DJD Loc: Seal Beach, CA

I've been to Africa three times (Namibia, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Cape Town) all with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT). They have a number of safaris to choose from. Our first safari was Ultimate Africa https://www.oattravel.com/trips/land-adventures/africa/ultimate-africa-botswana-zambia-and-zimbabwe-safari/2018/itineraries?icid=destcmp_bot_lk. Camp guides were excellent and the accommodations (fixed tents) were very comfortable (w/private shower and toilets). In fact we are going back again with OAT in January 2019 taking the Best of Kenya and Tanzania trip: https://www.oattravel.com/trips/land-adventures/africa/the-best-of-kenya-and-tanzania/2018/itineraries?icid=destcmp_ktz_ph We traveled in May and June and rain was not an issue. Most of OAT's clients are senior Americans and the trips are not exhausting (just the getting there part). OAT limits the size of the group to 16. Regardless of what safari outfit you choose, you are going to love it. One word of advise, never never go anywhere without a camera. Even in camp, you just don't know what you will see. Animals have come into camp. If luggage will allow, consider taking a trail or critter cam. You never know what will pass by your tent at night. Good luck and have a great trip.

Leopard in a tree a few miles from our tented camp - Serengeti

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suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Gorgeous image!

acain52

I have been to Africa several times; both hunting and photographic safaris. I think the most oustanding outfitter for India or Africa is "And Beyond". We spent 4 weeks traveling through Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. We were there from Septemper 8 thru October 3 2017. We were in the Masai Mara and the Serangetti during the migration and were never crowded or had any problem getting good photo ops.

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mikedent Loc: Florida

Thanks everyone- many more choices than I thought! OAT seems quite popular, and they include airfare. Both of us are beyond 55 so that may be a good fit. Will investigate further. Awesome photos presented!

neco Loc: Western Colorado Mountains

DITTO

taxman Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

A friend of mine, Peter Balunek, started leading photo safaris a few years ago to various locations in Africa, as well as other locales around the world. His photography is exquisite, and friends and clients of mine (I'm a CPA) who have gone on his trips have spoken highly of the experience. One of my clients has gone on at least two of his trips.

I personally have not gone on the trip (on the bucket list for after I retire) and I have no financial interest, whatsoever, in his enterprise. Peter started doing this out of a passion for conservation of the African wildlife. His website is http://www.peterswildlifesafaris.com/.

vic8photo

Hello
Love this forum. I went to Africa about a year and a half ago. The company I used was The Africa Adventure Company. They are out of Florida. The owner of the company, Mark Nolting has written 8 travel books on Africa and Conte Nest rated them 3rd for best outfitters for safari. We went to Mana Pools, and Hwange National Parks in Zimbabwe. Every part of our trip was perfect starting from getting picked up at the airport to the food and our guides were amazing as well as our accommodation's. I did not want a "Disneyland" feeling to our trip and this company keeps things very low key and not a lot of people in each camp. Mana Pools was awesome due to being on the Zambiza river. Got incredible photographs of elephants playing in the water as well as so much more. It's a photographers paradise for animals of all kinds. Take at least a 300m lens. You have to shoot from the jeep or boat but you get pretty close to the animals. The company also provided us with luggage, books and journals for our travels.
Best of luck, take lots of photos

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

Check tripadvisor.com and toursbylocals.com

fecraly

I have been to southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia) and to East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania). Went with OAT both times--fantastic trips. Will likely use them again for a second trip to Tanzania/Serengeti. Not just photo trips, but OAT includes some cultural stuff too. You have opportunities for addition pre- and post- trip add ons, such as to Cape Town, Zanzibar, Kruger Park). Get OAT's brochure to see trip details. Just plan to go during local winter, to avoid humidity and insects (I went in June--great weather, warm and dry; but cool nights in South Africa tented camps). Price was about 8K per person including air.

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

June would be a neat time to go...my birthday is in June :)

GregWCIL Loc: Illinois

Mike, I would also recommend Pangolin. They are reasonable but our experience far exceeded our expectations. They have dual bases - Kasane, Botswana and Cape Town. Kasane is a few hours drive from Victoria Falls. Most of their tours start there with 3 days on the Chobe River. You get amazingly close to animals in their fantastic photo boats. Google Pangolin photo boats to see their features on YouTube. They have several options for the land part of the safari. The flight on down to Cape Town and two days of Cape Area photo tours included.
I checked out OATS but felt they were more general, less photo oriented. Check how many people in each safari vehicle. One person per row is ideal. We saw many vehicles packed 2 and three per row.
Have fun and post some pics.

photodoc16

Mike,
By all means, go to his web site at GerryvanDerwalt.com. I heard him talk to the Sierra club in NYC recently. He is a South African native, low key, pleasant and funny and a terrific photographer. His tours appear to be tailored to photogs and are very high quality and reasonably priced. His email is Gerry@wild-eye.co.Za. Mention Dr. Richard Gold from the Sierra Club.
Best of luck,
Photodoc16

dbarber71

I don't know why barryb was so down on South Africa. We have seen all the animals there and really enjoyed our safaris although we did like Botswana better. We worked with Mango Safaris. It's a small company operated by two college friends who travel throughout Africa extensively every year to keep up with the best places to stay. They are extremely accommodating to your needs whether that be price or type of accommodation. They are easy to work with online. Check their website at https://www.mangoafricansafaris.com/.

global

Did you by any chance look into Signita Lodges?

LXK0930 Loc: Souh Jersey

I went to Kenya/Tanzania over 30 years ago, and South Africa (and surrounding countries) about 5 years ago. The Kenya trip was a private tour (6 people) and the SA tour wa with Smartours. Because of time difference, you can not compare cost or amenities, but I believe that Smartours gives the best value today. I would say that their trips are Deluxe, not Super Luxurious.

However, the safari experience was very different in the two places. For example, in SA, we saw a herd of perhaps 20 wildebeast. In Kenya/Tanzania, we saw a plain of thousands. Same experience for other animals. On the S/A trip, we had a "walk with lions" experience (looking back, I must have been nuts!). I don't know if this is still offered anywhere.

Note that I am a fairly seasoned traveller. In SA, we had by far the best tour guide that I have ever experienced. The trip was like a college course. In addition, he really understood how to be a tour guide. For example, on the first day, he gave each tourist local money to be paid back at the end. This was so that people would not be anxious about when/where to get local currency. (Note: he said that in 30 years, no one had failed to pay him back).

Anyway, whatever trip you take, enjoy it.