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That said,
what sort of safari options should you look for in order to make your
African experience the best possible, particularly if you know nothing
about the options available? The following information should help you
answer some of your questions. While the information is based on
Tanzania as the destination, many of the points brought up will apply to
safaris in other locations in Africa and around the world as well.
Types of Safaris
Safaris
can differ not only in their itineraries but also in their locations,
wildlife availability, level of accommodations, and learning
opportunities. The photographic trips to Tanzania that I personally lead
are designed toward photographers who wish to increase their
photographic abilities and techniques while being immersed in a rich
photographic shooting environment. They are also looking for a trip that
fosters personal growth while providing them a lifetime of memories. The
environment of my safaris is one that involves other kindred spirits but
follows a path not trod by the average tourist.
Vehicles
Contrary to popular belief, not all safaris take place in a 4WD vehicle.
Some of the most rewarding photographic experiences are attained by
safely approaching game from ground level. All of my Tanzania trips
afford us some opportunity to shoot wildlife (and landscapes) away from
a vehicle. That said, some wildlife experiences can only (and legally)
be achieved via the safety of a Land Rover or a Toyota Land Cruiser. A
number of these vehicles have been stretched to accommodate large
numbers of people. Problems arise exponentially when a large number of
photographers and their gear are together in one vehicle. The fewer
photographers in the vehicle, the better will be your experience. Less
is more. I limit my safaris to a maximum of three photographers (and a
REASONABLE amount of gear) per vehicle. Non-photographing participants
are welcome and usually (along with myself) positioned up front with the
driver.
As a general
rule, you get what you pay for when it comes to vehicles. Budget safaris
many times result in poorly maintained vehicles and inexperienced
drivers. Also, be wary of safaris using minivans as they are more likely
to have a larger number of people in each vehicle.
Clothing
While
pith helmets are out of style, brimmed hats and sunglasses can make your
safari more enjoyable by offering a bit of shade during the day and
helping to relieve eye strain. Even though we are close to the equator,
outdoor conditions are regulated as much by altitude as they are by
temperature. In that regard, it is a good recommendation to wear earth
tones, primarily because the dirt does not show as much as a white shirt
would. Clothing that can keep you cool during the day and a layer that
helps to keep you warm at night are advisable. Walking shoes rather than
the heavier constructed hiking boots are best. Sandals also work well.
Do your research before departing, to see what to wear and what works
best for you.
Accommodations
While
in the field there are three basic types of safari accommodations. Each
has its advantages and disadvantages depending upon the criteria you
chose for your safari experience. The better lodges tend to be the
highest price option but afford you hotel-like sleeping accommodations
and in-suite bathrooms. With this service also comes more people and a
loss of personal attention. Another disadvantage of a lodge is that the
game (generally quite migratory due to water availability) might not be
located anywhere nearby resulting in either long drives or missed
photographic opportunities.
On the other
end of the price scale are the adventure tented safaris which is like
camping out. While they tend to be near concentrations of game, you may
be required to pitch and break down your own tent. Check details
carefully as each trip of this nature varies in the amenities and
services offered.
My personal
favorite, and the one used for the Tanzania safaris, are the luxury tent
camps. These combine the high living standards of the lodges with the
ability of the adventure tent camps to get you close the wildlife
action. As the tent camp has limited capacity, personal service is
maximized and food quality is extremely good. Each tent contains either
beds or good construction cots along with changing rooms and a private
bath/shower and bathroom.
Power
With
the use of a luxury tented camp comes the need to address your power
requirements. As a photographer, particularly those shooting digital,
the ability to recharge batteries is limited. Most camps will only have
a generator running for a certain number of hours each day or during the
evening making long term charging difficult. There are a number of
backup options available. The first is that there are now a number of
quick charge devices available that can completely charge a set of
batteries in just a couple of hours. The second option is to use a small
solar powered charger that can handle up to four batteries and be left
outdoors at the camp while you are in the field. The third option comes
in if the safari vehicle is being used. Taking turns with the vehicle’s
cigarette lighter will help you to keep a set of charged batteries
always at hand.
