Field Notes Wildlife Safaris
Southern Africa & beyond

Go a little deeper.
Feel a little wilder.

Unhurried days. Extraordinary wildlife. Small-group safaris shaped around your curiosity, with a passion for Africa’s wild places.

Explore the journeys ↗
Wild places. Personal experiences.Explore your next journey ↓
Private safaris for 2–8 guestsPersonally planned itinerariesBased in Nelspruit, South Africa
A closer connection to the wild

More than a sighting.
A story to take home.

A leopard slipping through the shadows. An elephant herd emerging from the morning mist. The chance to leave everyday life behind and spend time somewhere wild.

At Field Notes Wildlife, that curiosity is where your journey begins. We shape personal safaris around what excites you—remarkable wildlife, time behind your camera, a romantic escape, or the thrill of discovering something unexpected. Come for the animals you’ve always dreamed of seeing. Leave fascinated by creatures you never knew to look for.

Meet the person behind Field Notes   ↗
The personal touch

Why travel with Field Notes?

A safari begins with what matters to you—and grows through the discoveries you make along the way.

01 · Made personal

Your interests come first.

A honeymoon, your first safari, or time devoted to photography: we start by listening, then shape the route, pace, and stays around you.

02 · Keep it small

Space for connection.

Private journeys for 2–8 guests and proposed shared departures for 4–6 keep the experience personal, with time for questions and shared discoveries.

03 · Look a little closer

A passion beyond the famous.

Iconic wildlife is part of the magic. Reptiles, smaller creatures, and the details of animal behaviour are part of our curiosity too.

04 · Care for the wild

Understanding inspires care.

Our approach centres on respectful observation, thoughtful photography, and learning from guides and local specialists—helping you appreciate the animals and habitats around you.

Find your kind of adventure

A starting point for your journey.

Private adventures, romantic escapes, and shared journeys. Choose the experience that suits you, with accommodation and pace tailored to your plans.

A sundowner stop beside safari vehicles in the bush
Kruger National Park · 5–7 days01

The Kruger Explorer

A suggested 5–7-day introduction to Kruger, combining wildlife drives with a comfortable base outside the park. Rest-camp stays can also be explored in your quote.

Make this journey yours   ↗
Safari lodge pool and terrace in Tanzania; illustrative stock photograph
Private-reserve stays · 5–10 days02

Illustrative lodge image · Uzuri Safaris Tanzania / Unsplash

The Lodge Escape

A suggested 5–10-day escape with lodge-led wildlife drives and time to unwind. Explore stays in areas such as Sabi Sands, Klaserie, or the Greater Kruger region, subject to availability and your budget.

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Lourens and a fellow traveller on a coastal boat outing
Tailor-made journeys · 5–15 days03

Your Own Field Notes

Build a 5–15-day journey around wildlife, photography, and the places you’ve always wanted to see. Combine Kruger, private-reserve stays, and optional Panorama Route time at a pace that suits you.

Let’s create your itinerary   ↗
Choose your pace · suggested durations

5 days

A focused Kruger introduction or a relaxed lodge escape.

7 days

More time for wildlife, with an optional scenic day on the Panorama Route.

10 days

Combine Kruger with a private-reserve stay and time between destinations.

15 days

An extended, tailor-made journey with multiple stays and a more unhurried pace.

These are itinerary starting points, rather than fixed packages. We’ll confirm your route, nights, travel time, and activities in a personalised proposal.

Just the two of you

Honeymoon & Couples Safaris

Celebrate a new chapter with a private journey for two, with suggested itineraries of 5–15 days. Think romantic lodge stays, unhurried wildlife experiences, and an itinerary shaped around your interests and budget. Optional touches can be explored with your chosen lodge.

Plan your escape together   ↗
Meet fellow wildlife lovers

Shared Small-group Departures

Join a planned safari with other travellers who share your curiosity for the wild. We’re developing selected 5–15-day departures for 4–6 guests, with a shared itinerary and a personal, relaxed atmosphere. Register your interest while dates and routes are being planned.

Register your interest   ↗
Specialist journeys · 5–15 days

Herping & Reptile Photography Safaris

Lourens and a group beside a snake among leafy branches

Explore the often-overlooked world of reptiles and amphibians, from searching suitable habitats to observing behaviour and making thoughtful photographs. These proposed specialist journeys are for travellers who share a fascination with snakes, lizards, frogs, and the smaller details of the natural world.

Choose a focused 5–7-day herping trip or discuss a 10–15-day itinerary combining specialist outings with broader wildlife experiences. Daytime searches and possible evening outings will depend on local rules, access, conditions, and the species you hope to encounter.

