Safari Holidays

Jelster

Jelster

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Steve
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I know this has probably been discussed before, but my wife & I have decided that we will do a Safari next year, but I have a few questions:

I would really like to capture either Leopards or Cheetahs, Rhino, some birds, and Elephants. So:

1) Where to go
2) When to go
3) suggestions of companies to book with​

I have thought about a split centre trip, taking in somewhere like Namibia then maybe somewhere such as Kruger, but am open to suggestions. I have read that just before and just after the rainy season is best, but again, having never been to central/southern Africa, I don't really know.

I'm not worried about kit, I think I have that covered, it's the where, when and who I need help with.

Thanks,
Steve
 
I would start with the Massi Mara you won't go wrong. There are plenty of people to go with. I have been before with David Lloyd and going again with him next month. I have also been with Andrew and Sarah Skinner. Both very good
 
I stayed at Il Moran (Part of the Governors Camps) two weeks ago in the Masai Mara. We booked through Kuoni.

Best holiday I've ever been on and had to stop myself from booking up straight away again when I got back.

Had everything on your list that you want to see. We were even lucky enough to see some kills. (Pity I couldn't get any decent shots)

There's a link to my Flickr if you want to have a look at the type of shots you can get.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/62852852@N08/albums/72157668935300354
 
Before giving any recommendations what is your budget, it makes a big difference. Masai Mara can be a great place but on a tight budget is more like a minibus rally but if your going to use the more exclusive private concessions it's another world.
For more advice it would be worth looking on Safari Talk.
My trip from last year to Mana Pools, Zimbabwe. http://safaritalk.net/topic/15466-safari-virginity-gone/
 
Thanks for the feedback so far. I reckon we could extend to £6k for the whole trip, maybe a little more if pushed.
 
(disclaimer: I haven't yet made it to Africa, but based on my experience of other places such as the Galapagos)

As a corollary to price, is the nature of the tour. The cheapest and most numerous options will likely be those aimed at the average tourist, which will have downsides. Firstly food and sleep will be given due priority, rather than necessarily maximising the amount of photography time above all else. The other is the risk that decisions are made around the lowest common denominator of attention - the operators feel they have to keep things moving lest anyone get slightly bored, constantly trying to find new things rather than sticking with one good subject.

Are you looking for something really photographically-minded or a more mainstream?
 
Definitely photo related, and I have to commute to London on a regular basis so I would prefer to be out of the crowds.
 
I go to Kenya once a year or every other yesr and have stayed at a number of different camps and reserves. The Masai Mara is without doubt the place to go as it fabulous for wildlife. if you pm me I would be happy to share my experiences and advice , places to stay , cost etc , best time of year etc
 
Just joined this forum and came across this post. I have traved 5 times to Africa and it's my most favorite palce to travel to outside the US. That being said I have spent 12 or more days on photographic safaris in Kenya, Namiba, South Africa, and Botswana. If there was a place I would want to visit agin it would be Botswana. All of my trips were simply awesome led by great photographers but the diversity of Botswana swept me away.

Dennis
 
Jelster said:
I know this has probably been discussed before, but my wife & I have decided that we will do a Safari next year, but I have a few questions:

I would really like to capture either Leopards or Cheetahs, Rhino, some birds, and Elephants. So:

1) Where to go
2) When to go
3) suggestions of companies to book with​

I have thought about a split centre trip, taking in somewhere like Namibia then maybe somewhere such as Kruger, but am open to suggestions. I have read that just before and just after the rainy season is best, but again, having never been to central/southern Africa, I don't really know.

I'm not worried about kit, I think I have that covered, it's the where, when and who I need help with.

Thanks,
Steve
Click to expand...

fed_up_lions by mrcrow_uk, on Flickr

large pride tanzania...well fed and lazy

all your questions have probably been answered

i have been to tanzania 3 reserve tour
  • Tarangire National Park – Over several hundred elephants
  • Serengeti National Park – Search for ”The Big 5”
  • Visit to the Masai village
  • Ngorongoro Crater- A paradise to a permanent 30,000 animals
  • Lake Manyara National Park- Home to tree climbing lions and large herds of elephants

and then kenya tour taking in the ark...a man made salt lick...you sit on a verandah in darkness and the salt lick is floodlit...the animals cant see you
they all come in over and over for a lick....its really good shooting...there are beds to sleep and a buzzer goes off for the arrival of notable lickers who arrive
3 rings...2 rings..1 ring etc...and stacks of coffee to keep you awake...part of the kenya samburu/the ark/masai mara tour..
for an extra few $ a jeep will take you to the mara river to see the slaughter

be careful what months you go...regarding the rains
even so you will get wet
 
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