safaris recommendations
Oct 15, 2019 08:35:01 #
mizzee
Loc: Boston,Ma
Hunt’s photo and video does a safari. I don’t know if it’s booked or not but it includes a wonderful instructor who I’ve worked with many, many times. Their emphasis is on animals, photo education, and culture.
Oct 15, 2019 10:39:16 #
JFCoupe
Loc: Kent, Washington
I would highly recommend Africa Nature Photography if Tanzania is in your planning at all.
https://www.africanaturephotography.com/
Angelbert Pantaleo is the owner and has been leading safaris for 15-20 years. He started his own company about 4 year ago. I was with him and five other participants for two weeks in April. We had three people plus guide and driver in each of two vehicles compared to many other vehicles we saw with 8-9 people all trying to take photos.
Even if you wife isn't a photographer, the country you will see should meet or exceed any expectation.
https://www.africanaturephotography.com/
Angelbert Pantaleo is the owner and has been leading safaris for 15-20 years. He started his own company about 4 year ago. I was with him and five other participants for two weeks in April. We had three people plus guide and driver in each of two vehicles compared to many other vehicles we saw with 8-9 people all trying to take photos.
Even if you wife isn't a photographer, the country you will see should meet or exceed any expectation.
Oct 15, 2019 10:57:35 #
Overseas Adventure Travel is tops!! Made two safari trips with them: Southern Africa in 2011. then Kenya/Tanzania in 2016. The last trip was best from all respects; great safaris/animal viewing (lions about 8 ft away!!); great accommodations and food. OAT takes care of everything once you board your plane in US until you deplane in US after the trip (except tips and bar tabs). Max of 14-16 people per travel group. Not the least expensive, but worry free!!
Oct 15, 2019 11:25:42 #
xt2
Loc: British Columbia, Canada
dtsobel wrote:
I'm starting to look into going on a african safari. I'm not looking at a "photo" specialized one as my wife will also be going and the seem to be considerably more expensive. any one have recommendations. I have been looking at using Game Watchers Safari.
I'm reading that the better ones are in conservatories which are owned by the native tribes.
I'm reading that the better ones are in conservatories which are owned by the native tribes.
We have been fortunate to do three safaris. By far the very best was, Sabi Sabi. We saw all five of the "Big Five" simply driving from the private airfield to the camp. I scrambled to get my camera gear out and the driver told me not to worry since we will be seeing all of the five and many more over and over again at much closer range (sometimes 20 feet away)... The driver was correct!
https://www.sabisandsgamereserve.com
Have fun.
Cheers!
Oct 15, 2019 11:32:02 #
[I most recently used Jacada but have used And Beyond as well. They will tailor a safari to you and your budget. I recommend Tanzania and Kenya or South Africa and Zimbobwe. An all around lens is the Tamron 18-400. You diffinitly want a telephoto. These two outfits will keep you away from the crowds.
Oct 15, 2019 12:30:32 #
Stan Wieg
Loc: Fair Oaks, CA
We just returned from a trip organized by Audley Travel. Not cheap, but they did a superb job meeting our requirements in East Africa. Amboseli in Kenya had extraordinary numbers of elephants and wading birds up close. We were in Asilia camps in the Sarengetti and saw multiple wildebeast river crossings and lots of predators. Asilia is a "give back" kind of operation and emphasizes local connection.
After the Sarengetti and Masai Mara, we found the Ngorogoro Crater to be a bit anticlimactic; if you go, try and enter right at 6:00 when the gate opens. Take a long lens - I used a Tamron 150-600.
In Botswana I highly recommend staying in a river camp in the Okavango; lots of smaller birds.
In South Africa we saw a wonderful variety of game in Sabi Sands (private lands adjoining Kruger National Park.
None of our trips have been specifically "photo" safaris, but were individual or very small group trips. Our guides/drivers were good at positioning us for good shots. Take a head (bug) net to use around the big herds, and beware of lots of dust on the game drives. Good Luck!
After the Sarengetti and Masai Mara, we found the Ngorogoro Crater to be a bit anticlimactic; if you go, try and enter right at 6:00 when the gate opens. Take a long lens - I used a Tamron 150-600.
In Botswana I highly recommend staying in a river camp in the Okavango; lots of smaller birds.
In South Africa we saw a wonderful variety of game in Sabi Sands (private lands adjoining Kruger National Park.
None of our trips have been specifically "photo" safaris, but were individual or very small group trips. Our guides/drivers were good at positioning us for good shots. Take a head (bug) net to use around the big herds, and beware of lots of dust on the game drives. Good Luck!
