In the next couple years I'd like to go on a dedicated Photo Safari....preferably a VERY small group.

Anyone know of any PH/Outfitters who do Photo Safaris?

Or recommendation a Photo Safari Tour operator/guide?

Places of interests... Krueger Park, Mashatu, Botswana, MalaMala, Serengetti...

You can respond here or via PM....Thank you!

PH Terry Anders does photo safaris. You can contact him through Mark Young.

For photo safaris in Kenya & Tanzania and other african countries, I give the highest endorsement to Abercrombie & Kent safari tours. They have a number of different photo safaris available and are of the highest quality. IMO, the absolute best available, all first class.

I never understood why someone would want to do a photo safari with a hunting outfitter? You wouldn't call a photo safari company to book a hunting safari, would you? Go with the people who are the professionals and you won't regret it. JMO, but I have done photo safaris with A&K.

LB,

Gareth Flemix does walking safaris in Botswana, espcially the Delta, and is very knowledgeable about birds, all wildlife and especially elephant in that country. He is also an accomplished photographer and caters to small groups. You can reach him at:

garethgolingo@gmail.com

Please tell him that you were referred by Paul Reed. PM me if you need details.

Paul

PM send on Kruger NAtional Park photographic safaris. Myself and Justin Reid will give you the holiday of a lifetime!

Martin Pieters has a Photographic camp set up in Hwange National Park. Incredible game and incredible hospitality. You'll struggle to beat them.

Martin Pietrs camp is called Nehimba. Their email address is reservations@nehimba.com or check their website, www.nehimba.com

Cuan

Martin's place is outstanding and you get to enjoy the Victoria Falls activities, too.

I plan on taking Sandy to Chikwenya in 2014 and visit with Martin, too.

Chikwenya Information

http://www.johancalitzsafaris.co.za/bots_photo.htm


www.ethiopianriftvalleysafaris.com


Johan Calitz in Botswana or Rich Elliott (who posts here on AR) in Ethiopia.

Thank you everyone for your responses and all your PM I've been receiving!

Please keep them coming in!

http://www.wildernesstravel.co...ri-kilimanjaro-climb


Late-Bloomer,

In September 2013 my husband is doing the Mount Kilimanjaro climb and I am joining him for the
photo safari afterwards. We are using Wilderness Travel (link), and I will let you know how the trip went upon our return.

My recommendation is to find a good booking agent, someone like Bev Wunderlich, tell the agent what you are looking for, what kind of experience you are after, luxury lodges, old fashion tented safari, walking safari, etc. or a combination of some sort and most importantly the budget you have to work with and have them put together some itineraries that combine those aspects. You can then decide what makes the most sense in terms of the experience offered and the costs.

I would give Steve Turner a call and let him work it with you. We did and had a fantastic time in Zimbabwe and Botswana.

I really like the responses coming in...
I appreciate all the advice and recommendations!

But I failed to mention a few things in my original post...

I'm NOT looking for those extravagant and wonderful Photo Tours with high-end accommodations, and lengthy itineraries...
but quite the opposite

Basically I'm looking for a PRIVATE GUIDE to do some serious but fun dedicated WILDLIFE PHOTO SAFARI SHOOT for 10 days with comfortable but AFFORDABLE modest accommodations and meals.

I just need to get me some great images from this important shoot!

Thanks!

Hello Roland. Hope you are doing well.

Have you considered an unguided trip to Kruger?

Very easy to rent a car at the Joberg airport and drive to Kruger Park. You can make all your reservations with the park online. You will be able to get some wonderful photos especially if you go when visibility is best. If you go with another person or two you can take turns driving. There are night drives that you can book while you are there or walking tours which are nice as well and a good break from being in the car. The multi day wilderness trails are excellent and are the closest non hunting thing I know of to a foot safari in dangerous game country.

The money you save by self guiding may allow you to stay a few more days. Kruger is best done at a slow pace in my opinion so you can stay at a few different camps and you are not rushed. It is a huge place and there is plenty to see.

If you are on a budget, this may be a good option for you. There are plenty of places in Africa where I would want/require a guide but Kruger is not one of them. Just my opinion, yours may vary.

Feel free to PM me if I can be of any help to you.

Hi Grafton long time no see

PM incoming

Consider Zambia? The Luangwa, Kafue and our famous wetlands.

