chez wrote:
After volunteering at an orphanage in eastern Tanzania, I was offered a very cheap safari by a local group in recognition of my volunteering. I thanked them but decided to rather spend some time on Zanzibar.
Have you ever been to Mauritius Island ?
I would like to spend the last few days in Zanzibar or Mauritius, but still did not find out where is better
PIOK wrote:
Have you ever been to Mauritius Island ?
I would like to spend the last few days in Zanzibar or Mauritius, but still did not find out where is better
Never been to Mauritius. Loved Stone Town on Zanzibar. Spent a week in the town, then another week at a small resort on the water.
To me, Mauritius = Sega Dancing, beautiful accents, good food, and good surf. I once spent a year back in the 1980s dating an Air Mauritius Flight Attendant. It was a wonderful year.
Mauritius has a very diverse gene pool mixing African, Indian, Chinese, and French. Like a great gumbo it sometimes produces an incredible and exotic dish.
artsupreme wrote:
And that's why it looks like this in the NP's....tons of aggressive Mario Karts jockeying for position with loads of iPhone shooters doing selfies:
This is every reason why I do not go to the reserve, ever.
Conservancies might cost a bit more, but you get all the value, you leave less of a footprint you get a far better experience every time.
robert_in_ca wrote:
My first trip to Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya and TZ was in 1995. Yes it's certainly changed since then... however I always found Kenya to be my least favorite due to package tourism. I frequent TZ and South Africa these days and I specifically target certain times of the year to visit.
I don't mind NP (although you cannot drive off road) and I love conservation areas as they allow driving off road--time of the year you're visiting matters more to me then being able to drive off road or not. However when you pick areas that are less traveled you need more time (which most people don't have or are unwilling to do) and you need to be seriously prepared for traveling in these remote areas. Neither of which appeals to the vast majority of people going on safari.
Very true. African safari has become the new 'Iceland' - everybody wants to go there even if they have no interest in animal welfare. We were at a unique sighting a few years ago - mating leopards - and there must have been 30 cars gathered there. Behind us was a group of teenage girls sitting on top of their vehicle and singing loudly. Our guide told them off in no uncertain terms. Sad to see people treating nature like Disney.
Also agree with the fact of the 'package safari' burden in Kenya.
A more philosophical question does arise though. Do we, as serious photographers - amateurs or pros - have the moral high ground in dictating how the rest of society should behave on a safari? In other words, what right do we have to insist that only we be allowed to spend time with and photograph the animals to our heart's content while everyone else should just stay away? These wild animals are gifts of nature, like Niagara or Victoria falls, for everyone to cherish. OTOH, reckless entry and crowding of the animals is sure to destroy the very beauty we are all so desperate to view.
The only way I see is to restrict entry to the parks, any way you can. In an egalitarian world this would be by booking on a first come first served basis. You also have to have a significant entry fee so that the maintenance and monitoring can go on. A bit like Antartica where only a few people can land at one time and even then you are only allowed a few hours.
Primus wrote:
Very true. African safari has become the new 'Iceland' - everybody wants to go there even if they have no interest in animal welfare. We were at a unique sighting a few years ago - mating leopards - and there must have been 30 cars gathered there. Behind us was a group of teenage girls sitting on top of their vehicle and singing loudly. Our guide told them off in no uncertain terms. Sad to see people treating nature like Disney.
Also agree with the fact of the 'package safari' burden in Kenya.
A more philosophical question does arise though. Do we, as serious photographers - amateurs or pros - have the moral high ground in dictating how the rest of society should behave on a safari? In other words, what right do we have to insist that only we be allowed to spend time with and photograph the animals to our heart's content while everyone else should just stay away? These wild animals are gifts of nature, like Niagara or Victoria falls, for everyone to cherish. OTOH, reckless entry and crowding of the animals is sure to destroy the very beauty we are all so desperate to view.
The only way I see is to restrict entry to the parks, any way you can. In an egalitarian world this would be by booking on a first come first served basis. You also have to have a significant entry fee so that the maintenance and monitoring can go on. A bit like Antartica where only a few people can land at one time and even then you are only allowed a few hours.
You pose some very good questions indeed. And, the question of behavior around wildlife applies to other places as well and also to photographers. Non-photographers are not the only ones who behave badly. I have witnessed photographers entering the off-limits areas in Yellowstone to get closer to bears. Of course, if there had been an issue, the bear(s) would have been the one(s) to suffer because of the humans. It is sad to think that people are so incredibly selfish and have no respect or compassion for the animals.
