Vince Maidens wrote:
Kicheche properties are pretty much a second home to us, for a few reasons.
Guides make a massive difference in the experience, if they have strong local knowledge, good network of fellow support and strong photography skills you end up spending far less time telling them how to position the vehicle and more time shooting productively. The guides at Kicheche are arguably the best, and have the awards to back it up.
The vehicle as well, the photography vehicles are a massive selling point for me, only a couple of seats and a removable wall make for incredible unrestricted views.
Plus the people at camp are amazing, they become family quickly and you just want to go back, so anyone who has been knows exactly what I'm talking about and why they get such high marks from photographers.
That said anyone going in March? Will be at Bush and Mara North for a bit mid March.
Agree, the best conservancies in the Mara are the Kicheche camps. I've stayed at all three, but IMHO Kicheche Bush camp is probably the best for animal sightings given the density they have.
I also used the photography vehicle at Kicheche North, the one with the drop down side. While it does offer an interesting perspective in giving you a low lying camera angle, the problem we had was that after the rains (even in Feb, it rained almost every day), the wet, black cotton soil comes flying into the vehicle and sticks to the car seats and the side that is open. You then cannot use it to rest your cameras, unless you keep wiping it off every hundred yards, which gets very tedious. The other issue is that it is great if you are alone or with one other person, but if there are three people it doesn't work very well. It was just my wife and I and she not being a photographer meant I had it all to myself.
In the end, I found you can actually get just as good images if you open the entrance door to the front row and lie down on the mat they provide, especially at Kicheche Bush. Or you could simply lean down and use the flip-up LCD on the mirrorless camera. I've done this for a long time now with my Sony bodies, including the big 400 2.8 lens.
The guides are indeed a key factor as well.
I am off to East Africa in end Feb up to mid-March as well, but will be at Tortillis and then the Serengeti. Plan to do Kicheche again Feb 2024 maybe.
Question for you Vince. Sent you a PM if you wouldn't mind.
Quick question. Going to Kenya and SA for 2 weeks in September, Taking the RF 100-500 and extenders, and the RF 70-200 f/2.8. Due to weight issues I am leaving the 24-70 f/2.8 at home and want to get a prime for WA shots. Past experience says that I don't take a lot WA shots. I did do some, but not much, video at 24mm from a hide,
The question is 16mm, 24mm, or 28mm. I am counting on Canon releasing the 24 and 28 f/1.4 before I go. The 16mm is a STM non L, and the upcoming 24 and 28 should be USM L lenses.
Alan Kefauver wrote:
Quick question. Going to Kenya and SA for 2 weeks in September, Taking the RF 100-500 and extenders, and the RF 70-200 f/2.8. Due to weight issues I am leaving the 24-70 f/2.8 at home and want to get a prime for WA shots. Past experience says that I don't take a lot WA shots. I did do some, but not much, video at 24mm from a hide,
The question is 16mm, 24mm, or 28mm. I am counting on Canon releasing the 24 and 28 f/1.4 before I go. The 16mm is a STM non L, and the upcoming 24 and 28 should be USM L lenses.
I would take the 16mm prime. Super light and compact. It will be fine for the few wide shots you will take. I had the 14-35 and only used it on the wide side so a 16mm would have been sufficient.
Primus wrote:
Agree, the best conservancies in the Mara are the Kicheche camps. I've stayed at all three, but IMHO Kicheche Bush camp is probably the best for animal sightings given the density they have.
I also used the photography vehicle at Kicheche North, the one with the drop down side. While it does offer an interesting perspective in giving you a low lying camera angle, the problem we had was that after the rains (even in Feb, it rained almost every day), the wet, black cotton soil comes flying into the vehicle and sticks to the car seats and the side that is open. You then cannot use it to rest your cameras, unless you keep wiping it off every hundred yards, which gets very tedious. The other issue is that it is great if you are alone or with one other person, but if there are three people it doesn't work very well. It was just my wife and I and she not being a photographer meant I had it all to myself.
In the end, I found you can actually get just as good images if you open the entrance door to the front row and lie down on the mat they provide, especially at Kicheche Bush. Or you could simply lean down and use the flip-up LCD on the mirrorless camera. I've done this for a long time now with my Sony bodies, including the big 400 2.8 lens.
The guides are indeed a key factor as well.
I am off to East Africa in end Feb up to mid-March as well, but will be at Tortillis and then the Serengeti. Plan to do Kicheche again Feb 2024 maybe.
Question for you Vince. Sent you a PM if you wouldn't mind.
