Impossible question? (Africa)
Aug 11, 2019 08:54:34 #
I live in South Africa, in a small town in Kwazulu Natal, namely Richards bay. I can with great confidence recommend any of the game reserves in that area. (Kwazulu Natal) i.e Tembe Elephant park, Imfolozi game reserve, Mkuze water falls lodge, check out this site https://www.afristay.com/a/kwazulu-natal/game-lodges/
Aug 11, 2019 12:11:21 #
xtoothdr wrote:
Forget all the chatter
Botswana, hands down.
14th trip next year
Botswana, hands down.
14th trip next year
Wow 14 trips to Botswana! I am very jealous. Can you clarify whether you have gone to other countries in Africa as well and if so, which ones? Also do you go to the same lodge in Botswana or different ones? If the latter, which is in your opinion the best for seeing and getting close to a diversity of wildlife.
Aug 11, 2019 14:38:10 #
Spent two weeks in Tanzania flying into Arusha and then travelling to several parks including Nagorongoro Crater. Lots of wildlife. I was a little disappointed because our trip was supposed to be a viewing of the annual migration. But it was not the right time of year. The migration is from southern Kenya to Tanzania during or after the rainy season. But the rain came just as we were leaving. Reverse the migration when it stops raining in Kenya.
BUT near Arusha - about 50 miles from Mt. Kilamanjaro - there is Tarangire National Park which is so full of Elephants, Zebras and the occasional Lioness I was overwhelmed. I want to go back to see southern Kenya. South Africa game reserves to check that out.
See photos from the Tanzania trip taken in October, 2017
BUT near Arusha - about 50 miles from Mt. Kilamanjaro - there is Tarangire National Park which is so full of Elephants, Zebras and the occasional Lioness I was overwhelmed. I want to go back to see southern Kenya. South Africa game reserves to check that out.
See photos from the Tanzania trip taken in October, 2017
Aug 11, 2019 14:53:28 #
Tanzania in October. Only one of the "big five" that I didn't see was a Rhino. Only took a Canon G7X and, as you can see, the 1 inch MOS did a splendid job. Up to 400 MM (35 MM equivalent)
Aug 11, 2019 15:13:40 #
If you want significant animal sightings in relatively concise space, Tanzania is a good bet. With Ngorongoro and Serengeti effectively side by side, the opportunities are really great. Other parks are just across the border in Kenya and also in south Tanzania. Relatively easy to fly into Arusha via Dar es Salaam after international flight, and the drive out to these parks is interesting in its own right. Can also fly into Serengeti, but not sure from where. Political situation not the greatest right now, but arguably better than in South Africa/Namibia/Botswana, where unaccompanied foreigners have had "issues" while traveling the roads. Prior planning and obtaining a good guide is a must. Get a reputable outfit that arranges camp/hotel + park entry fees as part of overall safari cost, which usually must be paid in full up front. Some of my most memorable photos are from my 2009 trip to Tanzania. Hope you have a great trip!
Aug 11, 2019 15:26:34 #
xtoothdr wrote:
Forget all the chatter
Botswana, hands down.
14th trip next year
Botswana, hands down.
14th trip next year
14th???? you have relatives there or do you just really like it?
Aug 11, 2019 19:59:52 #
You can fly from Arusha to any of several places in the Serengeti HOWEVER plane operators are few and are like the bush pilots in Alaska.
Aug 11, 2019 23:12:43 #
appealnow
Loc: Dallas, Texas
I was in Tanzania in March, two places in the Serengeti. Lions, leopards, elephants, giraffe, water buffalo, gazelle and many other types of antelope, rhino, hippos, hyenna, ostrich et al. One million wildebeast migrating with 800,000 zebras.
Aug 12, 2019 00:08:02 #
I have been to Africa eight times. Kenya (Masai Mara) is the place for sure if you only plan to go once. Botswana is great too, but pricier, although Africa is not a place to go and stay in super cheap places as they may not be sanitary or safe. Scott Dunn Travel is excellent for arranging trips anywhere on the continent.
Aug 12, 2019 06:19:44 #
Ed Chu
Loc: Las Vegas NV
planepics wrote:
If I was only going to take one trip with a couple cameras and lenses to Africa, what would the best country to visit. I'd rather "shoot" lions, elephants, etc rather than skyscrapers. I was thinking Namibia, Kenya....
I am in Kenya, as we speak; my D500/Tamron 18-400 is doing me well; you can’t overload your luggage; flew from Nairobi on Air Kenya & the guy @ Wilson Airport in Nairobi gave me hell because my suitcase was 20kg (I already threw out half the stuff at home); if the small plane is full, you might have a problem; he did not weigh my camera case
Aug 12, 2019 19:01:32 #
Impossible question does not mean impossible decision! As you can see, there is no consensus. IMO, there is nothing that comes close to Africa for wildlife photography in terms of the variety of wildlife and scenery. And, as some have said, a "bad" wildlife safari in Africa is better than almost the best wildlife safari anywhere else. That does not mean one shouldn't go anywhere else, I prefer seeing different areas as well as Africa (ie. the Pantanal, Amazon, Arctic, Antarctica, etc) but none can match the variety and density of animals one can see in Africa. So even though it might be your one and only trip to Africa (which I told my wife when we went the first time), take the leap, choose a trip that appeals to you and enjoy!
Aug 12, 2019 20:34:08 #
ricardo00 wrote:
Impossible question does not mean impossible decis... (show quote)
I also like seeing different places - I caught the disease from my mom, who used to be a travel agent. She's been to about 80 or so countries on six continents. So far I've only touched 3 (Israel, E, S &W, Honduras (mission trip), Germany and Cancun MX). I will probably never catch up. On my bucket list, however meek and small, is Thailand, Spain/Portugal, India, Africa, Australia, and maybe Italy/France. I never expected so many responses to my question...hardly anyone comments on my plane pics or macro shots. Some people get a dozen pages of comments about everything they post - I guess I'm just not that popular...boo hoo
Nov 17, 2019 02:28:15 #
Next year will be 15th trip including all Southern/East African countries. Botswana, without question.
Nov 17, 2019 06:53:52 #
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