August 14 - 26, 2011
Safari Leader: Randy Hanna
  |
Africa Through the Lens:
A Photographer’s Safari with Randy Hanna
Tanzania - August 2011
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.
|
"The Stare" © 2008 Randy Hanna, all rights reserved.
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 All About Photography and Wildlife Viewing
and Lots of it!!
"Morning Love" © Randy Hanna, all rights reserved.
|
It's About Photography — Lots of it! This workshop will be very informal and fun. Randy Hanna 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*Accommodations in parenthesis*August 14 - Depart home country.
Connect in Amsterdam with your flight to Kilimanjaro Airport, arriving late this evening. You will be met by Thomson Safaris staff and transferred to your lodge in Arusha.
You will awake to a new world this morning. Exotic birdcalls fill the
air and hints of freshly brewed Tanzanian coffee scent the breeze. After
breakfast and a safari briefing with your guide you will leave Arusha by
Land Rover, crossing the Maasai Steppe on your way to Ngorongoro
Conservation Area. Soon, the impressive Great Rift Valley Escarpment
will come into view – a 2,000 foot high wall that rises up out of the
flat plains. Head up the winding, switch-back road, through bucolic
rural farm land as you approach Gibbs Farm, where you will stop for
lunch. Then continue up to Ngorongoro Crater itself. Arrive at your
Thomson Nyumba camp and settle in before visiting the nearby Maasai boma
of Irkeepusi. Here you’ll meet friends of Thomson Safaris who will give
you a window into their day-to-day lives. Maasai are pastoralists who
tend sheep and goats, and their most prized possessions: cattle.
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 easy prey. Before sunset, it is time to depart this Garden of Eden for the comfort of your Nyumba, which is nestled in the lush forested landscape that is so typical of the fertile Ngorongoro region. Relax with some palate teasers before your evening meal. Sleep well tonight, before a busy day tomorrow.
Later this morning you’ll head up a winding, switch-back road to reach the western edge of the crater rim. Continue to Olduvai Gorge; make a brief stop at the museum to view some of the incredible finds of Drs. Louis and Mary Leakey. You can also have a picnic here before entering famed Serengeti National Park. The plains seem endless as you meander through the wildlife-rich central Serengeti. Settle in to your private Nyumbas later this afternoon and enjoy another wonderful dinner. Gather around the campfire to enjoy a brilliant spectacle of stars and a relaxing drink.
For those who do not join the balloon ride this morning you’ll awaken instead to the calls of the African dove or superb starling. From the comfort of your Nyumba you’ll smell the luscious scents of hot tea and fresh coffee beckoning you to greet the dawn; the majesty of the Serengeti awaits! As you sit comfortably on your verandah, sipping hot drinks and watching the day break, you may even spot giraffe or zebra grazing in the distance. After breakfast at your Nyumba you begin your quest to discover abundant and fascinating animal behavior in the park. Later this morning you’ll all regroup to continue your wildlife viewing for the rest of the day, stopping to enjoy a picnic lunch at your leisure. Upon your return to camp this afternoon you can relax in the tranquility of your Nyumba as you reflect on today’s activities; your exploration of the heart of the park has been both informative and adventurous and you’ll relish each moment in your unique surrounds. Few travelers ever have the privilege of seeing, “the world as it was in the beginning.” Under your dining tent, hot soup, fresh bread, entrees and a scrumptious dessert await your evening indulgence. Retire to your comfortable camp beds after a full and satisfying day.
Hop in your trusty Land Rovers mid afternoon. You’ll want to roll down the windows or stand up to take advantage of the customized roof hatch. Feel 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! After returning to camp late in the day you can have a drink, appetizers or a refreshing shower before sitting down for dinner with your group tonight. As you gaze out at the majestic Serengeti Plains you will feel privilege of being one of the few people in who can say that you saw, “the world as it was in the beginning.”
The northern area of this ecosystem is an outstanding seasonal location, which few travelers have the opportunity to experience first-hand. You may see gazelle, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, buffalo and much more. Arrive at your Nyumba this afternoon in time to refresh before an al fresco dinner under the canopy of your dining tent. Having experienced wonderful wildlife viewing throughout the day, dinner is sure to be a lively, engaging affair as guests swap stories about all that you’ve seen. Continue your conversation around the crackling campfire this evening. Fall asleep to the sounds of nearby animals tonight.
Rise early for a quick breakfast and hit the road by 6am. Photograph
in the pristine, first light of day before returning to camp for an
early lunch. Have a brief rest and explore more along the Mara River
this afternoon. Here you may find wildebeest tentatively drinking from
the muddy banks while some of Africa’s biggest Nile crocodiles lurk
nearby, waiting for the perfect opportunity to grab a meal on the run.
This evening when you return to the Nyumba you can indulge in a few tasty snacks while watching the brilliant equatorial sun dip below the horizon. Head into the dining tent where the tempting aromas of home made soup and fresh bread beckon you to dinner. On this last night in the bush, reflect on all that you’ve experienced as you write in your safari journal or relax by the campfire under the starlit sky. Your Thomson Safari has been an adventure full of wildlife viewing in the heart of Tanzania’s greatest parks. You’ve seen more than you could’ve possibly imagined and been welcomed by local Tanzanians throughout your trip. Precious memories like this are to be celebrated in the moment and savored for a lifetime.
Connect in Amsterdam and arrive in the U.S. Please check your flight itinerary for details. 
"Testosterone" ©2009 Randy Hanna, all rights reserved
The Cost:The cost of this all-inclusive trip is U.S. $9,890 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 What is Not Included? - Additional tips for staff such as guides and camp staff 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 using the contact FORM. |