African Vision
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Overview
“This was the experience of a lifetime. Visionary Wild provided a terrific photo safari. The educational value of this workshop was unparalleled, and I have participated in many workshops.” –African Vision Safari Participant
Join expert African wildlife photographers Lou Coetzer, Johan Greyling, and Elana Erasmus for this superlative African safari experience for a small group of five, designed to exceed a passionate photographer’s wildest dreams. We will visit Africa’s very finest wildlife destinations at an ideal time of year: Masai Mara, Kenya during the Great Migration, and Chobe River, Botswana, with mammals and birds concentrated along the river by the dry season.
• Includes loan of big telephotos – 600mm f/4 and 500mm f/4 – so you don’t have to travel with them. Full-frame Nikon DSLR bodies available for free loan too!
• Unique custom photo safari vehicles, the best photographer’s set-up in the business, both on the land and on the water, complete with photographer’s chairs featuring fully adjustable 360-degree revolving Wimberley camera mounts. This makes it a breeze to work with big lenses and capture fleeting moments of dynamic wildlife behavior.
• Excellent accommodations, perfectly positioned at Chobe River Lodge and &Beyond’s Kichwa Tembo luxury tented camp in the Mara Triangle.
At Chobe, animals congregate along the river in the dry season to drink and feed on the lush greenery on the banks and flood plain. In addition to Chobe’s population of over 50,000 Kalahari elephants, opportunities include hippos (with young at this time of year), Nile crocs, buffalo, waterbuck, kudu, impala, giraffes, fish eagles, lions, hyenas, baboons, and countless bird species. Lou Coetzer and Johan Greyling will lead inspiring photography instruction at Chobe. Both Lou and Johan have successfully lead our previous expeditions to the Chobe River. Lou continually receives positive feedback from our clients as the most experienced and knowledgeable photo leader they have learned from in Africa, and Johan is a talented teacher of wildlife photography and receives high praise for his editing and classroom critiques.
Masai Mara is famous for its migration of millions of wildebeest, zebras, and Thompson’s gazelles, accompanied by an abundance of lion, cheetah, leopard, and other African species. Elana Erasmus will lead expert photography instruction at Masai Mara.
At both locations we have arranged use of new photo safari vehicles with innovative custom features that deliver an ideal photographic experience. The heavily customized and air-conditioned 4WD IVECO vehicle we will use at Masai Mara features wide pop-up window panels for a broad unobstructed field of view for each photographer, and the vehicle seals up tight to keep out dust, rain, and heat. Both the IVECO and our custom-built photo boat at Chobe comfortably accommodate our whole group. Both on land and on the water, each photographer will have his or her own rotating photographer’s chair with fully adjustable revolving Wimberley-equiped telephoto lens mount.
This package is designed to deliver a superb overall experience, and includes first-rate lodging, all meals, beverages (including fine wine and beer at dinners), expert guides, photographic instruction, loaner Nikon telephotos and cameras, park entry fees, ground transfers, and in-Africa flights during the itinerary.
Click “read more” below right for the itinerary and more information…
Our itinerary makes the most of the incredible photographic opportunities, and offers attentive hands-on photographic instruction and expert guiding throughout:
August 22nd
Arrive at O.R. Tambo International Airport. You will be met at the airport and transferred to the Opikopi Guest House in Constantia Park, Pretoria to rest and de-jetlag after flight. Enjoy an AV presentation on Masai Mara and Chobe River safaris. Dinner and Overnight at Opikopi Guest House.
August 23rd
Early morning breakfast at the Opikopi Guest House before departing for our 11:45am flight departing from O.R. Tambo International Airport and arriving at Kasane Airport in Botswana. Quick transfer from Kasane Airport to Chobe Safari Lodge. Afternoon photography session on the Chobe River on custom-built photography boats. Overnight at Chobe River Lodge.
August 24th – 30th
6:00am meet up at jetty for coffee and rusks, and depart for photography sessions on Chobe River until 10:00am. Return to Lodge for a well-deserved brunch. Thereafter, we’ll meet daily in the classroom for downloading, editing, and constructive critique of images with an eye toward improving your wildlife photography technique and optimizing your camera setup so it works best for you. At 2:30pm we return to the Chobe River for an afternoon photography session until 6:00pm. Snacks and beverages provided provided on the river daily. Overnight at Chobe River Lodge.
After freshening up, meet for sundowners and dinner.
August 31st
6:00am meet up at Jetty for coffee and rusks, and depart for a photography session on Chobe River until 10:00am. Return to Lodge for a well deserved brunch. Last image review and critique of Chobe Safari images, followed by some free time to pack bags and/or relax. Transfer to Kasane Airport for our flight departing for Johannesburg. Arrive at Johannesburg at 3:55pm. Say farewell to the Chobe River Safari group as they return home and stay at the airport for layover. Dinner at or nearby to the airport before early morning Kenya Airways flight departing at 12:55am for Nairobi International Airport.
September 1st
Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi at 6:00am. Road transfer to Wilson Airport for 10:00am charter flight to Kichwa-Tembo Tented Camp. You will have a few hours at leisure before the first photography session in our custom-built photography vehicles at 2:30pm and arrive back at lodge at 6:00pm. After freshening up, meet for sundowners and dinner. Overnight at Kichwa-Tembo Tented Camp.
September 2nd – 8th
6:00am meet up at reception area for coffee and rusks, and depart for photography session in the Masai Mara until 10:00am. Return to Lodge for a well deserved brunch. Thereafter, we’ll gather in the board room for downloading, editing, and critique. At 2:30pm we return to the Masai Mara for a afternoon photography session until 6:00pm. After freshening up, meet for sundowners and dinner. Overnight at Kichwa-Tembo Tented Camp.
