Tour Guide Profile: Marius Coetzee
Marius Coetzee is a professional safari tour leader and award-winning wildlife photographer. His photos have graced the covers and pages of numerous premier publications and with over 13 years experience in the safari industry, Marius has become a highly sought-after guide. His knowledge of and enthusiasm for both wildlife and photography are encyclopedic. He is the co-founder with Adam Riley in ORYX – Worldwide Photographic Expeditions.
Marius was based in the world renowned Sabi Sands Game Reserve, bordering Kruger National Park, for more than 6 years. Here he made the area’s celebrated leopards his principal photographic subject. This led to a 12 page portfolio on these shy and elusive felines in the world’s biggest natural history magazine – BBC Wildlife. He is a regular contributor to Africa Geographic magazine and his published images range from portfolios to magazine cover shots.
In 2012 Marius’s image titled Cape Buffalo Silhouette was a highly commended winner in the Natures Best Windland Smith Rice International Awards. His image titled ‘Panic in the Pan’ was awarded an honorable mention in the 2011 National Geographic Photo Contest, he has won 6 awards in Africa’s largest wildlife photographic competition, the Getaway Fujifilm Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Furthermore, Marius was also a finalist in the Veolia Environment Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2010, the world’s most prestigious wildlife photographic competition.
Marius has also attained the highest level of guiding qualifications in South Africa. His knowledge of animal and bird behaviour and his interpretation of the African savanna complement his photographic knowledge and enhance his ability as a leader. Marius is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience on both these subjects, and combined with his charm and witty sense of humor, he has understandably become a highly rated wildlife photographic tour leader. He has now led photographic, birding and wildlife expeditions to Antarctica, South Georgia, the Falklands, Madagascar, India, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia, Rwanda and South Africa.
Marius is leading the following upcoming tours:
Antarctica - Classic Antarctica, the Falklands and South Georgia II Photographic Expedition
Botswana - Ultimate Mombo Photographic Expedition
Botswana: Ultimate Selinda & Kwando Photographic Expedition
Ethiopia - Endemic Mammals & Ethnic Diversity Photographic Expedition 2014
Ethiopia - Vanishing Cultures of Omo Valley Photographic Expedition 2014
India - Tigers Galore Photographic Expedition
Kenya - Ultimate Migration Photographic Expedition II
Kenya - Ultimate Migration Photographic Safari VI
Rwanda - Ultimate Gorilla Photographic Expedition
South Africa - MalaMala & Mashatu Photographic Expedition
South Africa - Ulitmate Timbavati and Sabi Sands Photographic Expedition
Tanzania - Ultimate Ngorongoro & Serengeti Calving Photographic Expedition
Zambia - Ultimate South Luangwa II Photographic Expedition
Zambia – Ultimate South Luangwa Photographic Expedition
What our clients say about Marius:
by AS, United Kingdom
“My partner Dee and I and two friends from the UK Jan and Max have
recently returned from an outstanding two week safari in the Maasai Mara with Marius Coetzee of ORYX Expeditions. I have been going on safari in Africa for 40 years and I can honestsay that this was the best organized and planned safari that I have ever been on. Marius travelled with us and I have to say he was the perfect host.
He was always enthusiastic, pleasant, on time and nothing was ever too
much trouble for him. Marius is an award winning photographer but for me his best attribute was the fact that he was keen to pass on his knowledge. He was much more intent on us getting the “perfect shot ” than on getting
the ” perfect shot ” himself. I can assure you that this is unfortunately not always the case with professional photographers. Marius chose outstanding camps for us and because of his unique relationship with the camp managers and guides we always received VIP treatment. As anyone who has been on safari a number of times knows the positioning of ones vehicle makes all the difference. Due to Marius’ experience and innate understanding of the animals we always seemed to be in the ideal position for photography and game viewing. For anyone who wants a safari of a lifetime and is keen on improving their photographic skills I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Marius and ORYX Expeditions.”
by DB, Australia
“My wife and I were in Kenya at the beginning of August 2012 for ten days with Marius Coetzee of ORYX Photographic Expeditions. Although he could not have organised that the two million wildebeest migrate into the Masai Mara, we were lucky that they arrived three days before we did! He organised everything else. We spent an amazing ten days taking pictures every afternoon and evening.
