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African safari talk...recommendations?

guitardirky
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p.41 #1 · p.41 #1 · African safari talk...recommendations?

berimbolo wrote:
I'm leaning towards doing both so that I don't feel like I 100% have to return.

In my experience, you will be planning a return trip regardless after you settle back into your recliner at home.

Jan 06, 2024 at 02:56 PM

berimbolo
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p.41 #2 · p.41 #2 · African safari talk...recommendations?

guitardirky wrote:
In my experience, you will be planning a return trip regardless after you settle back into your recliner at home.

Yeah. I went in September 2023, and after day 2 I was already preparing myself for a return trip in 2024. I would like to go to some of the less visited reserves like Samburu, Tsavo E/W and Ol Pejeta.

Jan 06, 2024 at 03:05 PM

guitardirky
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p.41 #3 · p.41 #3 · African safari talk...recommendations?

berimbolo wrote:
Yeah. I went in September 2023, and after day 2 I was already preparing myself for a return trip in 2024. I would like to go to some of the less visited reserves like Samburu, Tsavo E/W and Ol Pejeta.

I've done both Samburu and Ol Pejeta on different trips as well as Masai Mara and Amboseli. I will focus more on Amboseli and the Mara on my next trip. Ol Pejeta is fine and a must if you'd like to photograph Rhinos. Samburu was more elephants and the special five than anything else. The people in Samburu are awesome too! The Mara is incredible. Amboseli is a fantastic challenge.

Jan 06, 2024 at 03:34 PM

berimbolo
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p.41 #4 · p.41 #4 · African safari talk...recommendations?

guitardirky wrote:
I've done both Samburu and Ol Pejeta on different trips as well as Masai Mara and Amboseli. I will focus more on Amboseli and the Mara on my next trip. Ol Pejeta is fine and a must if you'd like to photograph Rhinos. Samburu was more elephants and the special five than anything else. The people in Samburu are awesome too! The Mara is incredible. Amboseli is a fantastic challenge.

Samburu wasn't on my list until I went to Kenya. My guide said it was his favourite reserve in the country. I would also like to return to Nakuru. I got some decent images there in September, but I wasn't really comfortable composing in that sort of environment at the time.

Jan 06, 2024 at 03:37 PM

guitardirky
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p.41 #5 · p.41 #5 · African safari talk...recommendations?

berimbolo wrote:
Samburu wasn't on my list until I went to Kenya. My guide said it was his favourite reserve in the country. I would also like to return to Nakuru. I got some decent images there in September, but I wasn't really comfortable composing in that sort of environment at the time.

I would probably look at Meru as well vs Samburu.

Jan 06, 2024 at 08:56 PM

robert_in_ca
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p.41 #6 · p.41 #6 · African safari talk...recommendations?

Botswana has applied a high cost low impact model for decades. However, it’s been proposed that starting this year national parks in Kenya will use a new seasonal pricing model for park fees which doubles during the high season in the Mara. More than likely this will also impact private conservatories to increase their prices a bit. But the biggest change is tickets are valid only for 12 hours in any reserve or national park in Kenya. Meaning any departure after 10 am will cost you an additional day so plan accordingly.

Here’s one article:

“Narok County Government has confirmed the Masai Mara Park Fees for 2024 will be increased to US$ 100 per non-resident adults per day from 1st January 2024 to 30th June 2024, and US$ 200 per non-resident adult per day, from 1st July 2024 onwards. Children rates will be US$ 50 per day per child.”

https://www.africansafaris.co.nz/blog/kenyas-2024-park-fee-increase/

VKM2F wrote:
There's a couple things you'd want to consider as a solo traveler. First is the single supplement charge. Most camps charge them as a tent that can hold two people is now only holding one. Some camps don't have them, and others will waive it if you are staying long enough. It's worth asking.

The other is a private vehicle. If you don't want to join a workshop then I imagine you don't want to be stuck with random, likely non photographer, travelers. Some camps charge a lot more for a private vehicle than others. For example, when I was in...Show more →

Jan 06, 2024 at 11:22 PM

robert_in_ca
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p.41 #7 · p.41 #7 · African safari talk...recommendations?

berimbolo wrote:
Are most reserves in Botswana good spots for Wild Dog sightings? That is the number 1 species on my photography (and personal experience) list.

