IRV-Meridan Loc: Corona de Tucson, AZ

We are planning a safari trip in 2021. I have few questions on the equipment to bring as I have been researching that extensively. I do have questions to anyone who has gone on a Photo Safari in the last two years; 1) how many days should be planned, 2) which countries have the best reliability for good photos, 3) any recommendations for travel agents, 4) best time of year to schedule this travel, and finally other recommendations for things to see or do aside from the safari itself?

Thanks for any information and recommendations.

Irv

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

We have used this company and are very pleased with the results.

https://www.abercrombiekent.com/travel-destinations/africa-safari

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Irv,

What equipment do you have?
As a warm up in 2020 you may want to go to Phoenix Arizona and do a workshop in Camp Verde, "Out Of Africa. Kathleen is a super workshop teacher. I did her workshop. Great tips on Wildlife.

http://kathleenreeder.com/workshops/list/?tribe_paged=2&tribe_event_display=list

Stan

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Call your tour provider, a good tour provider will tell you exactly what to bring because every day of the year they are the ones taking you into the bush. They will know best what equipment to bring.

mitrecon

Wilderness Safaris! 59 +/- camps throughout Africa, the least being very comfortable and attractive. Fantastically well trained guides. Try going trough one of their agents Journey's Unforgettable - used them twice to southern Africa - Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. First time trip go to Okavanga Delta - see the big five. Peak times are October and May. Not inexpensive but minutes in you will forget what you've paid.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Use CNP SAFARIS Lou Coetzer has different locations and at some even furnishes Nikon cameras and lenes. https://www.cnpsafaris.com/
In Aug I am going to Kenya and then to South Africa

wireloose

Have a look at Ruaha in Tanzania. Far less crowded and amazing wildlife. I used Kusina https://kusini-safaris.com/ and had an extraordinary experience. Perhaps pair with Ngorongoro/Serengeti if that’s an option.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

Check Hunt’s Photo and Video. They have a photo safari that goes to Tanzania that comes with an instructor, who is excellent, btw. They work with Thompson Safaris. I know a lot of people who’ve gone on them and we’re thrilled.

edhjr Loc: Needham, MA

Check out "Africa Dream Safaris" online. It is a small company owned by an American that that does the best (not cheap) safaris. Only in Tanzania. My wife and I traveled with them twice for 2 weeks each time. Just our smart, personable Tanzanian guide and the two of us. We worked together with them to design our itinerary before the trip and they organize everything from the minute you arrive in Tanzania until you leave. They really understand what photographers want and need: things like motor off fast, sun behind us etc. We have recommended to several friends who have had the same great experience. They have won several awards. Enjoy.

Tommy 86 Loc: East TN

Went to Kenya and Tanzania in September, 2019 for 2 weeks. Had a wonderful trip. It is difficult to recommend just a few places, as every place we went was great, but will try: Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi to start, Amboseli N.P., Tarangire N.P., Masai Mara Reserve and Nakuru N.P., but again, other parks and reserves were terrific too. Even though I have seen the Great Migration many times on TV, there is nothing like seeing it in person. I rented a Tamron 150-600 G2 from LensRentals and was extremely pleased with the lens and the company. Would also strongly recommend second camera body for wide angle/landscape shots. This could be a small point and shoot. Changing lenses is a bad idea as you will miss shots and because of dust. Wherever you go, have a great trip!

Chris

Following, have same questions

bikerguy

Irv we went to Southern Africa in 2015 (I know more than 2 years ago). We used African Travel Resources for our trip.They design a trip specifically for you and will help you narrow down where you want to go. We spent 3 days each at three camps: Sabi Sands, Linyanti and the Okavanga Delta. All were terrific. Outside of teh safaris we wnt to Victoria Falls and Zambia for 2 days and 3 days in Cape Town.

bikerguy

Irv also, we went in September at the end of the dry season and the animals were very easy to photograph due to the lack of leaves on the trees. When we went we felt safe at all of the camps. The people were friendly and the food very good.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

I went to South Africa a year and a half ago - to Kruger and vicinity - on a safari organized by former NatGeo photographer Greg Sweeney. He lives there and his family owns a small lodge where we stayed most of the time, making various day trips. This allows him to lower his costs. We also stayed a few nights in two other lodges for their unique experiences. This is one of the most affordable photo safaris I have found, especially considering it IS a photo safari. You get expert guidance if needed, only two passengers per row in the vehicles, and food and lodging. You do have to get to Huitspruit, where you will be picked up. That is a one-hour flight from Johannesburg. It is awesome. I wuold do ti again except that I think I want to go to Botswana next.

