Sorry, the 2011 safari is full!
Back in 2007 a group of six intrepid POTN members met together for the first time at the tiny airport near Windhoek, Namibia. Our plan was to travel overland through Namibia and Botswana combining the very best in safari locations with the convenience, value and comfort of our own hired 4x4s, with a/c, and self booked accommodation. For three wonderful weeks we enjoyed the experience of a lifetime, sat around many fires laughing under the stars, took thousands of photo's, traveled 5000+ km's and saw things we'll never forget!
Subsequent trips during 2008 and 2009 have taken in some of the best wilderness locations in South Africa, Southern Namibia and Swaziland to provide a great variety of photographic opportunities. By very careful research and planning we've been able to cherry-pick some great locations; by sharing costs equally with no 'travel agency' profit thousands of £'s have been saved.
It's a simple idea, but means a lot of work for me as organisor. My reward is I get to go to places I couldn't go to on my own without spending a lot of cash, I get to share my love of Africa with others and I spend some great times with people who have a common interest in wildlife, birds, huge sky's, unfamiliar cultures and ... photography. It's a trip for those who want to see Africa as it is, real roads, towns, people, not just staying in a luxury camp and being escorted to the easy 'big five' shots.
So, for the 2011 trip I am going to plan 14-16 days in the world famous Kruger National Park, traveling from the wildlife rich South and central areas all the way to the much more remote birders paradise in the north. Few complete this whole trip as commercial tours tend to focus attention on a few, much more crowded camps, or the expensive 'everything on a plate' lodges.
Last time I went to Kruger I saw more and greater variety of wildlife than the previous two safari's combined - we'd even cracked the famous 'Big Five' by the end of the second day! Over the 3 weeks we saw 25+ Lion, Elephant and Rhino, as well as numerous Buffalo. However, as always, the Leopard remained elusive with only a single distant sighting (shot below).
On this trip we will be more focused and adventurous than the average tourist and seek to experience the different environments within the park and a much more diverse range of species than simply 'the big five'. A Kruger safari of this kind is probably the most convenient, cost-effective way of experiencing large numbers of very diverse species.
We will fly into Johannesburg, pick up our two 4x4s from the airport and then drive direct to Kruger after an overnight just outside the city. We will then mainly make use of national park accommodation, which is of good, comfortable standard. The general infrastructure in the park is as good, usually better, as any national park in Africa ... there's even hot water in most camps, with fresh bedding, soap and towels supplied, there are laundry facilities in larger camps so you can pack fairly light, etc.
Most accommodation will be single, but couples can share if they prefer and sometimes singles may need to share for a night or two if that is the only accommodation available in some smaller camps. Everyone pays the same: there is no difference in what singles and couples pay. I'm a great believer in'Liberté, égalité, fraternité'!
We'll likely enjoy a mix of lodges, rondavels and large safari tents. I'll try and pick the nicest places and also offer some variety - some very remote camps and some larger ones with all the facilities you'd want.
Cost is likely to be in the region of around £1500, inclusive pretty much everything, plus flights and, sometimes, individual food and drink if we're not self catering. Cost may change a tad either way due to currency exchange rates, final routing, etc, but I think that's a fair estimate. we'll either take 6 or 8 people and so costs will also vary according to numbers going. Any money left over in the tour kitty at the end will be returned and all receipts kept so people know everything is done correctly.
Normally I go safari in August which is very dry. The animals are a little easier to see but tend to be in less good condition due to the scarcity of water. This time I am thinking July when waterholes should be fuller and there is some greenery still around. This should make for some very nice shots. Dates will be organised outside of South African school holiday time to help ensure easier booking - TBC. Kruger can be busy in certain areas so this is important.
So, if you're interested in coming along you'll need to be available around July 2011, can take up to 14-16 days vacation, be able to take the rough and smooth of a more adventurous safari than the average package tour, have an interest in different cultures and other people, willing to muck in with some group tasks and wanting to spend several hours a day viewing and photographing wildlife and birds. BTW, non-photographer partners are welcome - viewing is as enjoyable as taking photo's in my opinion.
However, if you're the kind of person who tends to be a bit suspicious of anything or anyone different, can be over critical or controlling, gets anxious if you're lost or have to drive off a tar road, lack a sense of humour or willingness to help out, have significant health concerns, need to feel constantly entertained, want everything to work like clockwork, etc then Africa or this trip probably isn't for you.
Anyone fired up by this opportunity can express their initial interest below. Accommodation must be booked 10-12 months in advance to secure the best camps, so I'll be looking for initial deposits around mid August to pay for that. Flights we can book around December time. A final payment will be due around March. All to be confirmed once I start researching route and camps from around early August.
I will be planning and leading the trip and take final decisions on who goes, dates, route, accommodation and vehicles, but I hope people coming along will input ideas and ask lots of questions as we move forward.
This is a group trip, not a guided, commercial tour. I will organise the best I can, and it takes a lot of time and work to get it right, but once we're all there I want to enjoy it as much as you. I won't be loading your bags on the 4x4s or waking you up in the morning. You must be responsible for yourself, the group then needs to take responsibility for each other and work together.
Please ask lots of questions now ... and you'll probably find that going on safari need not be at all complicated and having the kind of experience that would normally costs thousands of pounds is perfectly within reach.
Over to you ...
and the 
I'm hoping to find a similar tented wilderness camp this time around. Nothing like it.
