Africa photo safaris - any company you can recommend?

Hi all,

I've been meaning to go to an African Safari aimed at photography for a while but while I could find a couple via google I seemed to be struggling at finding some independent reviews for them.

So... any of you ever been on one and can recommend some companies/individuals for me, and perhaps other members who are interested in something along the same lines in the future?

There's no particular location I'm interested in although the Okovango Delta in Botswana looks particularly interesting.

So far I've found some interesting offerings within budget (sub $6000 for solo traveller) by http://www.wild-angles.com and http://www.africawilds​afaris.net/. anyone, perhaps ever heard about these companies and can offer recommendations?

Any other general tips and things to look out for by those who have been on similar safaris before would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Matt

PS not sure if the travel or lounge section may be better suited for this, but most of the africa safari searches I did pointed to threads in the wildlife section.

We have done two safaris in South Africa with Stu Porter. He is a licensed Ranger and has a degree in photography. He only does photographic trips. We are going to Kenya with him for 3 weeks next year. I highly recommend you consider his safaris.


http://www.wild4photog​raphicsafaris.com

I've never been to Africa so these are "I know of" not "I recommend" (so I'm not really answering your question!). They're also UK based but given they leave you to arrange your own international travel, I don't think that's an issue.

I've used this company for other tours and would recommend them based on those experiences. Their Masai Mara trips are co-lead by David Lloyd who seems to really know his safari stuff.
http://www.natures-images.co.uk/pages/hol​idays.php
http://davidlloyd.net/

This guy came my local camera club and gave a talk. He seemed reasonable enough
http://www.naturesphot​os.co.uk/

I typed that up before I did the maths, and they're going to be slightly over the $6k once you factor in airfare.

Thanks for the links guys! much appreciated.

im not including airfare in my budget actually so those seem very interesting.

I used this company and was very pleased with them. I will be booking with them again.

http://www.goodearthto​urs.com/

Another recommendation for Wild4 (Stu Porter). In addition to the guided safaris on the website, he can also arrange private tours (still with a driver and vehicle) if you want to go it alone.

scermat wrote in post #16674316
Hi all,

I've been meaning to go to an African Safari aimed at photography for a while but while I could find a couple via google I seemed to be struggling at finding some independent reviews for them.

So... any of you ever been on one and can recommend some companies/individuals for me, and perhaps other members who are interested in something along the same lines in the future?

There's no particular location I'm interested in although the Okovango Delta in Botswana looks particularly interesting.

So far I've found some interesting offerings within budget (sub $6000 for solo traveller) by http://www.wild-angles.com and http://www.africawilds​afaris.net/. anyone, perhaps ever heard about these companies and can offer recommendations?

Any other general tips and things to look out for by those who have been on similar safaris before would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Matt

PS not sure if the travel or lounge section may be better suited for this, but most of the africa safari searches I did pointed to threads in the wildlife section.

I'd love to go to Botswana - but its one of the more expensive safari destinations. I went to Tanzania in Nov (partly for a wedding in Arusha), and as it happened the new brother-in-law of the bride has a safari company - so I contacted him to set up my safari: http://www.ethan-kinsey.com/ I was in TZ from 11/17/13 to 12/7/13. The main purpose of my safari was photographic, so he set me up with a guide/driver who was fantastic. It wasn't clear to me if you only wanted a trip with classes etc but being solo in a vehicle with a good guide is a wonderful experience. I stayed in some amazing tented camps. If you want more specific info feel free to PM me. When I did a self drive through Namibia 2 years ago I used http://www.africatrave​lresource.com. They have a very good reputation among the managers of the camps I visited in TZ as well as Namibia.

I think the bigger established company is best for this kinda trip.
Sure there are a lot of self enterprising individuals that do it .. but ..
Try Abercrombie and Kent, National Geographic, Wildlife Fund..