September 9th
6:00am meet up at reception area for coffee and rusks, and depart for photography session in the Masai Mara Park until 10:00am. Return to lodge for a well-deserved brunch. Last debriefing on Masai Mara Safari and relaxing. Meet at reception and transfer to Mara Kichwa Tembo Airstrip for 4:00pm flight to Wilson Airport. 40-minute road transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). Say our farewells and catch flights back home, which we recommend booking to depart no earlier than 8:00pm or to depart the next day.
The single-occupancy rate for this deluxe all-inclusive package has been reduced by 15%, from $16,750 to $14,237. The double-occupancy rate has also been reduced by 15%, from $16,250 to $13,812 per person. 50% deposit required upon booking and balance due by July 22nd, 2017.
For more information, please contact Justin or Sara at info@visionarywild.com or 202-558-9596.
Not included: international flights from your point of origin to Johannesburg, South Africa and returning from Nairobi, Kenya (currently between $1,700 to $2,300 for economy class from and to the US), and incidental personal expenses.
PLEASE NOTE:
- VISA: A passport with at least six months of validity remaining is required, in addition to a visa to enter Kenya which you can apply for online through an e-visa process.
- TRAVEL INSURANCE: Required for this expedition; Travelguard.com is excellent.
- FLIGHTS: Internal flights from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to Kasane Airport (BBK), from BBK to JNB, and from JNB to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO).
- VACCINATIONS: Chobe is a low-risk malaria area; malaria prophylaxis is recommended. Yellow fever vaccination is required to enter Kenya.
- GRATUITIES: Baseline tips are included. Our guides and lodge staff work very hard to make our experience in Africa the best it can be, and Visionary Wild budgets for a healthy group tip in recognition of their services. Guests are encouraged to tip additionally if they would like to recognize exceptional service.
Instructors
Lou Coetzer
- Understanding animal behaviour enabled me to predict with reasonable accuracy "what’s going to happen next," which I discovered was a wonderful asset when photography became part of my ...
Johan Greyling
- Johan Greyling assists photographers to take their skills to the next level. His passion and technical ability, coupled with patience, assists photographers to excel beyond their ...
Elana Erasmus
- Growing up, Elana Erasmus was continually exposed to the splendor of African nature. Her father and mother worked for Namibia’s Nature ...
Gallery
Pricing
Highlights
- Unbeatable combination of wildlife density and diversity, locations, seasonal conditions, photo and safari equipment, excellent lodging, expert guiding and photographic instruction
- Custom photo boat at Chobe with revolving Wimberley camera mounts on swivel chair bases offer photo opportunities not to be found in any other type of safari vehicle and only six photographers to a boat
- New customized 4WD safari vehicles at Masai Mara, with custom Wimberley-equipped photographer’s chairs and only three photographers to a vehicle
- Locations on the Chobe River and Masai Mara during the peak of migration that provide some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities anywhere
- Experienced leaders to put you in the right place at the right time to capture peak-action animal behavior in the best light
- Professional-grade supertelephoto lenses and camera bodies to enable participants to capture the best photos possible – provided at no extra cost!
- Small group of five participants with the attentive support of three professional photographer instructors, naturalist guides, and experienced safari drivers
- We will be unrushed at each location, to let you get to know the place and make the most of the opportunities
- First-rate lodging and dining included throughout
- Five in-Africa flights and all ground transfers included
Accommodations
- Chobe: Chobe River Lodge, excellent accommodations and welcoming staff just steps away from our boat on the Chobe River.
- Masai Mara: Kichwa-Tembo Tented Camp, a first-rate luxury tented camp, overlooking the plains of Masai Mara and the Sabaringo River, located on a private concession leased from Masai owners.
- Pretoria: While in the Johannesburg area after arrival, our guests will be lodged at a superb guest house – Opikopi Guest House – located in Erasmuskloof, an upscale suburb of the capital, Pretoria.
Travel
Expectations
NOTE: Group size is limited to six participants per photo boat when on the Chobe River, each guided by one of the instructors. This expedition will operate simultaneously with our Chobe River Safari expedition, which only includes a photo safari at the Chobe River. Participants of both this expedition and the Chobe River Safari expedition will be able to meet each other and share the experience together at the Chobe River.
Outcomes
Testimonials
The Africa trip was one of the best I have been on. I learned so much. The facilities were top-notch, vehicles and boats were specially equipped for photographers, and to top it off the dining was excellent! Thank you for putting together an interesting, educational, and fun trip for all of us. I have recommended this trip so I hope you will continue to offer it.”
–Ruth K., 2013 African Vision Safari Participant
I highly recommend Visionary Wild for any serious photographer who wants to upgrade skills while having fun in an enriched environment with others who share that same passion. Justin’s attention to detail and ongoing support both in the planning stages and during the expedition was wonderful and fairly unique.
Over the years I have been fortunate to pursue my passion for wildlife photography in North, Central and South America and sharing the experiance with others on my return. However, this safari has without question taken my interest in wildlife photography to a whole new level…. And then there is the secret sauce; the custom vehicles and boat!! Any serious photographer interested in shooting wildlife in Africa simply owes it to themselves.My only, and I mean only, suggestion regarding improving the experience would be to install a cappuccino machine on the boat. Coffee machine or not I look forward to visiting again next year.
My sincere thanks for a journey I will never forget!
–David C., 2013 African Vision participant
African Vision
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