POTN Safari around South/West Africa - we are baaack :-)

eenorton wrote:
Looks like they only fly into Windhoek Wed, Fri and Sun.

http://www.airnamibia.​com/

And back to Gatwick on Tues, Thur and Sat.

Based on this would the schedule then be something like this:

-> Windhoek Sunday 26. august
<- Windhoek Saturday 15. september

for the main 21 days.

That would then mean if Dave and I arrrive in advance that would be on Friday 24. august?

It is very common that airlines do not want to make reservations more than 12 months in advance.

Also as for luggage it is very common that with checked luggage they often allow from 16 to 32 KG per person. But only one carry-on item. Some airlines allow one carry-on item and one personal item. Often a small camera bag can be seen as a personal item but I don't think that will be relevant for any of us on this trip I will pack my Lowepro Minitrekker. And then get a good dufflebag.

Yup, definately better to arrive proactively on a Thursday or Friday in case there are any delays meaning we may become victim of restricted weekend opening hours. We can do some good sorting before the others arrive and then be more relaxed.

tommykjensen wrote:
... with checked luggage they often allow from 16 to 32 KG per person. But only one carry-on item. Some airlines allow one carry-on item and one personal item. Often a small camera bag can be seen as a personal item but I don't think that will be relevant for any of us on this trip I will pack my Lowepro Minitrekker. And then get a good dufflebag.

Yup and so essential to check weight limits in advance Just take what is essential and no 'fluff' if you are looking close to a limit. Throw all packaging. Pack for the bush not every eventuality. We may be invited to meet the President but it is unlikely I will take my Crumpler December Quarter as carry on and one of the 80-100ltr duffles I indicated in a post above. Some of these come with small wheels at one end and can be pulled along. I am all for an easy life

I also have a dufflebag with wheels on. I bought it last year when I was in Florida for all the extra stuff I bought over there But I will most likely buy a new one because I think one of the zippers are broke even though it does zip up/down (how do You say that ) I am not confident that it will stay closed.

tommykjensen wrote:
I also have a dufflebag with wheels on. I bought it last year when I was in Florida for all the extra stuff I bought over there But I will most likely buy a new one because I think one of the zippers are broke even though it does zip up/down (how do You say that ) I am not confident that it will stay closed.

Oh man ... I can see you loading up with carved Giraffes and everything and if the bag zipper is dodgy then good idea to get new. We would say 'zip' or 'unzip' or 'zip up' but not 'zip down'. I dunno why

Nah I am not really into buying a lot of those kind of things. In usa things like sneakers and polo shirts are so much cheaper than in Denmark so it would be foolish not to but things like that.

Have you guys been looking at the for sale side of site.. I was looking for 100-400 people seem to be off 100 dollars of the buy it price at b&h is the lens that good does it hold value you that much???

PS compression time

Hey sari I found this in a post for last year about Vicky falls... when are you ready because I'll be in line with ya


Quote
Victoria Falls, Africa

---------------

I am thoroughly jealous, first that you got that incredible waterfall. and then you actually caught a rainbow. touched by the lucky photo fairies. And then the bunjee jumping shot. I've wanted to do that all my life (sulking a bit, I would never be allowed to). sounds like a great time, beautiful pictures. Sari

It's a very good lens that holds value if you buy at a good price tho, having owned one, I think a bit over-rated here when compared to the Sigma 50-500mm and 100-300mm f4. The later is better optically, but bigger/heavier, while the 50-500mm has 500mm ... enough said ... and is close optically, but bigger/heavier too. Both are much cheaper over here.

People may ask silly money for their L lenses SH but whether they get that price is another matter. All depends what you buy it for originally. Buy low and you may get what you paid if you are careful.

We won't really have much use for IS as we'll mainly shoot from the vehicle/s, which is why at the moment I am looking at getting another 50-500mm next year. Quality is there and length counts. A Pod Beanbag will be valuable and a light/decent quality monopod for hide and evening waterhole shooting.

Compressed the thread significantly. My apologies if I deleted something that shouldn't have been deleted.

Thank's tommy..


I'm considering al things but while IS might not be improant on this trip I'm not one who will change lens often so when i buy one I will stick with it.. I made the mistakeof getting the CHEEP 75-300 when i bought the cammera and while I have gotten some good images with it they are no where near what i see with other lenses. I am shakey so IS would be good and i'm sure there will be times when I will be hand holding. when i was scoping out what lenses i want to get (before this thip came along) i was going to go all 2.8 f stops and IS if i could but i though it would be good for me.. not seeing i want to travel more then i want to get pricey lenses I will look at the 4 f stuff with the IS as i think it might fit me better.


PS i got a good monopod right now so i'm set there

I've been looking at the Pod for some time now. Do you use yours a lot? Is a tripod too big for the evening shooting you are talking about? I have a cheap monopod (someplace!), but I prefer my tripod.

It's just the practicality of travelling with one, particularly flights, but it you can get it in your cargo baggage then bring it along. It's not like we'll be walking too far. I have a CF tripod that I could take but I just can't be bothered I don't think due to size, but I am happy with a monopod. You can use the Pod in a hide too. At the floodlit waterholes you basically sit there and wait and watch, so gear on a tripod is nice if you can be bothered.

I used the Pod a lot in the past. It's an essential buy for this kinda trip I think, but you can also use a folded towel, but not as elegant a solution. The Pod screws into the lens tripod mount and so goes around with the camera. Easier to use by far and we don't really want bare tripod mounts on the vehicle paintwork.

Sari, we can probably work something out. I'm looking at flying into Gatwick, since AirNamibia has direct flights from there to Windhoek. A quick search this morning:

American Airlines Denver/Dallas/Gatwick $800

Continental Denver/Houston/Gatwick $850
Denver/Cleveland/Gatwi​ck $850

Delta Denver/Atlanta/Gatwick $760
Denver/Cincinnati/Gatw​ick $760

I used Aug 26th thru Sept 16 of this year as the criteria... I suspect the $$$ for next year would be pretty close. So we could arrange to hook up in Dallas, Houston, Cleveland, Atlanta or Cincinnati.... Unless working something with Becca works out better financially.

Becca, I've also been debating with myself.. tripod or no tripod... Remember that Quiver Tree shot? I'd bet dollars to donuts that was an HDR shot. And I like the idea of having the option of taking multiple exposures if I want. I'm gonna have to practice packing and see what's realistic for me and what's not. And if you don't feel like buying a Pod, you could always fill an old sock with sand and tie a knot in it.