As I mentioned the other week, if you're focused on wild dogs they can be found in KNP in South Africa (between Orpen Gate and Satara). Just this morning my girlfriend and I watched a pack of 10 for two hours as they hunted impala - crossing from one road to the next and using our Land Cruiser for cover. When they flushed the impala out of one section to the other a female leopard took advantage of the situation.

NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S lens 840mm f/5.6 1/3200s 4000 ISO +0.3 EV

NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S lens 840mm f/5.6 1/3200s 5000 ISO +1.3 EV

Edited on Jan 10, 2024 at 03:02 PM · View previous versions

Jan 10, 2024 at 04:21 AM

berimbolo
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p.41 #8 · p.41 #8 · African safari talk...recommendations?

Jan 10, 2024 at 07:14 AM

Abuttolph
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p.41 #9 · p.41 #9 · African safari talk...recommendations?

artsupreme wrote:
You can still change lenses in the field unless it's super windy and blowing a lot of dust. I changed lenses in all conditions even though I had a 4 body setup with 4 lenses attached, I still had to change between video and still setups in the field. I suggest bringing a small microfiber towel and keep it in your bag. Take it out and wipe down the lens and camera to get rid of dust so that you aren't creating a lot of dust when you make the swap. if you have someone to help you hold the...Show more →

Great advice - thanks. How did you carry four bodies with four attached lenses (plus additional lenses)? Were these all in one pack/case, or did you bring along more than one pack/case in the vehicle?

Jan 10, 2024 at 01:14 PM

robert_in_ca
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p.41 #10 · p.41 #10 · African safari talk...recommendations?

berimbolo wrote:
Do you self-drive in KNP?

Yes... that's the primary advantage of KNP. You can self drive in other national parks in other African countries but in Kruger it's as simple as it can get.

Jan 10, 2024 at 01:51 PM

berimbolo
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p.41 #11 · p.41 #11 · African safari talk...recommendations?

robert_in_ca wrote:
Yes... that's the primary advantage of KNP. You can self drive in other national parks in other African countries but in Kruger it's as simple as it can get.

That's pretty cool. I'm a shit driver but that can change

Jan 10, 2024 at 01:59 PM

Sanlameer
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p.41 #12 · p.41 #12 · African safari talk...recommendations?

KNP is as mentioned self drive but many of the larger camps also have guides taking guests on game drives.

Jan 10, 2024 at 02:46 PM

artsupreme
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p.41 #13 · p.41 #13 · African safari talk...recommendations?

Abuttolph wrote:
Great advice - thanks. How did you carry four bodies with four attached lenses (plus additional lenses)? Were these all in one pack/case, or did you bring along more than one pack/case in the vehicle?

I have been asked about this several times via PM's with Cory being the latest to contact me just a couple days ago, so when I get back in the office I'll post all the details of how I bring 80lbs of gear over there and how I manage it on the trip.

Jan 10, 2024 at 02:57 PM

Abuttolph
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p.41 #14 · p.41 #14 · African safari talk...recommendations?

artsupreme wrote:
I have been asked about this several times via PM's with Cory being the latest to contact me just a couple days ago, so when I get back in the office I'll post all the details of how I bring 80lbs of gear over there and how I manage it on the trip.

That would be great - thanks. Sounds like many people will appreciate learning how you handle all of that gear.

Jan 10, 2024 at 04:14 PM

artsupreme
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p.41 #15 · p.41 #15 · African safari talk...recommendations?

Abuttolph wrote:
That would be great - thanks. Sounds like many people will appreciate learning how you handle all of that gear.

Will do, it's probably long overdue considering the amount of PM's I've gotten on this topic. I have all the information on my office computer so when I'm back in town I'll dig it all up and post it here. Note - I have a ton of expensive cameras bags/rollers/backpacks from the top names but I don't use them for traveling to Africa. I found some cheap bags that saved me 6lbs which is basically the weight of my RF 100-300. Every ounce counts. More to follow after I get back to my workstation.