We’re developing routes in Southern Africa, with a longer-term interest in other African destinations. Trips will be planned with suitable local specialists and permissions. The photograph shows an earlier personal field experience. The emphasis on proposed guest journeys is on observation and photography; wildlife encounters cannot be guaranteed, and animal handling is not advertised as a guest activity.

Enquire about a herping safari ↗

Our first journeys are being developed in South Africa for 2027, with a longer-term vision for Southern Africa and the rest of the continent. Private safaris welcome 2–8 guests, subject to suitable vehicle and accommodation arrangements. Shared departures are planned for 4–6 guests; dates, prices, minimum numbers, inclusions, and booking terms will be confirmed before bookings open. All private journeys are quoted individually. References to reserve areas describe possible destinations; accommodation, access, and activities depend on confirmed supplier arrangements and availability.

Find your comfort in the wild

Your safari. Your style of stay.

Choose one style throughout or mix a practical base with a special lodge stay. We’ll work with your priorities and budget.

Comfortable & practical

More time exploring

Guesthouses, self-catering stays, or rest-camp accommodation can provide a comfortable base for wildlife-focused days.

A starting point for travellers who prioritise the outings and overall value.

Mid-range & characterful

Comfort with atmosphere

Explore small lodges, comfortable chalets, or tented stays that combine downtime with the feeling of being close to the bush.

Suited to couples and groups looking for a balance of comfort and experience.

Luxury & intimate

A stay to savour

Discuss private-reserve lodges, attentive hosting, and room to unwind. Lodge-led drives and other experiences depend on your chosen property.

A natural option for honeymoons, celebrations, or a special part of a longer journey.

These are planning categories, not official accommodation ratings. Properties, room types, meals, transfers, and activities are confirmed in your personalised quote.

Tell us your preferred style   ↗
Already in the Lowveld?

Make a day of discovery.

Add something special to your stay with a personalised day trip. Solo travellers, couples, and small groups are welcome to enquire, whether you’re visiting independently or adding a day to your safari.

The Panorama Route

A day of escarpment scenery, viewpoints, and waterfalls, with a route shaped around your pickup point, interests, and the time available.

Plan a scenic day ↗

Long Tom Pass & adventure

Explore the mountain scenery of Long Tom Pass, with optional stops at Misty Mountain for the Long Tom Toboggan and Hops Hollow for lunch and craft beer.

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A day shaped around you

Photography, local attractions, or a relaxed outing with time to explore—tell us what interests you and where you’re staying, and we’ll suggest a suitable plan.

Create your day trip ↗

Day trips are quoted individually. Routes, pickup arrangements, activity availability, weather conditions, and participation requirements are confirmed when planning. Private outings can be requested; shared options depend on compatible enquiries and availability. Activity fees, meals, and drinks are included only where stated in your quote.

Lourens overlooking the bush from a rocky viewpoint
A life of curiosity.
A love for wild places.
The story behind Field Notes

Rooted in a love of wildlife.
Inspired by Africa.

I’m Lourens Holtzhausen, the founder of Field Notes Wildlife. For as long as I can remember, I’ve known that I wanted a life surrounded by wildlife. Growing up, Steve Irwin was a personal hero: his enthusiasm, compassion, and willingness to help people understand misunderstood animals reflected the way I felt about the natural world.

That passion has grown into a deep interest in conservation and in helping others appreciate wildlife in all its forms. The well-known safari animals are extraordinary, but reptiles, pangolins, honey badgers, and the smaller creatures that are so easily overlooked hold a special place in my heart. For me, a rewarding day outdoors is as much about noticing those details as it is about a headline sighting.

I studied Nature Conservation at Centurion Academy and completed my field guide qualification. My early field experience included a student year at Penbi Game Ranch in 2020, where everyday ranch work brought me closer to the practical side of caring for wildlife and managing a game-ranch environment.

Reptiles have been a particularly important part of my journey. My experience includes reptile husbandry and work in a venom extraction facility, alongside opportunities to learn from other people in the field. Attending the African Snakebite Conference in Kenya and spending time at Bioken in Watamu broadened that interest and introduced me to new wildlife, perspectives, and connections.

Photography and filmmaking give me another way to share that passion. I want to tell stories that encourage curiosity, replace fear with understanding, and help people see why even the least celebrated animals deserve our care. A track, a change in behaviour, or a tiny creature beside the path can open up a whole new appreciation of the bush.

