" Bernhard & Hennie Bekker deliver it ALL! From the moment we arrived at Kruger, they worked their magic and made our private safari one of the BEST vacations we have had...EVER!
The Bekker brothers know Kruger. They know where the animals are and are masters at finding them and getting the safari vehicle in the perfect position to get amazing photos. Their knowledge of the myriad of species in Kruger is impressive; they have their iPad ready to go, so in the rare event they do not know the species, they look it up!! Both are accomplished photographers so really know how to work with the light to give you the best chance at nailing the perfect photo. Their open safari vehicle is a photographer's dream, equipped with mounted tripods and bean bags. And their ability to spot animals constantly amazed my husband and myself. They seriously must have 10/10 vision...lol.
We spent 6 amazing days in 2 locations ; Satara and Skukuza. And we saw it all...lions, Casper the white lion, leopards, wild dogs, rhinos, cheetahs, buffalos, elephants, zebras, giraffes, hyena, black-backed jackals, dozens of bird species, and even a flap-necked chameleon! Every day we were more amazed than the day before; it was a safari photographers and animal lovers dream.
Traveling from the U.S. with the current chaos with air travel, we had 2 flights cancelled and ended up getting to the park 2 days late. Bernhard and Hennie took care of the reservation changes needed in the park making our delay no big deal. They were even able to extend our trip with them 2 extra days to make up for the days we missed due to our cancelled flights. They picked us up at Skukuza Airport, and also picked up a 600mm lens I had rented from Hilton Kotze with Africa Photographic Services so it was ready for me to use as soon as we arrived. Bernhard even met us in the park at the end of our trip (we spent an additional 12 days on our own in the park) to retrieve the lens so I didn't have to deal with returning it.
If you are considering a safari trip to South Africa, I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND B1 Photo Safaris. This was our 2nd trip with them, we will most definitely be back, and I wouldn't consider using anyone else. They really are the BEST of the best!! "
27 June 2022
Anynomous
" I’m not sure there is any way that I can do justice via a review to the amazing experience we had on our recent photographic safari with B1 Photo Safaris. This was our second trip to Kruger with B1, the first a 4-day photo safari in 2018, and the second a week+ in September and October 2021.
I’m an avid wildlife photographer and visiting Kruger had long been on my bucket list. When I first planned our trip to Kruger in 2018, I had intended to do a self-drive. But the more research I did, the more I realized that I would have a very difficult time taking the photographs that I wanted from the driver’s seat of a rental car. I began doing research and discovered B1 Photo Safaris, I contacted the company’s owners, Bernhard and Hennie Becker, and they worked with me to adapt the itinerary and rest camp stops I’d already planned into a photo safari using their vehicle. When the time for the trip finally came, it didn’t take long to realize that while the vehicle was a tremendous help (you get the entire open vehicle to yourself and they have extremely useful gimbal mounts strong enough to reliably hold my 500mm f/4) the true benefit of using the company was Bernhard and Hennie’s knowledge. Their ability to spot wildlife and then use their knowledge of the animals’ behavior to better position me for photographs was incredible. And they significantly improved my chances of getting good photographs. Moreover, they were an absolute delight as company, and I stayed in touch with them long after returning to the United States.
This time, I planned my entire Kruger trip around B1 Photo Safaris. I originally planned the trip for 2020, but obviously we had to shift things around due to Covid. We reset the trip for 2021, and I let Bernhard set the itinerary however he wanted, as he’d earned my unquestioning trust after how well the previous trip had gone. In addition to my wife, my mom also joined us on the trip. She’d taken me to Yellowstone repeatedly growing up and had encouraged me to follow my love of photography as an adult; taking her to Kruger was something I really wanted to do. For a year, my mom had to hear my wife and I tell her how much we were looking forward to seeing Bernhard and Hennie again.
