Meet Grant Atkinson

Today I am writing a post about good friend, photographer, safari leader and all around amazing photographer Grant Atkinson. Gosh, I don’t know where to begin about Grant, but I guess it should start when Grant and I started working together back in 2009. Grant has been in the safari business for quite a while, and Grant and I began co-leading safaris in Botswana in 2009. Grant has an extraordinary grasp on technology, especially with Canon camera equipment, and has taught me so much about wildlife behavior as a result of his own experiences in the bush.

Grant used to work for Wilderness Safaris as a specialist guide, and near the end of his employment with Wilderness Safaris he operated out of Savuti Bush Camp as a permanent guide. Grant is now an independent guide and can be found all around the African continent, usually behind a big, white lens. You can see more of Grant and his amazing photographs on his own web site at www.grantatkinson.com.

Grant and I have many safaris together in 2014, and he is also leading a few safaris on his own:

• Big Cats of the Masai Mara - January 18-26, 2014 (This is the BEST time of the year if you are interested in photographing cheetah chases)
• Small Group Luxury Botswana Photo Safari - April 23 - May 2, 2014
• Luxury Great Migration Photo Safari - September 4-12, 2014
• Botswana, The Premier Photo Safari - November 3-22, 2014

Please come join us out in the African bush next year for some exciting photographic opportunities, some good laughs and a trip of a lifetime. In the meantime, here are just a few of Grant’s images:

Namibia Overland Photographic Journey, April 2014

Namibia Overland Photographic Journey
March 29 - April 7, 2014
and
April 8 - 17, 2014

Deadvlei

I will be co-leading a group with Joshua Holko to the Namibia desert in Namibia, Africa. The goal of this safari is to photograph the breathtaking desert landscapes of Namibia in a different way than how I have offered my Namibia trips in the past: in an overland fashion. This will be an overland photographic journey, and we have complete flexibility to stop to take photographs at any time along the way. We wanted to put this trip together that has a good balance between flexibility, photographic opportunities and comfortable accommodations. This approach will also enable us to carry more than enough amount of camera baggage, so bring what you need!

On the South Western Coast of Africa, where the icy Atlantic ocean meets the world’s oldest desert lies a place that is known for its landscapes as much as the Serengeti is known for its abundant wildlife. The unique combination of desert, grassland and cold ocean current form a one-of-a-kind terrain found only here. For this reason landscape photographers from all over the world flock to the Namib Desert to try and capture its ethereal beauty.

In this captivating region of Namibia lies a maze of mountainous valleys that look like they were carpeted from slope to slope by ivory colored grass, criss-crossed by ancient riverbeds and dotted with a collection of photogenic acacia trees. The final unique touch is added by the large snake like dunes that rise from the grasslands like the roof of some subterranean world. These stark and compelling landscapes are something to behold with the human eye, but when it’s sweeping meadows, barren mountains and blood red dunes are captured and transformed into a two dimensional image, it becomes obvious why this place is so beautifully addictive to photographers.

Highlights

– This private overland safari covers fascinating attractions in Namibia while enjoying a relaxed pace along the way.

– We will enjoy four amazing destinations in central and southern Namibia: Sossusvlei, the Namib Rand, the deserted mining town of Kolmanskop and the ancient quiver tree forest near Keetmanshoop.

– The Namib Desert may well be the world’s oldest desert. The apricot-colored dunes at Sossusvlei are some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth. Herds gemsbok and springbok roam the area.

– In all the locations you will have the opportunity to spend quality photographic time.

– Finish on a high note in the magnificent sand dunes of Sossusvlei.

– Limited to only 10 participants.

The cost of this all-inclusive trip is U.S. $7,950 per person (but not inclusive of airfare to Windhoek, Namibia). 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.

A 30% deposit of U.S. $2,325 (per person) will be required when you register. A second payment of $1,500 will be due on October 1, 2013 and the balance of $3,925 will be due no later than  February 1, 2014. If we have to cancel the trip for any reason you will receive a full refund of all monies paid to that date.

Please note: This trip is designed for photographers. Though non-photographer spouses are of course welcome, and alternate activities will be scheduled if possible, our primary emphasis will be traveling to the best locations for the best light, and this will often mean long days of both travel and shooting.