EL_PIC wrote in post #16693665
I think the bigger established company is best for this kinda trip.
Sure there are a lot of self enterprising individuals that do it .. but ..
Try Abercrombie and Kent, National Geographic, Wildlife Fund..

I disagree. If your primary interest is photography, then you'd be much better served with a company that specialises in photographic safaris. You will benefit from:

- More time on game drives
- Fewer people in the vehicle
- Better vehicles for shooting from
- Drivers/Guides who understand photography (e.g. direction and quality of light)
- Fellow passengers who understand photography
- The option to sit and wait at a sighting

I agree. The last thing I want on safari is a crowd, especially if they are not photographers.

Thanks for your suggestions all.

Thats exactly why I'm after a photography workshop/safari and not just any other safari (which would be a lot cheaper). My main goal is to have an opportunity to take some good pictures, not simply to tick off a list. Most of them have dedicated rows on the vehicles. Having been on similar tours elsewhere, being crammed with 3 others in a row makes for a lot of missed chances!

I had come across Wild4 in my research but most of the safaris are a tad over budget. Nice to see the good reviews coming though. Ill hopefully be in a position to consider them in the not too distant future.

I thought Id post an update, just in case someone comes across this thread and has similar questions. I have contacted wild-angles, natures-images and bob brind surch (naturesphotos). They all were very helpful with my initial questions. It looks like I may go with natures-images simply because the dates are most convenient for me, although they do seem to take a bit longer than others to get back to you.Luckily, Africa is a fairly large place so I'm hoping it won't be the last time.

Its also nice to see that they cater for extra luggage due to photography equipment and their rates are right on my budget, even with the single supplement.

Scott_online wrote in post #16694267
I disagree. If your primary interest is photography, then you'd be much better served with a company that specialises in photographic safaris. You will benefit from:
- The option to sit and wait at a sighting

That's the big one. The understanding by everyone involved that photography trumps everything. You can worry about sleep, breakfast and other creature comforts the rest of the year.

scermat wrote in post #16696747
It looks like I may go with natures-images simply because the dates are most convenient for me, although they do seem to take a bit longer than others to get back to you.Luckily, Africa is a fairly large place so I'm hoping it won't be the last time.

Its also nice to see that they cater for extra luggage due to photography equipment and their rates are right on my budget, even with the single supplement.

With Mark Sisson and David Lloyd at the helm, I can't imagine you'll come back disappointed at the photo opportunities. Back in '12 I went on a weekend trip to photograph seals that was led by Mark, and he's a great guy. I haven't met David but you don't take as many great photos as he does without knowing how to be in the right place at the right time.

Seem to me you still have LOTS homework to do

Africa is SO BIG and need to get A Safari park you want to go 1st. Just a link to get you start:

10 Big Game Safari Destinations

If I remember correctly Buddy Eleazer / buddy4344 has been done Safari over 20 times, why just send him a PM?

Good luck!

scermat wrote in post #16674316
Hi all,

I've been meaning to go to an African Safari aimed at photography for a while but while I could find a couple via google I seemed to be struggling at finding some independent reviews for them.

So... any of you ever been on one and can recommend some companies/individuals for me, and perhaps other members who are interested in something along the same lines in the future?

There's no particular location I'm interested in although the Okovango Delta in Botswana looks particularly interesting.

So far I've found some interesting offerings within budget (sub $6000 for solo traveller) by http://www.wild-angles.com and http://www.africawilds​afaris.net/. anyone, perhaps ever heard about these companies and can offer recommendations?

Any other general tips and things to look out for by those who have been on similar safaris before would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Matt

PS not sure if the travel or lounge section may be better suited for this, but most of the africa safari searches I did pointed to threads in the wildlife section.

My wife did an Africa trip 10 years ago with Overseas Adventure Travel, and we are doing the same 3 week trip this October. We will be going to Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. The trip includes an overnight stay at Victoria Falls, but most of the time you are in various bush camps, doing safari car and walking outings. We chose to book our own air travel to Johannesburg, but they do the rest.