Bernhard and Hennie met us in Skukuza and our trip immediately got started. They remembered everything we’d seen on the previous trip, and made plans to help us find the one elusive animal we’d missed the first time (a cheetah). We trusted Bernhard and Hennie, and rather than stay in the more popular southern part of the park, we spent the majority of the time in the Shingwedzi area. Wow did it pay off. We saw more lions than we could count. We had amazing leopard encounters, a couple where we were the only vehicle there and another where we had the best position possible because Bernhard and Hennie perfectly predicted the leopard’s path from one spot to another several hundred meters away 20 minutes before it even happened so that they were able to get me in the PERFECT position for the photo. We even got to see our cheetah, watching it chase an impala at full speed not 20 feet from our vehicle.
For the photographers who’d consider using B1, you cannot go wrong by hiring them to guide your safari. They will do everything possible to make sure your experience is incredible. They will put you in the best position you can be in order to capture the photos that you’ve traveled to South Africa to get. They both are talented photographers, so they will help arrange the trip, itinerary, destinations, and even the position of the vehicle to best suit your style and photography goals. Thanks to Bernhard and Hennie, you will be able to concentrate on your photos and let them capably deal with all the rest.
The only thing I disliked about our trip was that it had to end. But, I have a feeling it won’t be our last trip with B1 Photo Safaris (we’re already talking about going back). I promise you that you’ll feel the same way once you experience a trip with them yourself. "
04 November 2021
Anynomous
" An amazing experience with the Bekker Brothers! My husband and I were well cared for with pick up from Skukuzu airport, and accommodations arranged so we could explore as far north as Shingwedzi, and down to Lower Sabie. I had been following B1 over many years and chose them to help us learn some photography skills while experiencing all Kruger NP had to offer. We were blown away by their patience, knowledge, and spotting skills. Their great personalities made this so much fun; what a bonus to have guides that can share their love of Kruger! We felt the value over attempting this as a self drive, on our own, exceeded our expectations. I’m sure we saw 50x more than we would have solo, and really appreciated learning about animal behavior and the many bush environs rather than just checking off a Big Five list. The vehicle equipped with gimbals & bean bags made us look like pros.So many special sightings; Cheetah at sunrise, huge elephant herds crossing the rivers, lions mating, 60+ different birds, wild dogs at last light of day. Highly recommend this trip of a lifetime! "
Anynomous
" Bernhard & Hennie Bekker deliver it ALL! From the moment we arrived at Kruger, they worked their magic and made our private safari one of the BEST vacations we have had...EVER!
27 June 2022The Bekker brothers know Kruger. They know where the animals are and are masters at finding them and getting the safari vehicle in the perfect position to get amazing photos. Their knowledge of the myriad of species in Kruger is impressive; they have their iPad ready to go, so in the rare event they do not know the species, they look it up!! Both are accomplished photographers so really know how to work with the light to give you the best chance at nailing the perfect photo. Their open safari vehicle is a photographer's dream, equipped with mounted tripods and bean bags. And their ability to spot animals constantly amazed my husband and myself. They seriously must have 10/10 vision...lol.
We spent 6 amazing days in 2 locations ; Satara and Skukuza. And we saw it all...lions, Casper the white lion, leopards, wild dogs, rhinos, cheetahs, buffalos, elephants, zebras, giraffes, hyena, black-backed jackals, dozens of bird species, and even a flap-necked chameleon! Every day we were more amazed than the day before; it was a safari photographers and animal lovers dream.
Traveling from the U.S. with the current chaos with air travel, we had 2 flights cancelled and ended up getting to the park 2 days late. Bernhard and Hennie took care of the reservation changes needed in the park making our delay no big deal. They were even able to extend our trip with them 2 extra days to make up for the days we missed due to our cancelled flights. They picked us up at Skukuza Airport, and also picked up a 600mm lens I had rented from Hilton Kotze with Africa Photographic Services so it was ready for me to use as soon as we arrived. Bernhard even met us in the park at the end of our trip (we spent an additional 12 days on our own in the park) to retrieve the lens so I didn't have to deal with returning it.
If you are considering a safari trip to South Africa, I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND B1 Photo Safaris. This was our 2nd trip with them, we will most definitely be back, and I wouldn't consider using anyone else. They really are the BEST of the best!! "
Anynomous
" I’m not sure there is any way that I can do justice via a review to the amazing experience we had on our recent photographic safari with B1 Photo Safaris. This was our second trip to Kruger with B1, the first a 4-day photo safari in 2018, and the second a week+ in September and October 2021.