Marius is a consummate host. His happiness in the wild is infectious and his knowledge of animal behaviour insightful and very useful in anticipating things for a picture. He has the patience to wait for it to happen. ORYX makes high quality travel arrangements. All transfers and internal flights were facilitated with the greatest of ease, and the lodges chosen were top notch. I had the most amazing holiday, and took some really fantastic photographs.
My non photographer wife had a fantastic time. She did not spend every photo shoot with us, but her every whim was catered for at the lodges and she recharged her batteries. Marius paid special attention to her to ensure she was not left out and checked regularly at the lodges that she was looked after.
Thank you, Marius and ORYX. I will definitely recommend you to my photographic colleagues and will no doubt become a regular client!”
by BS, South Africa
‘As a working journalist, I travel for a living and Madagascar is one of the most logistically challenging places to travel to. It is a world unto itself, in every sense of the word. When given a recent book project on Madagascar and in need of some photographic work there was only one person I knew who could help me. Marius Coetzee has been a guide for over 11 years, and there is no one I could feel safer with in a country as challenging as Madagascar.
Marius is patient; he is kind, and above all inspiring!! If you are going to Madagascar, he is the guy. If you are going any place else, he is probably the guy too!’
by RG, USA
‘Marius we just wanted to let you know how impressed we were with ORYX and yourself as leader. We felt comfortable the whole time and appreciated very much your photographic help and organizational skills and enthusiasm.’
by MH
I’m not sure if I can adequately express my enthusiasm for our tour through South Africa. Sharing time with some of the most exotic animals on the planet will continue to be one of my most treasured memories. What I loved most, was the proximity and intensity of the experience with leopards. Although I am not a wild life photographer, I am an adrenaline junkie, and hearing the hiss of an adult leopard is one of the most exciting times I can remember. In my most spectacular day dreams, I could not have thought up lodges like Kings Camp or Leopard Hills. ORYX group put together a trip that was virtually bespoken to both my husband and my tastes. We were able to share an adventure together, and this was possibly the best trip we have taken together. This was achieved by a seamless set of logistical operations, not a hint of a problem with travel, accommodation, food, or even photography opportunities. Mother Nature may be unpredictable, but ORYX seems to have managed a way to make her a little happier.
by M Y-L, Canada
Organization by ORYX was faultless. It really felt like we were getting the best of everything, even when compared to other visitors, and Marius’ excellent relationship with apparently every ranger and tracker in the reserve was a big bonus, making communication with other vehicles especially productive. His extensive bush experience and photographic sense added a lot of value to the trip.
by IY, Spain
‘Marius Coetzee is one of the most knowledgeable and experienced safari (field) guides I have met on my more than 30 trips to Africa. His knowledge of the bush and ability to work with his tracker to find animals is unique and appreciated. As an accomplished photographer, Marius knows how to position his vehicle to get the best photograph and has the patience to make sure that his guests see what they need.’
by HE, USA
Fujifilm Getaway Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2008 Certificate - Marius Coetzee
Marius’s image of a cheetah cub, painted golden in the late afternoon sunlight, was awarded a certificate in the Animals General category of the 2008 Fujifilm Getaway Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
Fujifilm Getaway Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2008 Certificate - Marius Coetzee
The image of a male lion covered in blood won a certificate in the Animals General category of the Fujifilm Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2008.
Fujifilm Getaway Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2009 1st Runner Up - Marius Coetzee
Marius’s image titled “Golden Tusk” won the 1st Runner Up in the Abstract category in the 2009, Fujifilm Wildlife Photographer of the Year, in the Abstract category.
Fujifilm Getaway Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2009 Certificate - Marius Coetzee
Fujifilm Getaway Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2009 Certificate - Marius Coetzee
The image of two lioness starring into the distance won Marius a certificate in the animals general category of the Fujifilm Wildlife Photographer of the Year, 2009.
National Geographic Photo Contest 2011 - Marius Coetzee
As a leader in capturing our world through brilliant imagery, National Geographic sets the standard for photographic excellence. This year’s entrants did not disappoint—more than 20,000 photographs were submitted to the contest from over 130 countries, with professional and amateur photographers across the globe participating. Photographs were submitted in three categories: people, places, and nature. Marius’s image titled ‘Panic in the Pan’ was awarded an honorable mention in the nature category.