So I will have 12 days for Safari in Kenya and Tanzania and part of it includes
- 1 night Amboseli
- 1 night Nakuru
- 1 night Masai Mara ----------- Pass Border from Maasai Mara to Serengeti
- 3 nights Serengeti
Does it make sense ? only one night in Amboseli and Masai Mara ?
PIOK wrote:
So I will have 12 days for Safari in Kenya and Tanzania and part of it includes
- 1 night Amboseli
- 1 night Nakuru
- 1 night Masai Mara ----------- Pass Border from Maasai Mara to Serengeti
- 3 nights Serengeti
Does it make sense ? only one night in Amboseli and Masai Mara ?
Doesn't make sense to me. Each of those areas can take Months to explore in depth. I would rather spend at least 3 nights at each location. You will be spending a great deal of time traveling between locations rather than experiencing Africa and the wildlife. It seems to me that you will spend all of your time traveling in a crowded vehicle across large distances on rough roads. Look at a map and see just how far apart these locations are. You are paying big money to live the horrible life of an African bush truck driver.
I presume day 1 will be driving from Nairobi to Amboseli. This will be 3.5 - 4 hours.
Amboseli to Nakuru is a 6.5 hour drive. At least the roadS are paved, but still full of traffic and potholes. Not much of nature to see either. It will be the same road you traveled the first day, but in the other direction.
Driving time from Nakuru to Masai Mara will be at least 5 hours. Again on paved but rough and crowded roads.
Serengeti is so huge that you could easily spend 3 to 6 hours getting from the Mara to you new lodge. But, this will be you favorite leg because there are animal opportunities the whole way.
How much rough driving can you endure? How much time will you want to spend on even more uncomfortable drive time in the parks looking for animals? The only way you are going to find animals quick enough is over the radio between drivers. You will then be in a traffic jamb to see see these known locations for the day.
These are the kinds of trips that are easy for operators to sell to tourists because they sound like you are getting so much. In reality, you are getting beat up.
Even if you ate transiting by air you will spend most of your time traveling, not with nature.
1bwana1 wrote:
Doesn't make sense to me. Each of those areas can take Months to explore in depth. I would rather spend at least 3 nights at each location. You will be spending a great deal of time traveling between locations rather than experiencing Africa and the wildlife. It seems to me that you will spend all of your time traveling in a crowded vehicle across large distances on rough roads. Look at a map and see just how far apart these locations are. You are paying big money to live the horrible life of an African bush truck driver.
I presume day 1 will be driving from Nairobi to Amboseli. This will be 3.5 - 4 hours.
Amboseli to Nakuru is a 6.5 hour drive. At least the roadS are paved, but still full of traffic and potholes. Not much of nature to see either. It will be the same road you traveled the first day, but in the other direction.
Driving time from Nakuru to Masai Mara will be at least 5 hours. Again on paved but rough and crowded roads.
Serengeti is so huge that you could easily spend 3 to 6 hours getting from the Mara to you new lodge. But, this will be you favorite leg because there are animal opportunities the whole way.
How much rough driving can you endure? How much time will you want to spend on even more uncomfortable drive time in the parks looking for animals? The only way you are going to find animals quick enough is over the radio between drivers. You will then be in a traffic jamb to see see these known locations for the day.
These are the kinds of trips that are easy for operators to sell to tourists because they sound like you are getting so much. In reality, you are getting beat up.
Even if you ate transiting by air you will spend most of your time traveling, not with nature.
Should I give up Amboseli and add extra night in Massai Mara ?
Safari Kenya 1 - Start from Nairobi Nairobi - Amboseli
Safari Kenya 2 - Amboseli - Lake Nakuru
Safari Kenya 3 - Lake Nakuru - Massai Mara
Safari Kenya 4 - Massai Mara - Serengeti
Safari Tanzania 1 - Serengeti
Safari Tanzania 2 - Serengeti
Safari Tanzania 3 - Serengeti
Safari Tanzania 4 - Serengeti - Ngorongoro
Safari Tanzania 5 - Ngorongoro - Ngorongo Crater
Safari Tanzania 6 - Ngorongo Crater- Lake Manyara
Safari Tanzania 7 - Trangarire - Arusha
PIOK wrote:
Should I give up Amboseli and add extra night in Massai Mara ?
Safari Kenya 1 - Start from Nairobi Nairobi - Amboseli
Safari Kenya 2 - Amboseli - Lake Nakuru
Safari Kenya 3 - Lake Nakuru - Massai Mara
Safari Kenya 4 - Massai Mara - Serengeti
Safari Tanzania 1 - Serengeti
Safari Tanzania 2 - Serengeti
Safari Tanzania 3 - Serengeti
Safari Tanzania 4 - Serengeti - Ngorongoro
Safari Tanzania 5 - Ngorongoro - Ngorongo Crater
Safari Tanzania 6 - Ngorongo Crater- Lake Manyara
Safari Tanzania 7 - Trangarire - Arusha
This will be done in private vehicle with driver
After that I start Kilimanjaro Hike
Amboseli is the big problem. The reason they have you even going to Nakuru is because it is too far to drive from Amboseli to Mara in a single day. Well that and the Flamingos. If I were you I would put Amboseli at the end of the trip. It is very close to Arusha and the border crossing at Namanga.
