Canisdirus

It works surprisingly well...and animals prefer you in your vehicle anyways...you'll get more shots, not less.

Hot? Turn on the a/c...cold?...heater. Need to elevate the lens...hit the window button (don't leave the lens on the window when adjusting).

Yes, and safety. Enjoy!!

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

These little cuties always make my day superb when I see them in a first-rate capture like this 🏆🏆🏆

LXK0930 Loc: Souh Jersey

I am not an expert about Africa, but I have been to Kenya/Tanzania (about 25 years ago) and South Africa and surrounding areas (about 10 years ago). The political situation has obviously changed (check for travel advisories), and hopefully the physical infrastructure has improved.

Now, some photo related advice:
1. In Kenya/Tanzania, the dust was awful. Even the inside of a zippered camera bag got full of dust. Not a camera's best friend! If possible, I would bring 2 bodies so that I would not have to change lenses in the field. I would keep everything in good zip-locked plastic bags. Bring extras. Some masks (such as for Covid) are a good thing too.
2. A bean bag comes in handy. Even though the safari drivers usually turn off the engine, people moving around the vehicle cause vibrations.
Best way is to bring a long sock. Once there, fill it with beans.
3. South Africa was not as bad as Kenya dust-wise, but I would still take the same precautions.
4. Animals move very fast, so you may not get the chance to set up for the perfect shot. I would add a point-and-shoot camera to grab quick shots. The Panasonic FZ300 (or similar) is great for this.
5. Victoria Falls has a tremendous amount of mist and spray during the wet season. Imagine trying to take a picture in the shower. You may be able to find some good vantage points, but don't count on it.
6. Bring plenty of batteries and keep them charged.
7. Swap memory cards often, and store them away from your camera. I do this about twice a day. That way, if something happens to your equipment, you only lose half of your shots.
8. Beware of scams to separate you from your money. There are many, and some are really good.

Have a great time.

ricardo00

Congrats on booking your trip! Nat Hab does a wonderful job in organizing things (have gone with them previously but not to Africa). Two bodies with two different zoom lenses should be perfect. Don't think you have to worry about snakes (the only one I saw was in the beak of a snake eagle). Personally I would worry more about mosquitos and malaria, you might want to talk to a travel doctor and see if anti-malaria drugs are recommended for the areas you are going to. Also various intestinal bugs. Sorry to mention these things but you hopefully are already aware of these things?

Linda S.

Thank you so much, joecichjr, for your kind words!

Linda S.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Linda S.

Thank you LXK0930 for sharing your extensive experience! I did not think of malaria! I am so glad this is going to occur in 2025 so that I have time to prepare! Dust and a covid mask ... I do have 2 camera bodies. Dust could really ruin the entire trip!

I absolutely loved your analogy of taking a photo while in the shower! That really said it all - succinct and memorable!

Batteries, I have 6. Your memory card process makes sense.

I'll be taking the trip with Natural Habitat...Hopefully, that will reduce the number of potential scammers!

This is daunting and exciting!

Linda S.

ricardo00, I would really like to say I was aware of malaria and intestinal bugs, but, I thought that given Nat Hab was providing this trip, food would be safe!

Please don't be sorry to mention these things. It was kind of you to do so. I was not aware...even my nephew and his wife who went on a trip to S Africa, didn't mention this. My spreadsheet is sorely lacking, and I really do appreciate your comments.

As I said in a previous comment, good thing this trip is happening in 2025!

LXK0930 Loc: Souh Jersey

Note that when I mentioned scammers, I was not thinking about people from the tour company or fellow traveller's.

In my case, I was at a market in Nairobi. A man approached and claimed to be the waiter at my hotel who served me that morning. He knew my name, where I was from, and even what I ate for breakfast.

He claimed that his motorcycle broke down, and he needed money to get it fixed. He would pay me back later that afternoon, when he got back to the hotel.

Anyway, I did not give him any money, but offered to take him back to the hotel to get his money. He declined, and I never saw him again.

I later learned that these scammers work with people at the hotels (probably my waiter) to get information about guests. They then follow the guest around, and eventually try their scam. They have a very high success rate.

