Lesotho Highlands Landscape Photography Workshop
22 - 27 March 2026
with Murray Livingston & Carl Smorenburg
Total 5 nights/6 days, 22-27 March 2026 | £2195pp
Embark on an unforgettable 6 day photography workshop set amongst the breathtaking landscapes of Sehlabathebe National Park, in the Lesotho Highlands. Under the expert guidance of acclaimed photographers Carl Smorenburg and Murray Livingston, you'll explore majestic mountain vistas, ancient rock formations, and vibrant local culture. This immersive experience is designed to enhance your photography skills, from capturing grand landscapes to discovering intimate compositions.
Below you will see example images and an itinerary for the trip.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site, often referred to as "The Plateau of the Sandstone," is renowned for its untouched grasslands, unique sandstone formations, and ancient San rock art. Its serene beauty and alpine environment make it a haven for photographers and nature enthusiasts alike. We will base ourselves from a high camp in the mountains at approximately 2500masl and make daily excursions for photography. Distances covered and elevation gains are moderate, but at this altitude a good level of fitness is required. The trip will be limited to 6 places (plus Murray & Carl).
Key Information
Dates: 22 - 27 March 2026
Duration: 5 Nights / 6 Days
Accommodation: Tents & Lodge
Physicality: Difficult (moderate distances at altitude)
Group Size: 6 Clients
Price: £2195 (£350 Deposit)
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✅ All accommodation, including 4 Nights camping in Sehlabathebe National Park, Lesotho & 1 Night lodge accommodation in Semonkong near Maletsunyane Falls
✅ All 4×4 transport for the trip
✅ 1-1 and group tuition for the entire trip, including presentations from the tutors
✅ Breakfasts, lunches, dinners and various hot drinks in the mountains
✅ Transfers to & from Durban Airport
✅ Expert location advice and mountain guiding
✅ Equipment such as tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, and backpacks available for rent. (Bring Your Own Gear suggested)
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This allows us plenty of space on location for photography and at camp, an excellent 3:1 teacher to client ratio, as well as a more intimate setting to get to know each other.
Want to make the most of your trip to Southern Africa?
Add 4 days of hiking in the Drakensberg Mountains! Photograph Rockeries, Mponjwana, and the Mnweni Needles. Available exclusively to Lesotho Highlands clients. Contact for details.
Day 1
Arrive at Durban Airport, where we’ll meet and begin our journey to Sehlabathebe National Park via 4x4. Photo opportunities en-route, before setting up camp. Evening photography at historic stone huts and dams.
Day 2
An early start for a 3–4 km walk to Tarn Cave & the nearby tarn. Today’s focus is on Grand Landscapes, capturing the wider dramatic scenery of the mountains around us. The evening will be spent photographing from Irish Cave.
Day 3
A focus will be placed on Intimate Landscapes for the day, exploring incredible geological wonders, rock formations, and natural arches. Sunset photography will be exploratory, attempting to discover new compositions and bringing together our understanding of intimate & grand scenes.
Day 4
The last full day in Sehlabathebe is dedicated to creative exploration. You will be given the opportunity to revisit favourite locations or focus on personal projects. An emphasis will be on refining compositions & ideas.
Day 5
A final morning photoshoot before packing up camp and heading to Semonkong, with the opportunity to visit its vibrant village. The evening will be spent photographing the iconic Maletsunyane Falls, a 192m single drop waterfall.
Day 6
Our final day before leaving Lesotho, we’ll take a short drive to photograph the expansive Maletsunyane Gorge for sunrise. Breakfast back at the lodge before departing for Durban, reflecting on memories that will last a lifetime!
Meet the Team
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Murray Livingston
Landscape Photographer & Workshop Leader
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Carl Smorenburg
Landscape Photographer & Workshop Leader
Tuition
You will be guided on this adventure by Murray Livingston and Carl Smorenburg, both internationally-recognised photographers. They will be on hand at all times for any level of tuition needed, including location advice, composition, camera settings, artistic evaluations, and many other photography topics. The small group size means both Murray and Carl will be able to provide you with 1-1 attention, as well as tuition in a group setting. Both photographers have unique styles and approaches which ensures you will be able to learn a variety of ideas and techniques. During the day at camp, we will perform image reviews and both workshop leaders will give presenations.
Carl has extensive backpacking and landscape photography experience in Lesotho, having visited regularly over the last 20 years; Murray has photographed and led workshops across the Northern Traverse of the nearby Drakensberg Mountains. We will spend our time finding unique compositions and areas of exploration. Some of Carl’s photography from the area is above to give you a sense of the grandeur of the mountains we will be visiting. View Carl’s exceptional portfolio on his website here.
Experience-First Adventure
This trip is intended as an experience-first adventure. What does this mean? It means appreciating being able to spend time in one of the most beautiful places on planet Earth! While we are all keen photographers & artists, an equal weighting should also be placed on the opportunity to connect with nature, get to know each other better “around the campfire”, and take a breather from modern life. I have found that these kinds of experiences out in nature are amongst the most life-fulfilling, and so I want to share that with others too.
Further Details
It goes without saying that walking at high elevations through mountainous terrain can be arduous at times, especially with the added weight of camera gear! Participants should be able to carry day packs for 8km and 350m of ascent in a single day. Please note that hiking at altitude is significantly more difficult than at sea level.
Carl and Murray are both highly experienced mountain walkers and will guide the group with expert navigation and safety to ensure our overall enjoyment in the outdoors. Inclement weather is worst over the summer, but March is considered one of the “best” months with good amounts of water from the summer rainfalls but much less chance of storms.
Your safety will always be a priority in the mountains and we will adjust the trip according to conditions. In addition to your camera gear, I can provide a list of suggested hiking items to bring. Backpacks, sleeping bags, and mattresses can be rented if necessary, but it is strongly recommended to Bring Your Own Gear. You will be much more comfortable in gear that you know, fits you right, and have tested! Shared occupancy rooftop tents are provided; individual occupancy ground tents can be rented.
Passports will be required to cross the border into Lesotho.
The following are not included in the price:
Airfares or additional travel requirements
Any necessary visas or other travel requirements (please check via your government website)
Travel Insurance (required)
Additional food & drink (extra snacks & alcoholic beverages for instance)
Gratuities or personal spending
Flights to Durban, South Africa, are frequent; we will be providing an airport transfer to & from Durban Airport. A £350 non-refundable deposit is necessary to book your place, with full payment due 8 weeks prior to the start date. Please refer to my standard booking terms and conditions.
Have a question? Reach out via the form below! Want to make the most of your trip to Southern Africa? Add an additional 4 days of hiking and photography in the Drakensberg Mountains! We will be exploring Rockeries, Mponjwana, and the Mnweni Needles. Available exclusively to Lesotho Highlands clients. Contact us for all the details.