THE TRIP:

This trip has been designed specifically as a wildlife photographic journey, hosted by Andrew Thomasson, an well-known photographer and more particularly, a superb travel photographer and instructor.

Mixing in National Parks, town and the exotic Zanzibar the trip will offer something for everyone. Wildlife, fascinating cultures, stunning landscapes, seascapes, exotic architecture and a delightful blend of camping and lodges.

Upon reaching Tanzania we will visit three of the most spectacular (and photogenic) national parks in Eastern Africa. Our first stop is Lake Manyara National Park - only about 330 sq km in size, with two thirds consisting of water and the Great Rift Valley Escarpment rising sharply and dramatically along the western side. While most known for baboons, the lake and its environs is also home to herbivores such as hippos, impalas, elephants, wildebeests, buffalo, warthogs and giraffes. Giant fig trees and mahogany seen in the groundwater forest immediately around the park gates draw nourishment from the underground springs replenished continuously from crater highlands directly above the Manyara basin. Leading away from the forest to the fringes of Lake Manyara are the flood plains. To the south are visible the acacia woodlands. Leopards, although in abundance, are hard to get a glimpse of, just like the other elusive carnivores - the lions - of this park. Lake Manyara provides opportunities for ornithologists keen on viewing and observing over 300 migratory birds, including flamingo, long-crested eagle and grey-headed kingfisher.

Next on the agenda is Ngorongoro National Park. For many, the most amazing experience is viewing the crater for the first time. As your vehicle slowly ascends through mountain forests you will feel it getting colder and colder. Eventually you reach the rim, and dropping sharply off in front of you is Ngorongoro Crater. Ngorongoro Crater is the best self-contained safari destination in the world. The world's largest unbroken caldera, it is often referred to as the 'Garden of Eden'. The rich pasture and permanent water of the crater floor shelters a large population of animals. In fact, the crater floor is one of the most densely crowded game areas in the world and is home to about 30,000 animals. The open grassland makes it easy to police, so it is also a stronghold for endangered species like black rhino and cheetah. This undoubtedly is a wildlife photographer's paradise.

Our third park on this magnificent journey is the famous Serengeti National Park. This is a soul-stirring feeling of space. Serengeti comes from the Masai word 'Siringit' meaning 'the place where the land runs on forever' and refers to the flat grassy plains which make up about a third of the park. It is these grasslands and savannahs that ensure that the area is jam-packed full of game. There are animals here at any time of year, but from May to October, the area teems with life, including wildebeest, zebra, impala, warthogs, topi, gazelles and hyena. Lion, leopard, cheetah and caracal can be more easily spotted in the Kopjes, granite outcrops scattered across the landscape.

After an abundance of wildlife and village photographic opportunities we will transfer to Zanzibar where we will spend a few days relaxing and soaking up the experience. Zanzibar is still the best-kept secret in the Indian Ocean, with its fascinating historical Stone Town and magnificent beaches.  At every corner, it provides ample photographic opportunities, combining the colourful history and culture of Tanzania in one location.

trip highlights:

• Spectacular Ngorongoro Crater game drives

• Climb Mt Lemagrut through traditional Masai Villages (day walk)

• Serengeti National Park game drives

• Lake Manyara and the flamingos

• Zanzibar – Stone Town and the magical east coast beaches

• Expert Photographic instruction in a relaxed environment

ITINERARY:

• DAY 1   Depart Sydney, overnight at Pip’s
               Cooking School Bangkok

• DAY 2   Cooking class, evening flight to Nairobi

• DAY 3    Arrive Arusha, afternoon at leisure

• DAY 4    Lake Mayara game drive

• DAY 5    Ngorogoro Crater game drive

• DAY 6    Ascent of Mt Lenagrut (day walk)

• DAY 7    Game drive in Serengeti (Ndutu)

• DAY 8    Serengeti (Seronera)

• DAY 9    Serengeti (Seronera)

• DAY 10   Serengeti (Ndutu) and visit to Olduvai

• DAY 11   Ngorogoro Crater, to Arusha

• DAY 12   Fly Zanzibar, Stone Town

• DAY 13   East coast Zanzibar resort

• DAY 14   East coast Zanzibar resort

• DAY 15   Zanzibar airport, to Nairobi

• DAY 16   Arrive Bangkok

• DAY 17   Arrive Sydney

instructor(s):

South African born Andrew Thomasson, has a passion for Africa and adventure, wildlife and nature photography. As director of his company Focus 10, Andrew spends his time co-ordinating and teaching a series of training courses throughout Australia and running photographic workshops around the world. Andrew has led many photographic tours for World Expeditions including recent trips to Western Australia the Flinders Ranges and the Red Centre.
Andrew has travelled extensively in Africa and has led many photographic tours to the region including wildlife canoe safaris down the Zambezi River, trekking the Wild Coast of Lesotho, pony trekking and climbing in the Drakensburg Mountains, Ngorongoro Crater and plains of Tanzania, Wildlife parks of Kenya and exploring Morocco.
On this tour, not only will you learn everything about your film and digital camera, you will be picking up invaluable tips and technique from a master trainer and adventurer.

Andrew will impart the professional tips and help create the right opportunities so you can take stunning images of the stunning flora and fauna of Tanzania. For Andrew’s African wildlife gallery, please contact him directly on andrew@focus10.com.au

Pre-requisite:

none

requirements:

To maximise your photographic adventure, we recommend bringing along the following:

• A quality DSLR camera such as a Canon EOS 1, 450D, 40D, 50D, D400, Nikon D80, D200, D300, D700, D3 etc.

• At least two quality lens such as a Nikkor 18-200mm or a Nikon /Canon 24-70mm f2.8 Nikon/ Canon 70-200mm f2.8 and at least one fast prime lens (50mm f1.4 or 1.8 and/or a 85mm f1.8)

• At least one zoom lens of 300mm or more or a 10x plus zoom on your quality compact

• Memory Card(s): We recommend at least 10GB of cards

• Any camera accessories - such as a tripod, polarizing filter, digital storage wallet is also useful

• We also cater to film camera users and highly recommend you'll be using transparency (slide) film such as Fuji Probia 100s, Fuji Velvia 50

dates:

Departs 05 July 2010 (ex Sydney)

course price
& inclusions:

Click here to download the PDF with full itinerary details, inclusions and costs