About The Photographic Safaris
Looking for a photographic destination of a lifetime? Well this is it! This photographic safari will be conducted in the east African country of Tanzania, home to the Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater and Mount Kilimanjaro. It will combine an exciting photography workshop in one of the world's most outstanding wildlife, landscape and cultural locations together with a luxury vacation in fascinating Tanzania.
Tanzania
Tanzania, south of Kenya on the African continent's Indian Ocean coastline, lays claim to the title Home of the Safari, since the word itself is taken from the Swahili word that means "journey." While Tanzania's Kenyan neighbors may dispute that claim, there is no doubt that Tanzania offers one of the best environments in the world for an enriching wildlife experience. The country's game viewing opportunities are considered by many to be the best in Africa. Its game parks are populated with many of the world's most exotic creatures, including all of the "Big Five." Its lakes are huge and bountiful with fish. Its cities are relaxed and friendly. Yet, to a greater degree than is true of many of its neighbors, this sprawling county, the largest in East Africa, remains untouched by the vacationing hordes.
It's About Photography — Lots of it!
This workshop will be very informal and fun. Andy Biggs will be shooting alongside you at all times. We will have discussion and assistance on specialized topics such as, for example, long lens technique, projection flash usage, action shooting, wildlife observation, field craft and east African animal behavior. Advanced techniques will be constantly discussed, demonstrated and put into practice.
This workshop is about shooting. Lots of shooting. There will be no classroom sessions, no lectures, no slide shows, and most importantly, no unnecessary egos. We will all work closely together, sharing our knowledge and experience.
Because of the unique location of this workshop, and the luxury accommodations, this workshop adventure is open to spouses as well as photographers. Even non-photographers will find the locales visited and the wildlife viewing opportunities to be thrilling. The cost for non-photographers is the same as for active participants.
The Schedule
February 25 - Depart home country (applicable for those opting for additional airfare from New York or Boston).
February 26 - Amsterdam to Arusha, Tanzania.
Upon arrival, you are met by our guides and transferred to the Kigongoni Lodge. Kigongoni Lodge is located on an historic 70-acre coffee farm near Arusha, amid natural forest. Sitting on a hilltop with lush gardens, the lodge offers breathtaking views of Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Meru. Tucked between the trees are eighteen cottages, built in traditional African styles and materials. The rooms, cocktail lounge, and restaurant - all with fireplaces – are furnished in an intimate and comfortable manner, maximizing the site’s unique views and natural features.
February 27 - Arusha to Tarangire National Park
You will awake to a new world this morning. Leaving your room and walking through the lush garden is a gentle reminder that you are now in Africa. Exotic birdcalls fill the air and hints of freshly brewed Tanzanian coffee mean that breakfast awaits you.
After a briefing with your guide, you will leave Arusha by Land Rover, crossing the Maasai Steppe on your way to Tarangire National Park, Tanzania’s fourth largest and one of its most diverse. Here, as soon as you enter the park gate, the wildlife viewing begins. Zebra, wildebeest, bushbuck, dik-dik and guinea fowl regularly cross your path, unbothered by your benign presence and going about their daily routines.
Arrive in time for lunch at your camp, and head out again for an afternoon game drive. Overnight luxury camp.
February 28 - Tarangire National Park
Today is your first morning in the bush. The sounds of buff-bellied warblers and African doves provide your gentle wake-up call. A hearty breakfast prepared by experienced chefs wakens your senses and prepares you for a full day of wildlife viewing out in the bush.
The Tarangire River, which bisects the park, provides a year-round source of food and water for the resident and migratory wildlife populations, but you will also explore miombo woodland and short grass plains in search of leopard, lion, reedbuck, gerenuk, Grant’s gazelle and more. The large elephant populations in Tarangire are quite notable, but birders will be especially impressed by the variety of avian species, which number over 500.
After a full day in the bush, you will enjoy relaxing at your camp. Take a moment to write in your safari journal, have a drink by the campfire or simply chat with your fellow safari-goers. Overnight luxury camp.
