This is a safari that focuses heavily on the actual photographic elements of the safari, whether for a single person, or a group of keen photographers travelling together. I have listed in point form some of the most important factors and differences that make a customised photographic itinerary different from other safaris.
1. Exclusive use camps: Small exclusive use camps are preferred, as this allows the group to assemble all computer equipment and any related electronics, and leave it in one area, ready to use between activities, without having to pack it away in consideration of other guests in camp. This type of camp also allows us our own private area to have photographic workshops in the evenings, and go through the day’s best images to learn and improve as the safari progresses.
2. Private Vehicles: Having the use of a private vehicle is critical, as this enables us to target your interests and focus on exactly what it is that you have come to Africa to photograph. This once again removes any dependency on unrelated guests’ needs and schedules that would be a consideration if you were on a shared vehicle.
3. Private Guides: A private guide that is knowledgeable when it comes to photography makes a huge difference. As any serious photographer will know, it takes time and patience to get the shot you are after. Having a guide that understands this fact and is able to get you ahead of the action – and at the right angle – makes the difference.
4. Like-minded travel partners: Traveling with like-minded people and guides that share a common interest in photography is a huge bonus, as everyone on the trip has a similar goal and understands what it takes to capture that once-in-a-lifetime image.
5. Timing and seasonality: Being in the right part of a country at the right time for game viewing obviously increases your chances. This is a very important part of the planning process, and personal experience and up-to-date information on game movements and seasons is critical.
6. Personal space: Space to work on the vehicle without being restricted by someone else next to you enables you to arrange your camera gear in such a way that it is on hand when needed, and that you have total flexibility to move and reposition when necessary. This is where limiting the amount of people on a vehicle comes into play.
7. Time restrictions: The ability to leave the camp before dawn in order to find game that you can photograph when that first brilliant morning light appears, is crucial. In some areas you are restricted to set times, which can impact on this very important point. You also need to be in areas that have no restrictions on time allowed with specific sightings, in some areas a fifteen to twenty minute limitation is enforced in order to allow a rotation of all the lodge’s vehicles’ time with the animal. It’s understandable, but when photography is the main objective, you need far longer with a particular subject. Ideally, you need the freedom to spend the entire day with an animal (such as a leopard, for example) in order to follow and photograph behavior and interaction. This isn’t always possible in fifteen to twenty minutes.
8. Private concessions, or private game reserves: There are several very important advantages that these private areas have over public access areas. The following points are some of the main reasons that safaris into such regions come at a premium. In a private concession you have a very limited number of game drive vehicles, all from the same lodge – this means that common game drive ethics are practiced. Secondly, having fewer vehicles gives you the luxury of unlimited time with a specific animal, as there is less pressure from others wanting to get to the same sighting. You also have full off-road access in order to follow the game as it moves – not possible in most public access areas.
9. Game viewing hides: Selecting certain camps that have access to game viewing hides offers a unique angle and style of photography. This is very seasonal in general, but during the right time of the year amazing images that would otherwise be unobtainable are possible from these photographic hides. Some hides are situated on rivers, in river banks, at water holes or above busy game trails.
10. Battery and general charging facilities: This is often a point that can be overlooked, yet for obvious reasons is critical to a photographic safari. Certain camps are just geared towards this better than others, and if your safari is going to take place in extremely remote camps or possibly even luxury mobile camps, then these facilities need to be available and confirmed before the safari in order to ensure all equipment can be fully charged at all times.
11. Special interest safaris: In some cases, specific species or interaction between species is sought after. Once again, these safaris are designed around those particular needs. We concentrate on areas that we personally know will offer the best possible chance to see and photograph what you came to Africa for.