African phot safari: I am just staring to think about an African Photo Safari, probably in late 2016 or early 2017. My key interest would be lions, leopards, elephants, water buffalo...

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

I am just staring to think about an African Photo Safari, probably in late 2016 or early 2017.

My key interest would be lions, leopards, elephants, water buffalo, giraffes and zebras. Birds and other wildlife would be a plus.

Would be interested in suggestions on which areas or countries to consider, guide companies and best places to plan to fly into and out of. I would probably plan for about two weeks of photography in the field.

Thanks,

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

My friend Beverly Houwing leads photography safaris to Africa once or twice a year. She is there now.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/squidgallery/albums/72157646172856183

silveragemarvel Loc: Keller, Texas

I've just retired and also want to do the African safari in the next 2 years. Looking for as much info as possible. Thanks.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Wes97068 Loc: Portland Oregon

I have booked with GreatSafaris.com going April 2016. Then extending trip on my own and also using www.pangolinphoto.com for Chobe National Park river Safari.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Does she have a web site that discusses details of future trips? Fantastic photos on the Flikr pages.

gwong1 Loc: Tampa, FL

JF, I went to Tanzania about 2 years ago and had a great time, we even saw the Great Migration across the Mara River (not guaranteed). I went with Safari Ventures and always looked back at that trip, as a trip of my life time. Note: This trip is now one day longer than the trip I took. Gary http://www.safariventures.com/package/photo-safari-with-james-corwin-johnson/

JFCoupe wrote:

I am just staring to think about an African Photo Safari, probably in late 2016 or early 2017.

My key interest would be lions, leopards, elephants, water buffalo, giraffes and zebras. Birds and other wildlife would be a plus.

Would be interested in suggestions on which areas or countries to consider, guide companies and best places to plan to fly into and out of. I would probably plan for about two weeks of photography in the field.

Thanks,

KenProspero

In our first trip, we flew into and out of Nairobi. On our second, we flew into an airport in Tanzania near Mt Kilimanjaro (where many photo safaris leave from). Each required a stop over in Europe. Try to leave a day to recover from flights before your trip starts.

There are many good companies out there -- on our most recent photo safari, we went with Tauck and were very satisfied. Others are equally as good.

There are a number of budget companies, where you could save money -- it can be hit or miss. On our first photo safari, which was very budget, we had a truly excellent driver/guide, who often did high end private tours.

Much of the difference in price between companies, to be honest, is the level of hotel/camp you stay at; whether you have an American/European guide in addition to the driver; and whether there are lectures, etc. As far as amenities go, you pretty much get what you pay for.

I think, depending on where you go, you'll find that most of the tour companies have fairly standard itineries. You'll see the same animals with each, and what you see will be luck of the draw, no matter who you're with. Plenty of birds and "Other wild life". Count on seeing elephants, water buffalo, giraffes, zebras and lions. Leopards and Cheetah are somewhat rarer, and you can't count on seeing either. Rhinos are very endangered and very rare. We got lucky on both our safaris (very luck in the first, as we were within 5 feet of a rhino) but this is not the norm.

If you can, MOST important, is you want your drives to occur as close to sunrise and sunset as possible (park rules limit this in some places). Those are the times when the Cats are most active. Many Tourists want to skip (or delay the start of the Morning Drive, so they can sleep in. Make sure with your tour company that the morning tours will leave early.

If you're looking for the Big Five, the most concentrated area year round is probably Ngorogoro Crater in Tanzania. Other places are very nice, but for many, the total experience may depend on when and where

Posuane777 Loc: Houston, TX

My wife and I went to the Masai Mara in Kenya the summer of 2014. It was a totally awesome experience and would do it again. Your jeep driver can make a difference, some will do things Thera will not. I also recommend the ballon ride if you can afford it...was around $650.00. You can not be guaranteed to see all the big five, and it is not the drivers fault. We did not see a black rhino but did see all of the other animals. The accommodations there are five star as is the food, which is a buffet. Never has a tent been so nice.I will post some photos of the safari later.

DaveHam Loc: Reading UK

That's a bit like describing most of the game reserves that exist in Africa today....

One of the best places for viewing cats like lion, leopard and cheetah is Kruger National Park in South Africa. Fly in via Johannesburg and then the feeder to Mpumalanga 'International' airport or hire a car and drive down. Takes about four hours by car. One advantage of staying in KNP is you can drive yourself some of the time and take guided tours including walks from any of the rest camps.

There are a multitude of other game parks in SA - KNP is simply the largest, and you have a very good chance of lion as there are about 2000 there, well above average density. There is a good leopard and cheetah population as well. Start in the south and work your way north for a week or ten days; potentially everything on your list is there and accessible.

Botswana and Namibia offer places like the Okavango, Chobie, Etosha, but these are not as accessible and may not have the spread of species you are looking for. They are more representative of the African environment than many of the dedicated game parks as in a lot of areas farming and people live with the animal population. These also need 4x4 transport and if you want self drive you need to be able to drive in desert and sandy conditions.

If you go in the dry season water holes are the place to be, with reduced vegetation and clearer views as game comes down to drink. In the wet season the waterholes are less used.

KNP is often described as a zoo without fences; it is quite controlled with larger than normally sustainable populations of elephant and lion, for example. It also has a huge problem with the rhino poachers so areas along the Mozambique border can take on the appearance of an armed camp.

ray mraz Loc: High Ridge, Mo

My wife and I used Africa Dream Safaris. Best trip ever! It costs a little more but if you can, I suggest doing the private safari. The personal touches are well worth it. And you don't have to shoot around other peoples heads.

ejrmaine Loc: South Carolina

We did a Safari in 2013. Went to Tanzania, spent 4 days in the Serengeti in a tent, more like a canvas house.

We went with Overseas Adventure Travel, OAT. We were very pleased.

We saw all the wild animals you listed and more.

philo Loc: philo, ca

I went to south africa with OAT and had a great time. first class lodging and meals.
prices were the best i could find. check them out they offer different trips into Africa.
i would go with them again.

Harp Loc: Albany, GA

Check out OAT.COM. We just returned from a 4-country trip in February. Great trip. Super trip leader from OAT that lived there.
They have several trips, but the one we did was Southern Africa which included South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia & Botswana. We saw all the animals that you mentioned including the Big 4.
By the way, the buffalo in Africa are Cape Buffalo.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

sb wrote:

Does she have a web site that discusses details of future trips? Fantastic photos on the Flikr pages.

She is in Africa now, and will return within a week or two. I have never asked her about safari arrangements. I am sure that she will discuss future safaris with any interested photographer. Here is her Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/squidgallery?fref=ts