04 November 2021I’m an avid wildlife photographer and visiting Kruger had long been on my bucket list. When I first planned our trip to Kruger in 2018, I had intended to do a self-drive. But the more research I did, the more I realized that I would have a very difficult time taking the photographs that I wanted from the driver’s seat of a rental car. I began doing research and discovered B1 Photo Safaris, I contacted the company’s owners, Bernhard and Hennie Becker, and they worked with me to adapt the itinerary and rest camp stops I’d already planned into a photo safari using their vehicle. When the time for the trip finally came, it didn’t take long to realize that while the vehicle was a tremendous help (you get the entire open vehicle to yourself and they have extremely useful gimbal mounts strong enough to reliably hold my 500mm f/4) the true benefit of using the company was Bernhard and Hennie’s knowledge. Their ability to spot wildlife and then use their knowledge of the animals’ behavior to better position me for photographs was incredible. And they significantly improved my chances of getting good photographs. Moreover, they were an absolute delight as company, and I stayed in touch with them long after returning to the United States.
This time, I planned my entire Kruger trip around B1 Photo Safaris. I originally planned the trip for 2020, but obviously we had to shift things around due to Covid. We reset the trip for 2021, and I let Bernhard set the itinerary however he wanted, as he’d earned my unquestioning trust after how well the previous trip had gone. In addition to my wife, my mom also joined us on the trip. She’d taken me to Yellowstone repeatedly growing up and had encouraged me to follow my love of photography as an adult; taking her to Kruger was something I really wanted to do. For a year, my mom had to hear my wife and I tell her how much we were looking forward to seeing Bernhard and Hennie again.
Bernhard and Hennie met us in Skukuza and our trip immediately got started. They remembered everything we’d seen on the previous trip, and made plans to help us find the one elusive animal we’d missed the first time (a cheetah). We trusted Bernhard and Hennie, and rather than stay in the more popular southern part of the park, we spent the majority of the time in the Shingwedzi area. Wow did it pay off. We saw more lions than we could count. We had amazing leopard encounters, a couple where we were the only vehicle there and another where we had the best position possible because Bernhard and Hennie perfectly predicted the leopard’s path from one spot to another several hundred meters away 20 minutes before it even happened so that they were able to get me in the PERFECT position for the photo. We even got to see our cheetah, watching it chase an impala at full speed not 20 feet from our vehicle.
For the photographers who’d consider using B1, you cannot go wrong by hiring them to guide your safari. They will do everything possible to make sure your experience is incredible. They will put you in the best position you can be in order to capture the photos that you’ve traveled to South Africa to get. They both are talented photographers, so they will help arrange the trip, itinerary, destinations, and even the position of the vehicle to best suit your style and photography goals. Thanks to Bernhard and Hennie, you will be able to concentrate on your photos and let them capably deal with all the rest.
The only thing I disliked about our trip was that it had to end. But, I have a feeling it won’t be our last trip with B1 Photo Safaris (we’re already talking about going back). I promise you that you’ll feel the same way once you experience a trip with them yourself. "
Anynomous
" An amazing experience with the Bekker Brothers! My husband and I were well cared for with pick up from Skukuzu airport, and accommodations arranged so we could explore as far north as Shingwedzi, and down to Lower Sabie. I had been following B1 over many years and chose them to help us learn some photography skills while experiencing all Kruger NP had to offer. We were blown away by their patience, knowledge, and spotting skills. Their great personalities made this so much fun; what a bonus to have guides that can share their love of Kruger! We felt the value over attempting this as a self drive, on our own, exceeded our expectations. I’m sure we saw 50x more than we would have solo, and really appreciated learning about animal behavior and the many bush environs rather than just checking off a Big Five list. The vehicle equipped with gimbals & bean bags made us look like pros.So many special sightings; Cheetah at sunrise, huge elephant herds crossing the rivers, lions mating, 60+ different birds, wild dogs at last light of day. Highly recommend this trip of a lifetime! "
13 June 2021