Oct 15, 2019 13:12:57 #
sb wrote:
I have heard good things about Overseas Adventure Travel. Pangolin, mentioned above, is in Botswana. I am considering going there - their prices are reasonable. All safaris provide jobs for the local people. Jobs in the lodges as well as in wildlife conservation.
We have used OAT for a number of tours including Africa and loved all of them. Just returned from Peru in May. Reasonable...
Oct 15, 2019 13:32:43 #
Now that your head is spinning from all the recommendations I will throw in one more for your review. Contact the Noltings of The Africa Adventure Company. Google Mark Nolting and look at his background and experience. You may even end up with one of his books as your field guide on your safari. The company is in Ft Lauderdale. And with 30 years experience and many industry awards their record speaks for itself.
Oct 15, 2019 13:47:00 #
sb wrote:
I have heard good things about Overseas Adventure Travel. Pangolin, mentioned above, is in Botswana. I am considering going there - their prices are reasonable. All safaris provide jobs for the local people. Jobs in the lodges as well as in wildlife conservation.
I concur about OAT. They're NOT a photography tour company but they understand that their travelers want to shoot photos. I went with them on a safari to South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. I asked the driver to stop whenever there was something of interest to shoot. There was never any problem with stopping - both guides and co-travelers understand that photographers see things worth shooting. I did share my images with the group once I got back home.
Oct 15, 2019 14:52:49 #
Tommy 86
Loc: East TN
Not to knock any tour company, but I think you would find that most all drivers/guides are very responsive to what you want, photography wise or anything else on safari. Oh, and try to get to Tarangire - pretty great park.
Oct 15, 2019 20:33:54 #
My wife and I did a trip with Lion World Travel. They are based in Toronto and subcontract their tours with reputable local companies. We did their tour of East Africa in Kenya and Tanzania. It was amazing. We went to 7 parks in 12 days. I can strongly recommend them. Take a long lens. I used a 100-400 with a 1.4 tc on my 7dII. My wife used a Tamron 150-600 G2 on her 80d. You won’t need that reach for every shot, but when you need it, you need it. Enjoy your trip.
Oct 15, 2019 22:47:10 #
Oct 16, 2019 01:12:39 #
Tanzania was great. I know everyone thinks Kenya is the best. And I am sure it is incredible.
But the Ngororo Crater May the be the most beautiful place on earth. But don’t tell any one.
And there is in the Safari that let us explore a magic dune. I dare not even try to describe it.
Thousands of gnus, giraffes, zebra, and hippos. And lions in the trees and in the yellow grass waiting for the warthogs to come down for a drink. Alas, We never saw a leopard.
The guides were great. The facilities were over the top.
I only had a little camera. Others had lenses that looked like they stood out two or three feet. I can’t imagine what photos they captured. But I have photos that everyone raves about. Most were shot over my shoulder as I was being chased by a lion. Thank goodness it was a small camera and it wasn’t a cheetah chasing me.
It was an incredible experience. But I imagine that Kenya would also be great. Jumbo. Hello in Swahili.
Xiange
But the Ngororo Crater May the be the most beautiful place on earth. But don’t tell any one.
And there is in the Safari that let us explore a magic dune. I dare not even try to describe it.
Thousands of gnus, giraffes, zebra, and hippos. And lions in the trees and in the yellow grass waiting for the warthogs to come down for a drink. Alas, We never saw a leopard.
The guides were great. The facilities were over the top.
I only had a little camera. Others had lenses that looked like they stood out two or three feet. I can’t imagine what photos they captured. But I have photos that everyone raves about. Most were shot over my shoulder as I was being chased by a lion. Thank goodness it was a small camera and it wasn’t a cheetah chasing me.
It was an incredible experience. But I imagine that Kenya would also be great. Jumbo. Hello in Swahili.
Xiange
Oct 16, 2019 05:12:15 #
Oct 16, 2019 08:50:04 #
We went to S Africa and Zambia - primarily used And Beyond - they were fantastic !
Stayed at Ngala and Lion Sands - both unbelievably nice -not cheap
Also used different organization in Zambia - stayed at Toka Leya
Try to see Cape Town for nonsafari experience
Have fun!!
Stayed at Ngala and Lion Sands - both unbelievably nice -not cheap
Also used different organization in Zambia - stayed at Toka Leya
Try to see Cape Town for nonsafari experience
Have fun!!
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