Africa serves up the ultimate in wildlife photography adventures. Majestic black-maned lions, leopards slinking across tree branches, cheetahs on the hunt, rhinos resembling armour-plated tanks, towering giraffes, great herds of elephants, dazzling birds looking as if they have been dipped in paint. They are all here and much more, waiting for you and your camera. There’s one problem, however – African wildlife safaris can be incredibly expensive.

But help is on the way. Big Five Small Budget shows you how to find and photograph exciting African wildlife without breaking the bank. Award-winning nature photographers Robin and Arlene Karpan take you to South Africa, home to world famous wildlife reserves such as Kruger National Park and the Kalahari’s Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, plus several lesser-known, game-rich gems. The key to economical travel is to learn from South Africans, who typically drive to the parks, do independent game drives in their cars, and stay in self-catering accommodation or campgrounds in some of the most user-friendly parks anywhere. Those of us coming from abroad can do exactly the same thing by renting a car. Supplemented by over 100 stunning photos, Big Five Small Budget takes you through the steps you need to know – getting there, renting a car, where to go, where to stay, what to bring, potential problems, and how to find and photograph the critters. Once you learn the ropes, an unforgettable wildlife adventure becomes surprisingly affordable. While geared to photographers, the book is just as useful to anyone interested in Africa’s fascinating creatures.

Robin Karpan's profile page

Arlene Karpan's profile page

Robin and Arlene Karpan are travel writers and photographers based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. They are authors of several bestselling books, and their articles and photographs have appeared in over 100 publications around the world. Recognition for their work has included eight Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence, an award for photography from the North American Travel Journalists Association, and the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal.