Amuchnick1 wrote:
Has anyone stayed at Mahali Mazuri? Thinking about planning a last minute trip this summer and want to know how well it works for people who are serious about photography (assuming we get a private vehicle, etc).
From what I read the OMC is among the best for wildlife density but it looks like Mahali is located far afield of some of the other lodges - trying to figure out if animals tend to be evenly distributed or if we'll spend a lot of time driving to other parts of the reserve
That place looks about as nice as it gets and I can't imagine you wouldn't be dialed in there for sightings. It's in the vicinity of several very nice camps and you are almost directly in between Kicheche Bush and Kicheche Mara camps, which are both top notch for wildlife.
Amuchnick1 wrote:
Has anyone stayed at Mahali Mazuri? Thinking about planning a last minute trip this summer and want to know how well it works for people who are serious about photography (assuming we get a private vehicle, etc).
From what I read the OMC is among the best for wildlife density but it looks like Mahali is located far afield of some of the other lodges - trying to figure out if animals tend to be evenly distributed or if we'll spend a lot of time driving to other parts of the reserve
We considered it when we went two summers ago. Our travel agent, who is definitely not a photographer, had recently been there and wasn't super impressed. She didn't think the wildlife viewings were on par with some other places she had been. I hate to pass along third hand information but figured I'd throw it out there. We ended up staying with Great Plains at their Mara Plains camp, and I can't say enough good things about that place. We were just talking about it with a neighbor tonight actually. Same conservancy (OMC), we saw Mahali Mazuri vehicles sometimes driving around. I didn't come away super impressed with their guides that I met in the field. Again, that's just anecdotal, but thought I'd chime in. I do suggest at least giving the Great Plains camps a look if you haven't.
One lasting impression I came away from there with - We were watching a pair of cheetahs we could see from the lodge. Got my driver and we went out in the afternoon for photos. Got to watch them put a chase on some impalas. I was the only person out there. We could see the park boundary from where we were at, and there was at least a dozen vehicles, if not more, lined up at the border waiting for them to cross over. Soon as the cheetahs got close we peeled off, we didn't want to be a part of that circus. That alone sold me on the conservancies.
If you end up in the area, and have a spouse/family along for the ride, a visit to the local beading coop is worthwhile. It was actually one of our favorite things we did. We went mid afternoon between game drives. It's a great place, I forget the name but any lodge in the area will know. Run by local village women as a source of income for them. Really neat.
A few photos from my time in the Mara...
Canon EOS R5RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM lens159mmf/2.81/3200s100 ISO0.0 EV
Canon EOS R5RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM lens400mmf/2.81/3200s100 ISO0.0 EV
Canon EOS R5RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM lens400mmf/2.81/3200s320 ISO0.0 EV
Canon EOS R5RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM lens400mmf/2.81/1000s1250 ISO0.0 EV
Canon EOS R5RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM lens300mmf/4.01/1000s1000 ISO0.0 EV
Canon EOS R5RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM lens400mmf/4.51/1000s2500 ISO0.0 EV
Canon EOS R5RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM lens400mmf/2.81/1000s100 ISO0.0 EV
Thanks for the response and beautiful pictures! In between there and Naboisho camp at the moment, will be back with feedback after the trip. Here are a few from my trip to Naboisho camp last summer:
Amuchnick1 wrote:
Thanks for the response and beautiful pictures! In between there and Naboisho camp at the moment, will be back with feedback after the trip. Here are a few from my trip to Naboisho camp last summer:
Great photos. I think you'll do just fine if you are in the area, regardless of how good the guides are. As you know it's dense and there's tons of action. Some of my best leopard sightings were spotted by my lady while driving so as good as the guides are they don't always see everything up in a tree or hiding in a bush.
