My wife and I are wanting to go to Africa next summer to view and photograph animals. It is our first but not our last trip and so we do not plan to try to see 'it all'. We would like to see as much as possible. We are looking for advice as to whether we should go 'group' or 'private'. Serengetti or Masai Mara ? We heard that a private jeep tour can be close to the same cost as a group if you cut down on some luxuries.
We also want to be safe. I'm not as worried about the animals as I am about getting my camera equipment stolen !
We don't know all the questions to ask so if anyone wants to offer any advice they feel pertinent please chime in.
Thank you in advance.
Rick T
Rick, go private unless you leave all of your camera gear at home and only take a point-and-shoot.
With a private driver and tracker, you will probably not cover as much ground. But, you will have the time to wait and study. In general, groups are not interested in waiting for the lighting to improve or moving around so that you can get the desired composition. The tour operator has a choice, either ignore one person or ignore the entire group. Of course, if everyone in the entire group is a nature photographer, then the rules change. But, that would be extremely unlikely.
As far as the Serengeti or Masai Mara, we have never been to either and cannot make a recommendation.
Hi, we've now been to Kenya 3 times over the last 18 months and are due back there in October. First trip we did 12 days in 5 locations trying to see at bit of everything with the last 5 days in the Maasai Mara which just blew us away. Trips 2 and 3 we went straight back there and that's where we're going in October for 14 days. Can't reccomend it stongly enough it it simply awesome.
If you're even slightly serious about your photography then private/sole use of the vehicle is the only way to go. Just the thought of having to put up with other people moving in the vehicle ( no good with long lenses ) or constanlt moving around because they're bored would ruin things. Patience is the name of the game to good images here. Trying to fly around and see everything will only get you holiday snaps.
Once you find say a cheetah and know that it needs food either by looking thin or cubs in tow in which case hunting is a daily requirement then just sit with it and watch and wait hopefully from a sensible distance to allow the natural behaviour to continue. Most tourists on safari won't want to sit around, once they've spent 5 minutes with one animal they'll be saying can we go and see whatever next. Their sole aim is to put ticks in boxes for all the animals. Don't take this the wrong way, just because they don't do serious photography doesn't mean they shouldn't be there, they've just got different priorities.
There's plent operators to choose from just make sure you use a reputable firm and book before you get there preferably by reccomendation. As for looking after your gear we travel with 2 D2x's 200-400, 70-200, 17-55, 12-24 and a couple of converters along with wimberley head window mount and vital bean bag. We've had no problem at all just use common sense and keep it all out of view especially around Nairobi. Hope this helps
I used to work in Kenya at Kenya Railways. This gave me a lot of time to go on safari as business doesn't get done as fast as you would normally like. The Masai Mara is definitely the best park there, but if you have a chance, visit Amboseli for its elephants and having Kilimanjaro as a background. While staying in Nairobi, I would rent a car and drive Nairobi Park on my own. It is only about five miles outside of Nairobi and is easily driven. While it does not have elephants, almost every other big animal is there: lion, giraffe, buffalo, leopard, hippo, impala,wildebeeste, impala, and many other species of gazelles, For the other parks having a guide is almost mandatory, I have done some on my own, and others in a group. Seldom was there ever more than three or four in the van, and there was never a conflict about staying for long times to observe and photograph. (Maybe I had just been lucky.)
If you can find a copy of Joe McDonald's "Photographing on Safari", grab it and take it along with you.
Bring at least a 300mm lens with you. On my first trip to Kenya my longest lens was a 200 and woefully inadequate for many subjects. When I returned five years later, I had a 400mm and sometimes that wasn't enough. For large animals a 70-200 f/2.8 VR/IS and a 1.4X TCis highly recommended.