You should therefore only consider joining this expedition if you are a passionate photographer willing to put yourself out a bit. This is not a vacation sightseeing trip, but rather is a trip designed for those who’ll go the extra mile (or kilometer) to get the images they’ve been dreaming about.

Please contact me at info@andybiggs.com. You can see the entire day by day itinerary:

Namibia Overland Photographic Journey 2014

Kolmanskop

The Namib Rand

Botswana Safari Announcement

I am super excited to be running a safari in November 2013 to two camps in the Okavango Delta. Here are some of the highlights:

Botswana: Okavango Delta Photographic Safari

November 8-17, 2013

• We have private vehicles throughout the entire safari, with only 1 person per row of seating (the vehicles have 3 rows behind the driver, plus a seat next to the driver if you want to be lower down to the ground.)
• An increased luggage allowance so you can bring all your camera gear - up to 80 pounds per person allowance. Standard weight allowance is typically only 44 pounds by comparison.
• Exclusive and private use of both safari camps, ensuring freedom to make our own schedule and maximize time spent in the field.
• Knowledgeable and passionate safari guides in Botswana will drive us in open Land Cruisers to help us get the images we are after.
• This safari offers superb game viewing and photographic opportunities in some of the best areas in Southern Africa.
• This itinerary focuses on a real wildlife experience from the surroundings of your premier accommodations.
• The areas visited offer an insight into the fantastic wildlife in Botswana.

I have setup an information page for additional information. Please email me at info@andybiggs.com if you are interested in joining me in Botswana in November. This safari in November 2012 was one of my most popular safaris to-date, as I ran a pair of them and both were sold out more than 9 months in advance.

If my November date does not work for you, I do have other safaris on the books in 2013 and beyond, and you can see my entire schedule online here.

Bull Elephant near Sandibe Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Big Cats of the Masai Mara - 2 New Safaris for 2013

Today I am announcing a pair of safaris for 2013 that will excite those who wish to photograph all three of the 3 big cat species: cheetah, leopard and of course lion. I planned these safaris for the photographer who wants more opportunities to capture the Masai Mara’s big cats in their majestic environment. The safari will be entirely based at the best camp in the Mara ecosystem, Mara Plains Camp. Mara Plains in in the Olare Orok Conservancy, which has very few camps and also has offroading driving. We won’t have to worry about crowds or having to stay on roads to get our best photographs. I have to say that in my past travels to this area of the Masai Mara I have had my best opportunities to witness and photograph cheetah chases. On my last safari in March 2012 to the area we had numerous cheetah chases, leopards with cubs on multiple sightings, majestic male lions on top of hills with wind in their faces, and to top it all off we had the big cat trifecta of having all 3 species within view of our vehicle at the same time. This is just a taste of the things that we can see on this safari. Please join me.

Safari Highlights

• Game drives in the private Olare Orok Conservancy (where our camp is located), bordering the Masai Mara, to the north. Unlike the Mara itself, this reserve is private to the very few camps located here, so we will not experience the larger crowds present inside the Mara proper. With this said, we will have the option of driving into the Mara each day if we decide to, although the game viewing is as good or better in the Orok. We will also have the option of returning to camp after dark since we are not subject to the rules of the National Park. 
• We have private vehicles for the safari game drives, with only 1 person per row of seating (the vehicles have either 2 or 3 rows behind the driver, plus a seat next to the driver if you want to be lower down to the ground.) The vehicles are open 4x4 vehicles, allowing for unhindered movement for photography. 
• Private and exclusive use of the safari camp.
• Safari is limited to 14 participants, plus Andy and Chas as trip leaders.
• Private air charters between Nairobi and our private camp in the Masai Mara region.
• Extra luggage allowances to accommodate the special needs of our photographic equipment. The Nairobi-Mara charter flights will allow for an average of 30-35kg (66 to 77lbs) per person.
• This itinerary focuses on up-close and real wildlife experiences from the surroundings of premier accommodations.