Depends what subject matter you want photograph?

Yes, Zambia's Luangwa valley is something special.

You are welcome to contact me for a Photo safari in Tanzania.

mike@safariprotz.com

I tell you I have been researching a great one from the past that is steadily returning to its former glorty..still has a way to go but you will not be overrun with tourists and will see a good but not great amount of game...Gorongosa.

There was a great write up in the Wall Street Journal last week on Zimbabwe, particularly on Stretch Ferriera of Goliath Safaris. Up close and personal with game, on foot.

Gary Kramer, who is an outdoor writer and one of the top wildlife (and especially, waterfowl) photographers in America, hosts a couple trips per year to Tanzania and Kenya. He's made 23 trips to Africa doing these, and he takes care of everything from the time you leave till you return home. He keeps the groups small, and first class all the way.

One real nice benefit is that he mentors/tutors his guests on wildlife photography while on the trip. www.garykramer.net

And to piggyback on what Grafton has said, an unguided trip through Kruger can be fantastic, and surprisingly low cost. A few years ago, I took my family on such a trip, organized by Marita Dyason of Spear Safaris. We were met by her in Phalaborwa with the rental car, a 4wd Tyotal Landcruiser SUV, from there to a bed and breakfast she had arranged for the night. Next morning, we were off to Kruger and spent three days there. We spent nights at Letaba, Oliphants and Satara (my favorite) Camps. We had our own schedule and did as we pleased. It was fantastic, and I got great photos of elephants (including a couple 100+ lb'ers), some huge buffalo, lions, rhinos, and all sorts of plains game.

For a cost of only a few hundred $$ per day for my entire family, we had a fantastic time and got photos that may have been better than what you'd get in a guided trip, as I didn't have to compete with anyone for good 'window' time.

After three days in Kruger, we spent a couple days in the Thornybush private reserve, and got more splendid photos, finishing up with 5 days of hunting with Spear Safaris. It was a grand trip.

Thank you all... I certainly do have a lot of places to now consider!

I appreciate all the suggestions

Where you go also depends on what you want to photograph. Kruger is great for elephants, buffalo, rhino, leopards and ok for lions. Unlikely to get sable, roan and eland . Often get great action shots and birds. Londolozi is good for closeup big five and nearly guaranteed. My favorite is Botswana either self guided Moremi or Mambo. The difficulty with photography in hunting areas is it's hard to get close but if you are walking it's much more rewarding.

quote:

Originally posted by LR3:
Where you go also depends on what you want to photograph. Kruger is great for elephants, buffalo, rhino, leopards and ok for lions. Unlikely to get sable, roan and eland . Often get great action shots and birds. Londolozi is good for closeup big five and nearly guaranteed. My favorite is Botswana either self guided Moremi or Mambo. The difficulty with photography in hunting areas is it's hard to get close but if you are walking it's much more rewarding.

I like what I'm hearing...Thank you I will look into those places too...I have time on my side and lots of homework to do

Great topic!

I did a self guided tour of Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve in RSA with a local friend from Durban a few years ago. It was fantastic even for the short two days we were there.

We stayed in the self catering tented camps which were seemingly always surrounded by herds of plains game, maurading monkeys and begging warthogs. Yes, the sad faced warties charmed some crackers from me.

You can drive yourself and or sign up for guided drives, day and night for an extra fee. We did a night drive which was excellent and self guided during daylight.

Some highlights were seeing a cheetah stalk a large herd of impala. Lions, spotted hyena and vultures at a giraffe kill. Cheeky buffalo everywhere as well as tons of plains game. Rhinos, big horns and also viewed huge horned cows with their calves. There was never a dull moment. All of the big 5 are there.

The tents are on raised wooden platforms with outdoor kitchens. Flush toilets and hot showers. I would say this was a very inexpensive side tour and if I get the time again I would stay several more days.

PM sent with details of our privately guided/ tented mobile photographic safaris into the far reaches of Hwange national Park, affordable and unbelievable value

Martin

Martin, I would be interested in the details of your Hwange mobile safari.

If you are interested in something like DLS did email Marita at, marita@spearsafaris.com

quote:

Originally posted by spear:
If you are interested in something like DLS did email Marita at, marita@spearsafaris.com

Thank you as I'm still checking into all my options!

I'll be emailing soon...