March 1 - Ngorongoro Crater
Depart Tarangire this morning, heading in a northwesterly direction. Soon, the impressive Great Rift Valley Escarpment will come into view – a 2,000 foot high wall that rises up, improbably steep and incredibly tall, out of the flat plains. Head up the winding, switch-back road and into the Ngorongoro Highlands. Continue through this rural farming region as you approach the Crater itself. You’ll arrive at your camp in time to settle in and enjoy lunch before beginning your wildlife viewing this afternoon.
Take the road down to the Crater floor, where you’ll begin exploring this unique geological marvel. With lakes, forest, savannah and an astounding population of about 30,000 animals within 10 square miles, it is no wonder that the crater is often referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the World.
On the floor the true splendor of the place is revealed. Your eyes will adjust, spotting a bit of movement here and a spot of color there. Soon you’ll realize that there is life everywhere, from the tiniest dung beetle whose lowly job is crucial to the survival of the ecosystem, to the roaming wildebeest whose incongruous features seem to have been pieced together at random, to the pride of lions escaping the glare of the sun under the shade of an acacia tree.
At the afternoon’s close, take the serpentine road back up to your camp for refreshments, dinner and a cozy night’s sleep. Overnight luxury camp.
March 2 - Ngorongoro Crater
Take a full day to continue your exploration of the crater floor. The area is world-renowned in its reputation and very small in its scale, so you will see other safari goers. Don’t let that distract you from the beauty of the place or from the fact that this remains one of the only places on earth where you may see all of the Big Five at once: Lion, Leopard, Bull Elephant, African Buffalo and Black Rhino.
To maximize your time with the wildlife, you will enjoy a special boxed lunch at a scenic spot on the floor.
Your journey will take you throughout this tremendous landscape that is constantly changing as animals move to and fro in search of pasture, water or east prey. Before sunset, it is time to depart this Garden of Eden for the comfort of your camp, where you will have time to discuss the multitude of sightings today and log them in your safari journal. Overnight luxury camp.
March 3 - Serengeti National Park
Rise early today, with the cool, fresh air of this high elevation filling your lungs and invigorating your spirit. Departing at about 6 am for the Serengeti, you will make your way around the southern edge of the crater rim, spotting the occasional hyena, elephant or African buffalo along the way. At Olduvai Gorge, make a brief stop at the museum to view some of the incredible finds of Drs. Louis and Mary Leakey.
By late morning, you will arrive at the Serengeti park gate where a sign welcomes you to “The World As It Was in the Beginning.”
The plains seem endless from this vantage point. You will meander through the wildlife rich central Serengeti on the way to your camp, where you will be able to settle in and have lunch before heading deeper into the plains for a full afternoon of wildlife viewing. Overnight luxury camp.
March 4 - Serengeti National Park
This morning you have the option of joining a Serengeti balloon safari (advance reservations required, pending availability). The experience begins with a pre-dawn drive (approx 4:30am wake-up time) to the balloon launch site, where you are given a briefing on your impending adventure. As the sun rises, you lift gently off the ground, enjoying a bird’s eye perspective as you skim over the tops of acacia trees, meander over the Seronera River and finally land in a scenic location where champagne and a full English breakfast await.
For those folks who are not joining the balloon ride, you’ll rise in time for breakfast at your camp and will begin with a game drive. Mid-morning you’ll pick up the group members who were on the balloon ride and will continue your morning wildlife viewing. Return to camp for lunch before heading back into the bush. Tonight you’ll enjoy a splendid meal together at your camp followed by time to relax by the campfire and gaze up at the southern night’s sky. Overnight private camp.
March 5 - Serengeti National Park
You have another full day to journey far and wide in this immense park, allowing your guide’s unerring instincts to lead the way. An infinite number of dramas play themselves out on these endless plains: predators stalk prey, animals eat, scavenge and graze, mothers nurture their young, birds hover and soar overhead, young animals frolic as older animals keep a watchful eye on these vulnerable little one. Overnight private camp.