The problem with South Africa is that it is a LONG way away. You either have to do a long flight to the mideast and then another long flight to Jburg, or you have to do the VERY long (16 1/2 hours) Delta flight from Atlanta. I made the mistake of thinking that on such a long flight they would have to have reasonable seat spacing - right? WRONG! It was a horrible experience. Over 16 hours of misery. The first thing I did when I landed was to check the return flight and I found that there was one seat left on "Delta Comfort", where I paid another $200 for 3 more inches of leg room. It was worth every penny. I would only return if I can get the Premium Economy seating, or better yet, business class.

http://www.africawildsafaris.net/

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Amaize

I have yet to find anywhere that compares with the Serengeti ! It is a vast area and just being in the landscape is quite an experience. There are 2 options, from my viewpoint. One, drive into Ngorongoro crater — one of the largest craters which essentially “landlocked” the animals. It is just such an interesting area for a day, with many many animals. However for a true safari experience, just fly into the Serengeti. Doing the crater, one must drive a few hours from Arusha, then more driving to the Serengeti. You can fly out of Dar es Salem right to the center of the Serengeti and then you are there. My recommendation — 7 days, or squeeze in more if you can. 5 days is “adequate,” 7 days you can relax and just “be there.” The Wildlife Lodge is near the center and right near the airport. One thing to remember — you pay an entrance/daily fee. So if you pay for a “7 day” fee, it means in by what ever time you enter, and exit on day 7 at that same time. If you want “7 days” fly in, buy 8 day pass, and you will have 7 full days, then fly out on the morning of the 8th day. As I tell most people, 3 or less in a vehicle is optimum. Do not do a “group” tour where you are one of “several.” You will have 6 in a vehicle. Always do “open top” vehicle. Look at Toyota Land Cruiser Safari vehicle pic’s to get a sense of it. “Bush to Beach“ is great — ask for Frank Mlemwa as your guide. I simply cannot say enough positives about him ! Spring is “rainy” season, like April — low season — but a great time to go because traffic is down. We have not run into much rain then, anyway. June begins high season — till November. January was a great time for me, also, so I don’t think there is a “slow” season. The migration supposedly peaks in Aug-Sept, but there still is good chance for Oct-Nov. We caught an incredible crossing — 40 minutes of continuous W’beests ! That was in Masai Mara, in Kenya — the northern “tip” of the Serengeti. Besides the Wildlife Lodge, there are a number of tent camps — very comfortable and a little more the “feel” of safari. There are other things to see/do — but why ? The Serengeti is just magical. Personally I would (well, should say I will in a few months) fly into the Serengeti. You step off the plane and “wow.” One way to make the trip is fly into Dar and maybe fly to Arusha. Spend a few days there — a nice, lively smaller town just to acclimate, time-wise, then fly into the Serengeti. The “road trips” to get to places are not so “special” if time is limited. Personally I like Swiss Air — 7-8 hr flight to Zürich and another 7-8 to Dar. I usually catch it out of JFK, but Chicago has a dir flight to Z also. Other options, fly thru Paris, Amsterdam (busy airport), or maybe Frankfurt. One other option — a bit more expensive, by double — is dir flight JFK—>Nairobi (14 hr) then catch short flight down. One more option, check out flights to Kilimanjaro — a bit more expensive than to Dar, but you are right near Arusha. Though flights from Dar to Serengeti are no real issue — you fly small prop planes and get a nice view of landscape along the way. Feel free to message me for more info if you care to amaizn_blu@yahoo.com

Ken