Medical and
Insurance
For health and financial safety, you will need to be current on
your immunizations, visas and travel insurance. Immunization
requirements are constantly changing. A quick check with your physician
will help to determine what will be required. Do plan on taking
anti-malarial medicine before you leave. Do not wait until the last
minute as medical and visa preparations can often take weeks to
complete. Insurance for lost or stolen photo equipment is strongly
advised. Major airlines do not cover much, if anything. I have found
that all-risk camera insurance on a homeowner’s policy is a good way to
be insured. I have chosen to separate out my photography business
insurance from my home owner’s policy, as working photography
professionals often do not meet the requirements for that type of
insurance.
Photographic
Equipment
Photographing wildlife in the open savannahs and woodlands of northern
Tanzania requires long focal length lenses. In order to have a
reasonable chance of having your subjects fill a comfortable portion of
the frame, I would recommend a minimum effective focal length of 400mm.
You should definitely take along the longest focal length lens you can
afford without sacrificing optical quality and speed. If you are
shooting with a digital camera that has a lens factor of x1.6, a 400mm
lens turns into a 640mm supertelephoto. While the open areas of northern
Tanzania are better lit than heavily forested jungles, maintaining
sufficient shutter speed to stop constantly moving animals is also a
factor to consider in selecting which lenses to bring along.
To maximize
your safari experience keep in mind that there are more images to be
captured than just closeup head shots or animal portraits. Capturing the
landscape and the essence of the environment in which the wildlife
lives, should not be overlooked. Don’t forget to bring both wide angle
and medium focal length lenses as well. With the superb optics available
in today’s zoom lenses, I find that I can take just four lenses with me
covering a focal length range of 16-400mm which allows me to take
advantage of the range of shooting conditions that will be encountered
while on safari. These are: 16-35mm, f/2.8; 24-70mm f/2.8; 70-200mm
f/2.8; and a 400mm f/2.8. By adding a 1.4X or 2X teleconverter, I can
extend this range all the way to 800mm. (Note: My Canon camera bodies
are all full frame.) Minimizing the number of lenses also lets me reduce
the amount of baggage that follows me on the trip. This is important as
one camera bag is easier to keep track of in airports and doesn’t take
up much space in the Land Rover.
Shooting Stability
My safaris to
Tanzania emphasize a range photographic opportunities and shooting
conditions. These can vary from landscapes at sunset, to walking to a
nearby pool to shoot elephants, and to capturing the wildebeest
migration from the top of a Land Rover. Even with image stabilization
technology, hand holding a 5-12 pound lens for any length of time is
impossible. To help you get the sharpest images possible, I recommend
two support systems, one for ground-based photography and one for
vehicle-based photography.
Take along a
compact, lightweight and sturdy tripod outfitted with quick release
capabilities to allow you to change lenses or cameras quickly for the
times you will be shooting at ground level. As I pack mine with the
clothes in the duffel bag, it really does not take up any extra space.
While great
for shooting in the open, a tripod in a closed vehicle is counter
productive. While there are a number of excellent roof/window mount
support system on the market they are just another piece of equipment
that has to be packed and their design do not allow them to quickly
adapt to rapidly changing shooting condition (like an elephant who has
decided to come over and investigate the hole in your vehicle roof). The
most adaptable camera/lens support for shooting from a vehicle is a bean
bag. The ideal bag should be: big enough to support your largest lens;
flexible enough to mold to a variety of surface shapes; and be able to
be packed empty to minimize space and weight issues concerning your
luggage. I prefer the Kinesis Safari Sack (www.kinesisgear.com) as the bag can be folded flat
for travel and refilled at my destination. A quick stop at the local
market for beans or rice does the trick and they can be given to one of
the locals when you leave.
For more information on Mark's
Wildlight safaris and photo trips send your request to:
info@wildlightnaturephotography.com
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