A chance to goto africa...

rgrebby

rgrebby

Suspended / Banned
Messages
2,835
Name
Richard
Edit My Images
Yes
I used to work with someone a while back, they also worked for my brother and their parents are friends of the family.

They are right now living in Tanzania and while chatting to their parents it came up that I would like to go and take pictures, help out with the camp and so on. Their parents said that they would welcome the help and that I should go for it.

Right now my girlfriend and I are kind of on a break so apart from the fact i'd miss her and be worried about loosing her I dont have anything holding me back.


has anyone done something like this, any advice whether I should just go for it, I guess im lacking the balls somewhat but its a dream...
 
grab the dream, chances like these dont come often in life, take them while you can and have a great time just post the shots so we can all see them
 
I'd go if i had no dependants

you need a lot more information that just a go for it though, who'd be paying for the flights, food, accommodation,would you be expected to work for the above, how long per day, any pay involved.

what inoculations do you need before you go, IIRC you have to start taking some weeks before you get there.

there's a lot to be put in place before you just say sod it i'm off :D
 
do it - opportunities like that don't come along very often, and as if you're anything like me in your situation with your girlfriend, you'll worry and miss her regardless of whether she's next door or four thousand miles away during the break, at least this way you'll have something to take your mind off it a little :) (easier said than done, I know)

that and africa is absolutely gorgeous :D
 
Just do it you will only regret not doing it in the future. I done the same thing with Thailand years ago before it was the place to be and I can honestly say if i didn't grab the chance I would still be regretting to this day.
 
IM trying to find the best way of writing the email. They go into town every week to check email and thats it so I only really have one chance.

Im hoping that I will pay to get there and they will let me stay and feed me for nothing. I want to help in any way I can so I dont mind working for my keep.
I want to offer my pictures to them as they run a camp where people pay to stay. I also want to offer to make a film about the work they are doing there. Anything to help get them more publicity and money.
Just as long as I get fed and have somewhere out of the mozzys way :)
 
Apologies if this is a little too enthusiastic but here goes!

We went to Tanzania in 2006 for special birthday (wife). Obviously I cannot comment on your personal arrangements but I would go for it. The national parks we visited were, Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorogoro Crater and Tarangire all in the north of Tanzania with Arusha being the start/finish. Each area had something different to offer.

Without exception the best holiday we have ever had. Waking up every morning just wondering what you would see during the day was fantastic. I would strongly advise using one of the guided tours, there are many of these in Arusha available for the northern areas described.

Not cheap though, you have to pay to gain entrance to the national parks, we went with the Adventure Company, part of Travel Bag, part of First Choice. Apart from the first and last night we were under canvas, and yes the animals can and do walk through the campsite at night. My photographs do not do justice to the trip, I needed more memory cards - it is quite simply photographic heaven.

In terms of injections there are a few and most you must pay for. Where in Tanzania are you headed? If you go to Zanzibar you will definitely need Yellow Fever. Also Malaria tablets are a must - your GPs practice should be able to advise on this side.

Its a no brainer to me! (but then apparently do not have a brain!)

Let us know what you do and if you go share your photos.

Regards

Mark
 
I'd also say go for it, I love Kenya which is next door and you will be amazed by the place.
You may only get one chance to do this and life is too short to be looking back and thinking if only... Good luck with your girlfriend but this would give you a great boost and you would have a fabulous canvas for your photography.

Dean
 
If you have no commitments here, you're lodging and food is paid for, and you can come back whenever you want.......it's a no brainer from where I'm standing.

I went to Peru for a few weeks when I split with my long-term ex a few years ago......very therapeutic :)
 
Check to see if you need a visa to enter the country, as some african countries require them. From experience, the process can be quick or extremely slow. Make sure your passport is going to be valid for a couple of months after your expected return and has a couple of blank pages if visas are required.

Speak to your GP and get jabbed up for the recomended nasties. Some jabs need a second or third injection over a month to give full protection, so it's worth looking into early.

Make sure you have decent medical insurance which can get you propper treatment and emergency repatriation if required. I'm sorry that I can't recomend a provider as work cover this for us. If your taking anything expensive, make sure your kit is insured whilst away from home.


Other than that, being as you have contacts there, go for it.

Brought to you from sunny Nigeria :bonk:
 
I'd be going to the Selous Game Reserve where a friend has set up a camp there. I wouldn't be able to get tour guides or anything like that and would hope that people in the camp could show me around in between working for them.
Im still trying to write the email but its tough to know what to say. damn shame there is no phone. hehe

I want to just go for it, but its something I havnt even come close to doing before.
 