March 6 - Serengeti National Park
For a different perspective on the scenery, you will move to a camp located in a private Thomson Safaris reserve. New areas are yet to be explored and new sights are waiting to be seen. Arrive there in time for lunch, having experienced wonderful wildlife viewing along the way.
Out on the plains, you will be looking for warthog, jackal, eland, kudu, reedbuck, baboon, topi, hyena, gerenuk, giraffe and more. Near water sources such as the Grumeti river, you’ll be on the lookout for some of the largest crocodiles in Africa, hippos, kingfishers, egrets, monitor lizards and more. Overnight private camp.
March 7 - Serengeti National Park
More wildlife viewing is on the agenda today, your last full day in the Serengeti. Take a picnic lunch as you head out on the trail in your trusted Land Rovers. Roll down the windows, or stand up to take advantage of the customized roof hatch, feeling the fresh air rush past as you navigate winding paths and secret trails in your pursuit of interesting wildlife sightings. With this perspective, you have unhindered 360º views, and the possibilities for what lies in store are endless!
This evening when you return to the camps, you will savor the brilliant equatorial sunset as you enjoy refreshments and snacks in the open-air lounge. Go over your experiences and compare notes with your fellow safari-goers. Rest easy, and enjoy being lulled to sleep by the sounds of your last night on the Serengeti plains.
March 8 - Serengeti National Park to Arusha to Amsterdam
Later this morning fly to Arusha and visually retrace your route from above, noting the change in landscape from the flat plains to the verdant, rolling hills of the highlands. Arrive in time for a bit of shopping and a farewell lunch with your new safari friends. Day rooms are provided so you can rest and relax here before your early evening transfer to the international airport for your flight to Amsterdam.
March 9 - Amsterdam to home
Connect in Amsterdam and arrive back home.
The Cost
The cost of this all-inclusive trip is U.S. $8,990 per person (but not inclusive of airfare to Arusha, Tanzania). The same rate applies for each participant regardless of whether they are doing photography and participating in the workshop, or not. This fee includes all in-country ground and air transportation as well as hotel accommodation (double occupancy) and all meals. The non refundable deposit for this trip is $1200. Optional hot air balloon is $475 per person.
Accommodations are two person to a room. If you will be traveling alone and would like a private room there will be a supplementary charge of $1200.
For an additional fee you can choose to have the both the safari *and* your flight from New York or Boston booked for you. We encourage this service if you are departing from North America, as we will all be able to arrive in Tanzania on the same flight at the same time. It is our experience that this service eliminates many scheduling headaches, and the cost is at or slightly below the average market rate for such a flight.
Please note: We will attempt to adhere to this itinerary as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, cultural, or wildlife migrations) may necessitate changes in the itinerary. We reserves the right to alter any itinerary at any time, if necessary. We will attempt to notify participants of changes as far in advance as possible. Costs incurred by such changes will be the responsibility of the participant.
What's Included?
- All Game Park fees
- All accommodations, based on double occupancy
- All meals inclusive of restaurant staff tips
- Services of guides and drivers
- Land transportation in safari Land Rovers. Each of the three rear seat passengers has a complete seat to themselves, including access to windows on both sides of the vehicle and empty seats
for photographic equipment.
- Airport transfers to and from hotels
- Internal airfare from Serengeti to Arusha
- Bottled water at all times
- $30 Tanzanian Airport departure tax, if KLM / NW ticket purchased through us.
What is Not Included?
- Additional tips for staff such as guides and camp staff
- Fees for passport, visas, immunizations, and insurance
- Hot air balloon flight of $475
- Alcoholic beverages while on safari
- Laundry, phone and other items of a personal nature
- Cost of hospitalization and evacuation if necessary
What Do I Do Next?
Our groups are small, so space is limited. If this exciting trip has your name on it; if you're excited by the thought of becoming a member of this trip, then now is the time to register. Remember, there will be limited space available for this workshop. When they're spoken for, that's it. If you have any questions before registering, send us an e-mail with any inquiries to info@andybiggs.com.