Start in Mara.
Cross into Tanzania and the Serengeti/Ngorongoro
This section will feel like long game drives and will be very enjoyable.
Drive through Trangarire (smaller Park) on the way to Arusha. We used to go there from Arusha as a day picnic trip.
Arusha to Amboseli
Amboseli back to Nairobi.
I think this will be the most efficient way to see all those areas.
1bwana1 wrote:
Amboseli is the big problem. The reason they have you even going to Nakuru is because it is too far to drive from Amboseli to Mara in a single day. Well that and the Flamingos. If I were you I would put Amboseli at the end of the trip. It is very close to Arusha and the border crossing at Namanga.
Start in Mara.
Cross into Tanzania and the Serengeti/Ngorongoro
This section will feel like long game drives and will be very enjoyable.
Drive through Trangarire (smaller Park) on the way to Arusha. We used to go there from Arusha as a day picnic trip.
Arusha to Amboseli
Amboseli back to Nairobi.
I think this will be the most efficient way to see all those areas.
So if you look at my complete plan including Tanzania and Kilimanjaro Hike
Should I go from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru or skip this lake and go From Nairobi to Masai Mara and later to continue to Serengeti ( Flamingos .... I can skip this attraction - I saw thousands of them last year in Bolivia - Laguna Colorada)
PIOK wrote:
So if you look at my complete plan including Tanzania and Kilimanjaro Hike
Should I go from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru or skip this lake and go From Nairobi to Masai Mara and later to continue to Serengeti ( Flamingos .... I can skip this attraction - I saw thousands of them last year in Bolivia - Laguna Colorada)
If it were me I would skip Nakuru and have an extra day in the Mara and Serengeti.
Are you planning on climbing Kilimanjaro or just doing a day hike?
I think we will be doing a hot air balloon ride while we are in the Mara area. Would love to get some aerial photos looking down on some big game. Anyone done one and have any suggestions on lens for this type of thing? Not sure if can bring two cameras on the flight or not. I'm thinking 100-300 on my R5. Do I need a longer lens than that?
I need a second body for my trip in June, to go along with my R5. I was really hoping the R5MII would be out in time, but that's not looking likely. Will probably rent another R5. But man those refurbished R6MII's for $1800 sure do look tempting... But I can't help but think I would miss the extra MP's on safari. Plus, would need to get new SD cards. Just here trying to talk myself out of buying an R6MII this morning...
Cduff406 wrote:
I need a second body for my trip in June, to go along with my R5. I was really hoping the R5MII would be out in time, but that's not looking likely. Will probably rent another R5. But man those refurbished R6MII's for $1800 sure do look tempting... But I can't help but think I would miss the extra MP's on safari. Plus, would need to get new SD cards. Just here trying to talk myself out of buying an R6MII this morning...
Low light performance of the R6MII is probably superior to the R5. Maybe rent an R3? A buddy of mine is a professional wildlife photog and swears by it. He's a big gear head too. Has tried everything from Canon and Sony.
berimbolo wrote:
Low light performance of the R6MII is probably superior to the R5. Maybe rent an R3? A buddy of mine is a professional wildlife photog and swears by it. He's a big gear head too. Has tried everything from Canon and Sony.
Yes, I go back and forth on renting an R3 vs another R5. The R3 would mean a second battery type, which adds some extra work. But I might do that. Still have some time to argue with myself...
Cduff406 wrote:
Yes, I go back and forth on renting an R3 vs another R5. The R3 would mean a second battery type, which adds some extra work. But I might do that. Still have some time to argue with myself...
Thanks for the input!
My vote is for a second R5 to keep it simple and consistent between bodies. There's no chance of having an issue with muscle memory for the R5 when shooting the R3 if you don't shoot them together often. Something like even fumbling with the power switch or switching between modes or video for a second can blow your opportunity. If I thought I needed the R3 there I would have taken it on my last trip, but I took R5's again instead.
Also, it's possible you could get really lucky and have an R5II if it's out by then. Unlikely but possible as no one really knows when it's coming out. And if not, you can just rent another R5 last minute, share settings on memory cards between cameras, etc. For a trip of a lifetime, I would suggest the most resolution possible. There's nothing the R5 can't handle over there.
