About Us

There are 7 days in a week, and *Someday* isn’t one of them.

What are you waiting for? It’s time to go on an affordable AFRICAN SAFARI!

Come with Eagle Eye Safaris on an African Safari and be individually mentored by award-winning, published wildlife photographers Ernest Porter or Karen Blackwood, or both. We personally lead small group safaris on amazing adventures at an affordable price. Eagle Eye Safaris trips are designed to watch and photograph wildlife in the most fascinating corners of the planet. If it’s on your bucket list, we can take you there. Ernest and Karen are there on every trip to coach your photography skills in order to improve from “snapshots” to “Wow! Hang it on the wall!” Everyone is welcome, from iPhone beginners to advanced DSLR photographers to non-photographers who just want to watch the animals while the others click away.

Do you want to be surrounded by a herd of elephants, or watch a leopard on the hunt, or gaze at graceful giraffe on game drives in safari vehicles in the wild African Bush before they are all gone? What about sitting quietly, face-to-face, with endangered Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees in the mountains of Uganda? See the excitement of the Great Migration on the Serengeti or Mara, or black-maned lions and cheetah in the red sands of the Kalahari? Would you like to take breathtaking photos of wild animals, the kind you see in NatGeo, but aren’t sure how to get what’s in your mind to the camera?  If you said yes, select your safari spot and let’s go!

We will teach you all of our tricks, help you with your settings, suggest composition and framing, tell you what to look for in every situation. You can take part in our complimentary Lightroom/Photoshop sessions to learn to edit your photos. You spent a lot of money on your cameras –have fun with us while you learn how to use it in every mode.  Yes, we can help you with Canon, Nikon, Sony, or any other camera you might have.

Here’s a secret…not a photographer? Just want to shoot with your iPhone? Want to simply enjoy watching wildlife? Photo safari vehicles are always in the best spots, with the most active animals, and have the best view because we get close up to wildlife. We have room for you, too, and we welcome you! We are all on safari to watch wildlife, to relax and have fun, and to come away with beautiful, once-in-a-lifetime memories, whether in print or in our mind’s eye.

We base out of beautiful Bush Lodges with a delicate footprint on the environment. You’ll eat like a king with our private chef, sleep like a baby on your premium mattress, and relax by the pool or waterhole with a cocktail with nothing on your mind, while being pampered by local staff and surrounded by the beauty of nature.  Our private safaris have dedicated local rangers and guides to ensure the best possibility of seeing the widest variety of birds and wildlife—and getting into position for dramatic, one-of-a-kind photographs. We are passionate about photographing, promoting, protecting and preserving the natural world around us, while educating guests about photography techniques, conservation efforts and wildlife habits. Our small group safaris ensure that you will receive personal attention from us. At the end of your trip, we want you to know how to capture the images you envision.

Can we help you plan your dream safari and stay in your budget? YES!  Just ask us! You can join a scheduled safari or let us plan a custom-tailored trip, curated on dates that work for you. No other safari company offers one of our special services: we will help you plan your entire trip, including travel to the lodge from anywhere in the world. Karen and Ernest are always available to answer questions whether by email, Skype, WhatsApp, or old-fashioned phone calls–you’ll talk to US, not an assistant or receptionist. We can answer questions about what to pack, how much to tip, what flights to take, what shots you might need, where to stay before & after safari…if we don’t have an answer, we’ll find it. We can book your accommodations before and after the safari, as well as your transportation to the Lodges, and all you have to do is book your flights. We’ll take the stress out of the unknown so you can just show up and put on your safari hat.

Once you arrive, our safaris are almost all-inclusive: comfortable accommodations, attentive staff, meals, morning and evening game drives, nature walks, photography instruction, basic workflow and editing skills in Lightroom and Photoshop CC, and once-in-a-lifetime memories. Don’t forget the FUN! We share a lot of laughs on Eagle Eye Safaris trips!

By the way, we also offer local tours if you have a few extra hours in Johannesburg, South Africa. Would you like to see the iconic Black Eagles flying over the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens? Ernest is a staff photographer. He can help you photograph Makatsa and Mahlori, the world-famous resident Black Eagle pair, at any time of the year. Our local tours include pick up and drop off service in Johannesburg and Sandton, and we can also take you to the Cradle of Mankind, Rhino & Lion Nature Park, and more.

Check out our reviews on Trip Advisor and Safari Bookings. Keep up with our adventures on Facebook and Instagram at #eagle_eye_safaris. If you haven’t signed up for our monthly newsletter, you’re missing interesting articles about wildlife and conservation, new safari announcements and special discount coupons, plus other news. It’s always a quick read, and you can always unsubscribe. We NEVER share your email address and we swear we won’t spam you!.

Like one of our photos? Want it on your wall? Most can be printed on several mediums in a variety of sizes. Please ask about your favorite shot.

Eagle Eye Safaris’ photography has been featured in Africa Geographic , National Geographic Daily Dozen, NatGeo Your Shot, Best of Africa, and Wild Card Magazine . We are regular contributors to Canon, National Geographic Photography, NatureGraphy and Naturalist’s Notebook, which feature the best wildlife photos and stories in the world. Keep track of us through our Facebook page and Instagram!

WHO WE ARE:

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Ernest Porter is an award-winning renowned bird and wildlife photographer from South Africa. His achievements include: 2017 Africa Geographic Photographer of the Year Top 5 finalist, 2015 and 2016 Africa Geographic Photographer of the Year Top 15 finalist, winner of the July 2016 Tamron South Africa photography contest, Best of Africa featured photographer, prominently featured in Yahoo’s “Animals in Flight” Photo Gallery, and multiple VotoArt wins. He is Canon-sponsored, and published in numerous wildlife books, magazines, and guides including “Animals of the Greater Kruger.”  Ernest is a staff photographer for the Black Eagle Project Roodekrans based in Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden in South Africa where he frequently leads birding tours and has documented the juvenile development of four fledglings at the Gardens, from hatching to training to departure. Ernest offers privately guided photo tours to the Gardens and Black Eagles’ nest. He is a sought-after speaker in the avian and wildlife photography community. Ernest is an expert instructor in Lightroom and Photoshop.

 

Karen Blackwood is a USA-based airline pilot, wildlife photographer, and world traveler. With over 20 years of teaching experience, she is able to break down the most complicated subjects into easily understood modules. She volunteers as a Bald Eagle monitor for the Raptor Education Foundation in Colorado, tutors children through Reading Partners, coaches young equestrians in basic horsemanship, and has coached many people in the effective use of their camera. Karen’s photography credits include: 2020 Top 250 NANPA Showcase competition, NatGeo Daily Dozen, 2017 Africa Geographic Photographer of the Year Yearbook finalist, featured in April 2017 Best Photo in Nature Photographers, Finalist in Best of Africa’s monthly contests, finalist in Nature’s Best Photography Africa contest, Kodak Moments contest, multiple features in Naturalist’s Notebook and in NatureGraphy, 1st Honorable Mention in the Kodak National Photo Contest, multiple winners in the Amigo Airshow Photo Contest, gallery showings in Colorado, and the use of her photos in promotional videos and specialized publications.