Ive never been, but TAKE THE DAMN CHANCE!

You could even surprise your girlfriend if you wanted!

DO IT DO IT DO IT!

sounds amazing.
 
my girlfriend just got a new job, plus she isnt completely well so I dont think she could go. Although my first thought was to take her as it would be amazing.

I sent an email so hopefully i'll hear something back.
 
perhaps a tp meet in Africa.... :lol:
 
It's a no-brainer. The girlfriend and you are on a break - so she is not your girlfriend at this moment in time. Her loss.

By the time you've been over there and discovered a whole new world you'll either come back (possibly) and want to see if things will work a second time or come back with a whole new attitude on life.

If you don't go, you will always regret it and a pound to a penny says your not going would be used in future arguements with certain people.
 
JFDI
 
Go for it, or you'll eventually regret it! I was in tanzania last year to climb kilimanjaro, it's an amazing place.
 
From my own personal experience, I would say you have to do this!

I was in a similar situation 4 years ago. I had been with my boyfriend for 4 years, we were living together, then we split up. I was at a complete loss as to what to do with myself etc. So I decided to book a years travelling around the world (not the same fantstic opportunity you have, but my own fantastic one none the less!) 3 days before I was due to go (and three months into the split), I had my graduation and my ex was there. He wanted to make a go of it so I had to drop the bombshell that I was off in three days! I thought that was it, I would lose him and we'd never have another chance again! But whilst I was away, I made sure I phoned him about once a week (sometimes fortnight), I e-mailed occasionally with updates etc. He did get insecure and jealous a fair bit, which caused some friction, but I think that's normal if you're talking about people they've never met and you're having so much fun without them. Basically he waitied for me and when I got back home we made a go of it.

Basically, if you and your girlfriend are on a break, it will give you something to occupy your mind, give you both much needed space from each other, and if, when you get back, you are meant to be, well then as cliche as it sounds, you will be together! If you don't go, then you will only regret it in years to come!!!
 
Go for it!

I've got an opportunity to go to Freetown, Sierra Leone through my work, for a week in October. If I was single, with no kids I'd go in a shot, but I'm getting a bit of grief from the Mrs. I don't think taking a DSLR would be the smartest idea if I go...

Anyone got experience of that unfortunate country?
 
well, I got an email back from them, which was quicker than I imagined and it turns out they would love to have me over there. :D

So now im going to start planning when to go, what to do, ooo im all in a buzz, nervous excited.
I have a wedding im filming in June 13th so I figure I will go after that. Then I will have extra money and I can spend the next few months getting everything ready, working for odd jobs and getting cash together for insurance and maybe the odd piece of camera gear.

Going to have to tell my girlfriend sometime too....
 
I'm Zimbabwean and let me tell you Africa is an amazing place to photograph. My uncle lives in Tanzania and he is a a rather good photographer and his pictures usually blow me away. Don't miss out on your chance to go! Just take some malaria pills and an extra battery cos there probably won't be electricity to charge it up again when it dies :P
 
Do some research about the best time of year to go and ... go. Will be pretty lush at the moment and Mozzies could be a problem depending on locality. Personally, I'd prefer August onwards when it's dry and animals are easier to spot (if that's your thing!) but of course it'll be very hot for working. You can ask advice of the people you're staying with.
 
Go for it!! Like people have said, it really is a great opportunity and you will probably kick yourself afterwards if you don't make the most of it! It sounds like it might be a good opportunity to have some proper space from your girlfriend too so you can both think about things?
I'm going to Malawi in 2 weeks to do a similar thing...can't wait!! Make sure you go and see your GP at least a couple of months before u go as you will need lots of jabs/malaria tabs etc!
 
HanC said:
Go for it!! Like people have said, it really is a great opportunity and you will probably kick yourself afterwards if you don't make the most of it! It sounds like it might be a good opportunity to have some proper space from your girlfriend too so you can both think about things?
I'm going to Malawi in 2 weeks to do a similar thing...can't wait!! Make sure you go and see your GP at least a couple of months before u go as you will need lots of jabs/malaria tabs etc!
Click to expand...

Not sure there is much to sort out now, although the time away will be great.

Im making a long big list of everything and working almost everyday to pay for new gear.
 
wise decision m8 (on both going and the list!) you will have an amazing trip!
 
I will, currently it has b****r all about the trip :p
But I figured it would be something cool to do to log the process of the run up and if I can figure out to get internet access out there then while im there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top