Summary

The Swartberg Mountains in South Africa are a photographer's paradise. The dramatic peaks, rugged cliffs, and deep valleys offer stunning backdrops for any style of photography. 1 The diverse landscapes, ranging from arid Karoo plains to lush mountain slopes, provide endless opportunities for capturing breathtaking images. The Swartberg Pass itself, a historic landmark, is a photographer's dream, with its winding road snaking through the mountains and offering panoramic views of the surrounding scenery. 2 Whether you're a professional photographer or an amateur enthusiast, the Swartberg Mountains will inspire you with their beauty and provide you with countless opportunities to capture unforgettable photographs.

WHEN
19-22 September 2025
PRICE
R24 900 P/P (sharing)
FOCUS
LEARN AND HAVE FUN
GROUP SIZE
MINIMUM 2, MAX 8
INSTRUCTOR GUEST RATIO
1:4
DURATION
4 DAYS
ACCOMMODATION TYPE
Chalets
NUMBER OF DESTINATIONS
Multiple outings from a single destination

In Detail

Introduction to landscape photography
The Swartberg Photographic Retreat is a dedicated small-group workshop with a focus on landscape and creative photography.
key highlights
           Photograph:
  • The iconic Swartberg Pass and the gorges at its base. 
  • Spring clouds and light on the slopes of the Swartberg Mountains with the first flowers exploding into season.
  • The winding red dirts roads of the area snaking through the rambling mountains.
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           Enjoy:
  • Probably the world’s best instructor to participant ratio, maximizing your learning while on tour.
  • Having highly experienced tutors watching over your shoulders and helping you on the spot as you craft your images of the amazing Drakensberg and its beautiful valleys and peaks. 
  • Spending time with like minded people in one of South Africa’s most spectacular places.
  • Wonderful accomodation in the beautiful Swartberg Country Manor with views overlooking the mountains and gorgeous three course meals.

           Learn about:
  • Creative Composition: The basics and beyond, such as The Element Approach, Balancing Composition etc. 
  • Basics to advanced techniques in digital landscape photography. With two instructors (depending on group size) all levels of ability can be catered for. 
  • Workflow & digital asset management. 
  • How to create awe-inspiring Astrophotography and star trail images. 
  • How to create panoramic images. 
  • Post-production using Lightroom and Photo Shop
itinerary
The Swartberg Retreat is a workshop designed to push photographers creatively, The goal is for photographers to join the group and leave with a heightened sense of composition. To this order we will be having several discussions around composition before heading to our various locations for where we'll spend the best light of the day shooting. We'll also be adding some photographic and visual exercises to the mix to push photographers creatively. 

Our accommodation is relatively centrally located so we'll fan out from the Country Manor for the various shoots (locations scouted and found by the lead photographer on this workshop, Colin Stephenson), some of which are close by with others up to an hours drive from our accommodation. In between shoots and meals we'll also spend time with critique sessions on images created during the workshop.

Arrival at the Swartberg country Manor will be in the early afternoon on the 19th. The goal is have a short introductory session before heading to a nearby location for an late afternoon shoot. We'll retire to the Manor house for dinner.

The following days will all start with a dawn shoot after which we return for breakfast. Depending on weather we'll do excursions to the Swartberg Pass, Prince Albert and various scenic views picked for their photographic potential. We'll try for at least one night shoot as well so that photographers can get some experience with astro-photography as well.
what to expect
The Swartberg Mountains, a majestic range in the Western Cape province of South Africa, rise dramatically from the semi-arid plains of the Little Karoo. Known for their rugged beauty and dramatic scenery, these mountains are composed of towering peaks, deep gorges, and sheer cliffs. The highest peak, Seweweekspoortpiek, reaches an impressive 2,325 meters (7,628 feet) above sea level. The Swartberg Pass, a historic landmark carved through the mountains, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

The Swartberg Mountains, a majestic range in the Western Cape province of South Africa, rise dramatically from the semi-arid plains of the Little Karoo. Known for their rugged beauty and dramatic scenery, these mountains are composed of towering peaks, deep gorges, and sheer cliffs. The highest peak, Seweweekspoortpiek, reaches an impressive 2,325 meters (7,628 feet) above sea level. The Swartberg Pass, a historic landmark carved through the mountains, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and is a popular destination for tourists and photographers alike.  

Expect mild to warm days with cool evenings. Average daytime temperatures range from the mid-60s to low 70s Fahrenheit (around 18-22 Celsius). Nights can be quite cool, especially in higher elevations, so pack layers. September generally marks the end of the dry season, so rainfall is typically low. However, occasional showers or thunderstorms are possible; one of the reasons we like traveling to these mountains in Spring.

dates
19th to the 22nd September 2025
price
R24 900 per person sharing. Minimum 4 participants, maximum 9 participants.
(If under 5 participants, only one photographic leader will conduct the tour) 
Single Supplement: R1050 - subject to availability 
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Guided Tour Includes:
  • All Lodging (based upon sharing)
  • Transport can be provided from George if required (all transport during the workshop can also be provided by the instructors if you choose not to bring your own vehicle).
  • All meals from the start of the workshop till its close at 11:00 on the fourth day.
  • Local tips for guides and for restaurants
  • Photography guidance by two professional photographers
  • All entrance fees and photography permits

Guided Tour Excludes:
  • Airfares to and from George  Airport
  • Single room supplement (R1 050)
  • Non-meal time snacks if purchased during the workshop (although we also provide various snacks during shoots and excursions).
  • Possible extra excursions/activities and/or additional days
  • Travel insurances
  • Photographic gear rental (if required)
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The Nature's Light Terms and Conditions apply to your booking with us. For more information see: 
Nature's Light Terms and Condition