An award-winning South African filmmaker has died after being head-butted by a giraffe while filming at a safari lodge.

Carlos Carvalho was working on a feature film when a bull giraffe named Gerald swung its head at him at the Glen Africa Country Lodge in the North West Province on Wednesday night.

The 47-year-old father-of-two was flown by helicopter to hospital in Johannesburg, where he later died from his head injuries.

"When Carlos was standing in front of the giraffe, the animal spread its legs, bent its neck and swung its head at Carlos," said Richard Brooker, whose family owns the lodge.

"Gerald will remain at the lodge. He did nothing wrong,” Mr Brooker said.

Drikus Van Der Merwe, a member of the film crew, said he was standing next to Mr Carvalho when the incident happened.