I echo your comments on Kicheche Bush, my guide was wonderful and also had a good understanding of photography and positioned the vehicle well. I too had the photography vehicle and I really loved it, though I was on my own. I agree if it was more than max 2 people it would be difficult to utilize the space. I was really sprawled out (myself and my gear) in order to take advantage of it. I'd recommend it but not if you're a group. I'm planning to take the family to Kicheche North in 2024.
Man, what a wealth of knowledge in this thread! Just starting the planning for my first trip to Africa, probably June or July of next year (2024). I'm trying to balance my desire for photography with the fact it will be a family vacation with my wife and 10yr old son. Some of the photography safaris mentioned here looked perfect for me, but probably lacking for the family. We will most likely end up booking through one of the outfitters, Beyond or Wilderness, or maybe the Kicheche camps. Hopefully about 10 nights, maybe spread over three camps. Wouldn't mind if it went a few more days. We are coming from the US so I know it will be a long flight, so will make the most of it. Getting very excited already. Maybe if I'm extra good Santa will bring me an RF400/2.8 for Christmas!
If anyone has a magical tip on balancing photography with entertaining a 10yr old, I'm all ears... Thanks to everyone who has contributed their experiences here!
Cduff406 wrote:
If anyone has a magical tip on balancing photography with entertaining a 10yr old, I'm all ears... Thanks to everyone who has contributed their experiences here!
- Craig
Wrap your camera and lenses in dust proof material. Wrap the 10 year old in Duct Tape.
Cduff406 wrote:
That's probably good advice for now!
Buy the 10yr old a cheap body and lens!!! Perfect time and location to introduce them to the craft. If you go with andBeyond they have a range of activities for kids as I recall
VKM2F wrote:
Great to hear you had a good time, I'm heading to Botswana next year. How did you find the 100-500 with regards to early morning/evening photography? How did you manage the smaller apertures? I love its flexibility but worry about low light scenarios.
I worried loads about the same and in the end it was for nothing as i really had no issues with light.
I have finally manage to work through the 21K frames taken ! I wanted to create a final set that was around 150 images, i nearly got to the number
Stats for interest (final 5star rated images that went to print):
95 R3 / 85 R5
125 on the 600/4
22 on the 600/4+1.4TC
31 on the 100-500
2 on the 24-105
ISO ranged from 100 > 16,000
For the 100-500 majority are 1,600 and under but I have some of my fav shots at 6400 and one at 10K.
Across the board only 22 images ended up being over ISO 3200.
No image opportunity was lost due to either focal length issues or ISO issues.
I considered a 70-200, I cannot think of any situation when it would of been advantageous over the 600/4 and 100-500 combo.
This was all on the Chobe River, in the Delta and Kalahari for reference.
Hope this helps build this great wealth of knowledge, I know my first visit was helped loads from this thread.
Thanks All
artsupreme wrote:
This thread has turned into a great resource for those going on their first Safari, thanks for your feedback. What I have learned since starting this thread and then going on my first Safari is a few key bits of information are needed to note for those looking for gear suggestions:
1. Are you going to National Parks or Private Conservancies? I saw this being asked quite a bit earlier in this thread before I went and IMO it's the most important question because ideal gear selections can differ greatly between the two experiences. For example, Mort2k said he is so glad he had his 600 to get close to the big cats without cropping in South Africa. That experience is the complete opposite of mine in East Africa, maybe because I was in the conservancies where were could drive right up to anything we wanted to. My 400 was often way too long for big cats when we parked very close to them. And when they walked toward our vehicle and rubbed against it or even pee'd on it, the 70-200 was even too long. I was originally planning on bringing a 600 but glad I didn't because it would have been too long for most everything I shot. I do not crop other than slight leveling. With my 400, I often had to shoot tight portrait style shots because the animals were too close and extending out of the frame. I believe this is the benefit of a prime as it forces you to really focus on framing and creativity. This goes for my experience with lions, cheetahs, and leopards and the rest of the big game.
2. What are you shooting, birds or the big five? This is obvious, if you want to shoot birds then 600mm + would be ideal, even in a conservancy. I shot a few birds that were very close to the vehicle but if all my attention was on birds or small critters then i would have brought my 600 instead of the 400
3. What region are you visiting? It sounds like you might need more focal length in South Africa due to having more bush/vegetation that prevents you from getting close to the animals? Someone who's been to both regions can confirm if this is correct. But I know Kenya and Tanzania are wide open in most places and you can drive anywhere off-road unless it's an NP. From what I've seen of SA it seems more like dirt roads through denser vegetation that limits your access. Maybe this is why Mort2k liked having his 600 in the South?
