I've been looking at a lot of outfitters web sites lately and have noticed that some advertise photographic safaris. My question to the PH's on here is how many pure photo safaris would you do in a year? And what are the attitudes of the clients to the hunting side of your business?

I have been in photo camps, purely on a photo safari, on a number of times.

One meets all sorts of people there.

From those who look at you as if you are from another planet as soon as they know you hunt.

To those who are fascinated by hunting, and cannot stop asking questions about it - the fun part is the HHs - the hunters haters - get so upset once they know you have won the argument, and you have a captive audience. Get up and leave.

Then you get what I call the weirdest of the lot.

Those who pay for a photo safari, but never leave camp!

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Those who pay for a photo safari, but never leave camp!

That's sounds like easy money for the PH mate

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Originally posted by Bakes:

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Those who pay for a photo safari, but never leave camp!

That's sounds like easy money for the PH mate

No Tony, it smacks of utter stupidity of those who travel all the way there and not see anything.

Like those sitting in the back of the safari car and taking photos with their iphones!!??

Can you believe it??

And some were actually ASLEEP in the back of the safari truck!!

Not much different than the "hunters" who want their PH to shoot their game for them.

Lots of folks want to say they were on safari in Africa, etc.

As I recall, the guides on the photo stuff are not anything near as trained as the PHs.

As to numbers, I think they get many more people through a photo camp than a hunting camp. The trips are shorter, and the costs to get licenses and such are a lot lower. From what I was told the photo camps are a lot more profitable, requiring fewer employees, who are a lot less experienced than the specialists required for a hunting camp. How much, I don't know, but according to the folks I have talked to, a lot more money is made in total, if not per person.

As to attitudes, as an example...

I recall being in the masailand and being asked to help get a photo safari truck out of a wallow. I was in mid calf mud along with the PH and the trackers pushing, and cussed the tree root I tripped on. One of the female clients asked the driver why I (American by accent) was able to get out and walk around while her husband was not allowed out of the car to help... He then said, "he's a hunter, see the cartridge belt? They are assumed to know what they can and can't do, and they have guns to get out of trouble, you don't, and we get in trouble if you get hurt, so they get to shove the truck, and you get to stay clean..."

The driver/guide was very thankful for the help and we were invited to their camp for lunch... The clients ignored me and our group, not even a thank you. When we did visit, we were kept on the staff side of the camp... Of course that may have been more because we were lion hunting, and the bait bucket was not likely to make friends.

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Like those sitting in the back of the safari car and taking photos with their iphones!!??

Now that I just don't get. As you saw Saeed, that trip from the air strip to camp nearly did my neck in. It was snapping from one side to the other as I tried to take it all in.

It takes all types I suppose.

Now what do these anti hunters eat while in camp? I hope its all tinned food?

One very famous French lady was there, and she was an adamant anti-hunter.

She was not too impressed with telling her that for her to live each day, another creature has to give its life.

And that the only way this was going to change is for her to stop eating and wearing anything from an animal.

She said vegetarians do not harm any animals.

I reminded her that they do, as they are eating food that animals require to survive, and the only way any living creature can help in that direction is to end its life!


She mumbled something in French, which apparently meant that it was not possible to have a discussion with such a man!

Made me very proud of myself

As far as TZ is concerned, it is not, (to the best of my knowledge) permitted to conduct organized photographic safaris within a designated hunting block; this veto is extended to the concession holder as well.

Hunting concessions have been identified and leased out for a specific purpose, to be utilised for hunting purposes only.

For a client to snap photos during his hunt is not considered as falling into the category of a photographic safari but all those who think having a cameraman on board to film the hunt need to do their homework.

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She mumbled something in French, which apparently meant that it was not possible to have a discussion with such a man!Made me very proud of myself

Ah, yes. The silent treatment. Funny how they think it is a punishment...rather than a blessing.

Fujo, take a look at what is happening in Lokisale and Lobor Serrit.

Back in 2011 there were places in that concession we were told we could not go because the photo people were king there. I am told by hunters who were the last year that it was even more restricted.

PHs have told me that it is common to want to put the photo lodge not in the park (to avoid having to pay a park fee) and then charge the park fee as a way of padding the bill.

Maybe I am wrong because I am listening to the wrong people, but I DID help out that car in Lokisale.

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Originally posted by crbutler:
Fujo, take a look at what is happening in Lokisale and Lobor Serrit.

Back in 2011 there were places in that concession we were told we could not go because the photo people were king there. I am told by hunters who were the last year that it was even more restricted.

PHs have told me that it is common to want to put the photo lodge not in the park (to avoid having to pay a park fee) and then charge the park fee as a way of padding the bill.

Maybe I am wrong because I am listening to the wrong people, but I DID help out that car in Lokisale.

What you are saying is absolutely correct - it however does not alter the fact that this practice is not contravening the established purpose of a hunting block.

The two areas you mentioned fall under "Open or Game Controlled Areas" and tend to be "ruled /owned" by our beloved Masai who are quick to enter into dubious land lease deals with unscrupulous business-minded city-slickers who create these situations.

One thing is having a camp in the buffer zone adjacent to Tarangire (where hunting is not permitted anyway) for easy access to the Park and another to drive around in the hunting concession making a nuisance of themselves to the hunting outfit that has spent a shit-load of money in concession fees to the Government, contributed to the welfare of the villages (over and above the compulsory Community Development Fund).

Unfortunately, access to the buffer zone in most cases foresees transiting through the hunting area and just cannot be avoided.

Next time, if you find yourself in a similar situation as you mentioned earlier, just wave with middle finger extended and drive by as these are the same bastards who will harass you later on.

Photographics here are mostly found in the game rich hunting concessions thus avoiding Park fees and generally they do not contribute a sodding thing to the area or communities.

You would have thought that they would applaud us hunters for providing them such fine opportunities.

These photo safari people do not, pay trophy fees, concession fees ammo or rifle taxes. they do not pay shipping dipping or anything other than the cost of the tour they are on. They contribute very little to the sustainable use of wildlife or the economy as a whole compared to actual hunters. When anyone asks me why I don't just take pictures I explain to them the contribution hunting makes as opposed to the photo tours.Most people see the light.