robert_in_ca
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 p.4 #19 · African safari talk...recommendations? | |
Hi Chris,
Yeah the burns where brutal in the northern Serengeti as there was little to no winds for over a week so all that ash was just sitting in the valleys. However there was very few vehicles-- even in Seronera (which had more vehicles than any place else) there was roughly 20% of the normal vehicle traffic. Overall it was nothing and there was many times that I didn't see another vehicle for hours at a time.
I reached out to my guide a few minutes ago and he said the migration is currently in the southern Serengeti - Moru, Simiyu and Kusini area. The grasses are also currently low due to less rain than normal.
So depending on the rain, if they get to Ndutu and it's dry they may leave and return. I will be in Ndutu for 5 nights starting (before traveling north) the 11th of Feb - so they should be in the region of Ndutu, Kusini and Gol Mountains. I'll try and make time to update you here.
ChrisHA wrote:
‘‘I am heading back in 6 weeks for round two for the birthing season in Ndutu”
Hey Robert, I’m heading back to Ndutu at the same time….very excited and it’ll be my 11th visit ‘cause July burns in the Serengeti aren’t my cup of tea. I haven’t been back since Feb. 2020 when COVID hit (ugh, the lodge emptied out, the grass was 5’ tall and the roads were so flooded that I couldn’t get to the marshes, the herd was WAY down by the So. Serengeti border, and it was impossible to get through to KLM to fly back early before the borders closed). But, I was happy for the animals (abundant food) and it’s still my fav place away from home (besides Mala Mala, So. Africa) for finding cat cubs up close/personal without a gazillion noisy vehicles around.
Anyway, I think that you mentioned that the migration is delayed by 3 weeks. Can you elaborate since herdtracker isn’t being updated? Will we hit it right? I’m there from the 20th - March 5th and normally hit the migration right (‘cept for 2020) which seem to be slipping more into March as of late.
For the original poster:
I use Alex at Larga Safaris - my owner/driver/guide since 2013 and he’s awesome. He’s first generation Maasai, has been guiding for 30 years and his son Allen is awesome too. They can put together a comprehensive Tanzania safaris at any price point/time of year and will tailor it to the shooter’s objectives which is key; including, visiting authentic villages and camping. Personally, I’m pass tenting and enjoy the comforts of a hot shower, electricity in my room and good food/staff at Ndutu Lodge after exhausting 12 hour shooting days.
I vouch for Andy Biggs as well and Thompson Safaris for first timers to TZ, love Botswana (WildernessSafari/andbeyond) in July for general wildlife in the Delta, and Mala Mala/Sabi Sands in July or Jan. for leopards. Try to stay at least 4 days per camp in order to learn the lay of the land and animal behavior. Some cats hunt every 2-3 days depending on how much they stashed away, so you don’t want to miss the action. And if it rains a day or you strike out, no big deal. Suzi Eszterhas is fun to be with too.
Cost/day varies by the camp/lodge on the itinerary and how much you move around/mode of transportation. I prefer spending more on shooting days over high end camps nowadays for a better success rate. I’ve always kept costs below a grand per shooting day (private vehicle w/1 safari buddy). You pay more for a recognized tour leader, but everything is handled and it’s easier to communicate/troubleshoot. Not a bad idea during COVID travel and your first time to Africa.
My website - www.wildliferhythms - only showcases hard to find cat/bear cubs - but the classic Andy Biggs animalscapes can all be found here in Tanzania (the Crater/Serengeti which is on road and Ndutu for off road) and Kenya ‘course (check out my good friend Greg Harvey’s tours at HW safaris).
And although there’s way too much info, there’s a link to my blog which documents all of my safari tips (what worked/didn’t work over the years; i.e., always have 1-2 spares of everything ‘cause things break, add reflective tape to gear so that things don’t get left behind in super dark rooms/duffels, and pack RX antibiotics/extra bandaids ‘cause cuts/scratches take forever to heal yada, yada).
And THX guys for ALL of the R5/R3 info. I’m still shooting with the 1DxII w/500mm II + 1.4x III and 1Dx w/100-400 II combo and am hoping to get my R3/adapter in a few weeks in order to learn/test it beforehand. I ordered a pair of 650g Prograde Cobalts (25% off last weekend w/the extra new 15% customer discount….thank you FMers for the CFX performance comparison and discount tips), 2 spare LP-E19 batteries and a Prograde reader. My spare readers will probably be Delkin. I hope that’s everything. Although the R5 would be a better all around camera - and easier to get - I worry that the batteries can’t handle my EF/1.4x rig. I’m a heavy shooter, so if I’m wrong, pls let me know.
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. I'm parking myself at Ndutu for the cat babies but my friends will be heading up North as well. We start 10 days behind you and here's praying for light rains and reliable flights to/from 