Impossible question? (Africa) (Page 2): I had an amazing week at Ruaha in Tanzania. Wonderful wildlife, but main differentiators from the more popular and perhaps more spectacular...

wireloose

I had an amazing week at Ruaha in Tanzania. Wonderful wildlife, but main differentiators from the more popular and perhaps more spectacular venues were no dust and no crowds. Open vehicle, no windows, so ideal for photography. I would go back in a heartbeat.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

Check out Hunt's Photo. They have an instructor-led photography trip to Tanzania coming up in February(?). The instructor, Don Toothacre, is excellent and he will be leading the trip. I've done many workshops with him and have learned a tremendous amount from him.

lonewolf456

Beautiful photos of African wildlife. Number 1 is a magnificent photo, worthy of framing for my cave. Thanks for shooting wildlife with a camera.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

I opted for South Africa due to ongoing terrorism concerns in Kenya, although lately things seem to have quieted down in Kenya. I was not disappointed. I took a 9-day photo safari in the Kruger National Park area, and it met all expectations in terms of great animals in great scenery. I am looking at Botswana for my next safari, but it is very hard to get to in terms of travel time!

bentetzner

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....

try the serenghetti in tanzania and bring a good telephoto such as 80-400

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

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....

My dream is to go to the short grass plains of Serengeti National Park during the Wildebeest migration. Just my dream.

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

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 did three safaris with Sabi Sabi. Wonderful 5 star accommodations, food and locale. The guides and Land Rovers made for an excellent experience. The longest kens I required was a 70/200 FF. We were so close to game, even when they had a “kill” that you could see catchlight in their eyes. Big five... Oh yes! We photographed all Big Five just on the drive from the private airstrip to the camp. Perhaps there is some truth to the old saying, “you get what you pay for” may apply. Have fun!

Cheers!

asimodulex Loc: Atlanta, GA

We have been to Kenya and Tanzania twice each with 14 to 16 days trip, have been to South Africa also for 15 days trip, going to Botswana for 15 days trip next year BUT at the planning stage for Kenya and Tanzania for 25 days trip in 2021. My personal opinion, Kenya and Tanzania are the best so far.

I will not go to South Africa second time as Tanzania and Kenya have a lot to offer. Botswana will be out first trip.

If you are planning to take just one Safari trip then no matter where you go, it is going to exceed your expectations far way more................

jedcardio

I would choose Kenya Tanzania or Botswana You will see the"big five" plus many more in any of these countries. You can easily visit both Kenya and Tanzania in one trip. With Botswana you can easily work in Victoria Falls which is well worth it if you are in that part of the world.

mikeglaw

I went to Kruger park last year. Excellent views of animals in the wild, and a friendly giraffe who stuck her head in our tour truck for a feeding and petting! Great fun, excellent photo opportunities.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I would certainly pay close attention to what ronichas had to add to this conversation. I've been following her trip on facebook. You'd be wise to heed her advice.
--Bob

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....

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

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....

Wildlife: Kenya and/or Tanzania.

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

I was in Tanzania in April this year with Russ Burden (russburdenphotography.com) and Africa Nature Photography. It was a terrific 12 days covering time in the Ngorongoro Crater and three areas in the Serengeti. Our group had two vehicles, three photographers per vehicle plus Russ and Brad Stary and the African Nature Photography guides/drivers. They know the areas and were great at spotting animals and getting us into the best shooting positions.

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

Wow...never expected so many great replies. This is one possible trip I'd thought of - http://www.getours.com/tours/discover-east-Africa. I've never gone with these people, but Overseas Adventure Travel (oattravel.com) is the group I took to Israel for 15 days. There were 13 other tourists other than me, the tour guide and the bus driver. They also offer trips to Africa. A specifically photographic tours is almost undoubtedly way out of my budget as my only income is a part-time job as a school bus monitor. JFTHOI I looked at airfare for a different trip. Going ORD vs STL would save nearly $700...worth a 5-hr drive IMO. I'll check out some of the suggestions you've given me.

photoman43

I have been to Botswana and Tanzania on photo safaris. Both were excellent places and I can strongly recommend both of them. If I were to pick one, I would, pick Botswana because your Guide can drive off road to get closer to the animals and you have the opportunity to take a boat ride in the Okavango Delta, which is an amazing experience.

My advice it to go on a photo safari, not a regular safari. Pay extra to have fewer people in the Land Rovers and Guides who know what photographers need to get the best pictures.

In addition to cameras and lenses, you need to have the right camera/lens support equipment with you for the type of Land Rover you will be in. This varies from country to country.

Three Cameras needed: cell phone, One with a long lens attached, and another with s shorter lens attached like a 70-200mm.