Hi Rick,
If you are looking to do it yourself, I'd seriusly consider Namibia and Etosha National Park. I went there and did it on my own in 2000. It was great you don't need a jeep, a regular compact car works fine in the dry season. There are hotels inside the national parks which are reasonably priced at about 60 us a night. You should be able to do everything for about 150 dollars a day or so. It has incredible game and bird watching too. The waterholes are right on the extensive roads throughout the park, attracting a lot of elephants, giraffe, some lions, many antelope species, 30 or more birds of prey. Leopard, cheetah and buffalo are more difficult here though than some other places. As far as safety it is a lot more safe than Kenya and Tanzania. Its pretty dry so there aren't as many infectious diseases, depending on your itinerary and time of year you might not even need malaria medication. I didn't get sick once in the month I was there. There's little crime, its a stable country and not a large population. My wife and I are going back there and to Capetown, South Africa (which I've heard crime wise is a quite a bit more dangerous) in late August and September. I will be posting plenty of images from that trip, feel free to email me if you have any questions about it. I wouldn't try to do Kenya and Tanzania on my own from what I have read.
Nate Chappell
South Africa is not as bad as the media suggests. If you are looking for a self drive safari, The Kruger Park in South Africa has some good photo opportunaties. That is where I take all my photos. It is full of possibilities for those that are patient and very safe. If you have money to spend, any one of the private lodges in the Sabi Sands, Mala Mala or Timbivati game reserves, bordering the Kruger are great bets too. They provide personal trackers and guides. If you do consider coming to South Africa please feel free to contact me if you need any help.
My wife and I took an Andy Biggs safari to Tanzania in Feb 2006 and loved it. The Ngorongoro Crater is outstanding, The Serengetti unsurpassed. The groups are small and the Land Rovers are only filled with 2 - 3 people so there is plenty of room to move around and carry gear. Since it is a photography safari following animals and waiting for action is not an issue. You can wait as long as you like and shoot subjects as much as you like. Guides are knowlegeable. We all were especially pleased that charging stations were available even in the deep bush. Check this out along with all the other suggestions.
Just returned from 10 months in Africa plus my partner and I lived there for 2 years previously.
For inspiration many images are on my website - www.wildlightphotography.co.uk and there is a link to our blog of the whole trip http://kateandjasonontour.blogspot.com/
Didn't go to Kenya but I found tanzanian safaris very expensive and not much fun compared with virtually every other country. We heard the same of Kenya. Not to say that east africa doesn't have amazing places but one day in Ngorongoro crater costs the same as 1 week in most S african parks! and they are in the tourist trade not wildlife photographer trade unless you have SERIOUS money.
Having said that my dad loves Kenya - and if you haven't been to Africa you'll love it where you go.
The top places for me were -
Kgalagadi, south africa - amazing number of predators and BOP. No elephants
Etosha - Lots of waterholes with lots of everything - Waterholes at campsites too.
Chobe - Botswana, lots of elephants and lions
Kruger - South Africa packed with everything but the park is not as picturesque as many others
liwonde - Malawi, Lots of rare and special birds plus elephants but NO predators
South Luangwa - Zambia - good general birds and mammals inc predators
Kafue - leopard capital
Moremi - Botswana - the best wildlife experiences, camps with no fences and the animals roam quite freely!!!!
All of the above are considerably cheaper to self drive which was by far the best way to go - DO NOT go for an organised Safari if you want to do serious photography.
I learned alot during those 10 months so if you would like to know more email via the site and I'll bore you to death!!!
You've already had one recommendation for Andy Biggs. He's at the top of my list for when I do take a trip to Africa. I've heard Andy speak twice about his photography and safari logistics, and I have close friends who have been on safari with him. Nothing but glowing recommendations all around.
Discussion
9 repliesWe also want to be safe. I'm not as worried about the animals as I am about getting my camera equipment stolen !
We don't know all the questions to ask so if anyone wants to offer any advice they feel pertinent please chime in.
Thank you in advance.
Rick T
With a private driver and tracker, you will probably not cover as much ground. But, you will have the time to wait and study. In general, groups are not interested in waiting for the lighting to improve or moving around so that you can get the desired composition. The tour operator has a choice, either ignore one person or ignore the entire group. Of course, if everyone in the entire group is a nature photographer, then the rules change. But, that would be extremely unlikely.
As far as the Serengeti or Masai Mara, we have never been to either and cannot make a recommendation.