I've never been to this camp but it looks like they work with Canon in case anyone is interested. Note - I like how they captured the atmospheric distortion that can wreak havoc on your photos a few different times in this video:
artsupreme wrote:
I've never been to this camp but it looks like they work with Canon in case anyone is interested. Note - I like how they captured the atmospheric distortion that can wreak havoc on your photos a few different times in this video:
It's all in the editing, pacing, audio, and storytelling as capturing the footage is the easy part now with these great compact tools we have available to us. They had a whole team on that film for color grading, editing, sound, etc.
artsupreme wrote:
It's all in the editing, pacing, audio, and storytelling as capturing the footage is the easy part now with these great compact tools we have available to us. They had a whole team on that film for color grading, editing, sound, etc.
True. I found that more often than not, it's in post that a project is brought together or not.
Hi all.
I'm going on my first African safari (Botswana) in November, starting with two nights in Johannesburg. While there, I will take a tour of the city and will leave most of my camera gear in the hotel room safe. However, I know my large lens will not fit in the room safe.
Where do people leave their large lenses in hotels? Is it safe to leave them with the front reception desk?
RichP42 wrote:
Hi all.
I'm going on my first African safari (Botswana) in November, starting with two nights in Johannesburg. While there, I will take a tour of the city and will leave most of my camera gear in the hotel room safe. However, I know my large lens will not fit in the room safe.
Where do people leave their large lenses in hotels? Is it safe to leave them with the front reception desk?
Thanks in advance.
Richard
Not sure what hotel you're staying at but I wouldn't bring my 400 or 600 down the front desk. Leave it in your hotel room - maybe in the closest or if you're really worried you can leave it in the bathroom behind the door wide open. I live in South Africa for 6 months out of the year and I would never leave anything with the from desk.
robert_in_ca wrote:
Not sure what hotel you're staying at but I wouldn't bring my 400 or 600 down the front desk. Leave it in your hotel room - maybe in the closest or if you're really worried you can leave it in the bathroom behind the door wide open. I live in South Africa for 6 months out of the year and I would never leave anything with the from desk.
I agree. I would lock it in my duffel bag so it's out of sight and leave it in the hotel room. Put the Do Not Disturb sign on the door and enjoy your tour.
When travelling I keep my lens in my bag, which is locked. And the bag itself has one of those steel cords with built-in lock (Think Tank airport bag) so I then attach the bag to something like the foot of a bed or closet or whatever.
Out in the bush I'm in smaller camps and there you can just leave everything in your tent/room. More worried about spiders, snakes and perhaps predators in camp than someone trying to steal stuff.
Folks, I am going to Rwanda to see the gorillas this July with my family. I consider myself a seasoned safari goer but this is a different kind of trip with the high elevations and the difficult terrain - so I've been told.
Is there any special gear I should consider taking - not talking about photo stuff - like special boots etc? I will be taking things like walking sticks, bug-repellants and the usual 'in-the-jungle' accessories, but just wanted to know if there is something any of you who's been there felt was necessary and that you may not think of when on a regular safari to Kenya.
Primus wrote:
Folks, I am going to Rwanda to see the gorillas this July with my family. I consider myself a seasoned safari goer but this is a different kind of trip with the high elevations and the difficult terrain - so I've been told.
Is there any special gear I should consider taking - not talking about photo stuff - like special boots etc? I will be taking things like walking sticks, bug-repellants and the usual 'in-the-jungle' accessories, but just wanted to know if there is something any of you who's been there felt was necessary and that you may not think of when on a regular safari to Kenya.
I'm sure you'll be staying at a nice place and if you are they'll have everything you need including walking sticks, gaiters, etc. You can even hire a porter to carry your camera gear and don't feel bad about it because you are doing them a favor by hiring them and stimulating the local economy. They will arrange your groups and difficulty of your hikes based on your health and age. We were a young healthy group and so we got assigned the most difficult (vertical) hike possible. We were bushwhacking the whole way up and we got a few bites from the driver ants, but it was all worth it. Your experience can really vary since you only have an hour or so with them and you can't control where they are, so we had groups with super easy walks and great sightings to our gnarly vertical hike with so-so sightings. Hopefully you are going out twice and you get some slightly overcast skies to avoid the harsh light and heavy shadows as it's a really busy environment to shoot in with all the gnats flying around and debris in their hair.