For a complete detailed itinerary, dates and costs I have two links:

Big Cats of the Masai Mara, May 22-31, 2013

Big Cats of the Masai Mara, May 30-June 8, 2013

Cheetah on a Termite Mound, March 2012

 

Mara Plains Camp at Night

Hot Air Ballooning over the Masai Mara

Namibia's Remote Landscapes by Private Air

Are you interested in shooting the remote landscapes of Namibia with the best photographic equipment on the market? I have teamed up with Phase One and I am running a trip to Namibia alongside good friends Bill Atkinson and Kevin Raber. If you don’t already own Phase One medium format equipment, that’s totally ok, as Phase One will be providing cameras and lenses for all participants for a *very* nominal fee of $500. Here are some bullet points for the trip:

• All Phase One equipment will be provided if you don’t already own Phase One gear
• This trip is all about private airplanes, privacy and breathtaking landscapes
• This private flying safari covers fascinating attractions in Namibia while enjoying much of the stunning landscape from the air.
• We will fly to three amazing destinations in southern, central and northern Namibia: Sossusvlei, Serra Cafema and the deserted mining town of Kolmanskop.
• The Namib Desert may well be the world’s oldest desert. The apricot-colored dunes at Sossusvlei are some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth. Herds of mountain zebra, gemsbok and springbok roam the area.
• In all the parks you will have the opportunity to spend quality photographic time.
• Finish on a high note in the magnificent northern landscapes along the Serra Cafema mountain range near Angola.

For more information, please visit my informational page about this trip

Namibia’s Remote Landscapes by Private Air

The Skeleton Coast from the air

Flying above the dunes near Sossusvlei

The deserted mining town of Kolmanskop

Extreme Predators of the Sabi Sands Safari - 2 Final Spaces Available

 I have two back-to-back safaris in the supremely amazing Sabi Sands of South Africa this June, and I only have a couple of spaces available as of this writing. If you have ever wanted to photograph in one of the highest densities of leopards and lions, this is the safari for you. We have three safari leaders on this trip, with Marc Muench, Andy Williams and myself. Each of us will be in a Land Rover, which means there will be plenty of field instruction as well as discussion back at camp. This safari is limited to only 9 people, and the last 2 spots on the trip are here if you are looking for a superb safari in a place that I know well.

The Sabi Sands is world famous for its leopards as well as for its lions, and June is a great time to visit when the weather is cool and the predators are more active during daylight hours. This safari also delivers on all of the other animals that make the area special, from rhinos to elephants, to giraffes to zebras to impalas. I always come home with winning images from the Sabi Sands!

Singita Sabi Sands Photographic Safari

June 10-19, 2012

Leopard and her dinner

 

Rhino in the Sabi Sands

 

 Interior of Singita Castleton

Outdoor dining on clear nights

Greetings from Tanzania

I am on safari for the better part of 3 weeks, and I will be running 2 separate safaris during that time. On my first safari I will be leading a group to the Ngorongoro Crater and two locations in the greater Serengeti ecosystem. After that I will head across the border to run a private safari to the Masai Mara. It’s been more than a few months since I was last in Africa (September!) and I cannot wait to get back out there.

2012 is going to be a very busy year for me, as I have 8 (yes, eight) safaris planned. A typical year for me is that I spend the early part of the year in Tanzania, and then I move down to southern Africa for the second half of the year. The reasoning has to do with rainfall and when the best months to be out on safari for each country are. So the second half of 2012 is when 6 of my safaris will happen, which is going to put some miles in my airline frequent flier account, for sure. Every now and then I wonder if I should just live in Africa full time, because the travel back and forth can be a bit of a burden. I will lose 8 to 10 days this year due to international travel alone. Oh well.

As far as my 2012 schedule goes, you will notice that most of my safaris are already booked up or only have 1 or 2 spaces left. I am in the process of planning my 2013 year, and I will have them listed on my web page in the coming month or so. I am honored to have safaris that are in high demand, and work tirelessly to exceed expectations that my travelers have of me and my services. If you are on the fence about a safari in your future, please know that my safaris do book up early, especially if you are looking for discounts for significant others. I offer 25% to 50% discounts on some of my safaris to those who wish to bring along their significant others and who are willing to share their row with him/her. These discounts are usually limited to certain Botswana safaris, due to how my cost structure works. So if you are thinking about a 2013 safari, take a look at my 2012 schedule to get an idea of what type of safari meets your luxury level and budget.

Thomson Safaris 2012-2013 Catalog is Out

The Thomson Safaris 2012-2013 catalog is out and available. Yours truly has the cover this year, which is photo of a female leopard who is relaxing after a rather sumptuous meal (impala). Yum Yum. If you are interested in joining me on a Tanzania photo safari or to any of my other destinations in Africa, my Africa photo safari schedule can be found on my main web site at andybiggs.com.