Field Notes Wildlife grows from that lifelong love of wildlife. My aim is to plan personal, thoughtfully paced safaris with guides and local partners, giving couples and small groups time to observe, ask questions, and connect with Africa’s wildlife and wild places. Starting with South African journeys, my long-term vision is to explore more of Southern Africa and the wider continent through carefully developed itineraries and local partnerships. I hope each journey leaves people with memorable experiences and a deeper appreciation for the wildlife and habitats worth protecting.

Lourens Holtzhausen
Founder · Field Notes Wildlife
Let’s talk about your safari   ↗
A few moments from my travels

Behind the field notes.

From practical ranch work to quiet conversations outdoors, these are some of the experiences behind Field Notes Wildlife.

A group of photographers observing a green snake among leafy branches

A photographer’s curiosity

Taking time to observe, look closer, and enjoy the moments between sightings.

A group sharing a conversation in a lakeside shelter

Better when shared

The conversations and shared discoveries that make a day in the bush memorable.

Putting out supplementary feed for a nyala at Penbi Game Ranch

Learning through experience

Putting out supplementary feed at Penbi Game Ranch—part of the practical ranch experience that shaped my interest in wildlife care.

Photographs from my personal travels and earlier field experience, before the launch of Field Notes Wildlife. The Penbi image documents supplementary feeding on the ranch.

Personal from the very beginning

Your safari starts with a conversation.

01 / SHARE YOUR IDEAS

Tell us what moves you.

Your wish list, your travel dates, and the people coming with you. A few ideas are all we need to get started.

02 / SHAPE THE JOURNEY

We connect the details.

We’ll work through the route, accommodation, activities, and transfer options, then prepare a personalised proposal. Options may include Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport pickup, a Johannesburg-to-Lowveld transfer, or suitable stops such as Sudwala Caves or Croc Grove, depending on routing and availability.

03 / MAKE IT YOURS

Refine. Then look forward.

We’ll adjust the plan together and confirm availability, inclusions, and booking terms before you commit.

A few helpful answers

Before your adventure begins.

Still wondering about something? Send us a message—we’ll help you work through the details.

Can I book a day trip if I’m already staying in the area?

Yes—solo travellers, couples, and small groups can enquire about personalised day trips. Tell us your dates, pickup location, and interests. We’ll explore a suitable route and quote, with private arrangements or shared options where available.

Is this right for a first safari?

Yes. Tell us what you hope to see, your comfort preferences, and how much travelling you enjoy. We can build a proposed itinerary that balances wildlife time, transfers, and rest.

Can we travel as a couple or on honeymoon?

Absolutely. Private journeys welcome couples, including honeymooners. We’ll discuss your preferred pace, accommodation, and any special arrangements you’d like us to explore with the lodge.

What is the difference between a private and a shared safari?

A private safari is planned for your own party, with dates and details tailored to you. A shared departure brings different travellers together on a set itinerary. Shared departures are currently being developed; register your interest for proposed dates and details.

How long are the trips, and how big are the groups?

Our suggested itineraries range from 5 to 15 days. Private groups are typically 2–8 guests, and planned shared departures 4–6 guests. Vehicle, room, and activity arrangements will suit the confirmed group.

Do I need photography experience or professional equipment?

No. You’re welcome to enjoy the wildlife with a phone, a camera, or simply your own eyes. If photography is a priority, tell us so we can discuss suitable pacing and vehicle arrangements. Any formal photography tuition would need to be specifically agreed.

Can I enquire about a herping safari?

Yes. Share your interest in reptiles or amphibians, preferred travel dates, and any species you hope to observe. These specialist journeys are in development and depend on suitable local expertise, access, season, and conditions. The focus is observation and photography.

Where do the safaris go?

Our first proposed journeys focus on South Africa, including Kruger and private-reserve stays. Our wider vision reaches across Southern Africa and beyond. Tell us your destination ideas; we’ll confirm what we can arrange before preparing a proposal.

Can you help with airport pickups and transfers?

We can discuss pickup at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport and Johannesburg-to-Lowveld transfer options. The vehicle, route, timing, stops, and price will be confirmed in your quote.

What is included, and how much will it cost?

Each journey is quoted individually according to the number of travellers, dates, accommodation, transport, and activities. Your proposal will set out inclusions and exclusions so you can review the full plan before committing.

Does submitting an enquiry make a booking?

No. An enquiry starts a conversation. We’ll discuss your preferences and prepare a proposal, then confirm availability and the applicable booking, payment, and cancellation terms before you commit.

Ask us about your journey   ↗
Your next chapter

Let’s take the
first step into the wild.

Planning a day trip, a private safari, a honeymoon, or hoping to join a shared departure in 2027 or beyond? Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll explore the possibilities together.

Main interests Optional · choose any
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