About Marius Coetzee

Marius Coetzee is a Professional Safari Leader and multi Award-winning wildlife photographer. His photos have graced the covers and pages of numerous premier publications and, with over 11 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.

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. Marius’s image titled ‘Panic in the Pan’ was awarded an honorable mention in the 2011 National Geographic Photo Contest. He was a double finalist in the world’s most prestigious photographic competition, the Veolia Environment Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2010 and was also a finalist in the Africa Photographic Awards in 2010. He is a multiple Fujifilm Wildlife Photography winner, one of the most renowned and celebrated Wildlife Photographic Competitions in Africa.

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 compliment 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, Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia, Rwanda, India, Ethiopia and South Africa.

In 2010 Marius co-founded Oryx – Worldwide Photographic Expeditions with Adam Riley, Managing Director of the globally renowned Rockjumper – Worldwide Birding Adventures. Oryx pride themselves on crafting unique and specialized photographic expeditions to some of the world’s wildest and most scenic destinations in the quest to deliver the ultimate photographic experience.

Guest Comments

“Marius Coetzee is one of the most knowledgeable and experienced safari guides I have met on my more than 30 trips to Africa. 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.” 
HE, United States of America

“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.” MH, Australia

“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!” RG, United States of America

Current Equipment Used

I am often forced to travel light due to small aircraft. Below is an example of my camera gear with which I manage to capture all the images that I require.

Camera Body

Various Canon Bodies

Lenses

  • Telephoto EF Canon 300mm f2.8 IS USM
  • Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8 IS USM
  • Canon EF 17-40mm f4.0 L USM
  • Canon EF 2x III Extender
  • Canon EF 1.4x III Extender

Flash

  • Canon 580EX II Speedlite

Support Systems

  • Benro C-2691 Travel Angel Carbon Fiber Tripod with B1 Ballhead
  • Badger Gear Snuggfit Beanbag