So don't stress about what to bring other than your gear, and they should have everything there for you. You'll likely need a light windbreaker in case it's cool and I would suggest a 360 action camera for your hike though. Good luck and enjoy.
Primus wrote:
Folks, I am going to Rwanda to see the gorillas this July with my family. I consider myself a seasoned safari goer but this is a different kind of trip with the high elevations and the difficult terrain - so I've been told.
Is there any special gear I should consider taking - not talking about photo stuff - like special boots etc? I will be taking things like walking sticks, bug-repellants and the usual 'in-the-jungle' accessories, but just wanted to know if there is something any of you who's been there felt was necessary and that you may not think of when on a regular safari to Kenya.
Answering your questions
1) Take boots ( old one because they will get really dirty )
2) Long Socks so you put them around your pants ...so crazy ants will not get inside your pants
3) Rain Pants are good too
4) Gloves can help ... terrain can be very steep and you may need to hold wet branches
I'm sure you'll be staying at a nice place and if you are they'll have everything you need including walking sticks, gaiters, etc. You can even hire a porter to carry your camera gear and don't feel bad about it because you are doing them a favor by hiring them and stimulating the local economy. They will arrange your groups and difficulty of your hikes based on your health and age. We were a young healthy group and so we got assigned the most difficult (vertical) hike possible. We were bushwhacking the whole way up and we got a few bites from the driver ants, but it was all worth it. Your experience can really vary since you only have an hour or so with them and you can't control where they are, so we had groups with super easy walks and great sightings to our gnarly vertical hike with so-so sightings. Hopefully you are going out twice and you get some slightly overcast skies to avoid the harsh light and heavy shadows as it's a really busy environment to shoot in with all the gnats flying around and debris in their hair.
So don't stress about what to bring other than your gear, and they should have everything there for you. You'll likely need a light windbreaker in case it's cool and I would suggest a 360 action camera for your hike though. Good luck and enjoy. ...Show more →
Thanks Bud. Very helpful. I know we've talked about this somewhere before. We are indeed booked for two trips to the gorillas and have already put in a request for an easy hike. My health does not permit any kind of climbing, so even though it is mighty embarrassing, I am going to request porters to help me get up. I agree, it also helps the community.
And yes, I did buy the Insta 360 X5 and will be taking it with me, probably give it to my wife while I use the main rig.
Answering your questions
1) Take boots ( old one because they will get really dirty )
2) Long Socks so you put them around your pants ...so crazy ants will not get inside your pants
3) Rain Pants are good too
4) Gloves can help ... terrain can be very steep and you may need to hold wet branches
Thanks. We picked Rwanda because the prime-mover on this trip is a family member who felt Uganda was 'not that safe' and so did not feel comfortable going there. I agree, Rwanda is twice as expensive, esp since we are doing two trips back to back over two days.
Nice tip about the old boots. Rest of the gear makes sense too. We will just have to wait and see how the weather holds up there.
Primus wrote:
Thanks. We picked Rwanda because the prime-mover on this trip is a family member who felt Uganda was 'not that safe' and so did not feel comfortable going there. I agree, Rwanda is twice as expensive, esp since we are doing two trips back to back over two days.
Nice tip about the old boots. Rest of the gear makes sense too. We will just have to wait and see how the weather holds up there.
I started a 3 days Gorilla Trek from Kampala City in Uganda ( which did not look safe), but last day I was dropped off in Kigali,Rwanda
Rwanda feels very safe and is very clean. But Uganda's part, where you cross from Rwanda border, feels safe too. You just pass one town/city and mostly villages. Scenery was amazing - green tall hills and farms. Is really worth it to see it/ Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is amazing and you can see from there Volcanoes NP in Rwanda is not that far
