African Safari - Tanznia: I am considering a trip for twelve days to Tanznia. Has anyone been there and what were your experiences. Would you do it again? Gary...

gwong1 Loc: Tampa, FL

I am considering a trip for twelve days to Tanznia. Has anyone been there and what were your experiences. Would you do it again? Gary

dck45 Loc: El Dorado Hills, CA

Spent 14 days in Tanzania this summer. Absolutely fabulous for photographers. Not a trip for the faint-hearted traveler. A good safari company can make or break the experience. Check them out carefully. We used Wildersun Safaris, they were excellent. If photography is the main reason for going, it is best to travel with other photographers, no more than 4 people max in a van (3 is best). Don't drag disinterested family/friends along as they wilt under the travel schedule and diminish the experience, and no young children, this is not Disneyland! If you have specific questions on a trip like this, contact me directly via email:dck45@cox.net, I've done this 3 times with varying degrees of success.

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windshoppe Loc: Arizona

My wife and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I agree with dck45's suggestion concerning photography. We began the trip with 4 people per van, which ultimately worked out well. What we quickly discovered was that we had a mix of birders and serious photographers in our group and that our priorities were very different. After a couple of days one of the photographers went to our trip leader and insisted that the 4 serious photographers be put in the same van and the birders together in another. The rest of the trip was great. The birders took their copious notes and the four of us had a wonderful time sharing the best vantage points in the van and comparing notes. Our goal was the big 5 and we did manage to get them all. We also had our share of cultural experiences there, visiting a school (that had no electricity or indoor plumbing)as well as several villages and had many opportunities to interact with the people. All in all a life changing experience.

gwong1 Loc: Tampa, FL

Thanks for the input. I forgot to say that this is a trip for photographers, with two professional phootographers to help with shooting as well as post processing. Our trip is to be 10 min and 16 max, with no more than 4 per open roof truck. The professionals will alternate the trucks, so we get exposure to both. Thanks, Gary

sbesaw Loc: Boston

gwong1 wrote:

Thanks for the input. I forgot to say that this is a trip for photographers, with two professional phootographers to help with shooting as well as post processing. Our trip is to be 10 min and 16 max, with no more than 4 per open roof truck. The professionals will alternate the trucks, so we get exposure to both. Thanks, Gary

What Group are you using?

Fly'n Fish Loc: Jacksonville, Florida

I spent over two weeks in Tanzania and consider it one of the best photo experiences ever. As most of your shooting will be from a land rover type of vehicle, through an open roof with no room for a tripod, I suggest making or buying a bean bag to steady your camera, especially for long telephoto shots. I made mine before I left home and filled it with rice when I was in Arusha. It worked nicely and after the safari I donated the rice to our guides. Be sure to take along extra batteries.

Also, I took along a video camera as a last minute thought. After all of the requite shots, I pulled out the video camera and got fabulous images with sound and action of the animals, something still photos can't match. If I return to Africa, I'll pack the video camera first.

I also took along school supplies for the local children. they were a welcomed gift and much appreciated.

Have a great trip.

gwong1 Loc: Tampa, FL

Photo Experience out of Sarasota, FL. Gary

sbesaw wrote:

gwong1 wrote:

Thanks for the input. I forgot to say that this is a trip for photographers, with two professional phootographers to help with shooting as well as post processing. Our trip is to be 10 min and 16 max, with no more than 4 per open roof truck. The professionals will alternate the trucks, so we get exposure to both. Thanks, Gary

What Group are you using?

2thdoc

I have been to Kenya twice and Tanzania once. You really need to go in the time of The Great Migration. My trips to Kenya were with two ministers/missionaries who got up the trips. Four of us first time and six next time.

You need to go to Kenya and Masai- Mara. Great animal shots and you can get off road.

My trip to Tanzania was good but Kenya was better.
i too wll be glad to offer more specifics: tbanks@tsixroads.com

Banks Shepherd

rogerl Loc: UK (Harrogate, North Yorkshire)

A beanbag is a good idea. Have a look at this: http://www.jessops.com/online.store/categories/products/jessops/the-pod-green-camera-supp... (this is UK but they should be available in US as well); I picked one up on Ebay for 99p + postage & it was invaluable in the Polar Rover in Churchill for photographing polar bears.

MtnMan Loc: ID

KAYE wrote:

Also, I took along a video camera as a last minute thought. After all of the requite shots, I pulled out the video camera and got fabulous images with sound and action of the animals, something still photos can't match. If I return to Africa, I'll pack the video camera first.

Why not use your DSLR video?

MtnMan Loc: ID

gwong1 wrote:

I am considering a trip for twelve days to Tanznia. Has anyone been there and what were your experiences. Would you do it again? Gary

This is not a reason to not go but just a warning. The Dar Es Sallam airport is a pit. Well, the whole huge city is. Be sure you have arranged transportation and get out of Dodge as soon as possible while holding on to everything you own.

I was there a couple of years ago on business and disliked it immensely. But I suspect going on a Safari could be an entirely different experience.

It is one of the cities where the Muslims blew up the U.S. Embassy some years ago.

gwong1 Loc: Tampa, FL

Mtn, Thank you, we are flying in and out of Kilimanjaro airport, which looks older but okay. Will let you know next year. The group I am going with has made the trip before and does not have any reservations. Gary

MtnMan wrote:

quote=gwong1 I am considering a trip for twelve d... (show quote)

dck45 Loc: El Dorado Hills, CA

Getting there is not half the fun in this case. Kilimanjaro is a very small airport, service is highly dependent on the airline you fly. My experience is to avoid Ethiopian Airlines at all costs, not only a poor service airline but clearly unsafe. If you have to connect through Addis Abbaba you're really rolling the dice! Best choice is probably KLM>Amsterdam>Nairobi> Kilimanjaro which many in my group used problem free. I have the extremely bad experience with Ethiopian and Addis Abba airport (twice).

MtnMan Loc: ID

gwong1 wrote:

I am considering a trip for twelve days to Tanznia. Has anyone been there and what were your experiences. Would you do it again? Gary

I don't know where in Africa this was but you might enjoy:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid621950116001?bckey=AQ~~%2cAAAAAGfncP4~%2cGEGqcvZXqq-10O9kiblOp3u1Y4HDxYAG&bctid=1845844183001#.UJxwV3YFAlE.email

I am surprised by the number of the vehicles that show up. It is like a Yellowstone National Park summer bear jam.

dck45 Loc: El Dorado Hills, CA

Thanks, Great video. Don't count on having such a personal encounter.
In Serengeti Park where there are lots of people, this is not uncommon (the crowds at a cat/rhino etc.). Some people seem to feel this diminishes the wilderness experience, but I just ignore it. In the lesser well known parks you could be all alone in such a case, but then there's are reason they are lesser known parks.