Jan 10, 2024 at 07:57 PM

artsupreme
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p.41 #16 · p.41 #16 · African safari talk...recommendations?

robert_in_ca wrote:
As I mentioned the other week, if you're focused on wild dogs they can be found in KNP in South Africa (between Orpen Gate and Satara). Just this morning my girlfriend and I watched a pack of 10 for two hours as they hunted impala - crossing from one road to the next and using our Land Cruiser for cover. When they flushed the impala out of one section to the other a female leopard took advantage of the situation.

Nice shots Robert. What is going on with the Leopard, is she coming back down the ground with her meal when you shot this? Clearly she didn't climb the tree upside down with the impala in her mouth, it looks like she is coming back down the tree?

Jan 10, 2024 at 07:59 PM

artsupreme
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p.41 #17 · p.41 #17 · African safari talk...recommendations?

guitardirky wrote:
I would probably look at Meru as well vs Samburu.

Have you been to Lewa? If yes, how does it compare to Meru as they are very close to each other?

Jan 10, 2024 at 08:03 PM

berimbolo
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p.41 #18 · p.41 #18 · African safari talk...recommendations?

I think I will be doing Porini Mara and Porini Lion in early October. I haven't booked yet because Im waiting for a few camps to reply to me, but they're giving me a great rate of ~7k USD for 6 days. I can't quite swing adding Amboseli to that. I don't expect anyone to beat that, but I sent a message to Shompole Wilderness because of their photo hide, and that may be worth paying a bit more.

Jan 10, 2024 at 08:50 PM

rdcny
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p.41 #19 · p.41 #19 · African safari talk...recommendations?

regarding self-drive in Kruger...yes very easy. Rent vehicle at airport via Around About Cars: www.aroundaboutcars.com - a South African company that gets discounts from the major rental car companies. For example, for $60/day we have rented an automatic transmission 4WD (Nissan Navara 4x4) that includes all insurance coverage (tires/windshield/undercarriage and obviously any accidents). You could do Kruger in any car...but bigger vehicles allow you better shooting opportunities. This rental is for 43 days in Nov-Dec 2024, and after a couple of weeks in southern Kruger we will head south into Swaziland and Lesotho (Sani Pass)...see photo below of the last 4WD rental we had in Kruger.

Northern Kruger is better for birds (greater diversity since you are moving toward the equator); southern Kruger is better for large predators including wild dogs. Also, in southern Kruger, you can stay just outside the park near Crocodile Bridge gate or Malelane gate...at the latter (Marloth Park area) there is a huge supermarket (SPAAR) that has wonderful food at very good prices...and there are many restaurants near the lodges at these gates. Places to stay (we try and save money) range from $40-$100/night - check Air BnB because there are some really superb places that border Kruger (so you have wildlife coming up to your deck - like elephants, zebra and the rest) - for reasonable prices. For example check this one: Majuli River Lodge.

We will be staying in Kruger too as we have done in the past...check reviews of places to stay in the areas (camps) you are interested in. Prices are higher for (often but not always) places to stay in Kruger (than lodges/air bnbs outside the park) - but they will have air-con, kitchenettes...we had wonderful times in the places to stay in the park. You can book them on-line and pay for them too...

If you are going to Kruger in the high season (June/July/August) or during their school holidays, book as soon as possible. Temps are cool during the day (their winter) and really pleasant...and dry (as in not much rain though this is an El Nino year). We go in November-Dec this year...end of spring and the time of short rains (though the short rains lasted much longer and harder in Nov-Dec 2023!).

Anyway, as I have written many times in this thread, doing a self-drive will save you money...it is really a lot of fun being your own guide - and 100% safe. I can't see paying the prices that the high end lodges charge...and by saving here and there, Deborah and I can head off for 30-45 days at a time (indeed we will be in eastern Australia this June-August with the money we saved).

ask questions if interested...many parts of Africa are set up well for self-drives...Namibia especially so. Etosha National Park is a great park - except the roads are like driving over a corrugated washing board...

4WD rental (this is a manual transmission vehicle) in June 2022 Kruger National Park

Lodge in June 2022 Kruger National Park - Satara Camp

Lodge in June 2022 Kruger National Park - Olifants Camp

Jan 10, 2024 at 09:21 PM

Cduff406
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p.41 #20 · p.41 #20 · African safari talk...recommendations?

artsupreme wrote:
guitardirky wrote:
berimbolo wrote:
guitardirky wrote:

Jan 10, 2024 at 10:32 PM

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