4. Do you crop often? I don't, but if this is your thing then you can obviously get away with shorter focal lengths
5. What is your aperture preference? If you like shooting large apertures, then bring a nice fast prime to compliment your slow 100-500 zoom. I could have probably done just as well with my 300 2.8 and 135/2 for the low light stuff considering the action was very close in the conservancies.
6. What time of the year? If it's hot and dry then heat shimmer can be a big problem even at shorter focal lengths. If wet, not much of an issue with long focal lengths other than the occasional down pour. I love the dry season look whereas others like the green wet look. This is definitely something to think about when planning your trip.
I might be missing something else, but figured I would point this out for anyone who's racking their brain on what gear to bring on their first Safari. ...Show more →
Just for clarity, I was in Botswana rather than SA specifically and all time was on private concessions.
As it was a specific photo trip and all people on the vehicles had the same intention (Photo) it helped to position right. Having the longer lens meant we could maintain more distance and therefore produce images that had a more 'eye' level feel.
The 6 point above are very well captured though as the place, style and type of trip will impact gear greatly.
Anybody with experience of Lewa or Lakipia wilderness camps?
My Africa trip may become a reality after all and I am not sure which of the above or both camps I should consider for next month. I am also going to be at Kicheche Mara/Bush. Any comparisons?
From what I've read, Lewa is amazing if you want to see rhinos - both white and black. But how is the other wildlife? Lions are my interest and focus this time. Lakipia offers the chance to see the melanistic leopard and others, plus wild dogs. Also read that they sometimes allow you to get down and shoot from the ground.
Which is the best place for lions, other than Kicheche Bush in Kenya?
I would like, as much as possible, to do a solo trip with the vehicle to myself and not the usual massive crowds, so the main Mara reserve is not a likely destination this time.
Primus wrote:
Anybody with experience of Lewa or Lakipia wilderness camps?
My Africa trip may become a reality after all and I am not sure which of the above or both camps I should consider for next month. I am also going to be at Kicheche Mara/Bush. Any comparisons?
From what I've read, Lewa is amazing if you want to see rhinos - both white and black. But how is the other wildlife? Lions are my interest and focus this time. Lakipia offers the chance to see the melanistic leopard and others, plus wild dogs. Also read that they sometimes allow you to get down and shoot from the ground.
Which is the best place for lions, other than Kicheche Bush in Kenya?
I would like, as much as possible, to do a solo trip with the vehicle to myself and not the usual massive crowds, so the main Mara reserve is not a likely destination this time.
The next best place for lions in Kenya other than the Mara conservancies would be Amboseli. Lewa and LWC both have prides and you’ll likely see them if you look for them but that is not what you go there to photograph. It’s more the northern species of various animals (ignoring birds for now) and of course the rhinos in Lewa and some specialities in LWC. Both generally better for elephants than the Mara too - you’ll likely get some nice drinking and bathing action at LWC., Lewa have even moved lions out in order to protect these species from predation. I am going to LWC in June, but not for lions - it’s more the variety. You might get bored of lions (seriously) and want to try spotlighting at night or getting out of the vehicle (yes, that is a thing at LWC). Nowhere will be as good as Olare Motorogi and Mara North for lions other than Naboisho Conservancy, which is next to Olare Motorogi and quite similar. Still worth considering if lions are what you are after though but a bit samey for me. I don’t think the reserve will be busy in March as it is potentially getting into the rains and the biggest herds of wildebeest are down in the southern Serengeti, along with most of the crowds.
Hope that’s helpful and what you wanted to know. There are other reasons to visit these places, but I tried hard to stay on topic.
Primus wrote:
Anybody with experience of Lewa or Lakipia wilderness camps?
My Africa trip may become a reality after all and I am not sure which of the above or both camps I should consider for next month. I am also going to be at Kicheche Mara/Bush. Any comparisons?
From what I've read, Lewa is amazing if you want to see rhinos - both white and black. But how is the other wildlife? Lions are my interest and focus this time. Lakipia offers the chance to see the melanistic leopard and others, plus wild dogs. Also read that they sometimes allow you to get down and shoot from the ground.
Which is the best place for lions, other than Kicheche Bush in Kenya?
I would like, as much as possible, to do a solo trip with the vehicle to myself and not the usual massive crowds, so the main Mara reserve is not a likely destination this time.