Nature's Best Photography 2012 Highly Commended - Marius Coetzee
Oceans of Life 2011 - Marius Coetzee
Marius’s image titled ‘Chinstraps on Blue Ice’ was awarded highly commended in the 2011 Oceans of Life Photographic awards.
Africa Geographic - Caught on Camera
“On a recent trip to Rocktail Bay in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, I was fascinated by the hundreds of ghost crabs running up and down the sandy shore in search of food. This particular individual played a waiting game instead, sitting in its hole and emerging every few minutes to grab one of the bluebottles that were being washed ashore. As soon as the crab managed to get hold of a jellyfish, it moved quickly back into its hole to secure its feast.” Africa Geographic
Africa Geographic - Cover February 2010
The “Running Wild” image as it appeared on the cover of Africa Geographic magazine (Feb 2010) representing the “Wild Dogs – Packing a Punch” cover story.
Africa Geographic - Cover June 2010
Marius’s image “Hunting Lioness” as it appeared on the cover of Africa Geographic magazine (June 2010) representing the cover story ”Looking After Lion”.
Africa Geographic - Icons of Africa
“North America has bears, the Amazonian forests teem with spectacular birdlife and the Far East lays claim to tigers and pandas. But, when it comes to big, beautiful beasts, not much competes with the sheer variety of Africa’s great animals. This photographic essay is a both celebration of this wealth – and a reminder that we need to treasure it more than ever.” Africa Geographic
Africa Geographic - June 2011
On assignment’ takes you behind the scenes of some of Africa’s most arresting wildlife photographs.
Africa Geographic - Pack Attack
“The African Wild Dog is in peril. Persecuted by humans, decimated by infectious diseases and confined by the relentless fragmentation of its habitat, it has disappeared from much of its former range. There are estimated to be up to 5 500 wild dogs left in Africa today, mostly in Southern Africa and Southern East Africa. By hunting in packs they are able to bring down prey much larger than themselves, including Greater Kudu and Blue Wildebeest, but once a kill has been made they often have to defend it from one of their fiercest rivals, the Spotted Hyaena.” Africa Geographic
Africa Geographic -Mega-Builders in Miniature
“As human demands on shrinking global resources continue to increase, innovative building design is becoming more of a priority. The best designs should help us achieve sustainability while being sparing in their use of materials and light on energy to both build and maintain. So what can we learn from the humble termite?” Africa Geographic
Africa Geographic -Velvet and Steel
“Sleek and solitary, spotted and secretive, leopards are the epitome of predatory beauty and power. Here, Marius Coetzee pays photographic tribute to Africa’s ultimate cat.” Africa Geographic
Africa Geographic April 2011
‘On assignment’ takes you behind the scenes of some of Africa’s most arresting wildlife photographs.
Africa Geographic July 2011
‘On assignment’ takes you behind the scenes of some of
Africa’s most arresting wildlife photographs.
Africa Geographic March 2011
‘On assignment’ takes you behind the scenes of some of Africa’s most arresting wildlife photographs.
Africa Geographic May 2011
‘On assignment’ takes you behind the scenes of some of Africa’s most arresting wildlife photographs.
BBC Wildlife Magazine - 12 Page Portfolio Leopards
“Portfolio: LEOPARDS Lions and cheetahs hog the limelight, but leopards are the most successful big cats in Africa. Photographer Marius Coetzee has spent six years finding out why.” BBC Wildlife Magazine
GO Magazine - Basic Instinct
“Marius Coetzee has an enviable profession: He works full time as a guide on photographic expeditions. His calendar reads like a checklist of Places To See Before You Die, with upcoming trips to India, Antarctica, the Maldives, Patagonia and Rwanda, among others.” GO Magazine
GO Magazine - Go with the Floe
An 8 page portfolio of Marius’s images on
Antarctica, the Falklands and
was published in GO Magazine, October 2011.
Wild Cover Winter 2010
Marius’s image of a Lioness starring at a herd of Blue Wildebeest was published on the cover of Wild Magazine for the winter 2010 edition.
Wild Magazine - Photographers Showcase
“While leading a photographic safari in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve I came across a female leopard with newborn steenbok lamb. When we arrived, the lamb was standing nonchalantly between the leopard’s legs, completely unaware of its predicament. The leopard played with the lamb for more than an hour, repeatedly chasing and recapturing it.” Marius Coetzee