African Photo Safari


Status
Not open for further replies.

nickmak

Senior Member
Apr 16, 2004
2,358
0
0
37
London, UK
www.pbase.com
Hi all,

Since last year I've been pondering about going on a photo safari in Africa but never got round to booking a trip. Now I'm sure I'm gonna go for the trip but I'm stuck. Is there a company that can arrange a photo safari to Botswana or Tanzania? I've only managed to find Ananda Travel but it doesn't seem to be what I'm looking for and other websites have their trips leaving USA. Could somebody assist me on a contact to talk to about arranging a 12 - 15 day photo safari?

Cheers,
Nick
 

Nick,
try this. I've been looking at this for a while but have been too busy with work and family. They've got a discount for photogs, but still pretty pricey.

http://www.focusonafrica.com/
 

Hi guys,

Thanks for your help. I've done the search and stuff but I'm just curious about a few things. The trip departs from the US, so what to do? Do I have to fly to the US and then depart from there or do you think there's another way of getting to the trip?

Thanks,
Nick
 

Nick,
for the Focus on Africa stuff, the cost does not cover the airfare, so you are free to fly whichever way you like, as long as you get to africa. They will pick up from the airport. However, you should try to time your arrival to be about the same time as the main group from the US, otherwise I believe you may incur an extra charge for a separate pick-up. Do drop them an e-mail, they are quite helpful.

Tip: Emirates airline flies to quite a few destinations in Africa, via Dubai, so I think that is probably the best way to go. Alternatively you can fly SQ to South Africa (Jo'burg, I think), and catch an intra-African flight. 2nd option will likely be more expensive.

Have a nice trip! If you decide to do this again 18 to 24 months from now, drop me a line and maybe we can go together. :)

Cheers,
 

Hi, maybe you could try PacWest (www.pacwest.com.sg). They do trips to East Africa - Kenya and Tanzania (Mt Kilimanjaro) and may be able to arrange something for you. I went with them to Kilimanjaro a couple of years ago, and we managed to detour to a safari site. Took the Emirates flight from sg to Kenya (via Dubai), then a bus into Tanzania.
 

Hi,

I'm also considering a wildlife safari to Kenya but most likely it will happen next year. I do not think you need to really go for a photo safari unless u r really loaded or u want to learn from a master.

Just read up guide books, do some research on the web, book their local tours, book a flight there and you are good to go. From the guide books, they say most of the drivers are very experienced in helping you spot wildlife and get into good position to capture the action coz I think they do this everyday.

Kenya is good becoz of the Masai Mara, the annual migration and lake nakaru.
 

I prefer to go on a photo safari, where the vehicles will stop and track down a particular animal to photograph, unlike the tour safaris where the vehicles don't really do that. I'm want to search and photograph leopards and cheetahs so I think I might go for the photo safari from Focus from Africa.

Regards,
Nick
 

Hi Nick,

You are right to say that not many SIN travel agents cannot handle these specialised tours.

In your case, if you are going alone ... then be prepared to pay quite a bit. You will probably need a games guide and driver while in the park to hunt down the animals that you want to "shoot" ...

Word of advise .... check out the season before going. You should go during the migration season, then you will see large herds and much easier to spot the "Big 5" animals in the safari park ...

Check this out http://www.photosafari.com/ if you really want to go on a photo safari - with seasoned photographers leading and guiding during the trip ... Definately not a cheap trip ....

RGDs
 

Hi Nikmak,

Im actually heading to Botswana in Sept/Oct this year.

For all the ground segement arrangements, im using a operator based in Johanessburg (PulseAfrica)
There are many African based tour operators....just do a search on the web and email a few people...you'll get some answers soon enough

As for flights, i eventually arranged everything myself.
Malaysian airlines is the cheapest @ SG$1300 (incl tax) /return from J'burg,
but my schedule did not fit with the MAS flight timings, so im going via Cathay to HK, then South African Airways to J'burg

Then i have to take Air Botswana to go to the starting point, Maun.

Cheers,
tt
 

turtle taz said:
Hi Nikmak,

Im actually heading to Botswana in Sept/Oct this year.

For all the ground segement arrangements, im using a operator based in Johanessburg (PulseAfrica)
There are many African based tour operators....just do a search on the web and email a few people...you'll get some answers soon enough

As for flights, i eventually arranged everything myself.
Malaysian airlines is the cheapest @ SG$1300 (incl tax) /return from J'burg,
but my schedule did not fit with the MAS flight timings, so im going via Cathay to HK, then South African Airways to J'burg

Then i have to take Air Botswana to go to the starting point, Maun.

Cheers,
tt
How much did u pay for the trip?

Cheers,
Nick
 

Ack! my spelling is horrible...was in a rush at work.

the safari alone is US$3650 per person (twin sharing)
thats 12N/13D

there are cheaper ones around if you want to do 'participatory camping'.
i believe you can get them for about US$2300-2500minimum.

Cheers.
 

Status
Not open for further replies.