You should get your fill of Lions in the Mara, not sure you need to go anywhere else. Watch Ranger Rob's videos as he's always posting videos from the Mara: https://youtu.be/sl9KLTEeDNs
I went up and stayed in Lewa because I wanted a change of scenery. We saw some lions up there but not many. Tons of rhino, giraffes, elephants, secretary birds, buffalo, impala, gazelle, baboons, and grevy's zebra. There' some cool landscape up there with terrain. Some of the mountain areas look like very similar to California. There's also some cool looking forests up there.
Here's a drone shot that shows some of the Lewa terrain with mount Kenya on the left:
PaulMaewpa2 wrote:
The next best place for lions in Kenya other than the Mara conservancies would be Amboseli. Lewa and LWC both have prides and you’ll likely see them if you look for them but that is not what you go there to photograph. It’s more the northern species of various animals (ignoring birds for now) and of course the rhinos in Lewa and some specialities in LWC. Both generally better for elephants than the Mara too - you’ll likely get some nice drinking and bathing action at LWC., Lewa have even moved lions out in order to protect these species from predation. I am going to LWC in June, but not for lions - it’s more the variety. You might get bored of lions (seriously) and want to try spotlighting at night or getting out of the vehicle (yes, that is a thing at LWC). Nowhere will be as good as Olare Motorogi and Mara North for lions other than Naboisho Conservancy, which is next to Olare Motorogi and quite similar. Still worth considering if lions are what you are after though but a bit samey for me. I don’t think the reserve will be busy in March as it is potentially getting into the rains and the biggest herds of wildebeest are down in the southern Serengeti, along with most of the crowds.
Hope that’s helpful and what you wanted to know. There are other reasons to visit these places, but I tried hard to stay on topic.
I am actually going to be staying at Amboseli for 4 nights at the start of my trip followed by one night at the NNP at the Emakoko lodge. For various reasons, my subsequent trip got canceled and I now have to find what to do for 12 more nights in Kenya. I can stay at the various Kicheche camps (have stayed at all three before) in the Mara or try something different.
Much as I love elephants, I will probably get my fill of the long, expansive shots with herds and a clean background at Amboseli, and I could possibly come back there for more, but that would be 'samey' (I like that word). We were at Amboseli in September last year and all the lions had disappeared from the Conservancy because of the drought. OTOH, saw plenty of lions at Kicheche Bush. If it is still too dry, I may not get to see them this time either.
I like the idea of variety at LWC and of course the fact that they let you get out and photograph from the ground, even with wild dogs around. Lewa is tempting because of the rhinos - although I did see plenty at the NNP last time.
So maybe 4 nights each at Lewa and LWC and then Kicheche Bush/North for 3-4 nights.
artsupreme wrote:
You should get your fill of Lions in the Mara, not sure you need to go anywhere else. Watch Ranger Rob's videos as he's always posting videos from the Mara: https://youtu.be/sl9KLTEeDNs
I went up and stayed in Lewa because I wanted a change of scenery. We saw some lions up there but not many. Tons of rhino, giraffes, elephants, secretary birds, buffalo, impala, gazelle, baboons, and grevy's zebra. There' some cool landscape up there with terrain. Some of the mountain areas look like very similar to California. There's also some cool looking forests up there.
Here's a drone shot that shows some of the Lewa terrain with mount Kenya on the left:
Thanks Brett. I like the idea and of course the Mara is the best place for Lions so far as I've seen. Many years ago I was in Samburu and the northern variety and change of scenery is also appealing.
I think I've decided to add a couple of nights in the Lewa area to my trip as well. I was going to do two separate camps in the Mara, but I think one in the Mara area and one in the Laikipia area will make a nice change of scenery for us. For you guys that have been there, and recommendations on camps to use, or to avoid?
Cduff406 wrote:
I think I've decided to add a couple of nights in the Lewa area to my trip as well. I was going to do two separate camps in the Mara, but I think one in the Mara area and one in the Laikipia area will make a nice change of scenery for us. For you guys that have been there, and recommendations on camps to use, or to avoid?
I keep thinking I want to take a small tripod with me. Seems like it would be handy for a lot of things, but I hate to give up the weight in my luggage. I'd like to do some Landscapes and maybe some astrophotography around camp, and I think it would be nice to set up on lunch breaks on drives. but not sure if it's worth the hassle. I do plan to use some private cars or some of the days I'm there, so it would be easy to set up if we parked on some good game. I'll ask the lodge is what they think when we finally settle on them but just curious if anybody had taken one.
