what is the best photo tour venue???

hi, I turn 60 this year and my wife has graciously said she'll send me on a photo tour like an African Safari, trip to the Galapagos, or other photo destination. So I'm looking for you well traveled types to help me out here. venues as well as specific tour companies etc... I don't need luxurious accommodations, but do want good guides, tours, etc... She suggested a Nat. Geo. tour, any thoughts and help welcome.

thanks, Tom D

I'm with you....I'd love to plan some type of Alaska or photography tip trip.

Thumpa wrote in post #13933952
hi, I turn 60 this year and my wife has graciously said she'll send me on a photo tour like an African Safari, trip to the Galapagos, or other photo destination. So I'm looking for you well traveled types to help me out here. venues as well as specific tour companies etc... I don't need luxurious accommodations, but do want good guides, tours, etc... She suggested a Nat. Geo. tour, any thoughts and help welcome.

thanks, Tom D

I've been to Kenya and South Africa and I'd go back to either country in a heartbeat.

If I was to pick one place, I'd say Kenya and I would go with a company like As You Like It Safaris, or maybe Sunworld. Outstanding driver/guide with AYLIS and you will have a private safari, not be a number in a group. You won't get tips from pro photographers, but the driver knows best where to go/when and excellent positioning for best viewing/light. (and the price is far more reasonable)

Id first look at the US travel warnings for countries, and automatically rule those countries out. The warnings are there for a reason. As for traveling to Africa, definitely check into what ever tour operation your looking at, a lot of countries there are definitely not safe. (I was in Egypt 20 years ago, and even then it definitely was not a safe place to be).

Id check for credentials (I always solo it, so not sure what credentials to look for), Id want to talk to people that had previously taken the tour. (Theres so many bogus operations out there, its unbelievable (taxi driver in Cairo tried to tell me he ran the Hyatt's tour organization, the jewelry store in the hotel, and drove a taxi as well. ( He even went into jewelry store in hotel and stood behind counter to try and prove it lol))). For places like Africa, Middle East, South/Central America, your much better off dealing with a US bound travel group compared to a local, worst comes to worst, you have ability to seek reperations. Good luck getting your money back from most local ones, just aint going to happen.

Id go to Europe, and do it solo. So much to see, so little to worry about.

Back in 2010 I had to do a business trip to South Africa. So the wife and I decided to add a one week photo safari before we headed to Cape Town. I did my research and ended up with Stu Porter at Wild 4 Photographic Safaris. http://www.wild4photog​raphicsafaris.com/


We had so much fun that we are headed back in June for two weeks of vacation on photo safari. And we are taking a third person who is a long time friend. So for 2 weeks it is just a 3 photographer safari in Kruger and several surrounding private reserves. BTW, Stu also does safaris in East Africa. With luck we will do one of those 2+ week safaris in East Africa in 2 more years. Our recommendation is on his page of recommendations.

We arrive on my 60th birthday. The following day is Stu's birthday. So there will be a party in Hoedspruit SA that night!

I have just booked with Good Earth tours for a 10 day Safari in the Serengeti after friends had just come back. There photos were outstanding and he had never used a DSLR before!. They had nothing but good to say about the trip but they did stay in game lodges. We are staying in mobile tented camps for our trip but these are big tents with batrooms, showers, toilets etc. By doing it this way we cut there price in 1/2 and we get a landrover & guied for our selfs.
If you are intrested take a look at http://www.goodearthto​urs.com/
What ever you chose to do enjoy.