well organized trip. A perfect mix of flying, education, joint analysis of photos and exchange of experiences. A good time with great people! 😍
Piotr Wojciechowski
Poland 🇵🇱
Safari drone trip 2024
Out of the world drone experience
I joined Johan for this very exciting drone adventure of capturing animals in a nature reserve taking off from a safari vehicle. Although I have been flying drones for more than 5 years Johan – who is exceptionally skilled – taught me so much and encouraged me greatly. My learning curve grew exponentially. The comradeship and food was great as well.
I would recommend it to everyone!
James Tan K-M
Malaysia 🇲🇾
Safari drone trip 2025
Amazing Drone Trip!
Not the first time I did a trip with Johan and hopefully not the last! Great friends, great learning and amazing opportunities to drone some really cool landscapes and animals!
I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a drone trip to go on! 🦁
Anthony Wheeler
Costa Rica 🇨🇷
Safari drone trip 2025
Second time around! ☺️
This was my second drone trip with Johan and not the last! I chose to relive last year’s success with drones and safari – which is a perfect combination! The footage from these trips is fantastic and very unique and besides good pictures you also learn a lot!
I think it’s always a nice community during these days and you really make new friends for life! 💪
Jonas Andersson
Sweden 🇸🇪
Safari drone trip 2025
Wonderful bucket list experience 😍
The safari drone adventure really interested me. I dislike zoos and this safari allowed me to drone animals in their habitat. And I survived the trip with all of my limbs 😁 The accommodation was well above my expectations, with 3 exceptional meals a day. I learned a safari will teach you patience, for the animals are not waiting for you; distinguishing between old and new tracks and how to approach animals in the wild. The bonus was to reunite with previously met Adventurers. This was a wonderful bucket list experience!
Irving Donaldson
United States 🇺🇸
Safari drone trip 2024
Connect with nature through your drone lens!
I wanted to join this trip even before I had my first drone ☺️ and the reality exceeded my expectations! It was amazing to immerse in nature and encounter animals in their natural habitat. The luxurious lodge perfectly blended with the adventure vibe. The staff was exceptionally friendly and took great care of us. Working in a small group of people who share the same passion created an inspiring atmosphere for learning and exchanging experiences. And Johan taught us so much practical knowledge — from camera settings to filming techniques. I truly recommend this trip to anyone who loves drones, photography and connecting with nature.
Gosia Czarnecka
Poland 🇵🇱
Safari drone trip 2026
Truly a once in a lifetime experience!
I had a wonderful trip! Flying drones to photograph & video different wildlife in their environment was amazing. Even the weather was way better than I anticipated! Our safari guide was very good and went above and beyond explaining various wildlife. The rooms in the lodge were beautiful with a scenic view on the waterhole, where various animals would pass through. In addition, the staff was very humble and the chef prepared some really delicious meals. Definitely a great experience 👌
Ron Sobers
United States 🇺🇸
Safari drone trip 2024
Chasing views and making drone friends
I had an incredible experience during the safari trip in South Africa. The hands-on learning, stunning views of both animals and landscapes, and support of Johan made it both educational and unforgettable. I also made some amazing new friends along the way — definitely a trip to remember!
My drone game definitely improved and got more confident while flying!
Nabil Makhout
Belgium 🇧🇪
Safari drone trip 2025
Unique perspective 🤯
Catching glimpses of animals sneaking through the bush or watching them in a large open area on a terrestrial safari is already an experience in itself. Being able to spot, frame and track them in their natural habitat from the unique drone perspective is next level. Add the luxury of having an entire luxury lodge, personnel, two vehicles and guides reserved for our small group and this safari drone trip expertly organized and coached by Johan became the ultimate treat. Topped up my memories, in mind and on storage! ☺️
Patrick Lemli
Belgium 🇧🇪
Safari drone trip 2026
Amazing African safari with Johan
I loved that going with Johan on safari, meant all the permits and legalities were taken care of! And his tips and techniques before each safari definitely helped improve my wildlife footage! 🙏
Tris Ratcliffe
United States 🇺🇸
Safari drone trip 2026
All around unique experience!
This is far from my first rodeo with Johan, but I know that I will learn plenty while having a lot of fun, and this trip lived up to all my expectations. Johan gives the right advice for the specific drone and the particular person, making the experience for each participant unique and tailored. Droning animals in motion required a mental shift from my past experiences, and Johan was always ready to help. Add daily workshops to share our content with more tips from Johan, which resulted in visible improvements every day. There is no lack of excitement, good company, and excellent hospitality and I have no hesitation in recommending it 🙌
Dong Long
China 🇨🇳
Safari drone trip 2026
Interested to join? Enter your email below:
Unfortunately the Safari trips are SOLD OUT for 2026! Fill out your details below to get notified about my other 2026 trips:
We leave in ...
South Africa safari drone trip location:
Our private luxury camp is situated 4h drive North of Johannesburg, on the border with Namibia ☺️ (Click to enlarge)
FAQ drone trip:
I'm a beginner, can I join this trip?
