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Questions on a Photo trip to Africa

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29 March 2012, 17:49
mikem0553
Questions on a Photo trip to Africa
For my 60th birthday, my daughter has offered to go with me on a trip to Africa. She has been there before, to Kenya, and traveled around that area, so she would like to go someplace different. Of course I would love a safari, but I think I'll only be shooting a digital camera on this trip. I have always wanted to see Victoria Falls, lots of wildlife, and my daughter wants to explore the skelaton coast.
I am thinking Zim. Zambia, and Nambidia. I have never been out of the US so am as green as a gord when it comes to travel. Can my friends here on AR give me some ideas on what parks to go through that have lots of wildlife and the availability of public trans. from Zimbabwa or Zambia, down to the Skelaton coast? Is renting a car wise?
The tenative plan is to go in March of 2013 but that is open to change if that season is too rainy to get through the parks. Your ideas and expierence are most needed by me on this little venture. Thanks
29 March 2012, 21:00
Stonecreek
March is still in the rainy season in the Caprivi, which is the area you would be transiting between Victoria Falls and the Skeleton Coast. Not only would the hot and possibly rainy weather potentially put a damper on your trip, but there may be problems with roads and bridges in the Caprivi at this time of year. I would advise waiting a bit later, perhaps May if you want to avoid the "summer" (high tourist season) crowds of June-August.

You would want to put Etosha National Park on your sightseeing list since it is virtually on your route.

While it is certainly possible to self-drive, you will be crossing some international borders and you will be in a left-side drive country which can really mess up your mind as an American driver. You might find it more satisfactory to hire a car and driver (or join another small group) so that you have someone local to navigate, arrange, dicker, and otherwise run interferance for you. This probably wouldn't cost very much more than doing the driving yourself.

As far as air transportation, you could start/finish on either end. Sounds like a great trip, especially with your daughter.
29 March 2012, 22:43
martin pieters
My wife Candy can assist with plans in Victoria Falls and she can quote you on her lodge in Hwange National Park, www.nehimba.com drop her an email on admin@nehimba.com for advice and approximate costs.

Mart


martinpieterssafaris@gmail.com
www.martinpieterssafaris.com

" hunt as if it's your last one you'll ever be on"
29 March 2012, 23:31
bwana cecil
Namibia is BEAUTIFUL!
The Skeleton Coast is very nice.
Swakopmon is quite a friendly place with good food & plenty to do.
We were there in June '09, it was in the uper 30's (F) at night & into the 60's in the day.
This was a side trip from our safari with Hunters Namibia.


LORD, let my bullets go where my crosshairs show.
Not all who wander are lost.
NEVER TRUST A FART!!!
Cecil Leonard
29 March 2012, 23:40
peashooter
Contact Russell Caldecott in Victoria Falls. He runs 10 and 12 day photo safaris to Bots and Namibia as well as tours of the Vic falls area. Feedback in regards to the trips has been good.
russell@ultimatelodge.com
30 March 2012, 00:45
Jorge400
I too would recommend a later date. The water volume over the falls will be pretty high in March and the mist will obscure much of your view, but it will be tremendous I suppose. Game will also be pretty spread out and hard to locate.

Renting a car and driving between Namibia and Vic Falls is pretty simple. My wife and I did it in 2009. I would suggest renting a 4x4 and heading to the Skeleton Coast and then up through Damaraland to Etosha then through the Caprivi. If you go through the proper car hire company, you can drop your car in Katima Mulilo for a pretty reasonable fee and use tour companies to get to Vic Falls and see Chobe National Park along the way. Then fly out of Vic Falls.


"...Africa. I love it, and there is no reason for me to explore why. She affects some people that way, and those who feel as I do need no explanation." from The Last Safari
30 March 2012, 12:08
ozhunter
Wankie National Park and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe would be my recommendation. Good deals to be found in this beautiful area.
03 April 2012, 15:17
Wink
If your trip takes you to Namibia I think you should include the Namib Desert. I went in 2009 with my daughter, rented a 4WD camper and had a great time.

I posted my trip report in 2009, where you can read some info on vehicle hire and travel in Namibia, and here is the link:

http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/9851035311

A couple of pictures:









_________________________________

AR, where the hopeless, hysterical hypochondriacs of history become the nattering nabobs of negativisim.
04 April 2012, 12:18
Wink
If you are planning to take photos of wildlife, a 300mm lens is probably a minimum. Of course a 300mm lens on a camera with an APS-C sized sensor gives you a 450mm equivalent, which would be good. Just like with a rifle, practice alot with it before you go so that you can get that steady and well focused shot.


_________________________________

AR, where the hopeless, hysterical hypochondriacs of history become the nattering nabobs of negativisim.
04 April 2012, 16:42
mikem0553
When my daughter suggested this trip I told her I knew some folks who could give us good information. Thanks for all the help! I am going to postpone the trip to late April and probably fly into Namibia first. I would like to spend about a week or so exploring the Kalahari, the skeleton coast and some of the game parks before crossing the Caprivi and into Zim. I've looked at the 4x4s for rent and I think that would be a good choice, but I haven't checked into hiring a car and driver yet.
I'm sure I will have lots more questions before we make our final plans. Wink, the photos were great and the advice is appriciated.
04 April 2012, 17:34
Wink
If I remember correctly the 4WD camper rental company was ATI. One logical approach would be to rent the camper in South Africa and do a circuit which starts and ends in the same place, reducing the cost of vehicle rental. A South Africa, Namibia, Botswana circuit might be worth considering. Adding Zimbabwe would be easy of course if that's a priority. I can only speak for myself of course, but I have never had any problem driving on the "wrong" side of the road, just be careful at roundabouts.


_________________________________

AR, where the hopeless, hysterical hypochondriacs of history become the nattering nabobs of negativisim.
14 April 2012, 00:55
jwm
My wife has expressed an interest in going to Africa with me, since she didn't accompany me when I went on my hunt a couple of years ago. At one point she suggested that perhaps we could go "just as tourists", i.e. no hunting.

She still talks about the look on my face when she suggested that. Big Grin

Good luck on your trip. I'm certain that it will be wonderful, but...if you're a hunter...it may also drive you insane.
14 April 2012, 01:52
bwana cecil
jwm
Strange what females think.
Going to Africa & not hunting is like pawning your favorite firearm when you don't need the money, it just doesn't make sense.
I'm sure there are better examples, but you get the point.


LORD, let my bullets go where my crosshairs show.
Not all who wander are lost.
NEVER TRUST A FART!!!
Cecil Leonard
14 April 2012, 02:34
mikem0553
JWM, That thought has crossed my mind more than once while planning this trip. Money is the biggest factor in my decision. I don't have any problem driving through herds of elk when it isn't elk season. No problem letting a coyote go because I don't have my 6 x284 with me. I do have a problem watching prarie dogs sitting on their mounds and not being able to shoot some, but thats beside the point. This trip is just as much for my wife and daughter as it is for me. I think I can be content seeing and photographing the animals of Africa. Just being able to go is a dream come true for me.