I have heard of numerous other scams, so be careful.

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

Dear Linda,

Congratulations--I think that this is a good choice.

Let me address some Kenya-specific issues that have come up, as I live in Kenya most of the year.

Malaria primarily is endemic near Lake Victoria and at the coast. Kenya is different from other safari destinations because many destinations in Kenya are at a much higher altitude. My house near Naivasha is at an altitude of 2,100 meters, so there is no malaria here. The same is true for other destinations like Nairobi, Nairobi NP, Lake Naivasha, Hell's Gate NP, Lake Nakuru NP, Aberdare NP, and so on. Even in Maasai Mara, malaria is rare. Generally, in altitudes above 1,500 meters the risk is much lower. In other, lower-lying destinations malaria is mostly seasonal: risk is highest during the rainy season and right after. Depending on where you go, bringing a good mosquito repellent and protective clothing will suffice. I am sure your travel provider will give you more information on that.

Other illnesses: I would check with your medical provider (or travel clinic) to make sure you have the necessary immunizations, like yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, meningitis, cholera, and typhoid. If you start planning now you have plenty of time.

Food safety: your tour company will take care of that. I eat on the local economy all the time and never had a problem. When I eat out, I generally stay away from uncooked foods. Fruit at the market is fine. Always drink bottled water, which is easy to find in Kenya. Lodges, hotels, restaurants, even little stores, etc. have it readily available.

Climate: in higher elevations, Kenya has a moderate climate. In Naivasha, where I live, temperatures don't ever reach 30 degrees Celsius--a really hot day is 28 degrees (82F). The nights are generally cool and even cold, so bring long-sleeve shirts (also for malaria protection) and a light sweater. In lower altitudes temps are little warmer but not intolerable. Only the Lake Victoria area and the coast experience really tropical climates. Keep in mind that the sun is very intense so it may feel very hot and uncomfortable in the sun. Bring a good hat, sun screen, sun glasses, and protective clothing.

The main rainy season here is April and May (we are in a dry spell now, but a wet Easter is forecast). The secondary rainy season is late September to late November. Patterns can shift a little, particularly due to climate change. Since you plan to travel in September you will be at the end of the dry season--I assume you picked the date because it is migration season at Maasai Mara.

Scammers. Most people are honest here, just like everywhere else. Scammers do exist, with a bit of common sense they are easy to spot. On a safari, you will be mostly sheltered from that anyway.

Snakes: they do exist, obviously, and some are venomous. Frankly, I have seen only one so far, a harmless one. You will spend most of your time in your safari vehicle as in Kenyan national parks you are not allowed to get out except for in designated areas. There are some exceptions: you are allowed to walk in Hell's Gate NP because there are no big cats there.

If you have any questions please send me a private message.

Have a great trip, Peter

Dmazur Loc: Wisconsin

Congratulations on choosing a trip. Even if some days are less than ideal, the overall trip will be wonderful. If you are in Kenya, I hope you get at least one day in Amboseli. You can get some iconic images of wildlife in the foreground and Mt. Kilimanjaro in the background.

Linda S.

Thank you LXK0930 for sharing how creative these scammers can be! I will stick closely to the people with whom I am traveling! I have a tendency to believe people more often than not! I especially like your calling his bluff . . .very creative and he couldn't say it was offensive. Nicely done!

Linda S.

Thank you, Peter for your instructive comments. I will be sure to ask questions on the very topics you raised during my first call with NatHab. I also have a telephone appointment scheduled with my doctor to learn about the vaccinations I will need. My Mom went on a safari in Kenya about 40 years ago and she raved about the beauty. She was the main inspiration for my going! I like the cold weather (photographing the Aurora in Alaska, where it was -20F at 2 AM!) much more than hot, but, that said, I can adjust. :)

It appears that it doesn't matter about the specific date I picked for they needed to update the web site! The NatHab representative and I are to talk over the next two weeks, so I will be sure to ask all my questions and finalize the dates! That said, nothing will be a deal-breaker - just something that needs to be addressed and fixed!

Thank you also for your generous offer to send you a private message if I have any further questions. I will definitely respect your time!