Granted that we’re barely into 2013, but I’ve already set sights on one of our major trips for 2014. If you recall reading about my resolutions for 2013, I committed to expanding to new travel horizons. One of them was to touch foot in Africa. After thinking of reasons to visit Africa, my wife and I decided that a Safari would be the absolute perfect way for us to be introduced to the continent.
With days and weeks of research behind us, we’ve decided to visit the Ulusaba Game Reserve located in the Sabi Sands Reserve of South Africa in early 2014. The Ulusaba Reserve is owned by Sir Richard Branson and part of the Virgin Limited Edition Group of properties.
We’ll spend 6 days at the reserve and take advantage of their “Photographic Safari” program that caters to photographers. The package provides visitors with one on one workshops with accomplished wildlife photographers and specially trained game trackers to maximize the photographer’s experience. What I love about the package is that it limits vehicle occupancy to only 4 people which allows each photographer to have 2 rigs mounted on the vehicle. This allows for greater flexibility and eliminates the risk of damaging equipment when changing lenses, etc. Between my wife and I, I’ll be able to have 4 cameras mounted, each with a different lens which will cover most photo opportunities.
Each day, we’ll go on 2 extended game “drives” and 1 game “walk” which should provide plenty of opportunities to capture the stunning beauty of the African bush. When it comes time to book our tickets, we’ll be flying into Johannesburg on Lufthansa via Chicago and Frankfurt (my wife will finally have her first A380 experience!) and then transfer to a private charter flight to the Ulusaba Airstrip.
I’m excited about this trip since it will have many “firsts” for us. Hopefully these firsts will include several close encounters with some impressive wildlife. I’ve always wanted to know where I rank on the food chain.
And oh by the way, in the spirit of my Lufthansa Rubber Duck collection, Ulusaba did well by us when a few of these showed up in our mailbox soon after contacting them and beginning our booking process:
My wife and I just got back from a Safari in Tanzania. I’m also an advanced hobbyist photographer.
Most of my shots were taken with my Canon 100-400 L IS, and most of them at focal lengths over 250. (on a 1.6 crop sensor 60D) I only rarely switched to my 18-70. I also brought my iPhone and an Olloclip (great $50 gadget, gives wide angle, fisheye and macro capabilities to iPhone 4/4s). I used that for a few shots, not many.
I brought and used my tripod, but wished I had brought my monopod also (mostly because that lens is a bear to hand-hold and because the space in the Land Rover didn’t allow for convenient tripod use (your photographer’s tour might be different — you said something about “clamps for gear” which I did not have).
Anyway, have fun. It is like no other trip you’ll ever take.
By the way, we went Toronto-Zurich-Nairobi on Swiss First. Amazing product and service.
Looks amazing, but $1500 per night for two…
If you’re going to Africa, go deeper into the continent than a posh game reserve in South Africa. That’s like experiencing Mardi Gras from the top floor of a hotel room
Steve, thanks for the insights! I have my Sigma 150-500 and will probably get another similar length. Need to pick up an other Nikon D7000 body though! I’d rather go with a bit too much than not enough equipment. They claim that they will provide the bean bags and camera mounts for the roll cages. But a tripod and monopod are definitely on the list, especially for the walks.
@James K – for our first time I’d rather err on the side of comfort. My wife is not what I would consider an “outdoors” girl so I don’t want to ruin the experience for her by staying somewhere that may ruin the trip for her. If it was me, alone, a tent and a fire would be enough.
@Joe – the term happy wife, happy life comes to mind for this trip. We did get a pretty good discount with the extra nights so it was 2-3 hundred a night less. Leaving nothing to chance!