If you're even slightly serious about your photography then private/sole use of the vehicle is the only way to go. Just the thought of having to put up with other people moving in the vehicle ( no good with long lenses ) or constanlt moving around because they're bored would ruin things. Patience is the name of the game to good images here. Trying to fly around and see everything will only get you holiday snaps.
Once you find say a cheetah and know that it needs food either by looking thin or cubs in tow in which case hunting is a daily requirement then just sit with it and watch and wait hopefully from a sensible distance to allow the natural behaviour to continue. Most tourists on safari won't want to sit around, once they've spent 5 minutes with one animal they'll be saying can we go and see whatever next. Their sole aim is to put ticks in boxes for all the animals. Don't take this the wrong way, just because they don't do serious photography doesn't mean they shouldn't be there, they've just got different priorities.
There's plent operators to choose from just make sure you use a reputable firm and book before you get there preferably by reccomendation. As for looking after your gear we travel with 2 D2x's 200-400, 70-200, 17-55, 12-24 and a couple of converters along with wimberley head window mount and vital bean bag. We've had no problem at all just use common sense and keep it all out of view especially around Nairobi. Hope this helps
If you can find a copy of Joe McDonald's "Photographing on Safari", grab it and take it along with you.
Bring at least a 300mm lens with you. On my first trip to Kenya my longest lens was a 200 and woefully inadequate for many subjects. When I returned five years later, I had a 400mm and sometimes that wasn't enough. For large animals a 70-200 f/2.8 VR/IS and a 1.4X TCis highly recommended.
If you are looking to do it yourself, I'd seriusly consider Namibia and Etosha National Park. I went there and did it on my own in 2000. It was great you don't need a jeep, a regular compact car works fine in the dry season. There are hotels inside the national parks which are reasonably priced at about 60 us a night. You should be able to do everything for about 150 dollars a day or so. It has incredible game and bird watching too. The waterholes are right on the extensive roads throughout the park, attracting a lot of elephants, giraffe, some lions, many antelope species, 30 or more birds of prey. Leopard, cheetah and buffalo are more difficult here though than some other places. As far as safety it is a lot more safe than Kenya and Tanzania. Its pretty dry so there aren't as many infectious diseases, depending on your itinerary and time of year you might not even need malaria medication. I didn't get sick once in the month I was there. There's little crime, its a stable country and not a large population. My wife and I are going back there and to Capetown, South Africa (which I've heard crime wise is a quite a bit more dangerous) in late August and September. I will be posting plenty of images from that trip, feel free to email me if you have any questions about it. I wouldn't try to do Kenya and Tanzania on my own from what I have read.
Nate Chappell
Just returned from 10 months in Africa plus my partner and I lived there for 2 years previously.
For inspiration many images are on my website - www.wildlightphotography.co.uk and there is a link to our blog of the whole trip http://kateandjasonontour.blogspot.com/
Didn't go to Kenya but I found tanzanian safaris very expensive and not much fun compared with virtually every other country. We heard the same of Kenya. Not to say that east africa doesn't have amazing places but one day in Ngorongoro crater costs the same as 1 week in most S african parks! and they are in the tourist trade not wildlife photographer trade unless you have SERIOUS money.
Having said that my dad loves Kenya - and if you haven't been to Africa you'll love it where you go.
The top places for me were -
Kgalagadi, south africa - amazing number of predators and BOP. No elephants
Etosha - Lots of waterholes with lots of everything - Waterholes at campsites too.
Chobe - Botswana, lots of elephants and lions
Kruger - South Africa packed with everything but the park is not as picturesque as many others
liwonde - Malawi, Lots of rare and special birds plus elephants but NO predators
South Luangwa - Zambia - good general birds and mammals inc predators
Kafue - leopard capital
Moremi - Botswana - the best wildlife experiences, camps with no fences and the animals roam quite freely!!!!
All of the above are considerably cheaper to self drive which was by far the best way to go - DO NOT go for an organised Safari if you want to do serious photography.
I learned alot during those 10 months so if you would like to know more email via the site and I'll bore you to death!!!
Have fun
Jason
Rick T
http://www.andybiggs.com/safaris_workshops.html