Yes, definitely. On every trip I get participants with different experience and skills, and I coach everyone on their own level. You need to be able to fly basic manoeuvres, the rest we'll learn on the trip, through my personal coaching, by learning from each other and through the composition workshops in our villa.
Regardless of your starting point, all participants go home with a much-boosted self confidence while flying the drone and can now fly under any circumstances.
Do I need my own drone?
Yes, you are supposed to bring your own drone and fly your own drone. If you have a spare drone, it's always good to bring it as well. I will also bring a back-up drone in case something happens.
That being said, I guide the participants during all flights and it's very rare that a drone crashes or is lost. Really.
What drones are supported?
I know pretty much all cinematic DJI drones by heart. Most often I see DJI Mavic 2/3 series, DJI Mini 3/4 series, DJI Air 2/3 series. More and more FPV drones as well, such as the DJI Avata 1/2 or the original DJI FPV.
Occasionally, participants also bring an Autel drone, which is completely fine. However I'm less familiar with their app and settings. In the end, it all comes down to the same thing though. So don't worry.
Who is this Johan?
Hi there 👋 I’m a professional drone photographer and educator from Belgium. I’m always traveling around the world to create beautiful and creative drone shots. I love taking photos of spectacular landscapes and looking for cool topdown patterns. My Tatacoa Desert photo won the 'Abstract' category in the prestigious Aerial Photography Awards 2020.
I have worked with brands such as DJI and PolarPro. You can see my videos for the launch of the DJI Mini 3 in 2023 and more recently also for the launch of the DJI Air 3. Commercially I also work a lot with tourism boards and the best luxury hotels all over the world. Atlantis the Royal in Dubai was my latest big hotel project, where I was contracted as the director of aerial photography, spanning both drone photography - with the Inspire 2 - and helicopter shoots.
When I’m not traveling, I like to educate other drone photographers through my drone trips. It's already been 5 years since I launched my first drone trip to the Azores! And ever since, I've been building on this experience to create more unique drone trips for you.
Apart from drone trips, I also do 1-on-1 coachings and run the Drone Adventurers Community.
Where are the other participants from?
My trips have really become very international. I attract participants from the USA, over Europe to Asia. I would say the majority is from Western and Central Europe though. Browse through my testimonials to discover the different countries!
Last time I checked I counted 24 different countries 😲
Will I be the only female in the group?
Actually surprisingly, the majority of my participants are female. About 60% vs 40% male. So you will def. not be the only one. I love having a good gender balance, it makes for the most fun groups.
Can I bring my partner?
No, I only accept drone photographers. No +1's. This is to ensure that the focus remains on the droning and learning aspect of the trip. And we can all nerd out about drones without any interruption or social judgement 😇
You are of course free to add some days before or after the trip with your partner, to explore the destination even more. I would even recommend that.
What if I need to cancel my trip?
In the unfortunate event that you need to cancel your trip, reach out to me immediately!
Before 3 months to departure: You have already paid your down-payment, which is not refundable.
Within 3 months of departure: The 2nd and final payment has been made and is not refundable.
If I still find a replacement for your spot, I will refund you 60% of the final payment and you can keep 60% of the down payment as a credit for a future trip.
FAQ South Africa:
What animals can we expect
In the reserve we can find the BIG5, which are elephants 🐘, rhinos 🦏, lions 🦁, leopards 🐆 and buffaloes 🐃.
Apart from these, we can also spot giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, cheetahs, hyenas, different antelopes (impalas, kudus, sables, elands, waterbucks etc...), warthogs and big vultures.
Are the animals not bothered or stressed by the drones?
Not really. We need to approach slowly. They might look up and investigate this unfamiliar sound at first. However, after a couple of minutes they decide this weird bird is not a threat and they will continue their usual behavior. We have an experienced ranger with us at all times. If he notices weird or stressed behavior, we will back up the drones or even stop droning all together. The animals always get priority!
Secondly, the advantage of using drones is that you don't need to park right next to the animals to see them, as is often the case on traditional safaris. This ensures that the animals are actually less stressed on our game drives.
I will also teach you how to fly the drone around herd animals. When one animal panics, the whole herd goes into flight mode and they all start running. That's behavior that you see on most documentaries. Running animals look spectacular, but it means they are very stressed. So we try to to avoid this at all times.
Is our lodge fenced?
No, the lodge is not fenced. We often see animal tracks going through the camp. Which is one of the exciting elements. However, do not worry. The animals do not enter the buildings and you will not be in any danger.
Is there malaria in South Africa?
Certain regions in the Northeast of South Africa do have a malaria risk. However the private game reserve we'll be staying at is situated in the North, close to Botswana, and has very little mosquitos and NO malaria. So no need to worry about that. A good mosquito repellent is always a good idea.
Do I need any vaccinations for South Africa?
There are no required vaccinations. There is no yellow fever in South Africa.
We are going to meet wildlife, so a refresher for rabies is never a bad idea. A refresher for Tetanus is a good idea as well.
Here are some impressions of my previous safari drone trips in South Africa: